Broken Pickup?? Need help

[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!

[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

[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?

[StrummersOfThunder]

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

[olegmcnoleg]

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.

[StrummersOfThunder]

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?

[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?

[Cdog]

The switch or pot is the most likely problem. Replace, or clean with deoxit contact clean etc

[MikeC]

Have you re-installed the original pickup? It just might need a couple of fresh solder connections.

[Jay]

Have you bought an multimeter yet? That would take all the guess work out and you can actually focus on fixing it

[johnstratiwant]

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

[johnstratiwant]

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

[Jay]

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

[vinylguy]

This sounds more like an amplifier issue to me, have you tried it with another amp ?

[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.