• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Lots of 'white noise'/crackling Gibson Les Paul Classic 2021

Henry James

New member
Joined
Jun 23, 2022
Messages
1
I've got this Les Paul Classic sunburst 2021 as a gift. Bought in a quality store, guarantee etc.etc. Now I am a beginner so a lot is new for me. So I am not sure if this 'problem' wasn't there allready.
I was playing an open High E chord, and my amp (Marshall MG CD15) was in overdrive mode. And I heard a cracking noise, touching the E-string. So I recognized an electrified noise, that was not pleasant.
And I discovered there was a lot of radio-signal or interference. When I placed my hand in the neighbourhood of the jack, I discoverd this noise dissapeared.
Then I decided to test another cable from guitar to the amp, same result. Then I put my fingers/hand on the square of the jack and also the noise dissapeared.
Is there something wrong with the plughole/jacket were guitarcable is pushed into the guitar? Or do I have to do extra shielding of that Jacket hole?

By the way the above is when the guitar-amp is in overdrive mode. When I put it on a clean mode, there is no such crackling or radio-noise. It is only when its on 'Overdrive Select' = OD on the front panel of the amp)
and with more gain.
 

gibson-r8

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2004
Messages
574
Welcome to the forum Henry. Do you have another amp you could try? Overdrive effects bring out the worst, could be amplifier related. Could you go back to the store and try it there (take bothe the amp and the guitar).
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
I've got this Les Paul Classic sunburst 2021 as a gift. Bought in a quality store, guarantee etc.etc. Now I am a beginner so a lot is new for me. So I am not sure if this 'problem' wasn't there allready.
I was playing an open High E chord, and my amp (Marshall MG CD15) was in overdrive mode. And I heard a cracking noise, touching the E-string. So I recognized an electrified noise, that was not pleasant.
And I discovered there was a lot of radio-signal or interference. When I placed my hand in the neighbourhood of the jack, I discoverd this noise dissapeared.
Then I decided to test another cable from guitar to the amp, same result. Then I put my fingers/hand on the square of the jack and also the noise dissapeared.
Is there something wrong with the plughole/jacket were guitarcable is pushed into the guitar? Or do I have to do extra shielding of that Jacket hole?

By the way the above is when the guitar-amp is in overdrive mode. When I put it on a clean mode, there is no such crackling or radio-noise. It is only when its on 'Overdrive Select' = OD on the front panel of the amp)
and with more gain.
I have a 2022/2023 Classic with the same issue. Any answers or fixes, for this?
 

rialcnis

Active member
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
221
Possible fix---Deoxit spray in the AMP jacks and knobs, might fix the amp and help determine if it is the amp causing the crackling. If possible try another amp.
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
Possible fix---Deoxit spray in the AMP jacks and knobs, might fix the amp and help determine if it is the amp causing the crackling. If possible try another amp.
It's the instrument... Can duplicate the issue when plugged into other amps. Tried a different instrument, on my amp, and zero noise.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Sounds like the ground may not be connected all the way through.

Possibly (and maybe likely) the wire is not connected to the bridge post (or tailpiece depending on the configuration).

A multimeter set on continuity should tell you.

Put the points on the bridge and the outside of the jack sleeve.
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
Sounds like the ground may not be connected all the way through.

Possibly (and maybe likely) the wire is not connected to the bridge post (or tailpiece depending on the configuration).

A multimeter set on continuity should tell you.

Put the points on the bridge and the outside of the jack sleeve.
At the Gibson Auth. Repair center, they did that with excellent results. Thanks for the response.
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
it was a ground issue?
Don't know, yet. All of the metal parts have continuity (to the jack plate), due to the strings so the meter will yield the same result when connecting meter to the bridge, tail-piece, machines, etc. I don't remember if there was a connection test to the pole pieces of the pickups. I use a 90 degree jack and hang the wire from the pin... When rotating the jack along with moving the cable, the noise changes and almost disappears. Kind of has to be a shielding issue with the PCB. I've had this instrument for 2 weeks... New from Gibson!
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Sounds like corrosion on the jack or the cord or too loose a jack tip clip.

Try opening the back and bending the jack part that hits the tip over the hole a little better.
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
Prior to dropping it off at the shop, I took an alcohol Q-Tip and cleaned the jack receptacle. Some Gray was on the tip. Polish, I presumed. Not much improvement.
 

rialcnis

Active member
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
221
It is kind of a bummer a store would not have better quality control. Hopefully it will be perfect when you get it back.
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
It is kind of a bummer a store would not have better quality control. Hopefully it will be perfect when you get it back.
Actually, this instrument is a warranty replacement direct from Gibson in Nashville. Spoke with Gibson, yesterday... They said if it can't be repaired they will exchange it. Not looking forward to another replacement. It is what it is!
 

rialcnis

Active member
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
221
Not looking forward to another replacement. It is what it is!
When I have this sort of thing happen I usually try to see the bright side of it...."it will be better than any other 2021 and they will put magic pickups in it and the burst will be better than ever."
 

JPA67

New member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
14
When I have this sort of thing happen I usually try to see the bright side of it...."it will be better than any other 2021 and they will put magic pickups in it and the burst will be better than ever."
Lol, It is a beautiful instrument! The shop told me, Friday, they should have an answer. I like the idea of "Magic Pickups"...
 
Top