Having Feedback Issues with 7-String Buckers

[verhoevenc]

So I finally finished a guitar to put my first set of pickups into (took forever cause I had projects with pickups already picked out in the pipeline!). Either way, it's a 7-string and the bridge pickup (and to a SLIGHT degree the neck as well) are giving me feedback issues. The bridge is really bad. I mean, you can stop playing and mute all the strings so not a thing is vibrating, turn away from the amp, etc. and it'll still just squeel. But... randomly... it can also stop and be quiet as a mouse. I'm not really sure what would cause that odd mixture of behaviors? My only guess would be vibrating coil wraps since it can still do the squeel when I have all the strings fully muted... but the pickups were wax potted?! Obviously, it's also doing this on high gain (7-string metal style) settings not clean. Other guitars using the same settings are not having this issue though. Any help would be appreciated, the specs are as follows:

7-String Buckers: Neck 8.35k Bridge 13.59k
Bridge (43 AWG SPN with A5 magnet)
Slug side: 5860- 6.72k (loose is 5546)
Screw side (one beak): 5900- 6.87k (loose is 5652)
Neck (42 AWG HF with A5 magnet)
Slug side: 4205- 4.07k (loose is 4259)
Screw side: 4414- 4.28k (loose is 4443)

Thanks,
Chris

[tedmich]

The amp used is possibly relevant. As an example The Engl Blackmore model is notorious for feedback issues. It does sound like potting though.

[verhoevenc]

Right now I'm using it through a Line 6 spider. Don't remember what the 'model' is called I'm using, but it definitely is one of the "heavy" ones. I'll try it through the Marshall stack and see how it fairs later today.
Chris

[big_teee]

Hi Chris:
Check your pickup adjust springs.
Make sure they are long enough and tight.
I would be tempted to Pot them again.
I have a test jack, that I wire nut to the Pickup and plug into the amp direct, out of the guitar.
It will usually be at its worse wired direct, but you can get a real idea of what the pickup is like.
Good Luck,
Terry

[copperheadroads]

I agree with T
It could be your springs
Give your height springs a stretch
WEIRD ......I can't post unless it with "reply with quote "

[verhoevenc]

So this thread has been dead for a GOOD while. However, so was the guitar. I parted it out for a bit and recently put it all back together and have been playing it. I gotta say... I hate the pickups. They're muddy, they crunch but with little excitement or overtones. They're muddy, boring pickups. Gah! Before I try again (or most likely just eBay purchase some used SDs while I figure 7-string buckers out) could any of the following things possibly account for a dead muddy sound besides the pickups themselves:
1- A magnet (magnetic control cavity cover) in contact with the control cavity's shielding paint.
2- Non-grounded bridge (forgot, will do it when I change the strings next)... but this one I seriously doubt.
3- Any kind of bad components like caps, pots, etc. The reason I ask this one is because I put a .033mf cap on the tone to try it and it literally does NOTHING. I'm talking full on/full off no difference in tone.
Chris

[big_teee]

Hi Chris:
The Tone not working, sounds like an open POT.
Happens occasionally, soldering on the wiper.
T

[verhoevenc]

That was the key! It's like night and day! I feel pretty dumb, but I'm glad I asked as that seems like the kind of thing that the person that did it will continue to overlook when trouble-shooting.
Back to rocking on now!
Chris