Pick up making quite a bit of staticy noise.

[cyprus]

Hey, I replaced my pickups a few months ago for some Quarter pounders, and I've had no problems with it.

Just a few days ago I noticed that there was quite a bit of static coming from the pick up when ever I touched it with my finger. I disregarded it, because I was playing from a friends amp and just thought it was something to do with their rig, but I just tried it again today at practice with my regular amp, and it seems to have gotten worse. Now there's a sort of screeching noise that builds up.


The sound goes away when I make contact with a string, and I've read about grounding and thought maybe it had something to do with that? Not really sure though...

It only happens when I touch the first and last of the little metal poles things.

Any suggestions?


If you need more info, just let me know.
Thanks!

[cyprus]

Anyone?
Maybe?
Possibly?

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by cyprus

Hey, I replaced my pickups a few months ago for some Quarter pounders, and I've had no problems with it.

Just a few days ago I noticed that there was quite a bit of static coming from the pick up when ever I touched it with my finger. I disregarded it, because I was playing from a friends amp and just thought it was something to do with their rig, but I just tried it again today at practice with my regular amp, and it seems to have gotten worse. Now there's a sort of screeching noise that builds up.


The sound goes away when I make contact with a string, and I've read about grounding and thought maybe it had something to do with that? Not really sure though...

It only happens when I touch the first and last of the little metal poles things.

Thanks!

What happens? It makes static or the static goes away?

A screeching buildup sounds a lot like feedback. Static by touching pole pieces sounds like improper grounding.

A proper connection would have ALL the poles connected together and grounded. The fact that things happen with only some of them sounds like the grounding has somehow come loose.

A microphonic pickup (picks up amp and cab and makes a screech) is tested by getting a small wooden (repeat WOOD) dowel and tapping on the pickup case. Any output in the speaker from that should be minimal. Improper pole piece grounding can cause microphonics. Lightly tapping with a metal rod (like a screwdriver) will be picked up magnetically and is a test for which pickup is "on" rather than microphonics. OK?