jim.i wrote:Ken i am getting little "pop" noises while playing the single-coil bass, not as loud as strings hitting poles (which i don't do) but noticeable. I thought it was static electricity. Tried different cables, not using tuner foot pedal, didn't make a difference. When i use my LB-100 however, no pops. I thought hum was the symptom of s-c noise, but could these pops also be?
I tend to associate popping noise with static. Being in SoCal, a Santa Ana condition* can exacerbate a static issue and I may hear popping if I use a cheap cable when playing on a carpeted floor. You've swapped cables, so that likely eliminates your cable. Some pickguards can be little static generators, creating all sorts of annoying little pops & crackles. Grounding the backside of such a pickguard can help but the entire backside needs to be covered, not just around the pickup(s). Even then you could still have issues. Replacement of the pickguard with a high quality one is the cure.
Try this: Grab a dryer sheet from the laundry - even a used one should work. Thoroughly wipe down the pickguard then see if the popping goes away. If it does go away, you've found your culprit.
Popping and crackling cam also be caused by a dirty or failing output jack, though this is usually quite loud and associated with signal loss. L Series G&Ls are somewhat famous for this with their long barrel jacks. The fix hear is to clean the jack contacts with a Q-Tip soaked with contact cleaner. Or just replace the jack.
*Santa Ana Condition for those wondering what I'm talking about.
Ken...
This is where those discussions go.
