Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

[papastringbender]

I just installed the everything axe loaded pick guard. The tone knobs do absolutely nothing and all three pickups are badly muffled and pretty much sound the same. I'm wondering if I've done something wrong. However, the only thing I had to hook up was the jack and the ground wire.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Bowtomecha]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

If it came preassembled and tested, I’d figure that somethings up with your grounding. Perhaps you reversed the wires to the output jack?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

Welcome to the forum!

I am sorry this is happening. The first step is to check if it is wired correctly. The tone knobs shouldn't sound that way (It sounds like they are down to 0?)...perhaps they are grounding out somewhere? Pics of the wiring might help...

 

[papastringbender]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

Welcome to the forum!

I am sorry this is happening. The first step is to check if it is wired correctly. The tone knobs shouldn't sound that way (It sounds like they are down to 0?)...perhaps they are grounding out somewhere? Pics of the wiring might help...

That's exactly what it sounds like. I'll try to attach my image. I figured I did something wrong.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

Aren't the middle 2 terminals the hot and ground of the jack? I think the bridge ground is all the way on the left. I am trying to remember this, but I am sure someone else can confirm.

 

[papastringbender]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

Aren't the middle 2 terminals the hot and ground of the jack? I think the bridge ground is all the way on the left. I am trying to remember this, but I am sure someone else can confirm.

I'm not sure either. The diagram said both lefts were grounds. I'm confident I've done something wrong.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

If you lift the pickguard partly out of the cavity, or move it around a bit, does it fix itself? That would indicate somethings is grounding out when it’s all pushed into the body. If you lift the pickguard out of the body and it still sounds muffled and indistinct, then some component is wired wrong.

Does the sound change as you throw the switch from pickup to pickup? If not, the switch is touching something when it’s all assembled into the guitar.

The problem description sounds like one of two things to me:
1. The switch is bridged so that one or more pickups are always on and/or
2. The tone cap is shorting the entire guitar signal to ground

For the latter problem, I would try electrical tape to insulate the tone cap legs from touching anything they are not soldered to.

 

[papastringbender]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

Thanks! I'll check it out tonight. Not much difference when I switch between pickups. If I find the problem, I'll post it.

 

[papastringbender]

Re: Problem: Everything Axe Loaded Pick Guard

Looks like you were correct. Terminals were grounding out. I covered them with tape, reinstalled and played all weekend. Sounds like a million bucks! Thanks!