Is this normal? Pickup output

[Dragoneti]

Hello eveybody!!

I have a question concerning the little 59 neck on a mim strat and its volume output! The strat has a JB trembucker in the bridge, a quartepound ssl4 middle and the lil59 on neck. 5 way switch, pos 1 JB, pos 2 JB split with quarterpound, pos 3 quarterpound, pos 4 quarterpound with lil59 split, pos 5 lil59.

The problem is the pos 4 and 5 have low output. I realize that pos 4 is a probably normal due to the split of lil59, but the difference in output between the Jb and the lil59 is rather big!

Yesterday i've put in a washburn sb80 (les paul double cutaway copy from 1994) a jazz in the neck with a custom 5 bridge (and before that, had an JB) and the output difference is smaller!

Both neck pickups are similarly positioned level (with lil59 screws to follow string radious) about 2.3mm from strings (depressed on last fret), and judging from specs would seem that the little 59 would be more powerful, but the jazz wins in output. Is this normal?

Strat has 2 tone 250 pots and one 500 volume pot and wired accordingly with the duncan shematics (at least i think...as i used some if the existing fender wiring, but from what i've seen it was the same as duncan). Washburn has 2 tone, 2 volumes all 500k pots again wired at duncan specs (here i'm certain due to the fact i wired them from the start)!

Any suggestions? Is this normal? has the lil59 less output that a full size humbucker?
Thanks in advance!
Stelios

 

[Dragoneti]

Re: Is this normal? Pickup output

Bump!

Noone knows if this output behaviour of lil59 is normal or have any suggestions on a possible solution?

Stelios

 

[Artie]

Re: Is this normal? Pickup output

I have to just guess here, but as to pos #4, I don't think I'd want to split a Lil 59 when used with a QP. The QP is actually hotter than the full 59. I can't really say on the #5 position, other than just to double-check your wiring.

Remember, that Duncan humbuckers use black for hot, while Duncan singles use black for ground. Make sure you have the QP with black to ground and white to hot.

 

[Dragoneti]

Re: Is this normal? Pickup output

Thank you for your answer!!

Yes i know that for single coils the white is the output and black is ground (i also have a red one to be tapped which is not used), the thing is that seeing that jb and 59 are also on the everything strat pickup pack, the lil59 is so underpowerd in comparison with the jb, when the Jb / jazz combination in two guitars on ibanez and one washburn les paul style, is far more balanced, where jazz is more or less the same output as lil59 (actually 59 is stronger according to duncan specs), with 59 to have more mids and thus should be more powerfull or at least the same, and not underpowered.

And i have no noise on pos 5 to say that somehow the pickup is split (standard black output, red and white together and solderd on the "pos 4" of the switch, green and bare to ground). I have split the 59 to pos 4 to avoid noise, to make it humbucking with quarterpound neck version i have on the middle.

The thing is that quarterpound and jb split in pos 2 offer some very nice clean for chord and stuff, should i try jb full with quarter or would be a tonal disaster?

I'll try the lil59 to be always full to see if there lies some sort of miswiring and report back!

Thank you again for your answer!!
Stelios

 

[jeremy]

Re: Is this normal? Pickup output

comparing a lil type pup to a fullsize in spec or anything else isnt a fair comparison. the magnet on the fullsize is way bigger and the lil series has to use a smaller wire than a fullsize.

i would move the lil 59 closer to the strings and see if that helps

 

[Dragoneti]

Re: Is this normal? Pickup output

Thank you Jeremy!

So its normal? ok then, i just was troubled by the difference in output while the specs told that there shouldn't be one!

I followed ArtieToo's advise and removed the split from lil59 on pos 4 and now pos 4 is usable in output and tone although it has some noise but until i replace the middle single pickup with one lil hum, i can llive with it, nothin too important.

I also raised the lil59 to about 1.8 mm from stings at both ends (with stings depressed on last fret) and also helped a little although i still think it need some more output, how far can i go before the lil hum starts affecting string vibrations and thus sustain?

In addition, is there a lil hum that can compete with a full JB trembucker in output, for the neck position that has a tone similar to lil59 or even better to jazz which is my favorite neck pickup? How about hot/cool rails?

Thank you again for your answers!!
Stelios