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Post subject: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:20 am
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Roadie
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I recently replaced the input jack on my beat up, but rockin' 72' strat. It was shorting out. After wards, I noticed a drop in volume. I took it to my tech and he installed another jack and tested the output, but it still sounds thin compared to before. The ground wire (jack to volume pot) was in rough shape, so I replaced it with 22 gauge AWG wire. It sounds a little better, but not much. While I had it apart, I noticed the base of the volume pot was burnt (black) in spots. It's not the original pot, but it's old. Is it time for a new volume pot. Thoughts?


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:31 am
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Krankster wrote:
I recently replaced the input jack on my beat up, but rockin' 72' strat. It was shorting out. After wards, I noticed a drop in volume. I took it to my tech and he installed another jack and tested the output, but it still sounds thin compared to before. The ground wire (jack to volume pot) was in rough shape, so I replaced it with 22 gauge AWG wire. It sounds a little better, but not much. While I had it apart, I noticed the base of the volume pot was burnt (black) in spots. It's not the original pot, but it's old. Is it time for a new volume pot. Thoughts?


Jump across the volume pot and see if the volume returns to normal. If that works, it's a bad pot.

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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:52 am
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thompal wrote:
Jump across the volume pot and see if the volume returns to normal. If that works, it's a bad pot.


+1

That's the easiest and quickest method to confirm the diagnosis.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:35 pm
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Roadie
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Thanks for the tip. Volume pot is fine. I touched up the solder on the input jack and remounted it. They are tricky buggers on these old guitars. Here's a pic of Red-my beloved 72' Stratocaster. I've had her for 20 years and played hundreds of gigs with her. Totally stock save for a much needed re-fret.
Image


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 1:50 am
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If volume was good / normal before new output jack , check your solder , wiring . Did you put a new jack or old rusty one ? :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:32 am
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Roadie
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Ha Ha. I like old, beat up guitars. As long as they sound good, I don't care what they look like. It's light as a feather as well. A worn, played guitar is a sign of a good guitar. Yes, I did replace the jack, so it's not completely stock.


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:51 am
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Krankster wrote:
Ha Ha. I like old, beat up guitars. As long as they sound good, I don't care what they look like. It's light as a feather as well. A worn, played guitar is a sign of a good guitar. Yes, I did replace the jack, so it's not completely stock.



What about the volume before new jack ; normal ?

I don't write about original old part ,but just about you loose volume after new jack ??? Not sure


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:11 am
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Roadie
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The guitar sounded thin after I replaced the input jack. The volume pot checked out, so I re-soldered and re-installed the new input jack. Once I did that, the guitar sounded fine. I have another early 70's strat that I used to compare volume. Anyway, thanks for your help as always.


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:14 am
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Roadie
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The volume was fine with the old jack, but it was cutting in and out.


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:56 am
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Krankster wrote:
The volume was fine with the old jack, but it was cutting in and out.


Ok I understand . And with new jack and re-work on solder now volume is "remounted" This mean volume is normal ?


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 2:34 pm
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Roadie
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Yesir. Mounting input jacks is tricky. Besides having good solder joints, the wires have to be positioned correctly and the jack has to fit snug. She's back to normal. This strat is as good as any I have played, including ones from the 50's and 60's. We have a vintage guitar store-Mikes Music-in Cincinnati. Mike has one of the best colllections in the country.


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 3:50 pm
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That things beautiful,nothin better than a well worn axe,like a pair a well worn sunday morning slippers.


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:33 am
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Roadie
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Thank you kindly. I think she is as well. The neck is as fat a baseball bat. I named her 'Red' because of the area were my elbow sweat has worn through the paint down to the clearcoat. You have to name such great guitars. Clapton had Blackie and Brownie. I have Red and Blondie. Blondie is an early 70's natural ash strat that's just like Red. For what it's worth, when replacing the input jack on vintage strats, make sure to angle the jack away from the hole leading into the body and run the leads above the jack. At least some folks appreciate the beauty of a well worn instrument or amp. Arjay. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:59 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:47 pm
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Scroll down to "why fender vintage pickups fail", This may be your answer.
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/pickups.html


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Post subject: Re: Low volume on a 1972 Stratocaster
Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 11:22 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:27 pm
Posts: 207
Thanks for the link. The pickups are fine. My tech measure the output of each. The problem was the input jack. If they're not installed correctly, output can suffer. It could be a grounding problem or short. I'm not sure if newer strats are as temperamental.


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