Just fitted a JD bridge pup (review & question)

Hi All,

See my previous post of a few days ago asking about the Jerry Donahue bridge pup- I had my bridge pup go on my '52 RI MIJ and almost bought a JD Japanese issue pup before several people pointed out that the stock bridge pup in a JD japanese issued tele were not the same as the Seymour Duncan pro shop issue.

So, after some help from guys here, I bought one. It arrived yesterday while I was away and I fitted today.

First off, let me say it is the best £58 I've spent in a long time. I love the sound of it, it suits my playing and the kind of songs I do in the band.

I struggle to describe sounds using words (be it amps or pups or whatever), but here goes....It sounds twangy (as was pointed out before I bought it) but more than that it kind of puts the sound under your finger tips. This may sound a bit strange, but the sound is on my finger tips. I guess it's sensitive but very forgiving.

It's bites but exactly in the right amount. It has a certain grit but it's clean too at lower volumes. Its kind of slick but mean (? I really don't know if this is making any sense but I can't really think of how else to put it, except using the ol' 'twangy' phrase.)

Here's a few pics, thanks to all who gave help and advice.

But....one question (I am a newb on maintenance , so I could have made a simple error or messed up somewhere). I have changed the config of the wiring so many times before I installed this JD because I didn't realise the bridge pup had gone, and kept trying different re-wires (I ordered a multimeter 2 weeks ago, still not here!)

The middle position (both together ) is now significantly lower volume than
the neck or the bridge, which are both perfectly at the same volume .

Any ideas anyone?

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/seikojem/photo-1.jpg
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q308/seikojem/photo-2.jpg

the quietness is probably because you have reversed one of the pickups putting it out of phase with the other one. The volume does drop off a bit even if it's wired properly but if it also sounds thin then it's a phase problem. Make sure the black lead on the JD goes to ground (back of vol pot) and try changing the wires from the neck pick around. Great pickups, love mine too. next step is a 4 way switch, easy to install and adds an extra tone.

Thanks for info. Yes, black going to ground.

My neck is a Texas special which might complicate it as it has yellow, black and white coming from it

As far as I can tell from this forum and other places, both yellow n black are ground , white to switch.

But, if anyone has any ideas I'd be appreciative.

Thanks

pretty sure if you switch the black and white wires from the Texas special things will work out fine. If the yellow is wired to the pickup cover then that goes to ground too, makes it even easier for the 4 way switch!

Yes, Fender and Duncan pickups are opposite, so if you mix them you have to reverse wires as noted.

Glad you dig the JD--it's one of the best.

Thanks for that advice guys ( that's one of the reasons I love this forum and I'm grateful to have access to it)

So, neck (Tex Special) black to switch?

Yes, that should solve your middle position problem. The 4-way switch is a great mod, you'll like the series position. It can also done with a push/pull switch, check out Deaf Eddies' site. Good luck, hope you continue to enjoy that JD.

Cheers Spudcaster- I'll check that out now