Random crackling from Jaguar?

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:16 pm

As many of you know, I recently sold my Fender Baja Tele and replaced it with a Squier VM Jaguar. I've had it for about two weeks and everything has been perfect, or at least it had been perfect up until this evening. This evening I started getting a crackling sound coming from my amp. Through process of elimination I have worked out the following:

- It's definitely coming from the guitar, there is no crackling with other guitars through the exact same setup.
- It isn't the jack socket, the crackling goes away if I turn the volume down all the way so it must be somewhere before that in the circuit.
- It isn't the pickups, the crackling is there even when both pickups are switched off.
- The crackling is there on both the main circuit and the rhythm circuit.

Any ideas what this might be? Just a loose connection somewhere? I'll probably take it into a shop tomorrow or the next day as I'm pretty cack-handed when it comes to soldering and things, but is there anything simple I might be able to do in the meantime? I haven't paid to have a guitar repaired since I was about 13, so what's a fair price for them to be charging? I've got a gig on the 27th so ideally I'd get this fixed before then, although I do have a backup guitar with me in Scarborough.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:50 pm

Squier seem to be a little prone to static for some reason. Like rubbing on the pickguard can create an audible crackle through an amp. Fender suggested using an anti static cloth and anti static polish and giving it a wipe down. It worked for the customer... might be worth a try.

Failing that have you tried the guitar thorough another amp, I've witnessed crackling coming from the valves from warming up... so say you've tested the jag first, and then the other afterwards... this could be it ? Is it consistent all the time ?

Any chance you can take a quick youtube clip of the prob ?

I would personally loosen off the 3 control plates and pull out to see if the prob goes away once removed. Check after each stage of removal. Often parts / wires touching the black grounding paint on the routes can cause weird issues. It did on my VM Mustang.

Also, the guitar is covered under warranty so you shouldn't have to pay anything to have it sorted... unless you go to a third party repair guy. I usually try sort out the customers guitars before sending to Fender, if it is or isn't resolved we don't charge. Just saves everyone time and effort on basic issues like this. Other shops may do differently.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:58 pm

I can't record a sound clip since I haven't got any recording software installed on my new laptop just yet.

I alternated between the Jag and the Strat a few times, plus it's a solid state amp I was playing through so there are no valves to be warmed up. I'll have a go through my Tiny Terror as well.

Where would I buy an anti static cloth and/or anti static polish?

Anything involving taking the guitar apart, I'd much rather take it into a shop since I'm a massive wimp when it comes to looking at internal problems myself.

I can't realistically take it back to the shop I bought it from because that was in Halifax and I'm now in Scarborough. Not sure if Guitar Zone in Halifax would fix it for free, but even if they would, it's probably worth paying Â£10/15 to a guy in Scarborough. I'd have to get it back to my parents in Halifax, they'd have to explain the problem in the shop (which I can guarantee they'd be hopeless at doing) and then I'd have to get it back here. I've got a gig on the 27th and ideally I'd like to play the Jaguar at that gig.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:18 pm

Might just be something like an appliance that is on in your house. I wouldn't worry too much at this point, see how it goes in a different environment first.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:31 pm

Just a phone / camera clip I was referring... with my iphone and youtube app I can get a clip up in a 5 mins. I don't know your situation on the phone front though.

You should be able to get a cloth and polish from most Supermarkets I reckon. They're just household items.

But try rubbing on the pickguard and around the guitar and see if the noise worsens. If it doesn't I wouldn't really bother.

Removing the control plates is a case of a few screws, nothing else. Well 8 in total. There wont be anything to damage... it could just identify the issue, if the noise suddenly vanishes.

I guess if you don't want to try tackle it at all then you'd be best just getting it sorted by the shop.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:42 pm

I'm just being a moody git really. I should try all of these things, I'm just in a bad mood because of my guitar fucking up, and I've got loads of shit to sort out for my new flat, and I'm just generally feeling that way out...

I'll give everything you've suggested a go tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work I'll take it into the shop.

Sorry for being a dickhole.

markarkark · Post by **markarkark** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:08 pm

I had a similar problem and yeah it was due to static. Bought a packet of anti-static tumble dryer sheets at the supermarket ('bounce' or whatever) and rubbed one on the pickguard. Worked a treat!

