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Strat middle pickup not responding

Discussion in 'Stratocaster Discussion Forum' started by Jakester93, Jul 24, 2010.

  1. Jul 24, 2010 #1
    Jakester93

    Jakester93 Tele-Meister

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    My friend, who doesn't really play guitar much, let me borrow his 1993 MIM strat that his uncle gave him. I've been trying to fix it up, and what has stumped me is the middle pickup. It just doesn't work. In positions 2, 3, and 4, the middle pickup produces no sound. I unscrewed the pick guard and looked for loose connections and things like that, but everything seems in place. There is buzzing, as if something isn't grounded correctly, but I can't see where.

    Is there something I should check? Something simple I'm missing? I'm not very familiar with strats, so I don't know what to really look for.
     
  2. Jul 24, 2010 #2
    benbo

    benbo Tele-Afflicted

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    Take the pickgaurd off and find the 2 wires coming off the middle pickup, take an Ohm meter and put one lead on the black wire and the other on the white, or yellow depending on what kid of pickups it has. Set your Ohm meter to the 20K setting and check to see if you get a reading or open, mine reads OL when the coil is open or broken
     
  3. Jul 24, 2010 #3
    KenH

    KenH Tele-Holic

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    Also, the switch contacts could be oxidized from sitting idle. Some contact cleaner in the switch might help. Spray it and work the switch through all positions several times.
     
  4. Jul 24, 2010 #4
    Del Pickup

    Del Pickup Poster Extraordinaire

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    Could also be a dry solder joint. I had the same problem with my Clapton strat not long after I got it. Resoldered one joint and the problem was solved.
     
  5. Jul 24, 2010 #5
    Jakester93

    Jakester93 Tele-Meister

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    Thanks guys! I did what benbo suggested and got no reading on the middle pickup. The other two pickups were about 6.67. So does this mean the pickup is no good? Or should I try what you other guys suggested?
     
  6. Jul 24, 2010 #6
    mijstrat72

    mijstrat72 Tele-Afflicted

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    May as well try to resolder it. Can't hurt since it's all right there. If it still doesn't work, let your friend know it's time for an upgrade.
     
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