Noise when I touch the poles of my SPB-3.

[astronometric]

Hi, first time writing here.
I'm restoring/upgrading an early Fender Precision MiJ re57. I got new pots and output because the old ones were oxidized and I got a SPB-3 to replace the stock pickup. I like the sound of it but when I touch the pole with my fingers (for example, the tip of my thumb that is resting on the sting while I pluck) I get a static noise, plus I get some interferences sometimes (I pretty sure is not a problem of my electrical system). I double checked my soldering and everything is in order. When I touch any metallic part (strings excluded, I'm using black nylons) the noise disappears so I checked the ground under the bridge but it is doing contact properly.
I googled a bit and I found this article: http://www.audereengineering.com/FAQ_PUMag_Gnd.htm
I think that the article is right, because if I touch one pole an then the bridge, the noise goes away, but I'm not an electrical engineer and my knowledge in this field is very basic. Should I do what is said in the article? An in that case, the wire from the copper foil has to go to ground right? Following the Seymour Duncan mounting scheme for a split-coil, where is the best place to solder it? I guess on the tone pot where all the other grounds are?

 

[beaubrummels]

I think the nylon tapewound strings are isolating the strings from the bridge, so it's breaking the ground that would reduce the noise. You might have to live with it, or use nickel flatwounds maybe. Copper foil on the pickups might solve just the pickup pole problem, but likely won't solve the rest of it, since you mentioned you have to touch metal other places for the noise to stop.

 

[astronometric]

The "regular" ground noise is very low and negligible, the really annoying thing is the contact noise from the poles. Do you think that the random interferences I get every now and then are due to the nylon strings? I'm 99% sure that the source of the interferences is my laptop.

 

[beaubrummels]

Hmm, maybe the instrument needs additional cavity shielding if you are getting electronic interference. Perhaps the pole/foil grounding trick might do ya partway.

 

[astronometric]

I tried to ground the pickup poles like the article said, but it still give me a static when I touch the poles. Any other idea?

 

[ICTGoober]

Don't touch the poles.

 

[astronometric]

Stupid answer. It's impossible to not touch the poles if you play bass with your fingers. You need to rest your thumb on the pickup when you play the lower string.

 

[ICTGoober]

That is poor technique. I've been playing bass over 40 years, and I do not anchor my hand or fingers on the body. I keep the hand free to move along the length of the string to vary attack and affect the tone I'm trying to create. Raise your bass so that your hand is suspended over the body.

Thusly:
4.jpg (2200×1450) (veojam.com)

 

[Mincer]

This is a weird one...I don't think I've encountered it. I don't touch the poles when I play bass, but I've never noticed any noise if I do touch them.

 

[alex1fly]

Try putting some electrical tape over the poles. It'll blend in with the pickup cover, and you probably have some at home.

Agreed with the metal strings theory, it would be interesting to hear if this effect goes away when you change strings from the tapes to traditional strings. Tapes can last a long time, though, so I don't blame you for wanting to find a fix.

 

[Iron1]

How well is the cavity insulated? A little, a lot, not at all? I'd eliminate all the KISS (keep it simple) stuff first - definitely sounds like a ground issue. And, if you said you had oxidation in places, have you verified there's none on the remaining wiring/grounds? Only takes a little to interrupt a connection.