Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

[SweetPete]

And it's NOT what I expected! It's very bright and clean, with a lot less bottom end than the JB, and a good deal less output overall. I know I wired it correctly, but it sounds as if the coils are running in parallel instead of series. In other words, it sounds clean like a single-coil pickup, not a humbucker.

Is this how the Custom is supposed to sound?

The guitar is a new Jackson DK2M (alder body, maple neck), 500k pots.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

I would check your wiring carefully and re-do the soldering to ensure the joints are good. The Custom isn't supposed to sound like that!

 

[theodie]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Its a wiring gremlin somewhere bro! When that Custom gets working correctly, it will knock your d1ck in the dirt!

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

>> Wiring gremlin...

I may just rewire everything from scratch, as it won't take too long. Thanks for the hints guys!

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Guys,

Well, I'm thoroughly baffled.

The original pickups are a JB (bridge) and Jazz (neck). I replaced the JB with the Custom and I got another Jazz in matching black/white zebra coils (both originals are all black). I installed the new Jazz - and same thing: thin, single-coil-like tone, NOTHING like the original Jazz I *just* pulled out! WTF? I resoldered EVERYTHING with the new pickups - no diff. So I put the original JB and Jazz back in - and it sounds perfectly fine, like it originally did! Again, WTF?

What's the possibility that both new pickups are "bad"? I measured the resistance of both, and they're within the specs mentioned on Duncan's website. I started wondering if both pickups were not wired correctly at the factory, which I highly doubt. But I rewired things, switching polarity, parallel instead of serial, swapped hot & ground, etc., but it either stayed the same or sounded worse. Anyone know if all shipping boxes that go thru the USPS get scanned/x-ray'd?

Any suggestions? I suppose I could return both to the dealer and get a new set.

Help!

 

[theodie]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Guys,

Well, I'm thoroughly baffled.

The original pickups are a JB (bridge) and Jazz (neck). I replaced the JB with the Custom and I got another Jazz in matching black/white zebra coils (both originals are all black). I installed the new Jazz - and same thing: thin, single-coil-like tone, NOTHING like the original Jazz I *just* pulled out! WTF? I resoldered EVERYTHING with the new pickups - no diff. So I put the original JB and Jazz back in - and it sounds perfectly fine, like it originally did! Again, WTF?

What's the possibility that both new pickups are "bad"? I measured the resistance of both, and they're within the specs mentioned on Duncan's website. I started wondering if both pickups were not wired correctly at the factory, which I highly doubt. But I rewired things, switching polarity, parallel instead of serial, swapped hot & ground, etc., but it either stayed the same or sounded worse. Anyone know if all shipping boxes that go thru the USPS get scanned/x-ray'd?

Any suggestions? I suppose I could return both to the dealer and get a new set.

Help!

It is possible it may be bad. Do you have a ohm meter to check it? Also, if you dont, get one that also checks continuity. If you get one that checks continuity, it is easy to find electrical gremlins. A great and vital investment if you do your own electronic stuff on guitars. They can be had for about $20-$30 at radio shack.

 

[devastone]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Are the red and white wires tied together?

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

A little info on what is soldered where would be helpful

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Are the red and white wires tied together?

That was my first reaction too...

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Yeah, red & white soldered and taped. Green and bare (ground) to the back of the vol pot, black (hot) to the switch. IOW, standard Duncan humbucker wiring.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

When that Custom gets working correctly, it will knock your d1ck in the dirt!

Whoa, that's gotta hurt!:laugh2:

 

[Pierre]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

It sounds to be like they're in parrallel, but they shouldn't be weak either way... That's a weird thing right there man. I tried to help on the JCF too but I think we're all baffled. If you're sure you've got it all right, then it can't be much else. If the DC resistance is correct it means they're still wired right from the factory so they should sound ok too. You sure you didn't knock the gain down on your amp by accident?

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

How far from the strings are the pickups? Is it comparable to where the onld ones were?

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

I always - even when it sounds correct thru the amp - check the pup thru the line chord (tip to +, sleeve to -/ground). It always measures a little bit different because of the pots, but in a case of a Custom it should be in the ballpark of 14k!!
BTW i purchased a Custom with a brocken leg, fixed it with a new baseplate and found someone put in a crap magnet (black with polished sides, but for sure an Alnico). It would have sounded different but surely not like a ceramic Custom.

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

>> How far from the strings are the pickups? Is it comparable to where the old ones were?

Yes.

Very baffling indeed - I mean, it was a simple swap.

>> It sounds to be like they're in parallel, but they shouldn't be weak either way.

As mentioned, I switched each one from what-should-be serial to what-should-be parallel, and it still didn't sound right. Indeed, they sound like they're in parallel - very clean, but too weak.

 

[Folo]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Is it possible that the magnets were demagnetized? :reporter: Would that make it sound like that?

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

Forgot to mention - lightly tapping the screws/slugs with a small screwdriver yields a loud click for each, so it seems that both coils are working.

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

>> Is it possible that the magnets were demagnetized?

I get magnetic pull on each screw/slug when I pass a loose high-E string over each. But I don't know whether that means that the magnets are properly magnetized or not.

 

[theodie]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

>> Is it possible that the magnets were demagnetized?

I get magnetic pull on each screw/slug when I pass a loose high-E string over each. But I don't know whether that means that the magnets are properly magnetized or not.

Which pickup seems to be more magnetic with that test, the JB or the Custom?? The Custom has a slightly stronger magnet. Have you bought a multi meter yet?

 

[SweetPete]

Re: Help: Replaced a (bridge) JB with a Custom

The Custom is more magnetic, but not by much. I have a multimeter, which is how I measured the resistance. I'll have to see if it also checks continuity.