Crackle when using compressor pedal

[Jigster]

Okay so I'm using a 63 P bass with original wiring through a Wampler Ego compressor. Thing is, it's awful noisy when standing idle emitting akin of crackled hum - it lessens when I either press on the knobs or the strings, and of course when I deselect the pedal.

I asked lock guitar tech and he didn't think it was achieving issue but rather that the old celluloid pick guards might contribute to this?? Anyone heard of that?

BUT regardless, does anyone think it may be a wring or shielding thing??

It's a lovely pedal but I don't think I'd ever be able to record with it!!

[tonyquipment]

Dodgy earth somewhere

Could be amp or guitar or somewhere else

[cheddatom]

does it go when you turn the pedal off? Or just lessen? If it's the latter, then yeh, grounding in your bass I think

[Jigster]

when he pedal's off it's fine

[cheddatom]

are you certain? Try it with your amp very loud. It's just that the compressor (depending on settings) will raise the noise floor, making any existing noise more noticeable

The fact that touching the knobs and strings on your bass affects it, means that it's probably nothing to do with the pedal, but the pedal is making an existing problem worse

[Jigster]

ok will do - cheers

[Jigster]

Yep so tried it with the amp on full, pedal off, and a there's a hum still that alters in intensity if I press on the knobs etc

[uncle psychosis]

That sounds like it's just fairly standard interference. The compressor makes it worse, but it's not a problem with the compressor itself. Shielding the bass may help or even just moving around a bit to move the bass away from whatever is interfering.

[Jigster]

Thanks Unc