Crackling sound when playing notes

[IsleyBros]

MM Sire V7 5-string

There is crackling everytime a sound is picked up by the pickups. No crackling when i'm touching the metal parts or letting go of the strings, just when i'm playing a note/or when any other sound is picked up. Started happening a few days ago

What could be wrong? loose solder joint?

Strings are not hitting the pickup poles
Cable and preamp working correctly, no crackling when i'm playing my electric guitar
Still crackling when soloing the neck/bridge PU, active/passive mode makes no difference


Attached audio of the crackling

 

[jallenbass]

Is any part of your hand touching the pickguard? I have one bass that produces static when my thumb moves around on it. I wiped it down with an anti-static dryer sheet and that helped for a while but need to do another application.

 

[Ewo]

have you checked the batteries?

 

[IsleyBros]

have you checked the batteries?

I have not, but the crackling is still there in passive mode

 

[mech]

Bad solder joint on circuit board/wiring, volume pot/output jack needs to be cleaned or loose connection at output jack/plug.

 

[gfen]

Is any part of your hand touching the pickguard? I have one bass that produces static when my thumb moves around on it. I wiped it down with an anti-static dryer sheet and that helped for a while but need to do another application.

This was my first assumption. I can replicate it by tapping my finger on the pickguard right behind the EA coil of my P that has this issue.

 

[IsleyBros]

Odd thing.. when i plugged it in today and played there was no crackle.

Seems to be working fine right now

 

[Luke_94]

Odd thing.. when i plugged it in today and played there was no crackle.

Seems to be working fine right now

I hate that. Just like a car which keeps having problems but works fine as soon as you decide to take it to the mechanic

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Is any part of your hand touching the pickguard? I have one bass that produces static when my thumb moves around on it. I wiped it down with an anti-static dryer sheet and that helped for a while but need to do another application.

The proper solution to remove static electricity discharges is shielding. Rubbing a dryer sheet all over your axe will make it smell. Start by putting some aluminum or copper foil tape on the back of the guard and see if that alleviates it.

OP, test new cables and a new battery. It seems like the issue is resolved but we'll see.

 

[Salicete]

Might have been oxidation/grime on your output jack causing a crappy connection. Plugging and unplugging it a couple of times may have resolved the issue, which is why it works now.


If not, bad solder joint/connection would be my thought.