BKP aftermath BIG problem

[darkbluemurder]

Don't pull any wires with so much force that they rip out of the pickup. Apart from that just apply general carefulness.

Cheers Stephan

[Kiichi]

I think we totally understand, after all we have all been there (people like me more recently, others...well few decades I suppose) and precaution is a very good thing.

As far as dangers go Iīd say as long as you donīt pull any stunts and damage the PUs directly or damage the wires somehow I think you are save. I am not aware of any way you can damage the PUs by just repositioning the ends of the wires.

However you should watch that you donīt drip solder into the switch and do not heat the pots for extensive periods of time (for multiple minutes I think). If the solder wonīt melt, donīt just continue heating the pot, add some fresh solder so get a better heat transfer.

Thatīs all from the top of my head.

[Philly Q]

Yeah, there's really no way you can damage the pickup, short of placing it in a "great magnetic field" (Iron Man style).

But there are risks of damaging the pots, switch... and the paintwork around the control cavity.  Take your time and don't overheat things!

[HTH AMPS]

I know the 'tech' who installed the pickups did it wrong, but I'd say to take it back to him with instructions on how to put it right - you PAID him to do this after all.  Installing a pickup is NOT rocket science. 

[Kiichi]

I know the 'tech' who installed the pickups did it wrong, but I'd say to take it back to him with instructions on how to put it right - you PAID him to do this after all.  Installing a pickup is NOT rocket science. 

HTH has a good point there. Might be good to take it in this time, also so that the "tech" might learn something for the future.

But in the long run Iīd say learn how to do it yourself too, so you donīt have to deal with such a "tech" again. Itīs always a valuable skill to have if you really are into guitars.

[Philly Q]

I know the 'tech' who installed the pickups did it wrong, but I'd say to take it back to him with instructions on how to put it right - you PAID him to do this after all.  Installing a pickup is NOT rocket science. 

HTH has a good point there. Might be good to take it in this time, also so that the "tech" might learn something for the future.

You're right, but sometimes it's just not worth the hassle and putting up with the strop the guy will inevitably throw when told he's done it wrong.

[Frank]

You're right, but sometimes it's just not worth the hassle and putting up with the strop the guy will inevitably throw when told he's done it wrong.

I've had to ask a well-known Manchester guitar tech to repair one of his own wiring foul-ups, he slammed the phone down on me. That was the time I bought a soldering iron and learnt to fix guitars myself.

[alexedwards]

I know the 'tech' who installed the pickups did it wrong, but I'd say to take it back to him with instructions on how to put it right - you PAID him to do this after all.  Installing a pickup is NOT rocket science. 

That was my first thought, but honestly at this point I don't really want the guy touching my guitar again.  If I can do this myself I think i'll go back and demand some kind of compensation

One more question for all of you, is there anything that he could've done to damage the pickups from what you can tell in the clip?  If i'm not mistaken, these are simply out of phase, and if they can work out of phase they can also work in phase, is this correct? 

Thanks again.

[Transcend]

yeah once wired up correctly they should be fine.

And i doubt you will be able to get any compensation if you make any changes.

[Frank]

If you show him photos of the guitar as it is then rewire it properly and ask for your money back then I don't think a reputable tech would be justified in refusing a refund.

Maybe print out this thread and show him the BKP wiring colour chart to show that he's made a mistake?

You can pursue these things through small claims court or trading standards if you're sure you have a case for a refund.

[darkbluemurder]

You're right, but sometimes it's just not worth the hassle and putting up with the strop the guy will inevitably throw when told he's done it wrong.

I've had to ask a well-known Manchester guitar tech to repair one of his own wiring foul-ups, he slammed the phone down on me. That was the time I bought a soldering iron and learnt to fix guitars myself.

That's how I learnt guitar wiring - I bought a soldering iron and then tacked it systematically - where does the signal come from (the pickups) and where does it need to go (the output jack). In between are the pots and the pickup selector.

Cheers Stephan

[darkbluemurder]

If you show him photos of the guitar as it is then rewire it properly and ask for your money back then I don't think a reputable tech would be justified in refusing a refund.

IMHO a tech cannot be called reputable if he chooses to ignore the installation instructions.

You can pursue these things through small claims court or trading standards if you're sure you have a case for a refund.

That is probably more hassle than benefit. You can make better use of your time by learning how to do the wiring yourself.

Cheers Stephan

[Frank]

If you show him photos of the guitar as it is then rewire it properly and ask for your money back then I don't think a reputable tech would be justified in refusing a refund.

IMHO a tech cannot be called reputable if he chooses to ignore the installation instructions.

Well, anyone can make a mistake! If the tech agrees to set the work right at no extra charge then no harm done.

[Philly Q]

I have to say, from the picture it doesn't look like a particularly great example of soldering/wiring anyway. 

I'd rather sort it out myself than take it back to this chap.  At least then if I messed up it'd be my mess.

[Frank]

Are you saying your mess is better than someone else's mess? You mess snob.