Snap, Crackel and Pop

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:04 am

Ok guys, I have been hearing lately alot of popping and static when i play. I thought it was the cable, but when i changed it, i get the same noise. I then plugged into the "Ric-o-sound" jack and the noise is gone and as soon as i try the standard jack the noise is there but only when i pluck the strings.
Could this be a loose connection on the jack?

Suggestions?

Mike

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:32 am

The springy part of the jack that holds the tip of the 1/4" plug might need to be bent back into place.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:05 am

sometimes the ric-o-sound and mono jacks get screwed up ... you can rewire it with 2 mono outputs or get replacement stereo and mono jacks from Ric or a Ric dealer ... also the pickup toggle switch can be a source of that noise ...

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:49 am

It's strange, i just got done playing "Hemispheres" and there were no crackles or pops...Hmmmmm I didn't do anything different.
Go figure..

gearhed289 · Post by **gearhed289** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 12:23 pm

Maybe Apollo figured it out and fixed it???

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:36 pm

the output jack malfunction / crackle can come and go ...

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:14 pm

Static from low humidity perhaps?

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:54 pm

Humidity is at 45% but i found the problem (i think). It's in the volume knob on my amp and not the bass. I was just destroying Hemispheres again when the static and popping sound returned and after fiddling with the jack on the bass, i thought i should check out the jack on the amp side.
When i turned the volume knob on the amp....SNAP, CRACKLE and POP!!! and then it wouldn't turn down.

It took me several attempts before i was able to get the volume to adjust properly but, if i just touch the knob.....BOOM, POP, CRACKLE and such...

I feel much better now that i know it's not my bass..

billy_sacco · Post by **billy_sacco** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 3:01 pm

Some caig deoxit and pro gold should fix the knob. They sell them at radio shack as a set I am pretty sure.

ghs_boomer · Post by **ghs_boomer** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:32 am

I have it narried down even more...My $79 Monster bass cable is the main culprit. Again i was destroying Hemispheres when i noticed that when i move, the cable scrapes on the carpet and makes the popping sound (along with the volume knob on the amp). I went and changed the cable and the noise totally stopped. I also moved across the room trying to replicate the sound but could not...
Next, i replaced the cable with the Monster cable again and the noise returned.
I did this a few times and i have come to the forgone conclusion that it my expensive "Monster bass cable"

I'm glad that's settled...I'll stick to my cheap Wallyworld cable.

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 11:52 am

I had the SAME EXACT problem when I used Monster cables . . . weird, everyone talked about how awesome they were, so I bought one, and that's exactly what happened. The thing is, it only does that when plugged into any of my basses; right now I use it as a connector cable in my effects loop, and it's fine. I now use a Lava cable for my bass. It hasn't failed me yet.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:38 pm

Save yourself some money.
Buy some decent oxygen free, shielded cable, decent jack plugs and make up your own.
I did and it's way better than any of the 'so-called' tone enhancing cables.......

rikk · Post by **rikk** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:34 pm

Monster Cable is a big marketing scheme. I run a studio and we have not one Monster Cable in the entire facility. Canare, Belden, and Mogami make great cable and Canare, Switchcraft and Neutrik make great connectors. Like Mark said, make your own save TONS of money. Markertek will sell short-cuts of cable and the connectors. Learn how to use a soldering iron and you won't have to get ripped off again.