Strat wiring problem...

[telemanjam]

This is driving me crazy. I'm not a wiring noobie, but I can't just figure this out. I've wired it up according to the wiring diagram at SD's website (linked below), but I'm getting some problems.

1. There is intermittent crackling, especially when I touch the switch (particuarly the lugs on the underside). I also get crackling when touching the top of the pickguard and pickups sometimes when I'm NOT touching the strings. If I'm touching the strings, I won't get crackle when I touch the pickguard. It seems like a grounding problem, but I can't find it.

2. The tone pot for the neck has a very strange taper. For one, in the all the way off position (0, I suppose), the pickup is turned off (like a volume control). Otherwise, it functions somewhat as a tone pot, but with a crappy taper.


The pickups are GFS Premium Alnico II's; the pots are 250K CTS pots; the switch is a CRL 5-way. All parts are essentially new. The volume pot is wired to the trem claw, but not the body.



Wiring diagram:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support..._1v_2t_5w.html