Issues with Seymour Duncan AHB-3's

[PV5150]

Hi guys

I've been a lurker for a little while now (there is a lot of great info and tips on here) and I decided to lash out and purchase some SD AHB-3 EMTY active pups to replace the lacklustre INF1/2 pups in my 2010 Ibanez S570DXQM. Now I've never replaced pups before, but I decided to have a crack at it and made sure that I took my time. I had to replace the stock Ibanez 5-way switch with an Allparts 3-way switch. However, there are some issues that I'm having since installing the EMTY's that I hope you folk can help me with.

Issue #1
Prior to restringing my guitar, I plugged in my guitar to check that the pups were working ok by tapping lightly on them with a screwdriver. In the bridge position I only get the bridge pup working (sweet, good start :cool2, in the middle position I get bridge and neck, and in the neck position I get bridge and neck :eyecrazy: Surely this can't be correct? Incorrect wiring of the switch? I followed this schematic.

Issue #2
I don't know if I'm expecting too much of these pickups but they don't seem to squeal with artificial harmonics as much as I'd hoped. I do love the tone that I'm getting though. I have the bridge pup set at the specified height of between 1/8" - 1/16" when fretted at the 24th fret, but this doesn't seem to help. I'm using 10 - 52 Dean Markley Blue Steel's. We have just recently moved interstate and I'm using a 75W Line 6 Spider IV until my 5150 arrives here - it's not brilliant but was cheap enough at the time. Could this be related to my first issue?

I have included some pics below of the cavity in my guitar, I hope they help?

Kind Regards

Matthew

 

[cakire82]

Re: Issues with Seymour Duncan AHB-3's

I can not see how you have wired the switch very clearly but it should be wired just lie telecaster right here

What did you use for jumpers between lugs? It is a little bit more work but I recommend using small pieces of shielded cables to avoid shorings and similar issues.

 

[PV5150]

Re: Issues with Seymour Duncan AHB-3's

I can not see how you have wired the switch very clearly but it should be wired just lie telecaster right here

What did you use for jumpers between lugs? It is a little bit more work but I recommend using small pieces of shielded cables to avoid shorings and similar issues.

Hi cakeire82 and thank you for the speedy reply (my apologies for the images not being clear enough)

I didn't actually use jumpers between the lugs, and perhaps this is my problem. However, I did wire the switch that same as the one you linked me to. I'll run the switch wire again with lugs and report back.

 

[PV5150]

Re: Issues with Seymour Duncan AHB-3's

Update:

The switching issue has been cleared up and the pups now switch as they should. (Thank you cakire82, I wish I could award you some reputation but it seems to be disabled on this forum)

I'm still looking for some ideas regarding the harmonics issue if someone is able to help...Any other AHB-3 set owners here?

 

[cakire82]

Re: Issues with Seymour Duncan AHB-3's

Update:

The switching issue has been cleared up and the pups now switch as they should. (Thank you cakire82, I wish I could award you some reputation but it seems to be disabled on this forum)

I'm still looking for some ideas regarding the harmonics issue if someone is able to help...Any other AHB-3 set owners here?

I am glad that re-wiring switch worked for you. I am really not sure about the harmonics though. I remember Paul from guitar Center demonstrating AHB-1s as being able to pick the harmonics very very good. Here are my guesses;

1) It might be the way the guitar is constructed. I am not even sure if they should be related but how are the natural harmonics on your guitar.

2) I have recently got a tube and noticed that they are richer with harmonics. So maybe once your 5150 arrives your problem will be solved.

Hope this helps...

Btw, how are the AHB-3s when it comes to cleans? Do both neck and bridge break up in clean settings?

 

[PV5150]

Re: Issues with Seymour Duncan AHB-3's

Hi again cakire82

Natural harmonics are great on this guitar. You're more than likely right with the harmonics vs modelling amp vs tube...I'll wait until my 5150 arrives here and worry then. Regarding the AHB-3's: they do break up in the clean channel (bridge is definitely more noticeable) but I prefer a little dirt, and rolling off the volume a little helps.