Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 3, 2016 21:44:28 GMT
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Apr 4, 2016 7:31:48 GMT
Well, it still looks like a guitar, Martin... so that's a win (and rather better than I would have managed!) |
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Post by earwighoney on Apr 4, 2016 12:11:49 GMT
How do the new pickups sound?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 4, 2016 12:19:39 GMT
I'm afraid the last piccy is where I left it. I'll put the strings on tonight, adjust the pickup heights and test them, hopefully with a meaningful sound sample.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 4, 2016 19:50:22 GMT
Houston, we have a problem. Or maybe, more accurately, Ground Control to Major Tom!! I seem to have a big buzz/hum issue that wasn't there before. All the signs are that it is an earthing (ground) problem, although I'm sure my cabling is all intact. Couldn't work it out until I put a multimeter between all points, and it seems the bridge isn't connected. I didn't disconnect anything, so I think I now know what the big brass plate under the bridge pickup was for  It must have connected the pickup to the bridge via the adjustment screws, which probably isn't the case with the new pickup. Any ideas for a quick fix? The bloomin' strings are on now too, so that's a fiver up the spout  |
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maninashed
Cheerfully Optimistic 
Mad Farmer Liberation Front
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Post by maninashed on Apr 4, 2016 20:35:14 GMT
I can't quite see but usually there would be a ground wire from the volume pot to the bridge plate, just the bare end of the wire hooked over the lip of the pickup cavity.   |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 4, 2016 22:37:51 GMT
Thanks for the info. There was definitely no wire, which is why I suspect the pickup baseplate/screw contact fulfilled that function.
Looks like I need another wire....
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maninashed
Cheerfully Optimistic
Mad Farmer Liberation Front
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Post by maninashed on Apr 5, 2016 5:39:37 GMT
Soldering looks fine!
I love the Tele! Is that Fiesta red? Cream binding and rosewood fretboard plus badass pickups. Doesn't get better than that!
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2016 7:52:00 GMT
Thanks! It's Candy Apple Red, officially, and I only wanted it 'cos it was pretty  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 5, 2016 10:43:53 GMT
Found a video where a Japan-made Telecaster got a Noiseless pickup replacement and started making noises!
Turns out, it also had no earth (ground) wire connection, so I suppose they must rely on the brass baseplate for earthing in the factory.
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leoroberts
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My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Apr 5, 2016 15:06:24 GMT
So many words I didn't understand... ground, earth, contact, electricity..... rehearsal....
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Apr 6, 2016 9:06:46 GMT
Well, it's done. I put a wire across from the bridge to the control panel, and it really cut (but did not remove) the noise. I failed to solder the earth wire to the bridge, despite several attempts, so it is now wedged between the body and bridge! When soldering the extra earth to the volume pot, I inadvertently 'singed' two other cables. The insulation looks dodgy, but I guess the cables inside still work, so I put it all back together  Seems to work fine, the buzz is definitely reduced, and I can now control it better holding the strings (which didn't work before). The pickups sound very good, and there is a huge difference between neck and bridge sounds now. They appear to be 'beefier' and a hotter output, which is what I was after, but I lost my sample of what the old pickups sound like, so can't now compare  I'll try to record something of the new ones. It was an interesting experience at least  |
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Post by vikingblues on Apr 6, 2016 14:19:37 GMT
If you managed to do the soldering job without frying some of the electrics, putting a hole in your finger, or singing the guitar you've done very well. Congrats Martin!  It will be interesting to hear how they sound. 3 of my 4 surviving electric guitars have replacement pickups in them - it was a great success every time for improved tone. A job well worth doing, albeit less than enjoyable. Mark |
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Post by earwighoney on Apr 6, 2016 15:08:23 GMT
The pickups sound very good, and there is a huge difference between neck and bridge sounds now. They appear to be 'beefier' and a hotter output, which is what I was after, but I lost my sample of what the old pickups sound like, so can't now compare Good to hear they sound alright. I recommend playing around with pickup height if you haven't already. I've been using the Bill Lawrence method of sorts (replace nickel with a two penny piece), which works pretty well. "As a general rule for the bridge pickup - put a nickel on top of the pickup under the high E string and play the highest note on that string. Adjust the height on that side of the pickup till the string touches the nickel. Repeat the same with the low E string, but use two nickels on top of each other. If this gives you too much output, you can reduce the height slightly. Don't forget that twice the distance will reduce the output by about 60%, and the sound will lose some lows. NOW, you can adjust the neck pickup to match the output of the bridge pickup."
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).
Jo whoever he is.
