Having a “static” issue with my St.Vincent trem bar.

[Michael_E]

If I don’t use the bar and warble the bridge with my hand, no crackle/static. When I use the bar, it’s there. Recent issue in the last year. I just redid the electronics and no change. It was happening with stock electronics initially. I have tightened the bar and it is still a problem.

Any ideas?

 

[ruger9]

This happens to me with the pick guard on my tele, static electricity. Crackles when I touch it. But only in water when the humidity is low and static electricity is everywhere here. IDK what your humidity is like there currently? Static charge from low humidity can be remedied by wiping the offending parts down with a dryer sheet. IF that's the problem.

 

[Michael_E]

This happens to me with the pick guard on my tele, static electricity. Crackles when I touch it. But only in water when the humidity is low and static electricity is everywhere here. IDK what your humidity is like there currently? Static charge from low humidity can be remedied by wiping the offending parts down with a dryer sheet. IF that's the problem.

Yes thank you that is exactly what it sounds like. I do live in a high humidity location in Costa Rica by the ocean. I just can't understand why those two pieces of metal that are tight together, will do that.
It does appear to be ground related as the condition only occurs when I touch the bar. If I use a rag and use the bar, it is quiet. All items are well grounded in the cavity, perhaps it is the bridge connection.
Anybody know where that connection is on this bridge?

 

[Musikron]

Are you wearing a smart watch on your picking wrist?

 

[DrKev]

Ground connection from the strings and bridge is through the springs and claw, as it is on most tremolo bridges.

I've just checked on my Silhouette Special (brass trem block) and Cutlass (black anodized aluminum block, which I believe is the same as the St Vincent, can someone confirm?) In both guitars there is perfect continuity between the strings and the springs through the block. There is also continuity to the trem arm on the silhouette but but NONE to the trem arm on the Cutlass. In both cases the trem arms insert into a nylon sleeve in the block so I assume the spring clip and height adjustment screw (1.5 mm allen grub screw in the base of the trem block) are providing the continuity on the Silhouette. My guess is the anodized surface of the aluminum block is preventing it.

I'll reach out to customer service and engineering on Monday and see if that's by design and if they have any ideas for you.

Worth noting; most of us here with modern Music Man tremolo designs (e.g. Cutlass, St V, Sabre, Stingray, etc) have no problems with static with our trem arms despite the lack of electrical connection through the arm. Why you do, Michael, I have no idea.

 

[Michael_E]

Thanks so much. Here is a vid of the issue..

 

[DrKev]

Thanks so much. Here is a vid of the issue..

Cant see video

 

[Michael_E]

Cant see video

Sorry about that. Changed parameters

 

[Michael_E]

I did some more futzing around tonight and discovered that the notch/catch portion of the bar seems to be wearing. If I pull up on the bar in the socket and move it, no issue. It is not a fix but I put a small piece of open cell foam in the hole and pushed the bar in. The foam is holding the bar tight in the notch and I have no issues. So is the only solution a new bar/block? Kind of a bummer.
My St. Vincent indeed does have a black painted block. Interestingly, the tighter I made my arm via the adjustment screw, the worse the problem got. I like my bar loose anyway so that is OK. I don't use the trem arm a lot in terms of big vibrato action. More warbly every so often. Surprised this wore out.
Dr. Kev, do you know if the brass block and the black anodized blocks are interchangeable?

Thinking if I do need a new block/arm setup, I would try brass.