Guitar rewiring issues

[Jonathon]

I recently rewired my guitar by with new pots, jack, wire, caps, etc. The pickups are a matched set of one/two conductor (however you like to look at it) SD-59's.

The diagram for 1h/1v/1t 3way switch didn't work for my setup so I put together this diagram to test out:

IMAGE

I'm not sure if this diagram is entirely correct. It works for the most part. It is quiet and there is no strange behavior EXCEPT the guitar is very quiet and dull sounding. I have to turn my amp up to double the volume compared to where it would have been before. I'm not sure what is wrong and I'd figure I'd ask here before i start desoldering and testing every last thing. Additionally, I am using a .022 cap instead of .047 - and now my tone control has no effect on the sound. Not sure if it is due to the cap (doubt it) but I'm at a loss.

 

[Artie]

Re: Guitar rewiring issues

As Hermy said, the diagram is good. The symptom you're describing might happen if you accidently used a .22uf cap instead of a .022uf. Since you said you changed it, double-check that first.

Then let us know how that turns out.

 

[Jonathon]

Re: Guitar rewiring issues

As Hermy said, the diagram is good. The symptom you're describing might happen if you accidently used a .22uf cap instead of a .022uf. Since you said you changed it, double-check that first.

Then let us know how that turns out.

Cap reads exactly what my invoice reads which is:

Mojo Dijon Coupling Caps 0.022uf @ 630vdc (22nf = .022uf)

to be accurate: i was never sure what value cap was in there originally - the cap reads "2A223J". A google search reveals that this is the same value as the cap I just put in anyway



if i took a pic of my work would that be of help to you?


if you guys are at a loss I think i'm just going to wire one of the pickups right to the volume pot and see if that changes anything for me

 

[Jonathon]

Re: Guitar rewiring issues

The attached diagram seems perfect to me (maybe, I am missing something, dunno).
The cap changed must work. Only maintains more highs when rolling down the tone pot than the substituted one.

How works the tone, when you actuate it?
and the volume?
Have you played with the height screws of your pickups?

I haven't touched the height of the pickups. i'm sure it definitely isn't that, but a good troubleshooting point.


the volume knob works fine but like i said the tone control does nothing when turned. maybe it DOES but the output is just so low it's not detectable. To make it clearer, I play through a 15watt all tube silvertone amp and with my other guitar (and this one prior to rewire) get very nice tube crunch at 3/4 to full volume. Now it sounds the same as it does at low volume, just louder. Just dull, no gain. running a fuzz or distortion pedal now has no "bite" whatsoever! in fact, its hard to tell theres even an effect at all

 

[Jonathon]

Re: Guitar rewiring issues

So I went to go fiddle around a bit and discovered that the culprit was a drop of solder that had dribbled down a contact on the tone pot and was making contact with the pot and the body of the guitar at the same time. turns out this makes your guitar sound like garbage! all is well now and playing great.

 

[Artie]

Re: Guitar rewiring issues

Excellent. The only thing better than new pups is finding, and solving, a problem yourself. Tell us how you like the 59's once you get her 'ringed out.

 

[Jonathon]

Re: Guitar rewiring issues

Excellent. The only thing better than new pups is finding, and solving, a problem yourself. Tell us how you like the 59's once you get her 'ringed out.

Well I've had the 59's for about 2 years now in this guitar and i've always liked them. The shop I got them installed at did a less than quality job in the guitar though so after all this time i've decided to do it myself. It came out great for my first time doing such a large overhaul.

The pickups sound MUCH more lively now probably due to the higher quality hardware, wires and soldering points. I have a second cheap guitar that I usually fiddle around with alternate tunings and the like that i'll be rewiring soon with the old pots and things from my main guitar. Can't wait!