It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:06 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 3:51 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:42 am
Posts: 29
Hello everybody.
I have a 2013 Deluxe Plus Strat, the one with the personality cards, that has developed a fault. When I switch to the neck pickup the volume drops by about 80%. If I use the neck and middle position, it sounds almost like the middle position, i.e. like the neck pickup is not really engaged. The problem is the same when using any of the personality cards. The other pickup positions work as normal.
So I have a few questions. 1, most obviously, has anyone experienced this and what was the solution? 2, any ideas as to the possible cause/fault ? 3, If a solution is not possible, how difficult would it be to rewire it in a traditional manner, i.e. totally bypassing the personality card system and having it as more or less a typical Strat?
I have owned the guitar from new. I love the quality and feel of the guitar and definitely want to keep it. Thank you very much for any help and advice.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:08 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:57 pm
Posts: 1089
Location: Rossendale UK
I'd forgotten that Fender had done a guitar with those plugin cards.
A nice idea in theory, but a potential nightmare if a fault develops.

Have you tried cleaning the card contacts with contact cleaner?
Another thing to look for is dry solder joints on the card.

_________________
Chris :)

Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:12 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
If the problem is the same with all P-cards, it might not have anything to do with that system. Anyways, fixing the problem isn't a task for a beginner, so take it to a good guitar tech for a checkup.
(Edit: stmnglr posted an answer while I was typing this. The contact spray is an easy test, so you can try that first.)

If you intend to switch to regular Strat electronics, the easy way out is to buy a prewired pickguard.
The current system is based on a totally different scheme, so modding it might prove troublesome: https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Orig ... A_SISD.pdf


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:23 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:57 pm
Posts: 1089
Location: Rossendale UK
The service diagram shows lot of different places to disconnect and spray with contact cleaner.
:shock:

_________________
Chris :)

Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 5:24 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:42 am
Posts: 29
stratmangler wrote:
I'd forgotten that Fender had done a guitar with those plugin cards.
A nice idea in theory, but a potential nightmare if a fault develops.
.


Thanks for pointing that out :D
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m not sure it’s actually anything to do with the personality cards; I’ve got five different ones and it’s the same with all of them. Any reasons why the output of the neck pickup might suddenly have dropped?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 5:29 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:42 am
Posts: 29
jmattis wrote:
If you intend to switch to regular Strat electronics, the easy way out is to buy a prewired pickguard.
The current system is based on a totally different scheme, so modding it might prove troublesome: https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Orig ... A_SISD.pdf


Would I be able to totally bypass the personality card system with a new prewired pick guard? Just basically turn it into a standard Strat?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 5:41 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:57 pm
Posts: 1089
Location: Rossendale UK
Try the contact cleaner thing.
If it's happening with five different cards it could be dirty contacts.
I'd have a good look at the card mounting connector in the body.

If that isn't where the issue is, the next thing I'd suggest is taking the pickguard off and moving the neck and middle pickup connectors over - if the problem follows the neck pickup it looks to be a pickup problem.

Taking the pickguard off does not necessarily mean detuning the strings.
Stick a capo at the nut and take the neck off - it won't whack you in the face, and the guitar will be pretty well in tune when you reattach the neck.

_________________
Chris :)

Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 5:45 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:57 pm
Posts: 1089
Location: Rossendale UK
Harmonious wrote:
Would I be able to totally bypass the personality card system with a new prewired pick guard? Just basically turn it into a standard Strat?

You'd possibly need to fit a new output jack too.
But yes, a new wired pickguard would bypass any gubbins for the card system.

_________________
Chris :)

Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 12:35 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
One thought that popped up from the abyss of my subconscience: that P-card box would be a nice place to hide a battery holder, so active electronics are one option. Prewired Clapton-versions are in the 300$ range.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 3:27 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:39 pm
Posts: 1339
Could be the neck pickup. These are solderless so just swap the plugs around. You'll soon know if it is the pu. Take some clear photos b4 you make any changes.
I generally loosen the strings pull off the trem springs and carefully (without damaging the guitar or the fine bridge pivot edges) remove the bridge , then the pickguard is easy access :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2019 5:44 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:29 am
Posts: 8
Location: Norman, OK
Also - since the problem is consistent through cards, is it possible the issue lies with the point in the guitar at which the card makes contact? Have you considered cleaning that?

Just my mind working.

UPDATE: I see someone mentioned that. Sorry.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 4:59 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:42 am
Posts: 29
Just to update you all on this...
I had a few emails back and forth with Fender UK, and expressed my disappointment with the situation. Even though the guitar was well out of warranty, Fender offered to repair it free of charge AND pay the shipping costs both ways. I now have the guitar back and it is as good as new. I always like to give thanks and credit where it’s due, and Fender customer service has been absolutely amazing throughout this entire experience. For anyone who’s interested, or experiences the same problem, the pickup connections needed re-soldering.
A huge thank you to Fender, one very happy and satisfied customer here.
Tim.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:36 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:57 pm
Posts: 1089
Location: Rossendale UK
I'm really pleased that they sorted things out for you.
Now play it like you stole it :D

_________________
Chris :)

Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: American Deluxe Plus Strat - help please.
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:46 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 7998
Location: ʎɹʇunoɔ ǝsoɹ pןıʍ
Good to hear you got it sorted out and that Fender done good on ya.

_________________
Image
Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] 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: