Can a pickup just DIE?

[aescully]

I picked up my strat today and the neck pickup just didn't have any output or maybe just a little output (couldn't really tell). Is it possible that pickup just "died"? Is there a possibility that the pickup just can't be fixed?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

If you play badly enough, for long enough, they can sometimes just will themselves to cease functioning. It's noble act intended to save the ears of others.

 

[dmandude123455]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

lmao

was everthing plugged in??

it might even be something with the wiring idk though :/

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

No ..... it's usually murder.

If you want to know if they go to heaven .... I hope so!

 

[El CHupacabra]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

I'm sure the PearlyGates units do.

Maybe the solders were poorly done and it eventually gave way?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

a buddy of mines neck pup just stopped working a few days ago. i hit every thing with a soldering iron and its fine now. if you didnt touch the guitar then its unlikely that it died on it own

 

[aescully]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

Yeah I don't play super distorted. And I am a pretty experienced guitar player, so I am not sure what you mean by play "badly" Could you please specify.
-Arthur Scully

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

Yeah I don't play super distorted. And I am a pretty experienced guitar player, so I am not sure what you mean by play "badly" Could you please specify.
-Arthur Scully

lol, they're just pulling your leg dude, no worries. Check all of the soldering connections. It's possible something came loose, or that something is being grounded that shouldn't be.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

Reasons for Spontaneous Pickup Death Syndrome:
1) Failed solder joint(s) - on pickup bobbin baseplate or on controls
2) Damaged coil - physical interruption, especially between the coil and the output cable eyelets
3) Lousy contact on selector switch - spray with electrolube or gently bend back into position
4) Something in the grounding circuit physically shorting out the pickup output contact
5) If you have a switch (or blend pot) that allows the neck and bridge pickups to be used together, check that.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

I picked up my strat today and the neck pickup just didn't have any output or maybe just a little output (couldn't really tell). Is it possible that pickup just "died"? Is there a possibility that the pickup just can't be fixed?

It's far more likely that your switch, the pot for that pickup or wiring took a dump.

 

[aescully]

Re: Can a pickup just DIE?

Thanks loads, I should have known, it did sound a bit like I was getting joked around with, but I never did get much in to the mechanical part of guitar work. I have an appointment with a luthier to check it out, the pickups are **** near irreplaceable so I am not going to leave anything to chance!
Thanks again!