AboutRoss Expertise Over 15 years of guitar playing, teaching, building, and modifying; have worked as a touring musician, studio session guitarist, engineer, guitar tech, and guitar teacher. Registered member of ASCAP. Registered member of Freelancers Union. I have a working knowledge of music theory and styles, and a taste for all types of music and instruments. If you have a favorite guitar player or style, chances are I share it! If you have a question I can't answer, I'll rely on experienced and knowledgeable people I know to get the correct information for you, and I hope I can help inspire your playing style and tone. Promo photography by Sebastian Castillo at Castillo Photography, San Diego, CA.
Experience I hope that by answering questions thoroughly and giving insightful answers, I can have a positive impact on someone's playing style and tone - help them get their perfect sound.
Expert: Ross Date: 6/11/2008 Subject: Guitar pick up problem?
Question Hi Ross. I have 2 guitars that i am having the same problem with. Basically when i flip the pick up selector switch i am having trouble at one of the settings. Both guitars have a 3 way selector switch. The same thing is happening on both guitars. At one setting the guitar doesn't completely cut out but the signal is only faint. Today i got a new pick up selector switch and fitted it to the guitar i use mostly as i really want to get the problem fixed. The other guitar i don't use very much. Anyway after i fitted it i tried it out thinking that was the problem but it wasn't. I'm having the same problem at the very same setting. I then realised that it wasn't the switch on that guitar so i thought why not fit the one i took out and put it into my old guitar and at least fix that one (thinking the switch was the problem with that guitar). I did that with no luck. Same problem. So i'm a bit confused. Both guitars have the same problem but it doesn't seem to be the selector switch that causing it on either guitar. So what could it be?? Could it be the pick ups themselves?? Have you come across this before?? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers man
Answer Conor: It sounds like the wiring is wrong altogether. It's unusual for pickups to just "go out," especially on more than one instrument. It could be a loose connection somewhere, or a bad component inside. If you're really unfamiliar with the overall wiring schemes, I'd say to have a pro check both of them out - he or she will probably be able to fix the problem fairly easily. If you'd like to try doing it yourself, check out the wiring diagrams available here: http://www.guitarelectronics.com/category/.wiringresources/
You can pick a schematic you like, and redo all the wiring from scratch to ensure you check each component and their connections. Make sure to clean each connection prior to soldering, and keep each connection NEAT, using as little soldering as possible to get a solid connection.
Hope this helps you out!
Ross
