Emg 81x 85x not working

[SeanDoesGuitar]

Greetings,

I just recently purchased the 81x and 85x set. Knowing that I have never installed pickups in my life, I instinctively rushed them to a guitar shop to do a swap. After gaining knowledge of the price of the swap (my jaw nearly dropped) I took on the task with my newbie soldering and wiring skills. It says solder-less installation so what could be hard? I have to admit the instructions are amazing.

Problem,

I carefully read the instructions starting with the tips printed in red, and began removing everything in the cavity, little did I know, I started cutting away wires from the 3-way toggle switch then removing the wires after with heat (I know I am a noob). Anyways, so I carefully analyzed each step ensuring 10 or more times everything was properly connected. Now when I go to test it, I do hear the sound but the problem is the volume knob. When my volume knob is fully cranked it goes mute, when I go down a little bit, it gradually goes loud then as I keep going it mutes again. Now I think the problem is the 3-way toggle switch (only conclusion I could come up with after hours and hours of re-wiring). Is there specific wires that I need for the switch? (on the buss instructions it states that the colors don't matter) or do I just use regular wiring? If pictures are needed let me know.

*I have tried just even following a basic 1 pickup 1 volume and 1 tone diagram, making sure the wiring is all done correctly, and I am not getting any sound coming from with the pickup at all. Could it be defective pickups?*

Thanks in advance everyone.
Sean

[defaced]

Let's start with some questions to get some of the basics nailed down:
Do you have a picture of the control cavity? That will be a huge help so we can check your wiring.
Did you change out the output jack? Active EMGs like the 81x and 85x require a special jack (should have been included) to turn on/off the power to the pickups.
Did you install the battery? If so, is the battery good?
Did you install the quick disconnect on the back of the pickup in the proper orientation? If I remember right, these are not keyed and can be swapped accidentally.

[SeanDoesGuitar]

Let's start with some questions to get some of the basics nailed down:
Do you have a picture of the control cavity? That will be a huge help so we can check your wiring.
Did you change out the output jack? Active EMGs like the 81x and 85x require a special jack (should have been included) to turn on/off the power to the pickups.
Did you install the battery? If so, is the battery good?
Did you install the quick disconnect on the back of the pickup in the proper orientation? If I remember right, these are not keyed and can be swapped accidentally.

Thanks for the fast reply.

1. For pictures I will be getting some shortly here, I know it will definitely help.
2. Yes the battery is installed and I bought a brand new alkaline Duracell 9v like the instructions said. I can try buying a new one and test it.
3. Yes I double checked both the pickups and every other wiring ensuring everything is connected properly.
4. And yes I did swap out my old jack for the new one.

Thanks,
Sean

[SeanDoesGuitar]

[Plucky]

When my volume knob is fully cranked it goes mute, when I go down a little bit, it gradually goes loud then as I keep going it mutes again.

Hmmm... Over-tightened Pot.?

Good luck!

[SeanDoesGuitar]

And the first connectiong has to be reversed. (shows in the emg diagrams).

[David Schwab]

Did you solder anything to the pots? Or was it pre wired?

[SeanDoesGuitar]

Did you solder anything to the pots? Or was it pre wired?

The only thing I had to solder was the 3 way switch, the rest is just plug and play, they made 81x and 85x solderless connections.

[David Schwab]

The only thing I had to solder was the 3 way switch, the rest is just plug and play, they made 81x and 85x solderless connections.

It sounds like you have a bad pot. That happens sometimes when you solder them and they over heat.

Check over all the wiring.

[SeanDoesGuitar]

It sounds like you have a bad pot. That happens sometimes when you solder them and they over heat.

Check over all the wiring.

I see, I got into contact with emg tech support, and he told me that a connection was wrong (which in the diagram i specificly followed, it's not) and told me to clean up my soldering job. So im in the middle of doing so. Will keep this thread posted.

[SeanDoesGuitar]

So I cleaned up my soldering job and I did as EMG tech told me to connect (which again the diagram show's it differently) but I do not get any sound now. And back to the appropriate connection, I get sound but same issue.

Is there specific wire that I have to use with my 3 way toggle switch, or does any low gauge wire do?

[Sock Puppet]

Your wire's fine.

Can't help notice the V+ marking on the first photo that looks to mark the left hand side of the six way connector, with your battery positive to the third pin along...

Could you post the wiring diagram or a link to it here?

[Sock Puppet]

OK I think I found it. Doesn't look like your wiring though:

[SeanDoesGuitar]

OK I think I found it. Doesn't look like your wiring though:

[ATTACH]10679[/ATTACH]

Yup that is the diagram I followed.

[SeanDoesGuitar]

Actually, the link is here.

If you scroll down to page 3 , its figure 6B

http://www.emginc.com/content/wiring...0230-0110D.pdf