Hey, so a few months ago i decided to add a Seymour Duncan JB Jr to the bridge of my Squier SE Strat, but the guitar still sounds terrible, the neck pickup no longer functions, and my middle stock pickup is hotter than the JB Jr, could it be a problem with the potentiometers? (i just have stock ones) or is the guitar so terrible that i can't make it worthy of gigging with just a replacement pickup?

a good picture of the wiring job would be usefull.

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Hey, so it presents that the JB Jr is incorrectly wired so only one coil works, it is out of phase with the other two pickups and somehow you've shorted out the neck pickup. Frankly, I doubt the problem is at the pots. Rather, it is at the pickup selector switch. Notwithstanding, we can only guess at this point for as has been suggested, a clear picture of your wiring would be most helpful in solving your dilemma.

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+1

Pic's please. They will need to be clear and in focus!

Cheers

Andy

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Pending Greatness

alright, so i'll take a pic later today, and does the tonewood matter at all? or could i make Squier sounds as good as an MIM?

The tone wood factor is negligible. Yes, you can make a Squier sound as good as a MIA.

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so theoretically, if i were to replace all of the hardware, it can potentially be a great guitar?

Howdy!

Personally, I'd start with the pups and see what you think. Once set up correctly, a modern squire is a pretty bloody good guitar!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

"Personally, I'd start with the pups and see what you think. Once set up correctly, a modern squire is a pretty bloody good guitar!"

+2

been there done that!

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blues - its a religion...

alright, i finally got around to some pic's of the wiring

WOW! That wiring/soldering job looks horrible. Seriously, take it to a professional & get it done properly. IMO that's the problem. cheers

Howdy!

Firstly, thanks for the pic's.


Secondly... Crikey!

Lots to sort out there!

Where's the red wire from the Neck pickup gone? And I'm very surprised your Middle pickup is working at all seeing as it completely grounded to the volume pot.

Several of the wires attached to the 5 way need replacing and looking at the huge amount of solder on the back of the volume pot, I'd probably go ahead and replace the that and the tone pots as well.

Regarding the JB jr, you need to swap the Black and green wires over. Also the red and white wires are probably grounding out on the pickguard shielding.

I'll post a detailed colour coded diagram for you to work from (or pass on to your Guitar-tech) later this evening (UK time).

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Between Andy and Martian as consultants, you'll certainly get things sorted out, but get your guitar to a more competent surgeon until your own skills improve.

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"Another day in paradise!"

+1. Sorry to be critical but...

Doc,

On behalf of Andy and myself, we thank you!

If it were me, I'd rip it all out and start over again for at the very least, that volume pot is fried and the pickup selector switch looks like it has one foot in the grave and the other on an ice slick!

With absolutely no offense to the OP, the bulk of that wiring must be redone by someone who knows how to solder.

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