Very weak output with Nailbombs

[sdgiffin]

Hey guys, first post here...

I bought a set of 7 string, Alnico V Nailbombs for my Schecter Hellraiser C7 (replacing the sterile EMG 707s) and have been experiencing a drastic lack of output and fullness. The height of the pickup is pretty close to the strings, closer than I normally position pickups, to try and compensate for the lack of output. I've recorded clips of the Nailbombs and compared it to a recording of my PRS with an HFS in the bridge and there is no question the HFS has a higher output and fullness. From what I've read, the Nailbombs and HFS have a comparable resonant peak of around 16k.

I have a Les Paul with a set of Dimarzio 36th Anniversary pickups and their output is much higher than the Nailbombs :roll:

I had the pickups installed by a tech. He used a 3-way blade style switch and a 250k pot. I switched out the 250 for a 500 the other day and connected the bridge pickup directly to the pot, bypassing the 3-way. As far as wiring, white and green wire were kept together, black was soldered to the rear of the pot for ground and the red wire to the pot lug.

Does anyone have any insight on what could be going wrong? I'm pretty disappointed so far but don't want to blame the pickups just yet, there's got to be a solution.

[Transcend]

a damaged pot possibly.
Or maybe dodgy output wiring?

One thing to keep in mind is that BKPs are lower output than most other pickups which is why they are so clear and precise.

Especially coming from actives where the ouput is right at the top of the scale.

It takes some time to adjust at first whilst changing the EQ on the amp to suit the pickup change.

[sdgiffin]

a damaged pot possibly.
Or maybe dodgy output wiring?

One thing to keep in mind is that BKPs are lower output than most other pickups which is why they are so clear and precise.

Especially coming from actives where the ouput is right at the top of the scale.

It takes some time to adjust at first whilst changing the EQ on the amp to suit the pickup change.

The pot is fine, i took it from another fully functional guitar. The issue of dodgy output wiring is interesting, I'll try a multimeter when I get home to see what the pickup is putting out.

I know that the BKPs are less output than most output pickups for their clarity but it's a ridiculously drastic difference. There is no way that the Dimarzio PAFs I have in my Les Paul should be have a higher output with half the DC Resistance... It's still fishy to me.

[Transcend]

I personally never got along with the NB long enough to really be able to recall what the output levels were like i just remember it was considerably lower than the Miracle man.

However i do agree that it should be hotter than a paf.

[sdgiffin]

I guess the wiring was wrong. I switched the Black to Hot and Red to Ground and all is good.

Thanks for the help.

Mods... Shut it down.

[BigB]

I guess the wiring was wrong. I switched the Black to Hot and Red to Ground and all is good.

Something else must be wrong then - for BKPs, red is hot and black goes to ground. And I can tell you the NB is definitly NOT weak nor low output - just replaced an old JB with it on my SG, and it's noticeably louder.