Bad HB question

[Justwannano]

Finally got the wiring issue solved and got a chance to play the guitar and found a problem that leaves me clueless...again.

The bridge pickup 6th string is weak. Very weak and sounds tinny. All other strings sound very good with balance volume.

I've adjusted the screw up and down and hear no difference although if I touch the screw or slug they sound like the others...?

If you know what the problem could be I'd appreciate hearing.

Thanks,
Michael

[copperheadroads]

Is the 6th string aligned with the pole piece & have you tried a new string .

[DialtonePickups]

I don't have an answer for you, but we did run into this same issue on one of our pickups once. I cannot remember what the problem was... something internal. I do remember that it was a couple of different strings that behaved strangely, though. Good luck!

[big_teee]

It could be a weak magnet on one end.
Some bar magnets are hard to charge equally up and down the edge the same with NEOs.
Try recharging or using another magnet.
T

[copperheadroads]

It could be a weak magnet on one end.
Some bar magnets are hard to charge equally up and down the edge the same with NEOs.
Try recharging or using another magnet.
T

That was going to be my next question & suggestion .

[Justwannano]

I'll change the magnet.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks,
Michael

[mr fab]

if you have no means of testing the magnet, try flipping the magnet over and see if the problem shows up on other end.
sometimes I strike a poor quality string that just doesnt sound right (weak ad dark) when amplified

[jack briggs]

A magnet slightly degaussed on one end is not necessarily going to make itself the culprit in a situation like this. Even a 200 Gauss difference between ends of a bar magnet get evened out somewhat by the keeper bar. I would change the screw pole piece - you may have one that is the wrong alloy.

Don't give up - you'll crack it.



cheers,

[Justwannano]

Is the 6th string aligned with the pole piece & have you tried a new string .

I apologize for not answering previously.

It'a guitar I just finished building. A Strat style with 2 HB's-potted, no covers. They are new strings and the pickups/strings are aligned. Bone nut, Callaham SS 6 screw trem bridge/hardware.

Both pups sound very good to me (I've been playing for 53+ yrs and still trust my hearing) with the 6th str/bridge being the only issue and it's very bad. Just dead. No tone, no sustain just a high pitch "plink".

I was stumped how such a thing could happen because tapping on the slug and screw doesn't indicate there is a problem but the magnet power (alnico 2) or even placement (maybe it slid?) could be the reason. It'll be interesting to me to find out.

I have parts on order so I'll wait until they arrive--having problems with this forum too. Showing my posting out of order..shows as #4 post and should be #10.

Thanks Jack. I won't give up and will replace the screw while I wait on the magnet/parts to show.

The positive support by all is sure appreciated.
Michael

[big_teee]

A2 always has a weaker Big E string, than stronger grades.
As a Test, put an A5 in place of the A2 and see what you end up with.
If that changes it, try redoing the A2, or try different grades until you come up with the One you like.
GL,
T
BTW: to change the way your forum order displays?
Try changing the drop down tab "Display", to Linear Mode.
That helps on large threads, that's in a jumbled order.
That is right above the top post on the right side.

[Justwannano]

A2 always has a weaker Big E string, than stronger grades.
As a Test, put an A5 in place of the A2 and see what you end up with.
If that changes it, try redoing the A2, or try different grades until you come up with the One you like.
GL,
T
BTW: to change the way your forum order displays?
Try changing the drop down tab "Display", to Linear Mode.
That helps on large threads, that's in a jumbled order.
That is right above the top post on the right side.

Display change fixed it Terry- thanks.

Terry this is without doubt not a grade issue. Not my first HB's but sure the first one I've ever run into that was so close to being a 5 string one.
It's so bad I thought the 5th string s/s was what I was hearing pick up the 6th string until I tapped the 6th slug/screw and knew they were active.

I think my best battle plan is to;
Change out the screw. If that isn't it;
Change out the magnet.

Surely it's one or the other. Sure would be nice not having to remove the pickguard again. The guitars a few days old and the pickguards been off more than any guitar I own...and I'll just say it's over 12 hoping I don't sound nuts.
What is working sounds so good it's hard to believe I wound the pups but the ***thing has jinxed electronics. If there are issues when I resolve this I'm replacing everything but the output. If it's bad then....I'll turn it into a coffee table for my shop! Nice to have plans...which I didn't have before posting here

[big_teee]

I feel your pain, I've gone through lots of that.
I have extra pickguards, and sometimes I just start wholesaling parts to get a grip on things.
I usually take the neck off, and lay it aside with the strings on it, then work on the pickguard.
Especially if it is a 22 fret and overlaps the pickguard, those can slow you down.
a small cordless drill helps.
Maybe put that pickup in another guitar.
I do lots of moving things around.
I have faith in you, and I know you will find it, and figure it out!
GL,
T

[kayakerca]

Finally got the wiring issue solved and got a chance to play the guitar and found a problem that leaves me clueless...again.

The bridge pickup 6th string is weak. Very weak and sounds tinny. All other strings sound very good with balance volume.

I've adjusted the screw up and down and hear no difference although if I touch the screw or slug they sound like the others...?

If you know what the problem could be I'd appreciate hearing.

Thanks,
Michael

I hear you that you have solved your wiring problem, but have you tested your pickup with a meter just to be certain that the pigtails are connected so the two coils in that humbucker are in phase? I only say that because I just retrofitted a new double slug HB into an '79 Kramer baseplate and embossed cover. I was absolutely certain that I had the connections on that pickup done up in phase. When I heard the weakness of the 6E string after I installed the pickup back into the guitar, I decided to put the meter on the leads and tap the coils to see if they were in phase. They were not.

Just a thought, but it might be worth another check and it will only take a minute.

[Justwannano]

I hear you that you have solved your wiring problem, but have you tested your pickup with a meter just to be certain that the pigtails are connected so the two coils in that humbucker are in phase? I only say that because I just retrofitted a new double slug HB into an '79 Kramer baseplate and embossed cover. I was absolutely certain that I had the connections on that pickup done up in phase. When I heard the weakness of the 6E string after I installed the pickup back into the guitar, I decided to put the meter on the leads and tap the coils to see if they were in phase. They were not.

Just a thought, but it might be worth another check and it will only take a minute.

Jim my meter wouldn't working when I went in trying to resolve the wiring issue (which I thought was the 3-way switch) but since I was in I did take both pups out and apart to double check my work. (just another reason I think this guitars electronics are jinxed...even took out my meter)

All coils wound CCW, F to F , braided wire.

Now with my limit knowledge I could be wrong thinking; Both pickups are wired exactly the same and the polarity is the same so they are in phase.
Both pups have the slug coil start as ground the screw coil start as hot. (Finish of screw to Finish of slug) The screw coil is South on both.

There is no hum and they have power - well balanced with exceptional tones too except the the bridge 6th string. It's almost like the bridge 6th string has a volume knob turned down to 1 with all other strings sounding as on 10. BIG difference.


Am I think right?...wouldn't a phase issue be when both pickups are active?...this issue with the bridge is the same alone or with the neck pickup.

[kayakerca]

Am I think right?...wouldn't a phase issue be when both pickups are active?...this issue with the bridge is the same alone or with the neck pickup.

No. Forget about the fact that your guitar has two humbukcers for a moment and pretend there is only one humbukcer. The coils in one humbucker can be out of phase with each other depending on how they are wired. If you want to truely be sure the individual coils in one humbucker are in phase with each, just hook up the meter and test them.