wierd sounds...help needed!

[Necro]

Hi there guys

Ok I've just finished installing the APH-1 pickup but I've some queries. Cracking and static noises are heard whenever I play any note and it lasts throughout the sustain. This happens for all the pickups (S-S-H). As long as the string moves, I can hear static/cracking noises as the note is being sustained. If I knock the wood of my guitar, the little vibrations in the strings will produce the static/cracking noise as well. The funny thing is, there is no noticable hum in the humbuckler position and even though my middle pickup is RWRP, there is still a noticeable hum in the 2/4 positions. The cracking static sounds only occur when I hit any note as it sustains and when I move the pickup selector switch. I have checked the grounding on the volume pot and it appears shiny and good.

I am suspecting that my pickup selector is overheated due to my poor soldering skills. One of the lugs in the pickup selector has turned brownish/black due to overheating. How can I isolate the problem to my pickup selector before I proceed to buy a new one. Are there any possibilities that can cause my apparent problem?

Thanks

 

[Timex]

mind telling me what guitar is it u have?

 

[GC]

Certainly sounds like a loose jack connection to me. As for the 2 and 4 positions, a single coil when connected in parallel to a humbucker will not result in humcancelling unless you spilt the humbucker.

 

[Necro]

The humbuckler is split at the 5 way selector though.

I plan to isolate the pickup selector by bypassing it using one pickup to test. I wonder if this is possible. To test the pickup by rewiring it directly to the volume pot instead of the hot wire going to the pickup selector.

 

[thor666]

I am suspecting that my pickup selector is overheated due to my poor soldering skills. One of the lugs in the pickup selector has turned brownish/black due to overheating. How can I isolate the problem to my pickup selector before I proceed to buy a new one. Are there any possibilities that can cause my apparent problem?

Thanks

u could simply wire one pickup direct to the volume pot, and disable all the other pickups by unsoldering all the other wires to the pickup selector. (remember to maksing tape them for the moment.) As for which lug,

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/schematics/3sings1vol2tone1switch_mod.html

basically the one that activates the bridge pickup when the pushpull is up.

but yes, i definitely do agree with GC... think it's the jack problem.

 

[Necro]

I just double checked my output jack connections though. The solder connections to the vol pot and ground were untouched before the problem occurs. Looks well soldered and shiny to me.. Hmmmm. The mystery thickens.

I initially suspected my vol pot could be overheated or faulty. But I tested it out by setting my amp to a very high gain, slightly muting the strings and turn the pot, not a single scratchy sound at all. Same goes for my tone pot. But if any strings move just a lil fraction, the cracking/static sound is heard...

I am still suspecting its the fault of the pickup selector but i'm too tired now to test it out. Will rewire one pickup directly to the vol control lug in the next few days...Will keep this updated!