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:14 pm

markarkark wrote:anti-static tumble dryer sheets

Was gonna suggest these. Probably the cheapest and freshest-smelling solution.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:28 pm

Freddy V-C wrote: Sorry for being a dickhole.

Not at all, it's always a constant frustration when things like this happen.

Last thing I want is to push you into something you're not comfortable doing. My bet is the 'guy' in the shop could be even more unconfident than you, and heavy handed with your pride and joy.

I just think that initial fear of deconstructing and reconstructing guitars can pass quite quickly once you get your hands dirty, and you can learn a lot in the process and it's free. Lots of help at hand here. You really can't go far wrong IMO and with these little port holes on the jag just means that everything is easy to access and you don't have to remove strings / pickguards which is usually the most time consuming and annoying part.

It could be something really obvious like a loose wire, and simple quick re-solder. I watched a short youtube clip on soldering technique and ever since ...my joints have been decent. Before that they were awful !!!!! I was exactly like you... and scared of anything hands-on like this.

Fran might be right though, if I sit near my Mac charger there's tons of weird noise that come through the amp.

Hows about a different cable ?

Hope I'm not condescending and bullying you into anything, that's not my intention. Just keen to try help.

Feel free to ignore me and do what you feel is right.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:59 pm

othomas2 wrote:My bet is the 'guy' in the shop could be even more unconfident than you, and heavy handed with your pride and joy.

I can't remember his name, but the guy who runs Guitar Galleries in Scarborough is really helpful and knowledgeable. Friends of mine have had their guitars fixed by him before, and he's done a good job and is cheap. Otherwise I would probably share these concerns.

I'll have a go at some of the things people have suggested, and if the problem persists I'll take it in for him to have a look at.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:48 pm

I'm a very static prone person (I never get shocks but seem to produce loads of static) and I find that when I use the combo of my Jag and MBM Fender Blender I get loads of static crackle whenever I touch (or get real close to) the pickguard.

This happens to me with a lesser extent on almost all of my guitars. It can be really fucking irritating, especially when recording.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:19 am

There's kind of a distorted undertone some of the time when I'm playing as well, surely static wouldn't be causing that?

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:59 am

That could be your signature sound.

Take it in. It will be a relief to have it sorted.

But at some point in your life, challenge yourself to work on a guitar. Get a cheapo to practice with. That way you could see if one of the wires was loose. It was 20 years before I took one apart, but it is so much easier than it seems.

cur · Post by **cur** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:44 am

When I made a pick guard for one of my guitars and put it on I got some crazy sounds going on. I did not know what was happening, I fungured out I could trace my finger on the plastic and make it go crazy. So I glued some aluminium foill to the back of the guard and that sorted it out. Drove me nuts and thought I had short or bad ground.

DaveB · Post by **DaveB** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:59 am

Lightly sand the back of the pick guard.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:52 am

The distorted undertone could be teh third harmonics ringing behind the bridge. They become more audible when using drive or distortion.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:00 pm

Last time I had something like this it actually turned out to be the cables I was using, so maybe it's some cabling inside the guitar -maybe in one of the cavities getting squished by some hardware?

Post by **Doog** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:09 pm

Do the Squiers have the ground wire going to the tailpiece plate, basically being squished into making contact against the body?

I remember my old MIJ gave me some noise issues until I rejiggled this and stripped away a little more of the insulation.

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 4:51 pm

I tried a few of the suggestions mentioned here this morning and nothing worked, unfortunately. In fact removing the control plates seemed to make it worse. Took it into the shop about midday, and he called me about 4:30 to say it was done. It turned out to be the bridge rattling (I didn't think it was rattling THAT badly) to such an extent that it was interfering with the electronics.

The best part is he didn't charge any money.

Happy times.

This has definitely cemented my decision to replace the bridge though. Is a Mustang bridge my best bet?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:03 pm

Do you know what precisely on the bridge was rattling? If it was the saddles getting Mustang saddles may help. If it was the rest of the bridge wrapping masking tape around the bridge posts may sort it but replacing the saddles only may not solve the issue. Mustang saddles are good but may not match the radius of your neck, you may need to put shims under some of the saddles. An alternative would be Graphtech TUSQ saddles, they are similar to Jaguar saddles but with deeper grooves so strings are less likely to jump out plus they have grub screws to adjust height to match your neck radius.