Weird issue, possibly because of exposed poles?

**Basschair** · #1 01-14-2009, 09:07 AM

Hi all,

I recently wired up a passive setup with some Nordstrand DC's (exposed poles), two volumes, two tones, then out. I used the shielding paint in the control cavity, the pup cavities and the holes for running the leads from the pups to the controls. The bass has a great sound and is super quiet, but I'm getting this weird sound. Once in a while there's this sound, something like the sound of a static discharge, and it seems to come when a finger inadvertantly touches one of the exposed poles while plucking strings. It's not consistent (I can't duplicate it whenever I want), but only occasional.

At any rate, the one thing I didn't do when wiring was run a grounding wire to the bridge. Is this a result, or is it something else?

Thanks
Paul

BTW: it's not a humming sound, but a quick "snap."

Stealth · #2 01-14-2009, 10:59 AM

Have you checked if the pickup poles themselves is grounded?
Something along the lines of this:

Notice the thin wire that connects the shielding sleeve to the conductive strips.

John Wentzien · #3 01-14-2009, 11:07 AM

I would ground the bridge and see if that helps.
To test if this is the problem, just temporarily attach a wire with an "alligator" clip on each end. (one to the bridge, and one to a ground).

**Basschair** · #4 01-14-2009, 02:45 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys: I'll give them both a try and will do my best not to electrocute myself

.

Andrew Jones · #5 01-14-2009, 02:52 PM

Is the string hitting the exposed pole piece?

that causes a nasty pop. Cure,,,lower pickup or put a strip of electrical tape on there.

Aj

**line6man** · #6 01-14-2009, 03:05 PM

In my book, the bridge should ALWAYS be grounded no matter what!

Ground it immediately.

There is absolutely nothing in a guitar or bass that can electrocute you (when your not connected to anything of course)
FWIW, A good way to check a 9V battery is to put it on your tongue...

Stealth · #7 01-14-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

A good way to check a 9V battery is to put it on your tongue...

As eerie as it sounds - it works, and generally you only feel a short jolt - not enough to do you any harm, but enough to know if the battery's still alive and pumping amperes out.

mikezimmerman · #8 01-15-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

Once in a while there's this sound, something like the sound of a static discharge, and it seems to come when a finger inadvertantly touches one of the exposed poles while plucking strings. It's not consistent (I can't duplicate it whenever I want), but only occasional.

In fact, it may very well be a "static discharge". In winter when the humidity is very low, you can build up static just by your feet rubbing on the carpet, etc. That gets grounded through the bass when you come in contact with the pickup polepieces, or with the strings if you have the bridge grounded, and it makes a static-y pop through the amp.

Mike