OK, this is wierd....

[Zona Mona]

When I am playing my guitar through amy amp, if I rub th pick guard with my fingers it makes a crackling sound through the amp. It is an LP copy. I don't know if this is related, but I recently adjusted tha action on the tune-o-matic bridge and this small metal wire fell off that I didn't even know was there, it went right behind the screwheads on the neck side of the bridge. Can someone tell me what's going on??????

 

[boingoman]

I'm not sure about the noise, but that little wire is a retainer for the saddles. Put it back on. If you change strings, most likely the saddles will pop out, and if the screws move you gotta redo your intonation.

Probly not related to the noise.

 

[Dani Pace]

I agree that the wire belongs on the bridge. The noise is likely being caused by a slight amount of give in the pickguard. I assume the guard is the type that is suspended above the body as opposed to the type that are mounted flat against the body of the guitar. The only sure way to cure the noise is to replace the guard and mounting hardware (the metal mounting bracket at the bottom) with heavier ones which will have less flex or give. Of course a good tightening of all the screws which hold the guard in place, as well as the bracket may help or even possibly solve the problem.

 

[apl]

That wire could have been a ground wire and the crackling could be you making ground through a different path. If that wire was a ground wire it would go from the bridge, under the pickguard and be soldered or pinched into another ground point.

 

[Zona Mona]

no it seemed to just be sitting there, but thanks everyone

 

[Zona Mona]

I just tried to put it back on when I realized that the reason it came off is that it broke and there is a piece of metal in the hole, the retainer won't stay but I can't get the metal piece out. Gaa! I guess I'll take it to the music store