How do I fix a crackling trem arm?

mistercharlie

I have a Wilkinson trem on my Strat, and it crackles when I touch it. The cause is clear: it's a grounding problem.  The guitar is well grounded and shielded, with no problems usually. But when I touch the trem while not touching any other metal, it buzzes. If I touch a string, it stops. 

The problem is most likely a poor electrical contact between the trem and the bridge. How can I improve the contact? The end of the trem arm is hollow. Maybe I could stuff a bit of tin foil in there?

HarrySeven

It's clearly possessed by the soul of a departed madman.

Exorcism is the only answer.

ICBM

Keep your other hand on the strings while touching it.

What you're getting is normal with a properly-grounded guitar.

Legionreturns

Take the trem arm off, inspect carefully before putting it in a drawer for the rest of your life. Then replace with a hard tail bridge. 

guitars4you

I have to assume that with the arm actually removed from the guitar, you still have the same issue when now touching the bridge saddles/trem assembly - but otherwise as @icbm states above

mistercharlie

guitars4you said:

I have to assume that with the arm actually removed from the guitar, you still have the same issue when now touching the bridge saddles/trem assembly - but otherwise as @icbm states above

No. In fact, if I touch the bridge while the trem is cracking, the crackle stops. 

I think ink I may have another solution. The arm slips into a plastic collar, so it only contacts the bridge electrically at the end of the arm. I might just isolate that end with tape. 

mistercharlie

Fixed. The inside of the arm is threaded, so I screwed in a tiny plastic rawlplug and snipped it off with about 1mm sticking out. Now the arm is isolated from the bridge. 

vasselmeyer

Nice one. You might also have been able to do it with Plumber's (PFTE) tape.

guitars4you

good news - self cure/experimentation is good