A static "click" when I touch the strings, move

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Will
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A static "click" when I touch the strings, move

Post by Will »

I've got a strange problem with my '57 U1. When I touch the strings, I get a little static click sound through the amp. It's mostly while I'm playing - like if the strings are vibrating and I take my hands off the guitar for a second and then touch it again I'll get a click. It also happens when I move the back across my body, regardless of whether or not I'm touching the strings. It was pretty loud at the open mic last night, and when someone borrowed my guitar I could tell it weirded them out.

My power strip says the outlets are all fine, and the building I was in last night was newer so it should have pretty good wiring. Since this only happens with the U1, I'm thinking it's a guitar issue.

So what is it and how do I fix it?
benecol

Post by benecol »

I used to have a guitar that did this: I know that if you wrap a spare string round your wrist then fasten it to the bridge, that stops it, but that's more of a field repair than a fix. Has the earth cable come off from under the bridge?
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Will
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Post by Will »

benecol wrote:I used to have a guitar that did this: I know that if you wrap a spare string round your wrist then fasten it to the bridge, that stops it, but that's more of a field repair than a fix. Has the earth cable come off from under the bridge?
I checked the grounding with my multi-meter and everything is still fine.

It seems to mostly happen when I'm in the bass-rolloff setting (not the setting shown here :roll:) :
Image
I wonder if there isn't a small charge building up is one of those capacitors somehow.
benecol

Post by benecol »

Ah - you seem to have mistaken me for someone with some actual technical knowledge. As stated earlier, I mainly just pose in front of the mirror with my guitars.
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Thomas
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Post by Thomas »

Static buildup. I Had this problem with a guitar before. If I ran my finger over the pickguard it'd crackle and make that same pop sound. I got rid of the cheap single ply guard and the problem stopped. Some peeps use anti-static wipes to solve this.
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Fran
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Post by Fran »

Its a Dano innit :lol: