Help with noise on tele scratchplate

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surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
edited January 2021 in Making & Modding
I have a Vintera 50s tele which is 4 weeks old but not bought new by me.  Virutually unused.  Having an odd problem with the scratchplate.  When you touch the scratchplate, or run your finger across it, there is a crackle (can't think of another word!) which I initially thought was something to do with the amp.

I removed the scratchplate to check the wiring and as I removed it under the strings the crackling got loads worse.  There was no issues with the scratchplate off the guitar, but as soon as I replaced it it started again.  Strangely, the scratchplate above the low E is not noisy, just below the top E.  In that general area around the neck pickup.

Checked the wiring and everything looks neat and tidy with no obvious issues.  However, a white wire from the volume pot to the jack socket seems to be quite noisy when you move it.  All the other wires are perfect, no noise.  If my photos upload I have drawn an arrow on one of the photos to show the wire.  

Could this be that the back of the scratchplate needs shielding?  Never had anything like it before.  As I tend to rest the little finger of my right hand on the scratchplate when playing this is a real problem.  Obviously, the more gain the louder the noise.

As Imgur has stopped working (Grrrrrrrr) I have opened an account with Flickr and will try and post some photos below.  I will include a link to all the photos, the first one, and also try and upload the photos into the thread:

https://flic.kr/ps/3Vtkek

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841682522/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50840715828/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841437376/in/dateposted-public/

https://flic.kr/p/2ksBXow

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841529712/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841530317/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841530642/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841530992/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50840717708/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191782053@N07/50841532937/in/dateposted-public/

"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50841682522_b5fc20c163_z.jpg"  


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Comments

  • poopotpoopot Frets: 9098
    It’s static building up on the guard...

    try wiping it down with anti static sheets for tumble dryers... it should eventually go away!...
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    poopot said:
    It’s static building up on the guard...

    try wiping it down with anti static sheets for tumble dryers... it should eventually go away!...
    Wow, had no idea that could happen.  It's a brand new scratchplate so maybe that's part of the problem?  I will grab some anti-static sheets at Tesco next week and it give it a whirl.......many thanks!   :)
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  • relic245relic245 Frets: 945
    I have the same thing on my mij tele that I've had at least 5 years so nothing to do with the scratchplate being new.

    The anti static wipes do work. I have to do it every 6 weeks or so. Leaves it smelling nice and fresh too 
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    relic245 said:
    I have the same thing on my mij tele that I've had at least 5 years so nothing to do with the scratchplate being new.

    The anti static wipes do work. I have to do it every 6 weeks or so. Leaves it smelling nice and fresh too 
    Sorry to hear you're having the same problem but delighted that you found this solution and it works!  Do you get these from the supermarket or do you have to buy them online.  Looked online and they seem to be a bit thin on the ground!
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  • AlxAlx Frets: 1
    Some diluted fabric conditioner on normal tissue works for me. 
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  • To save from having to de-static it every now and then, could you not trap a new wire into a scratch plate screw and run it to a ground?
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    Alx said:
    Some diluted fabric conditioner on normal tissue works for me. 
    I was looking online last night at options for making your own de-static solution and interestingly it said that fabric conditioner worked really well.  This is a really easy fix and I will give it a go this morning.

    Interestingly the search also brought up vinegar as an option and as we use vinegar for everything I thought I'd give it a try.  Unfortunately no joy!   :/

    Fingers crossed the fabric conditioner works....
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    To save from having to de-static it every now and then, could you not trap a new wire into a scratch plate screw and run it to a ground?
    Sounds like a great idea and can definitely do that.  Much prefer a permanent fix if possible.  Excuse my ignorance but what would be a good ground?  And.....does it need to be soldered to the ground?  I know that on my old 70s P bass there was a ground wire that ran from the control cavity and then under the bridge where the wire was trapped.  Problem is I can't remember where the other end of the wire was located!! 
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  • relic245relic245 Frets: 945
    surfguy13 said:
    relic245 said:
    I have the same thing on my mij tele that I've had at least 5 years so nothing to do with the scratchplate being new.

    The anti static wipes do work. I have to do it every 6 weeks or so. Leaves it smelling nice and fresh too 
    Sorry to hear you're having the same problem but delighted that you found this solution and it works!  Do you get these from the supermarket or do you have to buy them online.  Looked online and they seem to be a bit thin on the ground!
    They're just sainsburies things that are designed to go in tumble drier. I think the branded version is called bounce. 
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    relic245 said:
    surfguy13 said:
    relic245 said:
    I have the same thing on my mij tele that I've had at least 5 years so nothing to do with the scratchplate being new.

    The anti static wipes do work. I have to do it every 6 weeks or so. Leaves it smelling nice and fresh too 
    Sorry to hear you're having the same problem but delighted that you found this solution and it works!  Do you get these from the supermarket or do you have to buy them online.  Looked online and they seem to be a bit thin on the ground!
    They're just sainsburies things that are designed to go in tumble drier. I think the branded version is called bounce. 
    Brilliant, on the shopping list for Tesco!  :)
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  • relic245relic245 Frets: 945
    I've just done this. I found the idea on another forum and it just took a couple of minutes. Foil is just held in place by the control panel and scratch plate. Now it's back together it's perfectly invisible. 

    I'll have to wait a couple of months to see if it works lol as I've cleaned the scratch plate today. 

    Will be a result if it does though. 


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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    relic245 said:
    I've just done this. I found the idea on another forum and it just took a couple of minutes. Foil is just held in place by the control panel and scratch plate. Now it's back together it's perfectly invisible. 

    I'll have to wait a couple of months to see if it works lol as I've cleaned the scratch plate today. 

    Will be a result if it does though. 


    Sounds great but.......did you mean to put a link in there?   ;)
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  • relic245relic245 Frets: 945
    surfguy13 said:
    relic245 said:
    N
    Sounds great but.......did you mean to put a link in there?   ;)
    No link, I put a photo in there, is it not showing for you? 

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  • I get the same problem with my Tele and Gretsch and the occasional wipe with a Bounce sheet fixes it for a few weeks. It never happens to my Strat - is that because of better shielding?
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    relic245 said:
    surfguy13 said:
    relic245 said:
    N
    Sounds great but.......did you mean to put a link in there?   ;)
    No link, I put a photo in there, is it not showing for you? 

    Ah......no, can't see a photo.  
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    I get the same problem with my Tele and Gretsch and the occasional wipe with a Bounce sheet fixes it for a few weeks. It never happens to my Strat - is that because of better shielding?
    I was wondering that, why it happens to some guitars and not others.  Frankly, if copper shielding would resolve the problem I would definitely do that but I'm not 100% sure if it would?  Could anybody confirm one way or another?  However, Bounce sheets are a great option in the meantime!
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  • greejngreejn Frets: 127
    Do Tele scratchplates actually damp down the tone as well? Have been thinking it can't help with the resonance of the body, what's the point of a nitro finish if there is a big plastic plate attached?
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  • surfguy13surfguy13 Frets: 131
    OK, just got from Tesco with their version of tumble dryer sheets and.......its like magic!  Just can't believe it.  The noise was REALLY bad before and at volume the guitar was almost unusable.  I just literally gave the lower side of the pickguard a quick wipe and no noise whatsoever.  

    It would be great to know why this happens and if any other type of pickguard material (other than plastic) will be resistant to static.  I have had several teles over the years but this is the first one that has had this particular problem.
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