bridge pickup problem

sstudebaker · June 27th, 2008, 11:00 AM

The bridge pickup on my 68 tele is not working. It has about half the gain of the neck pickup, sounds tinny, and breaks up. I'm assuming it is either the pickup or the switch. There appears to be some rust on the pole under the low E. Could the pickup be shorted? What's the easiest way to diagnose? Thanks.

p.roeleveld · October 31st, 2008, 09:36 AM

I have exactly the same problem. Does anyone know how to solve or diagnose this?
Thanks in advance.

mellecaster · October 31st, 2008, 10:23 AM

Probably the easiest way is to remove control panel...place 3-way in neck only position....then take a multimeter set on 20K ohms scale..touch one lead to bridge plus wire on switch...other to a ground, and a healthy Bridge pup should read somewhere around 6K...a lot less or no reading at all means ya got a problem.

p.roeleveld · November 4th, 2008, 05:58 AM

Hi,
Thanks. I have checked it and the bridge pickup read 7.21K. Is that normal? All the wiring looks normal and original (check the picture). If the problem persists I want to change the pickup. If I replace the pickup will that affect the value of this guitar? (not that I want to sell it, but I was just wondering).

mellecaster · November 4th, 2008, 11:21 AM

The 7.21 sounds normal...but that sure isn't a 68 Body....the bridge and routing would point to a 1983, at first glance ?

yegbert · November 4th, 2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellecaster

The 7.21 sounds normal...but that sure isn't a 68 Body....the bridge and routing would point to a 1983, at first glance ?

+1 on the bridge, that's an early '80s revised standard bridge.

p.roeleveld · November 5th, 2008, 02:27 AM

Thanks, and yes this is an 1983 telecaster. But I never said I had an 68

. When I stated that I have exactly the same problem, I meant that the sound from the bridge pickup is thinny and that there is rust on some of the poles. My other 1983 does not have this problem. (Damn, I just realized I could have checked if my other 1983 to see if the bridge pickup reads the same).
However the problem on my tele remains. So if the bridge pickup appears not to be broken, then it must be .........? I already tried to adjust the pickup height, but that did not work. Any ideas?

Amby · November 5th, 2008, 07:41 AM

What about the switch connection?

jwells393 · November 5th, 2008, 09:16 AM

Here's are some of the best tools for solving problems like the one described here. They allow you to quickly determine if you have a problem with the switch, pots, jack or pickup.

......

yegbert · November 5th, 2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p.roeleveld

Thanks, and yes this is an 1983 telecaster. But I never said I had an 68

. When I stated that I have exactly the same problem, I meant that the sound from the bridge pickup is thinny and that there is rust on some of the poles. My other 1983 does not have this problem. (Damn, I just realized I could have checked if my other 1983 to see if the bridge pickup reads the same).
However the problem on my tele remains. So if the bridge pickup appears not to be broken, then it must be .........? I already tried to adjust the pickup height, but that did not work. Any ideas?

Sorry, I took my cue from other posts and failed to notice that you're not the OP.

Rust on the poles wouldn't cause a problem directly, however if they are rusted the windings may also be rusted and that could directly cause a problem.

I remember a pickup that measured within specs and still sounded very thin and weak. It was on an early '80s '52 RI Tele that had seen a fair share of outside gigs and it was rusty.

I'd disconnect the pickup from the switch and connect it directly to the output jack for a test. If it still sounds thin and weak like that I'd replace the pickup.

p.roeleveld · November 6th, 2008, 03:05 AM

[quote=jwells393;1488470]Here's are some of the best tools for solving problems like the one described here. They allow you to quickly determine if you have a problem with the switch, pots, jack or pickup.

Thanks, I'll try hooking up the bridge pickup directly. If it is still weak then, I'll change it. I'll keep you informed.

p.roeleveld · November 27th, 2008, 04:51 AM

I have finally had some time to check it all. The bridge still sounded weak after hooking it up directly. I checked here with a local guitar builder (Peer Dellen) and he confirmed that it was broken. So I bought the following replacement bridge pickup: a Seymour Duncan STK-T2b Hot Stack pickup. I will be installing it this weekend (hopefully).

June 27th, 2008, 11:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
sstudebaker NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: castro valley, ca Posts: 3	bridge pickup problem The bridge pickup on my 68 tele is not working. It has about half the gain of the neck pickup, sounds tinny, and breaks up. I'm assuming it is either the pickup or the switch. There appears to be some rust on the pole under the low E. Could the pickup be shorted? What's the easiest way to diagnose? Thanks.

October 31st, 2008, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,776 17 Photos	Probably the easiest way is to remove control panel...place 3-way in neck only position....then take a multimeter set on 20K ohms scale..touch one lead to bridge plus wire on switch...other to a ground, and a healthy Bridge pup should read somewhere around 6K...a lot less or no reading at all means ya got a problem. __________________ I have never owned an Ipod or Blackberry..and doubt that I ever will......

November 4th, 2008, 11:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,776 17 Photos	The 7.21 sounds normal...but that sure isn't a 68 Body....the bridge and routing would point to a 1983, at first glance ? __________________ I have never owned an Ipod or Blackberry..and doubt that I ever will......

November 5th, 2008, 09:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,253 101 Photos	Here's are some of the best tools for solving problems like the one described here. They allow you to quickly determine if you have a problem with the switch, pots, jack or pickup. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras. Last edited by jwells393; November 5th, 2008 at 10:11 AM.

October 31st, 2008, 09:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
p.roeleveld TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Hague, The Netherlands Age: 32 Posts: 21 6 Photos	I have exactly the same problem. Does anyone know how to solve or diagnose this? Thanks in advance.

November 5th, 2008, 02:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
p.roeleveld TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Hague, The Netherlands Age: 32 Posts: 21 6 Photos	Thanks, and yes this is an 1983 telecaster. But I never said I had an 68 . When I stated that I have exactly the same problem, I meant that the sound from the bridge pickup is thinny and that there is rust on some of the poles. My other 1983 does not have this problem. (Damn, I just realized I could have checked if my other 1983 to see if the bridge pickup reads the same). However the problem on my tele remains. So if the bridge pickup appears not to be broken, then it must be .........? I already tried to adjust the pickup height, but that did not work. Any ideas?

November 5th, 2008, 07:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Amby Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Stirlingshire, Scotland Age: 61 Posts: 244	What about the switch connection?

November 6th, 2008, 03:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
p.roeleveld TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Hague, The Netherlands Age: 32 Posts: 21 6 Photos	[quote=jwells393;1488470]Here's are some of the best tools for solving problems like the one described here. They allow you to quickly determine if you have a problem with the switch, pots, jack or pickup. Thanks, I'll try hooking up the bridge pickup directly. If it is still weak then, I'll change it. I'll keep you informed.

November 27th, 2008, 04:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
p.roeleveld TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Hague, The Netherlands Age: 32 Posts: 21 6 Photos	I have finally had some time to check it all. The bridge still sounded weak after hooking it up directly. I checked here with a local guitar builder (Peer Dellen) and he confirmed that it was broken. So I bought the following replacement bridge pickup: a Seymour Duncan STK-T2b Hot Stack pickup. I will be installing it this weekend (hopefully).