Restoring 70s STRAT low pickup volume

[shortcircuit]

Have you tried clipping jumper wires straight from the pick-up to the jack ??

[52 Bill]

Not necessarily. Switch contacts can become corroded and have some resistance rather than being a dead short. This will also lower the output level. It could be a few different things. It's certainly worth the couple of minutes spent checking pickup resistance right at the pickup wires to be sure.

I think the give away here is that no readings are not the same as open coils. The pot resistance should still be in circuit even if the coils are wide open.

[Helmholtz]

I think the give away here is that no readings are not the same as open coils. The pot resistance should still be in circuit even if the coils are wide open.

But will be out of meter range with 20k manual setting.

[brunobliss]

So i've opened up the pickups today and i think it's definite:

both neck and middle are shot and due to be rewound.

Neck pickup: no DCR reading and shows "dent" in the wiring



Middle pickup: no DCR reading, no apparent damage



I'm getting these babies rewound for sure!

[The Dude]

That's a bummer, but glad you got it figured out.

[brunobliss]

yeah because the original tone will be lost forever :\ but oh well, my father was extremely negligent with this guitar as you can probably tell by the looks of it. It was then exposed to dust for 13 years, probably moved around without the case too.

Still, i been wanting a vintage strat since forever, and this one is from the the family so, i'll face it as just a bump in the road

[The Dude]

There are guys here that could rewind them for you.

Edit: Oh, never mind. I just noticed you are in Portugal. Shipping would probably be prohibitive.

[brunobliss]

Not only shipping, having to deal with customs is a hassle in normal circumstances, i can only imagine having to deal with them customs during lockdown and reduced customer service.

There are a few good guitar techs around, i'll give them a call next week will keep posting the news here

[big_teee]

We have guys here on the forum, that are in EU.
You can also put your rewind requests on the pickup forum.
https://music-electronics-forum.com/...splay.php?f=11
You should be able to get the original tone back!
T

[brunobliss]

We have guys here on the forum, that are in EU.
You can also put your rewind requests on the pickup forum.
https://music-electronics-forum.com/...splay.php?f=11
You should be able to get the original tone back!
T

this last line put a smile on my face hopefully i can get the original tone back

i'll give it a try too, really appreciate all the help! Big THANKS!

[olddawg]

Since you have decided to rewind anyway. Have you inspected where the coil wires connects to the eyelets and tried reflowing the connections at the eyelets with some flux and fresh solder? It’s not unusual for the connection to open up with the coils still good. I’ve seen it many times.

[Leo_Gnardo]

yeah because the original tone will be lost forever :\ but oh well, my father was extremely negligent with this guitar as you can probably tell by the looks of it. It was then exposed to dust for 13 years, probably moved around without the case too.

It has the patina of age, and the finish worn out in spots by actual use. Nothing wrong with that! Fender sells "relic" guitars with factory applied wear spots & blemishes, charges plenty extra for it too.

Here's an extreme case, Jeff Beck Esquire, originally sold for $11,500 in 2008, limited edition of 150, each one accurately "relic'd" by Fender Custom Shop:



Now offered thru Reverb at $15,000. Just a snip...

[brunobliss]

Since you have decided to rewind anyway. Have you inspected where the coil wires connects to the eyelets and tried reflowing the connections at the eyelets with some flux and fresh solder? It’s not unusual for the connection to open up with the coils still good. I’ve seen it many times.

I tested both ends of the wire and get no reading at all, i'm guessing the coil is broken somewhere, so soldering wouldn't make much of a difference?

It has the patina of age, and the finish worn out in spots by actual use. Nothing wrong with that! Fender sells "relic" guitars with factory applied wear spots & blemishes, charges plenty extra for it too.

Here's an extreme case, Jeff Beck Esquire, originally sold for $11,500 in 2008, limited edition of 150, each one accurately "relic'd" by Fender Custom Shop:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]58327[/ATTACH]

Now offered thru Reverb at $15,000. Just a snip...

Daaaaayyyyyummm that's like the walking dead of guitars i actually love the patina and worn out spots, in fact i been wanting a true vintage nitro finish guitar for a long time. It actually bothers me to know my current strat will never age with that indestructible poly finish

[brunobliss]

she is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack <3<3<3<3<3

both neck and middle pickups fixed! Absolutely looooooooooooooove that strat glassy sound

[Chuck H]

she is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack <3<3<3<3<3

both neck and middle pickups fixed! Absolutely looooooooooooooove that strat glassy sound

That's a STRIKING guitar. The darkest fingerboard I've ever seen on a stock strat. And the "distress" is au natural, and looks it to the coolest degree. That with the sharp black on the edge of the "burst" and the black pickup covers with white knobs. I just think it's great looking. Glad you like the tone.