It's not good form to ask for help straight off, but as a Fender admirer and player, it's about time I join this forum -- and I need assistance.
Here goes. Please overlook my rudeness if possible.

The center pickup appears completely dead - no crackling, scratching, no hum. I've checked the 5-way switch and have perfect contact and continuity. The tone cap measures near 0.022uF and appears good.
However, when turning the pickup's (TBX) tone pot completely up (clockwise), sound does appear, but only faintly.

Here is the wiring diagram:
http://static.zoovy.com/img/guitarelectronics/W600-H550-Bffffff/W/wdu3sss5l12_tbx.jpg

If there is an obvious route to take with this, I would really appreciate it if someone would have mercy and toss it my way. I can solder and I have spare parts.

Be well,

Adam

Hi Adam, welcome to the Forum.

I'm not seeing any rudeness to overlook, and it is perfectly normal and reasonable to ask for help straight off. It's how many, many people get started here!

The fact that a tiny bit of sound is detectable under certain circumstances suggests there's a bad link in the circuit somewhere, rather than a problem with the pickup itself. But you can test that for sure by checking the in and out points on the pickup with a meter.

If the pickup turns out to be the problem then first check the solder joints on it's contacts. If it ain't that, then there's folks out there who can rewind it for you. Whether you prefer that option or would rather just replace it is up to you and your pocket.

Hopefully, somebody more clever than me can talk to you about the magnets - that's a (distant) possibility.

If (more likely) it's not the pickup then you probably have a bad solder joint somewhere. I'd look the whole thing over first, searching for an obviously bad joint - dull grey instead of shiny silver. Again, you can often double check with a meter before pulling things apart. Or just a nearly broken bit of wire - a strong possibility if you've had that pickguard on and off a few times.

Ultimately, you have to do some resoldering, which you say you know how to do. At worst, you can eliminate all the joints that don't affect the middle pickup's circuit and just resolder all those that do.

If you don't have a volt meter - now's the time to buy one. Cheap and useful.

Good luck - C

[quote="

Hopefully, somebody more clever than me can talk to you about the magnets - that's a (distant) possibility.


That somebody might be at www.xhefriguitars.com Click on the contact link and ask your question.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

Lowred, welcome and when you need help this is the place to come as you will see many guys on the forum are amazing on how to fix all kinds of problems, I had a strat I bought new have a pup die after just 3 years and I had to replace it. Ceri or Doc I saved that pup as I thought about having it rewound if you have it rewound is your guitar still all original. Thanx

I suppose one might split hairs and have to say that if it isn't as it came out of the box, probably not. Is there something about this guitar such that originality, clarity, and aptness of thought are a must??

(P.S. If you get the subtlety in that, you are older than I look.

Doc

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

No Doc it was a 2001 Clapton model in Olympic White and there are a ton of them it just bothered me that the pickup just died after such a short time as I never even played it that much. The guitars I play the most my 62 reissue tele is heavily moded and my Jeff Beck Srat shows wear from playing but my other 9 that I use when the mood hits I try to keep as clean and original as possible and so it just bummed me out no big deal. I cant believe my 62 is 25 years old boy time flies. At least my sons are going to have some great gear.

Thanks for your replys, guys. I appreciate it.

The problem was a dry solder joint. I reflowed all joints associated with the center pickup (and touched up some others) and it's swingin' again.

See you all around.

Be well,

Adam