Pops and sparks

rdm_chem

rdm_chem

New member
Dear All,

I'm really a beginner, so if my question is too basic, please don't kill me OK? :)

I recently replaced the original pickups of my Epi LP Std by a JB+Jazz set. I really liked the result so far.

At the same time (and I'm not sure if it was not there before), when I'm playing using my pedals at high levels (75%+), I can hear some strange sounds, such as pops and sparks. I gets more noticeable when I play using headphones (I live in an apartment ... :(). I cannot hear it when playing plugged directly to the amp.

When I reduce the volume, using the guitar pot or in the pedal, it gets back to normal.

Would you have any similar experience? Would you know if it is an usual behavior or maybe some problem in the installation of pickups (I installed them myself)?

Thank you for your attention.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

Sounds like a fried or dirty volume pot. Does it happen with both pickups or just one specific? If it's just one, it's probably the guitar's fault. What "pedals" do you use?
 
Re: Pops and sparks

Dear HotHead, thank you for your reply.

The pots are new, too. I replaced the "OEM" pots with CTS pots and new caps (22 nF). I wired the guitar like a regular Gibson, using braided silver/cooper wire MIL-SPEC.

The pedals I'm using more are:

- 6 band equalizer Joyo JF-11
- Overdrive Joyo JF-02
- Overdrive DOD Boneshaker.

The sounds are there using both pickups.

Just an additional information: When I plug everything to a mixer table (Behringer Q802USB) and reduce the gain, the strange sounds disappear.

Is there any possibility that the new pickups have a "stronger output" than the previous ones, and they are sending more signal that I'm used to handle? These pops and sparks make me crazy! :)

Thank you.
 
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Re: Pops and sparks

Are your pedals powered by batteries or a power supply?

Have you heard the sounds when you weren't using any pedals?
 
Re: Pops and sparks

Hi Little Pigbacon,

I'm using a power supply instead batteries (9V DC D'Addario Planet Waves).

I cannot notice the sounds when playing without pedals (direct connection to amp or true bypass). It seems to be something specific when I'm using the pedals.

Any ideas? :)

Thank you.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

It could be the power supply, or something that's coming through the power supply. Have you tried disconnecting the power supply and using fresh alkaline batteries for a while?
 
Re: Pops and sparks

That's a very interesting idea! :)

I will have some 9V batteries and try it.

Thank you for your suggestion.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

The JB is a medium output pickup, like Gibson 490 or 498 but with a different voicing. The Jazz is low output like a vintage PAF or Gibson 57 classic, except would in a way that gives it more clarity.

I doubt their output is causing this. If the problem persists with 9V batteries in the pedals my suggestion would be to try another guitar with your rig. If the issue only happens with the Epiphone LP, I'd look at the possibility something in its wiring us at fault. A bad solder join or possibly an issue with the pots. Even an issue with wiring at the switch or your output Jack could be at fault.

If the issue keeps happening with another guitar, try swapping out cables for known good ones. If the issue only happens when pedals are connected and the cables are good there could be an issue with one of the pedals. Remove them from the signal chain one by one. If a pedal is having issues, the problem should disappear once the pedal is out of the signal chain.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

If you are only hearing it when it's through the headphones, it's possible that the headphones are being overloaded in some way by frequencies that don't bother a regular speaker.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

Demanic said:
If you are only hearing it when it's through the headphones, it's possible that the headphones are being overloaded in some way by frequencies that don't bother a regular speaker.
Click to expand...

That was my first thought as well - input overload because the pedal outputs are too high.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

Yeah, you could be hitting the input too hard. And yes, sometimes power supplies aren't as clean as they should be. I doubt it is the pickups, either they work, or they don't or they hum. You'd hear that for certain.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

rdm_chem said:
Just an additional information: When I plug everything to a mixer table (Behringer Q802USB) and reduce the gain, the strange sounds disappear.
Click to expand...

I think this is the answer, sounds like you are overloading the input on the mixer, can you reduce the gain on the channel you are plugged into and turn up the volume on the output to the headphones?

So, if I understand correctly, you are plugging the pedals straight into the mixer? I can't imagine that sounds very good without some kind of amp emulator or cab sim in there. You might look into one of the Tech 21 or AMT amp simulator pedals. Joyo makes knockoff of the Tech 21 pedals too.
 
Re: Pops and sparks

The Joyo knockoffs sound pretty good
A digitech rp series pedal models several different amps fairly well
Used they are about the same price as a new Joyo American pedal

And it has its own headphone jack as well
 
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