Crackling Tone Pot

[MCNC77]

I guess I'm going to beat this dead horse again! Here goes...
Original guitar: Yamaha 311H with 1 P90 (neck), 1 Humbucker (bridge), 3-way blade switch, 1 volume pot, 1 push/pull tone pot to split the Humbucker). Problem: tone makes crackling noise when turning. BUT...when I touch any metal on the guitar the crackling sound stops. Since I decided that I wanted to learn how to replace electronics and since there was an existing issue I decided to replace both pots, switch, output jack, and the Yamaha humbucker with a SJ humbucker. Installed everything according to SJ wiring diag and verified with pictures from old setup. After installing new electronics, EXACT SAME issue!!! Tone makes crackling noise when turning but noise stops when I touch any metal (strings, bridge, etc). Everything seems to work fine (switch, volume, tone and push/pull). All other similar posts say: A) grounding problem or B) dirty pot. I suppose the new pot could be dirty, but I'm leaning towards grounding issue since old pot did the same. The only things I've not replaced are the P90 and the bridge. Any input/help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[solspirit]

Have you got all your grounds covered? Imo it's definitely a grounding issue.

 

[Artie]

If there's voltage on a pot, it makes the same type of sound as a dirty pot. But voltage would have to be fed back from the amp. Can you try a different amp to confirm?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Is your bridge grounded?

 

[MCNC77]

Checked bridge ground and tried a different amp.

 

[MCNC77]

Same results.

 

[Securb]

Can you take a picture of the electronics cavity for us?

 

[beaubrummels]

What happens if you use plastic knobs instead of the metal ones? (Just wondering if touching the pot without the strings is creating a 'partial' ground through you.)