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/3Vtkekhttps://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/2ksBXowhttps://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"
Comments
try wiping it down with anti static sheets for tumble dryers... it should eventually go away!...
The anti static wipes do work. I have to do it every 6 weeks or so. Leaves it smelling nice and fresh too
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....
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.
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.