What is usually the cause of "crackling"? Is it the bass or the amp?

[DChalo]

Only have one amp at the moment, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but recently I have noticed a weird crackling sound every now and then. What is most likely the cause? (Please don't say the bass )

 

[Jrussblues]

It's almost always something electronic. In my case it has always been tone and volume pots that need to be cleaned out which just means spraying some canned air (like you would use to clean a computer keyboard) on the pots.

 

[Grumry]

It's almost always something electronic. In my case it has always been tone and volume pots that need to be cleaned out which just means spraying some canned air (like you would use to clean a computer keyboard) on the pots.

And contact cleaner after that.

 

[elgecko]

Actually, it's most often a bad cable.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Only have one amp at the moment, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but recently I have noticed a weird crackling sound every now and then. What is most likely the cause? (Please don't say the bass )

Just run the amp by itself and see if the crackling persists, turn some knobs will doing this to see if one of them is scratchy. If you have nothing plugged in and the issue doesn't happen then the issue isn't the amp.

Slowly add things back to your rig to see where the noise comes in. If it is the bass, one of the most common crackles is static electricity discharging (often when you touch the pickguard). If this is the case then a simple shielding job is all that is required but it could be anything at this point.

 

[viper4000]

Actually, it's most often a bad cable.

Man I hate that. Spend 10 minutes diagnosing your pedal board, bass, amp; only to find a bad cable.

 

[Warhawk]

It's the bass! (Just kidding!)
Yeah, check the amp by itself first. Then plug in the bass and leave it on it's stand. Without touching or moving the cord turn the controls on the bass. If still no noise start moving the cord around. No noise yet? Strap the bass on and move it around. Play it and note where you're touching it when the crackling begins and let us know.
I do think it's the cord.

 

[DChalo]

Actually, it's most often a bad cable.

THAT'S WHAT IT WAS!! Thank you very much. I feel stupid, but not as bad as I would have if either the amp or bass was broken

 

[Hopkins]

If it weren't the cable, I would much rather the noise come from the bass than the amp. The bass is a simple inexpensive fix, an amp is more difficult.