Weird Crackling Noise coming from amp (new bass)

[badiban]

Hey everyone,

I bought a new Rickenbacker 4003 from Guitar Center a couple weeks ago. I love it so far, however, I have come across one issue. When I plug it into my amplifier (Fender Rumble 25), there is a very weird crackling sound coming out over the white noise. It might be the bass because when I plug in my other bass there is no crackling sound at all!

I have tried to fix it per a user's suggestion by rubbing a drier sheet over the pickguard, but that unfortunately didn't fix it.

Is this a common issue for Ricks? Any help/advice is appreciated! I have 45 days so I'm probably going to go to Guitar Center in the next few days and see what they can do for me if I can't fix it.

EDIT: I don't think it's a grounding issue. Touching around on the metal parts of the bass does not affect the crackling noise; it's still present at same volume with contact and without contact.

 

[mikeswals]

Have you tried soloing each pickup to see if the crackle goes away?

Make sure the solder joints in your cable arent breaking away.

 

[badiban]

Have you tried soloing each pickup to see if the crackle goes away?

Make sure the solder joints in your cable arent breaking away.

I've tried, crackling is still there at equal volumes so I'm not sure it's a pickup issue. Not sure if it's the cable either because it works fine on my other bass (Epiphone Viola).

 

[Watchootognbout]

I've had this in the past.
Does it sound as if some one is rumpling up paper?
I suspect static buildup.

 

[badiban]

I've had this in the past.
Does it sound as if some one is rumpling up paper?
I suspect static buildup.

Yeah! More or less. Any solutions?

 

[RSBBass]

Is it possibly just a loose jack?

 

[Jeff Scott]

What cable (brand/model) are you using? Does this crackling occur if gently wiggling the cable in the jack, or the selector switch?

 

[badiban]

What cable (brand/model) are you using? Does this crackling occur if gently wiggling the cable in the jack, or the selector switch?

I don't think it's the cable because it works fine with my other bass. Crackling is still there when I try to push cable in more or when I wiggle it. Cable is by Fender.

 

[badiban]

Is it possibly just a loose jack?

It's possible, I have no idea. How do I check and fix this?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Yeah! More or less. Any solutions?

Actually,I sprayed in some electrical contact cleaner in the electronics(while unplugged) and it went away.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I don't think it's the cable because it works fine with my other bass. Crackling is still there when I try to push cable in more or when I wiggle it. Cable is by Fender.

I mean cable, as in, how tight is the plug in the output jack?

 

[mikeswals]

It's possible, I have no idea. How do I check and fix this?

Remove the pickguard and inspect the function of everything, and check the integrity of the solder joints. Check the tang on the jack that holds the cable in place by tension.
And check your cable by unscrewing the ends and making just the solder joints arent broken there.

 

[Giffro]

I had a similar issue with a couple of my basses. The problem was the cable. I was using a cable that had a metric 6.5mm plug and the Ric of course and other USA made guitars use the imperial standard 1/4inch plug. Now the 2 sizes are supposed to be identical but one of my cables crackles on 2 out of 5 basses and I am assuming the sockets on those 2 basses are likely imperial sizes. Apparently there is a miniscule size difference but enough to play an important part in being a close tight contact with the socket or not and once again that depends on the socket size Imperial or metric too. I doubt this is the OP's issue if using a US Fender made cable on a US made bass, but worth remembering..sometimes cables aint cables even with big name branding. It really does come down to where the cable was made and whether imperial or metric plugs have been fitted. I always try to buy US made cables here in Aust but it is difficult sometimes when the market is flooded with Asian cheapies than can be anything 1/4inch or metric. I dont know if some Fender cables are outsourced to be made cheaper in Asia but that could be part of the problem. My Fender acoustic 4 string bass for example is made in China. My barrel socket output in my Peavey Dyna Bass is quite worn and needs replacing which gives this same crackle as a matter of fact. Just another thing to watch out for especially here in Aust and maybe not so much for you US guys. This problem was documented somewhere on the net but i'm sorry I cant remember where I read it.