Unusual Static Sound

[jalevinemd]

Recently I've noticed a very annoying sound coming from my latest Alembic six string guitar when I've engaged a higher gain OD/distortion pedal. The electronics are modified Skylark - not Series.
 
It can best be described as a popping kind of static that occasionally makes the same sound as an amp with scratchy pots. There is also occasional radio interference. Some noteworthy points:
 
1. Battery is fresh
2. Happens with different amps, cables, pedals and outlets, so the problem clearly is isolated to the guitar.
3. Only noticeable with higher gain pedals.
4. Present even when guitar volume is rolled all the way off.
5. Happens only when standing idle and not playing. Strings are muted with my hand.
6. Happens regardless of pickup selection.
7. All electronics otherwise function as they should.
8. All outlets in the room are properly grounded.
 
Sounds to me like maybe something in the electronics cavity is not grounded or shielded properly. Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
Regards,
 
Jonathan
 
 
(Message edited by jalevinemd on October 18, 2015)

[jalevinemd]

Did a little more investigating and found something rather enlightening. This problem happens with all four of my Alembics but with none of the non-Alembic guitars that I tried, including a couple with Dimarzio Super II's, which are fairly hot pickups. All of my custom Alembics have Skylark electronics. Interesting to note is that the problem is present, though to a much lesser extent on my first Alembic - the Little Bear. I seem to remember shortly after getting it, about 10 years ago, that I adjusted the pickup gain via the internal trip pots. Pretty sure I dialed them down a bit. Could this be responsible for the issue I'm having?  
 
Are these two blue cubes with trim pots the ones for the pickup output on Skylark electronic equipped guitars? I think so but I don't remember for sure.
 

[jalevinemd]

Found this on the Club. So those are the preamp trim pots. Any suggestions as to what increments I should lower them by with each turn of the screwdriver?
 

[keith_h]

Off the top it sounds like the Alembics are too hot for the effect. Even though the Dimarzio's are a hot pickup it is unlikely they have anywhere near the output of you current Alembic output setting. I think you are on the right track by lowering the gain on you Alembic preamps.
 
For a setting there is nothing you will do to break it by adjusting the gain. If you want to return to the current settings I would just put a small mark on the housings. For adjustment I would have it plugged into the effect and reduce the gain until the noise goes away. If it doesn't go away or the resultant volume is too low then I'd just put everything back the way it was.  
 
On a side note I recall seeing threads about some members not being able to use some distortion effects with Alembic guitars. I think they ended up using different pedals.  
 
Might have more thoughts knowing what make/model of effect you are using.    
 
Keith

[jalevinemd]

I can't friggin' believe it!!!!!
 
I spent almost every free moment I had today trying to figure out what was going on. Different guitars, 4 amps, different cables, surge protectors, power outlets, pedals...everything...trying to figure out what was wrong and why it just started. I opened the back of my latest Alembic to adjust the trim pots without any help. I couldn't explain why it seemed as though my house had staged a mutiny against all of my Alembics.
 
And then I thought...what has changed in the last day?
 
As it turns out, yesterday evening I installed a Netgear Powerline 1200 to improve the wireless internet signal in my house. It plugs into a normal outlet and apparently uses the existing wiring to extend the signal. It never occurred to me that could be the issue. Anyway, I unplugged the one in my den (which happens to be my music room) and...voila! Problem solved.  
 
Unbelievable!!!!

[lbpesq]

Congrats Jonathan.  I admit, you had me stumped there.  Glad you figured it out.
 
Bill, tgo

[jazzyvee]

I had the same problem when i bought my series i guitar and had similar network points as you mention.  Before i narrowed it down to that id had calls to mica, spoke with ron and had recently purchased used Roland jc120 serviced and the DS-5 checked out. So i know the feeling. It only happened with the series guitar when using the jc 120 amp. As for distortion pedals im one of those who had problems with getting a decent pedal for it. Eventually i found a radial trimode to be perfect.

[keith_h]

Glad to hear you figured it out. Just goes to show we really don't need to be connected to the net everyplace we go.  
 
 
Keith