Author Topic: Losing tone on G string with 5 way switch (Read 2388 times)

Bird · « **on:** September 18, 2007, 10:26:41 PM »

This is the strat with the Irish Tour set. I've had this problem since we installed them but I've never tried fixing it until now. On positions 2 and 4 on the 5 way the G string loses tone and volume and you get a very nasal "plink" kind of sound. This doesn't happen with the 3 regular positions, so I don't think it's the pickups. Any ideas :?: :?:

fps_dean · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2007, 02:17:02 AM »

Isn't that just the sound of the position?

Bird · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2007, 02:20:04 AM »

I haven't a clue

Philly Q · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2007, 12:49:50 PM »

Have you got other Strats to compare with?

And did you get a set with a RW/RP middle pickup? That tends to emphasise the "quack" in the in-between positions.

(Odd that it's just the G string though, something to do with the magnet stagger perhaps :? )

Bird · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2007, 03:08:10 PM »

They are RWRP. It's definitely strange that it's so pronounced on just that one string. :?

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2007, 03:34:50 PM »

Just had a thought while I was playing my Strat - the G polepiece is the tallest one, isn't it?

I wonder if the pickups are too close to the strings? And then, since the neck/bridge and middle pickups have opposite polarity, maybe there's some odd magnetic interference that's only noticeable in the in-between positions. Like "Strat-itis", which is usually due to the neck pickup being too close to the strings and interfering with their vibration.

I know it sounds a bit science fiction.

Twinfan · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2007, 03:52:37 PM »

I agree with you Philly - sounds like the poles are too close to the strings. I'd drop all pickups down by 2mm and see if that cures it. If it does, you can raise them back up bit by bit if you need more output.

Bird · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2007, 04:00:19 PM »

I can try that but the action is quite high by anyone's standards. I'll give it a try.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2007, 05:03:24 PM »

Volume loss and quack are exactly what I'd expect on positions 2 and 4.

If the pickups are too high you'll notice most on the wound strings - can't harm to play with the pickup heights though.

:twisted:

Bird · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2007, 05:08:48 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

Volume loss and quack are exactly what I'd expect on positions 2 and 4.

If the pickups are too high you'll notice most on the wound strings - can't harm to play with the pickup heights though.

:twisted:

It's significantly more pronounced on the G though.