Hey All,
Just got a 1993 American Standard (I think) Strat #N3113xxx, and the middle pickup is completely dead. It seems to play fine in the other switch positions but when the selector is on the middle, it doesn't make a peep. So, should I check out the pickup itself, the 5-way or what? I'm a newbie at electronics so I don't know HOW to check things out. But, I learn quick. Thanks for any help/advice.

EDIT: Nevermind! much easier to follow response below!!!

With the guitar plugged into an amp and the amp on low, put the selector switch in either the 2 or 4 position. Using a screw driver gently tap a pole piece on the middle pickup. If you hear the tapping through the amp then the pickup is fine and it's the switch. Some electrical contact cleaner on the switch may do the trick. If not, the switch needs to be replaced.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

NOW that sounds MUCH EASIER! Sweet!

Thanks Chet. And I assume by your answer that if there's no sound from the tapping then the pup is bad. This is a great help. Thanks again.

It could still be the switch, or a wire. Diagnose one step at a time.

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Chet Feathers

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F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Will do. I learned one thing while working on a Twin Reverb amp. Take it slow!

Okay. I did the tap test and found this. At position 2 I got sound from the neck pickup but not the middle. Same with position 4, the bridge pops but not the middle. So now I guess I pull the pickguard and check all the wiring, especially the middle pickup and the switch. Should I be looking at anything special besides the wires?

Follow the wires from the middle pickup. Move the wires a little to see if they have a solid connection. If the wiring looks good, then try some contact cleaner on the switch.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Aha. The white wire from the middle pickup to the switch must have touched and shorted with the short white wire that 'jumps' across the switch. The plastic is melted on both. So do I replace the wires alone or the wires and the switch? Contact cleaner didn't help.

James

I would replace the wire that jumps across the switch. Then clean up the the end of the white from the pickup and resolder it to the switch.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I replaced the small wire and cleaned up the wire from the pickup but still nothing from that pup. Sound from both the neck and bridge at positions 2 and 4 but the middle is still quiet. How do I test just that pickup? Or could the probably still be in the switch? Thanks
James

Easy way is to use a multimeter.
If you don't know how to use one you need a soldering iron.
Take note of what wire goes where on a piece of paper.

To test the pickup disconnect the pickups hot wire.
Disconnect the hot wire on the output jack.

Solder the pickup hot direct to the output jacks hot.

This will bypass any of the internal electronics for testing.
If the ground of the pickup does not run to the same place as the other pickups (normally the ground casing of a pot). Then wire it direct to the output jack as well.

Make sure the pickup is close to the strings.

If it doesn't work you can check the resistance across it to make sure.
A guitar tech can do this in seconds if you don't have a multimeter.

In this case if its the pickup it could be a broken wire or come detacted from the pickup. In which case they can be replaced or resoldered or if the winding is broken its best left to a pickup repairer if you want to keep that exact pickup.

If you buy a replacement you can always swap covers to make them look the same.

Okay. Finally found time to do some of the suggestions. I isolated the middle pickup by wiring it directly to the jack. Still nothing. Rewired it, cleaned the switch again, no go. I checked all three pickups and got a neck reading of 5.85, the bridge measured 6.35 and the middle didn't register a thing. So, do I now assume the pickup is bad and replace it or do I replace the switch first? Also, are the two readings pretty much where they should be for this model Strat? Thanks for any advice/suggestions.
James

The pickup can be repaired, but it takes a delicate touch. If the break is on the exposed wire on the pickup, then yes. You can look for breaks by checking to see if there are dents or dings on the pickup coil. That is where your break is going to be. You have to unwind the pickup to the break and resolder the continuous end to the pickup output wire. Use you meter to check continuity. Seymour Duncan used to do this for years with vintage pickups. If the break is too far into the coil, (bad ding on pickup) or on the inside pickup lead, a rewind or new pickup is in order.