Author Topic: Problem with middle pickup of a SSS set (Read 4555 times)

Brow · « **on:** May 26, 2008, 03:01:45 PM »

Hey guys.

I finally got around to installing the Apaches in my Japanese Squier Strat and I appear to have a problem with the middle pickup.

The guitar has a simple 6 terminal switch (which is because it's a 'budget' guitar I'd imagine?) and the pickups were easilly installed. When the pickups were soldered in I tapped the pole pieces with a screwdriver and all appeared to be working. The middle pickup seemed very quiet but thought it might've been a loose connection, so I checked everything and it all seemed fine.

I put the guitar together again and strung it up and now I'm not getting anything at all from the middle pickup either on it's own or in the notch positions. I'd checked my wiring and it all looked ok, and the switch seemed fine as all the pickup selections worked before I took the old pickups out.

Has anyone got any other ideas what it could be?

Thanks.

Jonny · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2008, 03:05:24 PM »

Me thinks you need to send it to Tim to be put under the microscope.

gingataff · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2008, 03:06:07 PM »

It could be a bad solder joint, even though it may look ok, or if it's a cheap switch it could be burnt out from soldering.
This happened to me recently when I tried a few different pickups in my Ibanez RG. I replaced it with good quality switch (one I got free from BKP but didn't need to use) and have had no problems since then.

Edit: If you have a multimeter you could try checking continuity between the middle pickup tag on the switch and the output tag. If you don't have a multimeter, get one! 8)

Brow · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2008, 03:08:43 PM »

Quote from: gingataff

It could be a bad solder joint, even though it may look ok, or if it's a cheap switch it could be burnt out from soldering.
This happened to me recently when I tried a few different pickups in my Ibanez RG. I replaced it with good quality switch (one I got free from BKP but didn't need to use) and have had no problems since then.

It could be a burnt out switch I s'ppose, but I only soldered each terminal twice (once to remove the old pickup, once to solder new 1 in) so I hope it's not that :roll:

Tellboy · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2008, 05:43:39 PM »

It's really worth getting a cheap multimeter - I got mine for £5.99 in Maplins - works perfectly. I always check pickups before, during and after installtion. Just set to Resistance on the meter, unsolder middle pickup connections and check DC is around 5.8k (for middle Apache) - if that's OK check switch , wiring continuity and pots.

Brow · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2008, 06:07:08 PM »

Quote from: Tellboy

It's really worth getting a cheap multimeter - I got mine for £5.99 in Maplins - works perfectly. I always check pickups before, during and after installtion. Just set to Resistance on the meter, unsolder middle pickup connections and check DC is around 5.8k (for middle Apache) - if that's OK check switch , wiring continuity and pots.

As soon as the pickups were fitted I tapped on the pickups with a screwdriver and while it was quieter than the other pickups, it still made some sound.

It was when the guitar was fully assembled that the sound from the middle pickup went altogether :?

gingataff · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2008, 02:03:27 AM »

There could be a short circuit somewhere.

Brow · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2008, 05:36:26 PM »

Quote from: gingataff

There could be a short circuit somewhere.

It's probably something as simple as this yeah.

I'm going to try and take the strings off at the weekend to have a look underneath to see if I can work out what the problem is.

Hopefully it's something simple :lol:

Fikealox · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2008, 10:53:40 PM »

Yeah, that sounds like it's probably a physical wiring problem, so it'll be easy to fix :) This is where strats are annoying though! Sucks to have to take off the strings and pickguard constantly :(