It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:30 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: '60s Jazz Bass pickup set - dead lbridge pickup
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:04 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:56 pm
Posts: 2
I just replaced the pickups in my J Bass, only to discover that the bridge pickup was dead.

After trying X things (like reversing the black and white cable on the pot connector), I noticed that the winding to the eyelet was loose. Now I don't know if it was loose and I didn't discover it or if it came loose while I was examining it, but I unwinded it one turn, soldered it back to the eyelet - and still no sound from it.

I am also sure it's not the volume pot that's broken because I tried the neck pickup with it.

Question is, is the warranty void now that I've «tampered» with it? Is there anything I can do at all (the neighbour's an electricican :wink: ) or do I simply need to replace it?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: '60s Jazz Bass pickup set - dead lbridge pickup
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:00 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
stigbull wrote:
...I noticed that the winding to the eyelet was loose... I unwinded it one turn, soldered it back to the eyelet - and still no sound from it.

I am also sure it's not the volume pot that's broken because I tried the neck pickup with it.

Question is, is the warranty void now that I've «tampered» with it? Is there anything I can do at all (the neighbour's an electricican :wink: ) or do I simply need to replace it?


Welcome.

You can rule out the volume pot.

I presume you mean you unwound the coil wire one revolution and then tried soldering it back to the eyelet.

There's only three possible scenarios here.

1. Even though that coil wire is hair thin, it still has insulation covering it. You may have made it stick in the eyelet but the insulation may not have been adequately melted off.

2. You may have fried the coil wire trying to solder it to the eyelet and so there remains no connection.

3. There is a break somewhere else in the coil.

Yes, you voided the warranty. The only way you would have possibly got around it is if the area you worked on didn't look like you worked on it, if you catch my drift.

As to your neighbor being an electrician, there is a huge difference between an electrician and an electronics technician. Granted, both share an extensive knowledge of the particular science but either's respective field of expertise are radically different, especially where their knowledge and use of related tools are concerned.

One tool common to both is a Volt-Ohmmeter; guaranteed, he has one. Set it to ohms x 1,000 and try to get a reading from the two coil leads of your pickup. If you can get a reading, a normal one for your pickup should be around 6K.

You may want to diplomatically ask your neighbor if he is well versed and comfortable working on miniature circuit boards, choke coils and such and if he states he is, ask if he has all the appropriate tools. If all is a yes, you have a shot. If not, simply buy a new pickup.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '60s Jazz Bass pickup set - dead lbridge pickup
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:59 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:56 pm
Posts: 2
Thank you, Martian.

Yes, I unwound the coil wire. I didn't think about the insulation on the wire, is it possible to burn off some of it with a lighter?

As to an electrician, he has measurement tools so I can get him to get a reading from it. I know he's unable to fix a broken wire somewhere deep within the winding.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '60s Jazz Bass pickup set - dead lbridge pickup
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:11 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
stigbull wrote:
Yes, I unwound the coil wire. I didn't think about the insulation on the wire, is it possible to burn off some of it with a lighter?


Filament wire used to wind pickup coils is pretty delicate -- I'm doubtful that it would survive the direct-flame heat from a lighter.

You might try gently removing the insulation chemically, using some mild lacquer reducer on a Q-tip.

Best of luck, hope you can save it.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '60s Jazz Bass pickup set - dead lbridge pickup
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:34 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
Retroverbial wrote:
stigbull wrote:
Yes, I unwound the coil wire. I didn't think about the insulation on the wire, is it possible to burn off some of it with a lighter?


Filament wire used to wind pickup coils is pretty delicate -- I'm doubtful that it would survive the direct-flame heat from a lighter.

You might try gently removing the insulation chemically, using some mild lacquer reducer on a Q-tip.

Best of luck, hope you can save it.

Arjay


Agreed. Acetone (nail polish remover) on a Q-Tip does the trick.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: