Ibanez RG7321 BKP upgrade noise issues

[xBOBxSAGETx]

First off, this is my very first post.  I didn't even know where was a BKP forum or else I woulda been here a long time ago!!  I'll see you guys around the threads :)


Aftermath bridge
Painkiller neck


Problem: my input gain is very low, I have to drive my guitar with TWO tube screamers to get the desired gain I want.  Now I know that's just wrong, that should not be.  Very nasty hissy, cracking and popping noises. 


Background information:  I bought this guitar with a Dimarzio Blaze in the bridge and the stock neck pup.  I always had noise issues with the guitar I was just assuming that the pups really sucked.  I am a recording artist and I just had this nasty hiss and popping that was just disgusting.  I thought it was my interface (POD) I just upgraded to an RME Fireface 400, still had the noise, I got a power conditioner/surge protector assuming it was a dirty power source NOPE still the exact same noise.  New Mogami instrument cable.  Same problem.  My last guess is that it's my electronics.  Maybe new pots?  I honestly just want to upgrade all of my electronics!!

What do you possibly think is going on and what do you recommend I do!? 

[Kiichi]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Now I am far from being an expert here, but broken pots seem very likely to me. If you got some soldering skills you could try and bypass them for testing purpose (meaning wiring the PU directly to the output jack) if I am not mistaken.

[xBOBxSAGETx]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Now I am far from being an expert here, but broken pots seem very likely to me. If you got some soldering skills you could try and bypass them for testing purpose (meaning wiring the PU directly to the output jack) if I am not mistaken.

What pots should I get??  I do see that BKP has their own pots.

[Loomer]

BKP's own 550K pots are very, very good. However, any 500k pot will do fine.

The thing is just, that Ibanez use smaller pots, who are a bit narrower than the usual ones you can get everywhere. Don't know if BKP have them in this size, but seeing as a whole cr@p-load of BKP pickups end up in Ibanez guitars, what with the djent fade and everything, I'd be surprised if they aren't available.

Also, check the grounding, and the soldering all round.

[xBOBxSAGETx]

Grounding and soldering is good!   

[Philly Q]

The thing is just, that Ibanez use smaller pots, who are a bit narrower than the usual ones you can get everywhere. Don't know if BKP have them in this size, but seeing as a whole cr@p-load of BKP pickups end up in Ibanez guitars, what with the djent fade and everything, I'd be surprised if they aren't available.

Japanese/Korean/Chinese guitars use metric pots, with a shaft diameter of approx 8mm. 

The CTS-made BKP pots, and most other pots used in US guitars, have 10mm (3/8") wide shafts.  So you might need to slightly enlarge the holes in the Ibanez body or scratchplate.

Or get Alpha pots, which are metric and supposed to be good quality.

[Madsakre]

Grounding and soldering is good!   

If the dude soldered the 4 conductor wiring like the dimarzio's then its wrong. The color combinations are different from dimarzio to BKP. Always use the manual which comes with the pickups.

[xBOBxSAGETx]

Grounding and soldering is good!   

If the dude soldered the 4 conductor wiring like the dimarzio's then its wrong. The color combinations are different from dimarzio to BKP. Always use the manual which comes with the pickups.

I'm almost willing to bet that's what's wrong.  I gave it to him in the email but I'm sure he just thought to himself that it would just be a swap.  Lazy bar-steward  :bio: