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Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:08 pm
by johnstratiwant
Hi everyone,
So my neck pickup on my Strat is acting up and need help.
It works perfectly fine for few hours and then becomes weak sounding (as if it is out of phase).
I tried resoldering thinking it is due to cold solder joint --> it works again perfectly fine for few hours again and then becomes weak sounding again
I switched the neck pickup to a different one and now working fine without any issues
Anyone know how to fix it or what might be the issue?
Thanks!
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:11 pm
by StrummersOfThunder
Well it sounds like you have probably isolated the pick itself as the problem
Do you have a multimeter?
If check the resistance across the coil by placing the meter on the two metal points at each end of the coil
Should read something like 6kohm
If you get a very high reading or error then it's likely and open circuit
Also inspect to see if the little copper wire has come away
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:31 pm
by johnstratiwant
I don't have a multimeter at the moment. The copper wire looks fine, I don't see any tears. If it is an open circuit- is it possible to fix the pickup?
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:32 pm
by StrummersOfThunder
johnstratiwant wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:31 pm
I don't have a multimeter at the moment. The copper wire looks fine, I don't see any tears. If it is an open circuit- is it possible to fix the pickup?
With a rewind, but unless it's of sentimental value to you then probably best bet is a replacement
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:47 pm
by olegmcnoleg
johnstratiwant wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:08 pm
Hi everyone,
So my neck pickup on my Strat is acting up and need help.
It works perfectly fine for few hours and then becomes weak sounding (as if it is out of phase).
I tried resoldering thinking it is due to cold solder joint --> it works again perfectly fine for few hours again and then becomes weak sounding again
I switched the neck pickup to a different one and now working fine without any issues
Anyone know how to fix it or what might be the issue?
Thanks!
it is very odd that it will work for a few hours then stop. When you get hold of a meter, check the first tone control and the pickup selector switch also.
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:55 pm
by StrummersOfThunder
olegmcnoleg wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:47 pm
johnstratiwant wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:08 pm
Hi everyone,
So my neck pickup on my Strat is acting up and need help.
It works perfectly fine for few hours and then becomes weak sounding (as if it is out of phase).
I tried resoldering thinking it is due to cold solder joint --> it works again perfectly fine for few hours again and then becomes weak sounding again
I switched the neck pickup to a different one and now working fine without any issues
Anyone know how to fix it or what might be the issue?
Thanks!
it is very odd that it will work for a few hours then stop. When you get hold of a meter, check the first tone control and the pickup selector switch also.
Yes was just re-reading this.
Is there any shielding that the pot could have shorted on?
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2022 1:39 pm
by johnstratiwant
I will check with a multimeter (don't have one atm)
I switched to a different pickup selector but still same issue. I changed the pickup and soldered it to exact same place and no issue, so slight confused atm
There is a shielding plate underneath the pick-guard- can that cause shortening?
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 2:35 pm
by Cdog
The switch or pot is the most likely problem. Replace, or clean with deoxit contact clean etc
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:28 pm
by MikeC
Have you re-installed the original pickup? It just might need a couple of fresh solder connections.
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:48 pm
by Jay
Have you bought an multimeter yet? That would take all the guess work out and you can actually focus on fixing it
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 4:24 pm
by johnstratiwant
Cdog wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 2:35 pm
The switch or pot is the most likely problem. Replace, or clean with deoxit contact clean etc
I changed the switch and still the same issue, haven't changed the pot yet
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 4:25 pm
by johnstratiwant
Jay wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:48 pm
Have you bought an multimeter yet? That would take all the guess work out and you can actually focus on fixing it
I will buy it tomorrow and check what the problem could be
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 4:58 pm
by Jay
johnstratiwant wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 4:25 pm
Jay wrote: ↑Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:48 pm
Have you bought an multimeter yet? That would take all the guess work out and you can actually focus on fixing it
I will buy it tomorrow and check what the problem could be
Good man. Here's what I would do:
1 ) set the pickup selector to the supposedly 'dud' pickup. Only that pickup must be in the circuit...
2) plug into amp and check if it is good sounding.
3) then disconnect plug from amp and put multimeter leads on plug end. Record DC resistance.
4) play until pickup starts sounding funny.
5) repeat 3
6) does the pickup sound gradually go weak or very quickly?
7) report findings to the mighty forum
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 5:09 pm
by vinylguy
This sounds more like an amplifier issue to me, have you tried it with another amp ?
Re: Broken Pickup?? Need help
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2022 6:27 am
by bender
I have a similar issue with one of the pickups in my Gretsch. Tapping the pickup brings it back to life. I’ve been putting off taking it out and sending it to Dr Glynn, but I really should get round to it.