Mike Posted October 18, 2008 Share Posted October 18, 2008 Hi all Picked up a Lakland jazz today with a JE Preamp in it - unfortunately, it's crackling loudly when I play. Not constantly, but every 3/4 seconds. It hums loudly when you touch the string and the crackling gets worse. Any ideas? I'm not good with wiring etc but if you speak to me like a child I'll be happy to have a go. Thanks in advance Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempo Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Sounds like a screening & possibly grounding issue. Check the bridge has a ground wire. (to one of the pots) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifer Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Low battery? My tonepump makes weird noises when the battery's dieing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share Posted October 19, 2008 Thanks for the replies - battery is brand new. I've taken some pics of the guts: Tempo, what do you think? Regards Mike I've also written to John East but all your input gratefully received also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 [quote name='Mike' post='309917' date='Oct 19 2008, 05:04 PM']Thanks for the replies - battery is brand new. I've taken some pics of the guts: I've also written to John East but all your input gratefully received also![/quote] Sounds more like a component problem, I would wait till John contacts you. As a bass builder I am intrigued by the above picture. Having never owned a Lakland could you tell me if the shielding is factory fitted, and are those chips in the finish around the screw holes ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share Posted October 19, 2008 Yes, they are chips - the one furthest away is particularly bad. I am not 100% sure if that is the original factory shielding - I've got no reason to think otherwise. Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 [quote name='Mike' post='309955' date='Oct 19 2008, 06:12 PM']Yes, they are chips - the one furthest away is particularly bad. I am not 100% sure if that is the original factory shielding - I've got no reason to think otherwise. Regards Mike[/quote] Hi Mike they are caused because the pilot holes haven't been countersunk on the finish to stop it cracking as the screws go in. I would get a drill bit and manually (by hand) just carefully dress the holes otherwise they may get worse. cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I can't see a ground wire coming from the bridge to the controls, does it make the noises when you don't play it? Does it make the noises in active and passive mode? Can you give me more details. I have a J retro that I fitted and a U Retro, so hopefully I can help. It is probably a grounding issue or it could be that the tops and bottoms of the control knobs are breaking contact, PM me and I'll give you details. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share Posted October 19, 2008 Hey Steve. I think you've got it. The crackling doesn't tend to happen when nothing is played, though there's a buzz. When I play, it crackles a lot. When I play keeping one finger on the bridge, there is no crackle. How do I ground this? Thanks for your help and input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 If you have a tunnel from the bridge to the control cavity, simply get a piece of wire, splay the end and put it under the bridge, solder the other end to the back of a pot or better still, check out the Lakkie schematics to see where a bridge ground should go. Also, get in touch with John to supply the copper springs that go in between the knob stacks to improve contact between the top and bottom parts of the stacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempo Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Sorry, been at work all day, looks like Steve has explained it anyway, hope that has sorted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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