Help! Installed a Burstbucker 2 and now middle position is out of phase

BrownsBrick · October 26th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Hello,
I've been upgrading my Greco 61' SG copy. First came the CTS audio pots, 500K, really helped smooth things up, the tone pots only seem to work at from 0 to 4 still however. Then came the .022 Hovland Tone Caps. Another VERY nice improvement.

Yesterday I was at Guitar Center and they were blowing out Burstbucker 2's at 70 dollars, so I bought one, took it home and installed it in the neck position, same Gibson modern wiring scheme as before.

Now, the new Burstbucker doesnt buck hum in the neck position, and the middle is "out of phase" resulting in a very weak, thin, and noisy tone. Not good in a "Peter Green" way. When i roll the volume down on the neck pot, it seems to thicken up quite a bit, still humming like mad (is this normal for out of phase?)

The burstbucker is a single hot wire with metal braid to ground (volume pot) type PUP. The "out of phase" sound is currently alluring to me, but is there a better configuration for less hum without adding a switch or modifying the guitar? I've read that reversing the ground and hot of the Pickup will bring it back to phase, but how can you do that with the ground being the braided sheild and the hot being the sole wire?

Will include pics ASAP. Thanks!

cc9cii · October 26th, 2009, 07:00 PM

A humbucker should not hum.... Either you have wiring issues, the Burstbucker is faulty, or there are env issues (amp, cable, etc).

sjtalon · October 26th, 2009, 07:30 PM

Peter Green mod.
I've read of folks doing the out of phase on purpose with humbuckers, and not just the mini switch in and out deal.

Just go ahead and take the braid and run it to the switch and solder the other wire to ground. The important thing is to insulate (tape or better yet shrink tubing) the braid now as it is the positive and if it touches anything metal in the guitar it will ground out ( neck will be dead).

It's worth a try and could be the easy fix there MacGyver

BrownsBrick · October 27th, 2009, 02:53 AM

I shortened the braid, double insulated it, and voila. I get to keep my out of phase without the noise. Used it at rehearsal tonight with my 66' Princeton and Rosac-Fuzz-Wah in my new side-gig. The first thing they commented on was my tone. This configuration is a keeper! Thanks!

October 26th, 2009, 04:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
BrownsBrick TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 77	Help! Installed a Burstbucker 2 and now middle position is out of phase Hello, I've been upgrading my Greco 61' SG copy. First came the CTS audio pots, 500K, really helped smooth things up, the tone pots only seem to work at from 0 to 4 still however. Then came the .022 Hovland Tone Caps. Another VERY nice improvement. Yesterday I was at Guitar Center and they were blowing out Burstbucker 2's at 70 dollars, so I bought one, took it home and installed it in the neck position, same Gibson modern wiring scheme as before. Now, the new Burstbucker doesnt buck hum in the neck position, and the middle is "out of phase" resulting in a very weak, thin, and noisy tone. Not good in a "Peter Green" way. When i roll the volume down on the neck pot, it seems to thicken up quite a bit, still humming like mad (is this normal for out of phase?) The burstbucker is a single hot wire with metal braid to ground (volume pot) type PUP. The "out of phase" sound is currently alluring to me, but is there a better configuration for less hum without adding a switch or modifying the guitar? I've read that reversing the ground and hot of the Pickup will bring it back to phase, but how can you do that with the ground being the braided sheild and the hot being the sole wire? Will include pics ASAP. Thanks! __________________ "I like the British bikes. I like British people. They're real mellow."-Mike Tyson "You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you're really interested in it."-Cecil Taylor

October 27th, 2009, 02:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
BrownsBrick TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 77	I shortened the braid, double insulated it, and voila. I get to keep my out of phase without the noise. Used it at rehearsal tonight with my 66' Princeton and Rosac-Fuzz-Wah in my new side-gig. The first thing they commented on was my tone. This configuration is a keeper! Thanks! __________________ "I like the British bikes. I like British people. They're real mellow."-Mike Tyson "You must surrender whatever preconceptions you have about music if you're really interested in it."-Cecil Taylor

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October 26th, 2009, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
cc9cii Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 773	A humbucker should not hum.... Either you have wiring issues, the Burstbucker is faulty, or there are env issues (amp, cable, etc).

October 26th, 2009, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
sjtalon Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Age: 50 Posts: 901 7 Photos	Peter Green mod. I've read of folks doing the out of phase on purpose with humbuckers, and not just the mini switch in and out deal. Just go ahead and take the braid and run it to the switch and solder the other wire to ground. The important thing is to insulate (tape or better yet shrink tubing) the braid now as it is the positive and if it touches anything metal in the guitar it will ground out ( neck will be dead). It's worth a try and could be the easy fix there MacGyver

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