Static pop on my R8...

[SamsDaddy]

Hi Guys - I have been noticing annoying static pops on my R8 lately that are bugging me. I think they have always been there, but I am just now starting to get annoyed by it.

I searched a little and found some hits for reducing hum, but nothing on static pops. What happens is, I play for a little bit, then maybe take my hands off the guitar, and then when I touch the strings again, I hear the static crackle through my amp.

I recently put in the pots and caps, but I had the static problem before that with the stock electronics.

FWIW - I do have hum/buzz when I am not touching the strings and it goes away completely when I touch the strings. I am not concerned about that kind of buzz, but just in case it helps diagnose the crackle problem I thought I would mention it.

Does the crackle indicate a problem with the ground wire, something with the output jack, or what? Also, I can cause the crackle on my LP Standard Faded, but I really have to TRY to do it on that one (rubbing my feet on the carpet a lot then touching the strings). On my R8, it just seems to happen any time I let go of metal and then touch the strings again.

I've tried different cables and have tried multiple amps too, and always get the problem, so I know it is the guitar. None of the wiring seems loose or touching other wires where they shouldn't be. I can't see where the ground wire is touching the bridge, so there could possibly be a problem there, but I'm not sure.

Anyone have suggestions as to what to check out? Or it this just one of those things that I have to live with?

Thanks!

 

[antei]

I have heard of this and one guy was actually using a drier sheet and rubbing it on the guitar to pull off the static. I think this is a common winter dry air problem that many guitar players face. Good luck. A humidifier might work too.

 

[drewbertca]

I have a huge humidifier and still have this problem.....one guy used an alligater clip (like the one some of you must have for other than electronic purposes) and a lengthpf bare wire wrapped around his wrist on his picking hand and the clip attached to a string behind the bridge......this keeps you at the same potential as the guitar and prevents the pops....but it prevents pick-hand theatrics....like windmilling and the like.....

 

[Liam]

Sweat more when you're playing. Humidifies the atmosphere, makes all the pops less, and I'll bet it's good for the fingerboard too.

 

[LoKi]

Dryer sheets work wonders. I rub the control cavity before shows. Here in Alberta its drier than a popcorn fart.

 

[bigtoe]

Could it be a ground issue with your power source? I've noticed the same thing on both my Standard and my R9. I thought it was the shitty power in my house...

 

[drewbertca]

I suppose it could be bad wiring but I suspect it occurs because tou aren't plugged into the amp yourself so until you touch the strings you are at a different electrical potential relative to you guitar so it's a flow of electrons that occurs to balance this.....

 

[SamsDaddy]

Thanks! Good points from everyone here. I just suspected a wiring problem with the R8 itself because I don't really notice any pops with any of my other guitars. Maybe I just rock harder with my R8 and generate more static! Ha!

 

[DitDah]

I know this thread's been dead for a little while...but thought I'd post anyway.

Seems I've been noticing popping when I touch my strings on my new GLP Standard. This happens on either of my amps with any cords. I'm using a Lil Devil tube amp and also a THD Univalve tube amp. Anyway...I was worried that it was something internal...bad ground or what not. But today, I noticed if I was walking on my carpet or moving my feet...it guarantees a pop when I touch my strings. If I didn't walk or shuffle my feet...no pop. I don't know why I never noticed this before...but there you have it.

 

[lewddude]

Mine will do it in the winter months when sliding over my shirt, or pants... never been able to aviod it in the winter.

 

[mrkenny]

Mine did the same thing; static. The dryer sheet worked for me, for a short time. Being a finisher I knew it had to do with static build-up because of the type of finish, lots of additives. I refinished mine, no more static, no more stickyness etc. I'm not sure if the static pop will go away in time. Mine didn't and it's a '06.

 

[daddyo]

Thread ressurection

My Trad does the same thing. It's not the wiring. It's static buildup from rubbing my hand on the neck. The pickups pick up the discharge. If I touch the bridge or strings with one hand and rub the neck, it's about 1/3 as loud. It isn't noticeable gigging but vey when I play mellow stuff alone at home. It's the platicizer in the nitro. None of my other (non-Gibsons) do this. I'll try the drier sheet.