Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

[icecreamman]

Hi - I am new here. I have never tweaked the pickups on a guitar, but recently bought a very high end Aria Pro 11 PE series from the Matsumoko period. Some one has played with the pickups unfortunately. In its bridge position is an SD parallel Axis Trembucker. Having seen demos on here this pickup sounds fine.

Trouble is mine is lifeless / mud - so something is really wrong. There is no treble or gain. I took it to my local guitar guy who measured its strength relative to the neck pickup, and showed the results which were that it was actually stronger in spite of sounding dreadful. Then he tested the pots and said they were all receiving power - no broken soldering.

He said he felt that since this particular pickup is alnico, I should consider ceramic.

However I do not completely feel that is the issue. Either the tone pot has died or the pickup itself is faulty to my mind. I was wondering which is it most likely to be? Or should I just replace with a ceramic?

I should say I play new wave/ pop - no rock or metal.

Thanks for help.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

See if it sounds good wired straight to the jack. And welcome to the forum!

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

I recently bought a very high end Aria Pro 11 PE series

The craftmanship of those instruments was excellent, the electronic components were not.

From what I read, seems that you're not very versed on the details of the components that would make that guitar sound great, so my only advice is to completely remake the harness.

I'd sell that PATB and get me a nice Seth Lover set for that guitar. I can speak from personal experience, as I've remade myself three of those, two with boutique p'ups and the last one with that Seth Lover set I mentioned.

HTH,

 

[icecreamman]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

The craftmanship of those instruments was excellent, the electronic components were not.

From what I read, seems that you're not very versed on the details of the components that would make that guitar sound great, so my only advice is to completely remake the harness.

I'd sell that PATB and get me a nice Seth Lover set for that guitar. I can speak from personal experience, as I've remade myself three of those, two with boutique p'ups and the last one with that Seth Lover set I mentioned.

HTH,

Thank you. Yes its the deluxe - a fantastic guitar. Oh I should say its all solid carved maple. Would that work with the Seth Lover? The sound at the moment (which is non original) is really bad. I have other Arias with original gear which are fine though for the record. .

I will check the Seth Lover out.

 

[icecreamman]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

Thanks - I have seen that advice on here recently do it seems a good test!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

I would be interested to know if the PA is working properly. It doesn't sound like it is...you may have to test it with a meter, and check over the wiring (wiring it to the jack is a good idea). I'd hate for you to make a judgement on a pickup that isn't working properly. It might not be your thing when it *is* working right, but at least you would have tried. And you can sell a working pickup to help fund a Seth Lover (which is always a great idea).

 

[icecreamman]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

I would be interested to know if the PA is working properly. It doesn't sound like it is...you may have to test it with a meter, and check over the wiring (wiring it to the jack is a good idea). I'd hate for you to make a judgement on a pickup that isn't working properly. It might not be your thing when it *is* working right, but at least you would have tried. And you can sell a working pickup to help fund a Seth Lover (which is always a great idea).

Hi thank you for this. The tone pot for the pick up is responding - albeit within the confines of the poor sound being delivered. Would this normally indicate it is the PU?

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

As someone stated above, wire it straight to the jack and see.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

If your guitar has wiring issues, any brand new pickup you blow your money on will ALSO sound like crap. I'd fix that or have it fixed first so you can fairly evaluate the PATB before buying something else. They do not lack output, especially compared to the milder Seth Lover, so something is wrong....

 

[Mincer]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

If your guitar has wiring issues, any brand new pickup you blow your money on will ALSO sound like crap. I'd fix that or have it fixed first so you can fairly evaluate the PATB before buying something else. They do not lack output, especially compared to the milder Seth Lover, so something is wrong....

Absolutely true. Make sure the pickup and wiring are correct, first. Don't decide on the pickup unless you are certain the one you have is working correctly. From your description, it doesn't sound like it is.

 

[icecreamman]

Re: Lifeless SD Parallel Axis Trembucker

Absolutely true. Make sure the pickup and wiring are correct, first. Don't decide on the pickup unless you are certain the one you have is working correctly. From your description, it doesn't sound like it is.

Thanks everyone for your help. As it turns out the last guy to own this had the wrong tone pot put in. So mystery solved. I have to say the aria is a monster btw having fixed this issue. Thank you all!