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Bridge pickup not working when ground touches backplate

Discussion in 'Tele-Technical' started by SnoLo, Nov 30, 2020.

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  1. Nov 30, 2020 #1
    SnoLo

    SnoLo TDPRI Member

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    Hi everyone,

    I am currently installing a new bridge pickup to my Schecter PT (T-style guitar). Had no issues with previous pickups (duncan designed pickups that look like the EMG active pickups, but these are passive).

    Im installing a Pearly gate bridge pickup (the one that looks like one solid metal humbucker). The pickup seems to work fine when the backplate doesnt touch the ground (?) wire - i test this by using a screwdriver to touch the pickup. When I touch the backplate with my hands there is a buzz. But when the backplate touches the ground wire that sticks through a hole underneath the backplate the buzz goes away, however the pickup also goes silent.

    What do I need to do to fix this? any help appreciated
     
  2. Nov 30, 2020 #2
    DougM

    DougM Poster Extraordinaire

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    It sounds to me like your pickup's hot wire is connected to ground and vice versa. Reverse them and see what happens.
     
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  3. Nov 30, 2020 #3
    SnoLo

    SnoLo TDPRI Member

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    That fixed it! Thank you! I assumed the black wire was ground
     
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  4. Nov 30, 2020 #4
    Wulf

    Wulf Tele-Afflicted

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    often is..but not always...at least youve been well advised...was coming to offer assistance...but youve had some good already
     
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  5. Nov 30, 2020 #5
    DougM

    DougM Poster Extraordinaire

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    Looking at the SD color code for their HB pickups, red and white are tied together (unless you want coil splitting), green and bare are ground, and black is hot.
     
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