The static won't go away

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 24 Feb 2003 4:06 pm

I'm unable to get rid of this burst of static, each time my knees hit either of my outer levers. I've resoldered the connections on my pickup, and even switched and resoldered the leads on the input jack. I'm beginning to think it might be a bug in my XLR-16 pickup. I've tried different electrical outlets in my room and I've moved my guitar around, but I can't get rid of this noise. When the metal hits metal in my knee lever configuration, it generates a sound,a sound that can be measured on my recording meter. I've done several sessions in the recent past and no one had noticed it. Now I'm wondering if it's a ground loop issue, but I don't know. Any other ideas?

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Rich Weiss on 24 February 2003 at 04:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Feb 2003 4:42 pm

Just a thought. It sounds like you installed this pickup yourself. Since these are humbucking pickups, it "might" make a difference which lead is used for ground. Try reversing the wires at the output jack and see if that makes a difference.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 24 Feb 2003 4:49 pm

First, try eliminating the volume pedal...just to make sure that's not the cause. Then, if nothing in the linkage is hitting a wire or the jack, somewhere (I presume you've checked for this), the next thing I would do is to loosen and re-tighen all the screws on the guitar. You could be losing a ground on the endplate. Turn the guitar upside-down on a piece of carpet, and then move the knee levers with your hand, and see if it still makes this noise.

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 24 Feb 2003 7:08 pm

Thanks for the replies. I've done all of the above and the problem persists. It wouldn't be a big thing if I was playing live, but the digital recording world picks up every little click and nuance. I've had this pickup, which I love, for several months and it's been great. This is something new, and one for the audio detectives. I'm about to try changing into rubber pants and see if that makes a difference.

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 25 Feb 2003 1:00 pm

Might work Rich but better keep corn starch on hand---gald city, big time !!!!! -

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Feb 2003 1:10 pm

Pretty stupid thought but----are you using a different seat than usual? Is it more static prone? Do the outside lever moves cause more leg friction against this seat material, thus generating more static than any other moves? Truly a strange one Rich.

Rich Weiss · Post by **Rich Weiss** » 25 Feb 2003 5:49 pm

Jon, that's what I thought it was. It turns out that Donny's suggestion was the clue. I moved and tightened about everything I could find - and the static mysteriously disappeared. And I was just about to slip on some aluminum-foil underwear and have my blood tested for excess iron.