I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

C

Chubtone

New member
I popped the A5 back into my '78 today and wired it back into my guitar and now the pickup is completely dead. I don't know how I did it. The coils are not exposed and the wires connecting the coils seem to still be soldered together.

Anyone know how I can use a multimeter to confirm whether I have killed the pickup or not?

Thanks
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

Well, hold the multimeter probes to the cable :)

You sure it's dead? Whatever you do, don't fiddle with it too much. If the coil wire is broken you might still be able to reconnect it, but not if you rip around.

More likely it's even easier.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

uOpt said:
Well, hold the multimeter probes to the cable :)

You sure it's dead? Whatever you do, don't fiddle with it too much. If the coil wire is broken you might still be able to reconnect it, but not if you rip around.

More likely it's even easier.
Click to expand...

How do I set the multimeter and what reading am I looking for?

I can't confirm that it is dead, yet. It is a single knob, no switch guitar. I soldered it in like I have done 100's of times, put the pickguard back on, strung it up, tuned it acoustically and then plugged it in. Nothing. Wouldn't you figure? I got cocky and didn't even check it because they always work when I wire them in. But no. On a freaking PICKGUARD guitar I had to disassemble and touch up the solder joints. Still nothing. Popped another pickup in and it worked immediately. I want to confirm this works or doesn't on a multimeter before I proceed.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

Let me mention this is the only time I pulled the magnets out with needle nose pliers. I was careful and didn't yank it or anything or hit the coils, but I did use a metal tool when I have just done it by hand before.

Sorry for such noob questions. After 31 years of playing, I'm reading what I am writing and rolling my eyes at myself.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

Set the Multimeter to max 20 Kohm D/C resistance and look for around 10 Kohm.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

uOpt said:
Set the Multimeter to max 20 Kohm D/C resistance and look for around 10 Kohm.
Click to expand...


Thank you very much for that explanation. The pickup measures 8.99 on my meter which seems right. Aren't these supposed to be around 9? For comparison I measured a C5 and got a 13.2 measurement and I believe this one should be around 14, so maybe my multimeter is a bit on the weak side?

So this 8.99 reading means I have a working pickup though doesn't it?

Thank you very much uOpt for your help. On one of the forums (Dinosaur Rock Guitar) I frequent we have a +1 or -1 karma rating that shows up in all your posts. I would definitely +1 you here if I could.

Thank you!
 
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Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

That reading seems right so I'd say it still good. It must have just been something with the wiring. I did what you did once now I always meter my work before and during reassembly. Sometimes the problem occurs when you put the guard back on and something moves or shorts to ground.
So do you like the 78 better with an A5?
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

kjrocks said:
That reading seems right so I'd say it still good. It must have just been something with the wiring. I did what you did once now I always meter my work before and during reassembly. Sometimes the problem occurs when you put the guard back on and something moves or shorts to ground.
So do you like the 78 better with an A5?
Click to expand...

In this particular guitar absolutely. The A5 is much better. More defined lows, tighter, more articulation. I put the pickup back in and it is working fine. Excuse me for the false alarm.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

You could have grounded out the pup when you dropped the guard on. I have done that before, and spent hours chasing my tail.

Wire back up and try again. :D
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

Your are welcome.

As Ayron said, most likely you press something together that doesn't belong together when putting the pickuguard in.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

Chubtone said:
Thank you very much for that explanation. The pickup measures 8.99 on my meter which seems right. Aren't these supposed to be around 9? For comparison I measured a C5 and got a 13.2 measurement and I believe this one should be around 14, so maybe my multimeter is a bit on the weak side?

So this 8.99 reading means I have a working pickup though doesn't it?
Click to expand...

Pickups always have a + or - in their reading. I have seen JB's as low as 15.5 and as high as 17.3. They are listed as 16.4. Room temperature makes a huge difference what a pickup reads. Hot it reads alot higher and cold it reads alot lower.
 
Re: I killed my '78 with too many magnet swaps

theodie said:
Pickups always have a + or - in their reading. I have seen JB's as low as 15.5 and as high as 17.3. They are listed as 16.4. Room temperature makes a huge difference what a pickup reads. Hot it reads alot higher and cold it reads alot lower.
Click to expand...

I have an 18.2k Distortion (listed at 16.6k). With the thinner wire and hotter winds, the pickups probably vary more.
 
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