Weird ticking sound coming from my epic

[bryanm707]

I've got the weirdest noise coming from my epic.  It's not a buzz or hum like I would expect from a guitar. Rather it's a fast ticking sound, about 3 or 4 ticks per second.  I've noticed that my cable is often under sideways tension when it starts (I wrap the cable around the strap lock before plugging it in), but releasing the tension doesn't always make it stop.  It doesn't bother me in the practice room, but it puts everyone in a panic when it's going through the mains at a gig.  Anybody else run across this?

[JimmyJ]

You're gonna laugh but do you wear a watch and if so which arm?  The pickups are able to amplify that movement if it's close enough.
Jimmy J

[bryanm707]

No, I don't. There are never any clocks or watches nearby when it acts this way.  It definitely acts like a short of some kind.  
 
Does anyone know if a bad ground could cause something like this?

[slawie]

Are you using any effects in the signal chain. I had a chorus that would put out a click in time with the frequency setting.  
Eliminate anything in the signal chain
Replace the battery
Try another cable
Clean the output jack. Isopropyl alcohol on a swab.  
 
What is your rig/setup?
 
slawie

[gtrguy]

Must be the fuel pump!!! ;>)

[mtjam]

I was thinking of your bass picking up a watch ticking, but Jimmy beat me to it! That's what happened to me once! Good luck with the diagnosis.

[jalevinemd]

I've had similar issues with cables that have shorts in them. You said it sometimes goes away when you adjust your cable. Does it go away completely with a new one?  
 
As stated by Slawie, check any pedals you use. I have a thread started about a flanger that is producing a rhythmic clicking only with my Alembics.

[bryanm707]

It isn't the fuel pump or the flux capacitor...
 
I'm pretty certain it has happened with other cables, but I've been using the same one for awhile, so I'll try a different one.  I sometimes use effects, but this happens regardless.  I'll try cleaning the jack real good, too.  I just replaced the battery...
 
I play through a variety of old Trace Elliot preamps, btw. (Love them!). I doubt it's that far down the signal chain, though.  I guess I'm going to have to get absolutely forensic about this, but I was hoping this was something others would recognize right away and save me some time.  I'll post whatever I'm able to determine...

[hieronymous]

Is it picking up a cell phone? That makes a distinctive kind of sound that can come through speakers. When I saw Stanley Clarke recently there was some strange noise audible during quiet sections - I asked the sound man afterwards and he said he had left his cell phone in his pocket!

[jacko]

Pacemaker?
 
graeme

[sonicus]

Not to hi-jack ,But anyone with a pacemaker must not get within the close proximity of an electrical so called  Smart Meter .  Smart Meters can ALSO be the source of noise ! I opted out from Smart Meters and I encourage everyone else to do so .  I submitted a report to the CCST ( California Council on Science and Technology) regarding Smart Meters . My comments can be found under ; Personal accounts , comment #50.
 
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http://www.ccst.us/projects/smart2/
 
(Message edited by sonicus on June 20, 2014)

[edwardofhuncote]

Experienced this trouble once with my cell phone... first a crakle-y buuuzzzzz, then - tick-tick-tick-tick-tick. Cut my phone mobile data off and it went away.