Noise while playing - not ground hum

[crystAlex]

Hi there, fellow ballers.

Long time ernie ball admirer, I bought a 2nd hand stingray a few years ago (I'm a guitar player, but needed a bass for recording), and finally found the guitar I was looking for a few months ago.
I bought a new, beautiful purple silhouette special, and have been absolutely happy with it!

I do, however, have one small issue, with a specific random noise, in certain pickup configurations.
I've done some testing and for now, I can give you the following specifics:
- I only get the noise with the silhouette, not with other guitars (which makes me believe it's not just interference)
- I've tried it on 2 different amp modellers, and get the same (which points to the fact that it's not linked to the amp)
- the noise fluctuates, but is totally independent of me touching the strings or not (which leads me to thinking it's not related to a faulty ground connection).

Here's a link to a recording of said ...
https://www.wetransfer.com/download...0d215810fd2c145c43173a0020141228151134/b682d3

You can hear me noodling after 0:30, just so you can compare to the signal level.
Also, you can clearly hear me switching pickups, so as to hear the effect of the position on the noise.

Don't mind the high pitched noise... that's coming from some usb interference, and from a wireless mouse... that's clear. We're talking about the lower pitchted noise... that kind of sounds like wind?

Any thoughts as to what the source could be?

Thanks a bunch guys!
a.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Difficult to diagnose this over the net.
Sounds like a lead problem, but you say that it only happens with the silo.

As it's new and under warranty, take it back to the vendor. - if that is difficult then contact CS who will talk you through it.
That's what they are there for.

 

[beej]

As Spud says, it's hard to diagnose this remotely.

First thing I'd try is taking the battery out (for the Silent Circuit) and seeing if that makes a difference.

 

[dibart77]

I was going to suggest the battery, too.

​

 

[crystAlex]

Guys, thanks for all the replies.
Well, yeah, taking it back woud be pretty hard + I'm quite certain I can find some better experts close to home.
I did do a test with switching batteries, and the problem remains.
(Except, when I take out the battery... Then the noise becomes a lot more quiet. So the problem is amplified by the battery/preamp, which makes sense).
Pretty new around here... So you guys thinks it'd make sense mailing this post to the CS?
(Calling them would pretty much cost me a new guitar, as I'm from Europe )
Any other clues?

 

[beej]

So the problem is amplified by the battery/preamp, which makes sense

The battery powers the Silent Circuit, which is just there to inject out-of-phase noise in the circuit to remove the hum. It doesn't amplify your signal- everything is still passive.

Sometimes you get that kind of noise when the battery isn't properly seated- a little piece of cardboard between the battery and door can force it to make better contact. But if you're only noticing it in one particular position, it could be that there's a problem on your switch, and it's not being properly connected.

I'd start with the battery first, make sure it's connecting properly. If it still persists, it's probably a wiring issue- if you feel comfortable you can have a look to see what's going on. Sometimes it just needs a bit of contact cleaner on the switch to clear away any corrosion.

I would definitely drop the customer service guys a line though- they're the experts.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Guys, thanks for all the replies.
Well, yeah, taking it back woud be pretty hard + I'm quite certain I can find some better experts close to home.
I did do a test with switching batteries, and the problem remains.
(Except, when I take out the battery... Then the noise becomes a lot more quiet. So the problem is amplified by the battery/preamp, which makes sense).
Pretty new around here... So you guys thinks it'd make sense mailing this post to the CS?
(Calling them would pretty much cost me a new guitar, as I'm from Europe )
Any other clues?

Well you did say the guitar was new? yOUR FIRST PORT OF CALL IS THE SHOP YOU GOT IT FROM, THEN THE DISTRIBUTOR IN YOUR COUNTRY (OOOPS SORRY ABOUT CAP LOCK!! )Where are you situated? I'm in the UK and contact the distributors Strings and Things rather than ring America.

 

[beej]

Oops ... good catch Spud.

 

[ablueleaf]

crystAlex,

I had the same exact noise, but mine seemed to be green corrosion on the copper of the battery compartment of an Axist Sport. I used contact cleaner and rubbed some of it off and bent the copper to make better contact with the battery. Hasn't made a sound since. My next check if it starts acting up again is to call support to see it is possible to buy a new battery compartment. Hope this helps.

 

[crystAlex]

Guys, that's really helpful.
I got a sequence of actions to check out now... I'll get around to it next week, and let you know.
Thanks so much!!