It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:18 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 10:17 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:55 pm
Posts: 4
1998 American Std Stratocaster.

Each pickup on it's own sounds correct.
Position 4 (neck/middle) also sounds correct and has no hum.

Position 2 (bridge/middle) is the problem. Sound is weak and thin and does not cancel hum at all.

Wiring seems correct as per Fender diagram (http://support.fender.com/service_diagr ... C_SISD.pdf)

The only thing I notice as a possible issue with the pickguard off is that the white wire from each pickup goes to the selector switch rather than the coloured wires (blue:neck, red:middle, yellow:bridge) which go to the volume pot ground. Other examples I've seen online have coloured wires going to the switch but since all pickups are wired similarly, I'm not sure this is an issue.

I bought this guitar new and have never had the pickguard off before today. I've have had this problem since day one (I know, I know, I should have had the dealer address it then).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 5:20 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:15 am
Posts: 522
Your switch would seem to be the culprit. There may be a contact point not touching when the wheel gets rotated. I have a 91 and the colored wires do go to ground.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:00 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:33 am
Posts: 8461
Location: Mars, the angry red planet.
This is just a hunch: Try reversing the lead wires of the bridge pickup and see (hear) what happens.

_________________
You dig?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:20 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Martian wrote:
This is just a hunch: Try reversing the lead wires of the bridge pickup and see (hear) what happens.


+1

Sounds eminently logical to me, given the symptoms.

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: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 1:34 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:55 pm
Posts: 4
Thanks for the replies. That's what I kinda figured, either that or rotate the pickup 180 degrees. Anyway, turns out swapping the leads worked, I guess the pickup leads themselves were improperly wired/colour-coded. Had to splice in a short section to reach the switch but no big deal.

Quack quack quack, sounds great now. Thanks again. :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:18 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 4:41 pm
Posts: 764
Location: Sydney. Australia
bloozboy1 wrote:
Quack quack quack, sounds great now


You mean: Twang, Twang, Twang?? :mrgreen:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:47 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
It's more like cluck, cluck, cluck. :lol:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:16 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
bloozboy1 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. That's what I kinda figured, either that or rotate the pickup 180 degrees. Anyway, turns out swapping the leads worked, I guess the pickup leads themselves were improperly wired/colour-coded. Had to splice in a short section to reach the switch but no big deal.

Quack quack quack, sounds great now. Thanks again. :D


Does it buck the hum in that position now?

Did you check the magnetic polarity of the pickups?

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 2:21 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:55 pm
Posts: 4
I guess I'd have to agree that "cluck cluck cluck" is probably most accurate. To my ears; through a clean SFDR it sounds very much like a swinging sultan. Pushed just a tiny bit, I hear slinky mellowship.

Yes it has also eliminated the hum.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:50 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:02 pm
Posts: 1978
Location: Manchester
bloozboy1 wrote:
I bought this guitar new ...


From your description, you most probably didn't. Fenders don't leave the factory with position 2 not working. Someone's been in that guitar before you.

_________________
Image
Image my stuff on soundcloud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:18 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:55 pm
Posts: 4
GilgaFrank wrote:
bloozboy1 wrote:
I bought this guitar new ...


From your description, you most probably didn't. Fenders don't leave the factory with position 2 not working. Someone's been in that guitar before you.



I think "shouldn't leave the factory with position 2 not working" is true. I am surprised that it was missed. It was brand new with stickers and plastic on the pickguard when I bought it. Still have the receipt.

Mistakes happen and I don't think Fender musical instruments is immune to them.

It looked like it was properly wired, the wiring guy did his job right. I think it was the guy who put together/wired the pickup who blew it, as did the final inspection person.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sound quality/hum issues in position 2
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 6:27 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 am
Posts: 7282
Location: Washington
At least now it sounds like you are good to go. Enjoy it.

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Image


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


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: