Non-Winder's Tele Pickup Question?

[Edward R]

Hi

I do part time work on guitars, and dropped in what I believe to be a classic style Duncan Tele pickup into a guitar for a guy, and it is doing some weird things!

When I touch the Low E, DGB strings I get a buzz, like I am grounding the pickup via my hand. I touched my meter to the hot on the volume pot and each magnet. For the ones that buzz, I get no meter, for the ones that don't, I get a meter. I know how to wire a guitar and know that I have no ground problems within the guitar, but know little of pickups - so I thought I would ask the pro's! Nothing buzzes unless I touch these magnets.

I'm pretty sure that these pickups blow and that this one is defective, but does this sound like a defective pickup? I wanted to drop in a different Tele pickup to try, but have none lying around!

Thanks
Eddie

[Ruel]

Could it be that you have shorts?

[Spence]

The coil wire's insulation has worn through during winding and is earthing against the magnets. There's no big problem if you're not going to touch the magnets but in any case, a rewind would be beneficial.

[Edward R]

Now, to sort the rest of my confusion out - should the magnets be grounded and allow me a reading, or should they not give me a reading. Logic tells me they should be grounded and that the rubbed insulation is touching the magnets that are giving me buzzing, although I am not sure.

Well, many thanks for the responses, you guys are great.

Eddie

[Spence]

Which ever magnets are grounding are the ones that will give you a reading. connect the meter to the outer wind eyelet and the other probe to the magnets in turn.

[Edward R]

Hmmm , alright. Do I want to have a ground through the magnets or not? Is the gorunding the problem or is it from them not being ground? Well, anyways, I guess that answers my questions, now I just want to understand it! But alas, somethings some people aren't meant to understand, just follow instructions. Thanks!

Oh, by the way, any recommendations for Tele bridge pickups I can send this guy to?

Eddie

[Possum]

>>>>>>>

sounds like you got wire shorted to the magnets as mentioned and that you have the coil start (the hot wire) flipped. Reverse the leads and see if it solves the problem, if the magnets and coil start are hot you touch the magnets and it will buzz loudly....

[Spence]

Eddie said "Oh, by the way, any recommendations for Tele bridge pickups I can send this guy to?"

send him to me if no one else is interested.

www.shedpickups.co.uk

[soundmasterg]

I think most of the winders here are probably interested, but traditionally, everyone tried to keep a low profile on the boards and not openly solicit business. It keeps the board working the best if everyone sticks to this. I can personally attest to the great sound from some of Possum's and Wolfe's and Jason's tele offerings....I'm sure the others sound great too.

Greg