Mag Mic disaster

[db22]

My acoustic Mag Mic pickup quit working, and very likely it's my fault. I needed to install the N-battery clips to make the pickup transportable between guitars. I followed the directions carefully, using only low heat and minimum solder to attach them. When I installed a type-N battery, the battery heated up quickly, indicating a short. I removed the battery, carefully de-soldered the clips and re-attached them, but the same thing happened -- hot battery, shorting out. When I tested the pickup with the 9v battery, there was no signal -- RIP Mag Mic.

Can the pickup be repaired, or is it toast? Anyone have a similar sad story?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Mag Mic disaster

This hasn't happened to me, but I bet the factory can repair it. Contact them on the seymourduncan.com home page, and they will give you an RA # to send it (maybe even a quote to fix it).

 

[db22]

Re: Mag Mic disaster

Many thanks to Arwin Hojjati at the Seymour Duncan customer service desk. I sent the problem to him via the website message system, and he got back to me with the correct solution right away. It seems the little prongs on the battery clips that are to be pushed into the PC board are a little bit long. If you push the clips down flat against the board, the prongs can pierce the tape wrap around the pickup just below and short the whole thing out. Arwin advised removing the two screws holding the board to the pickup body, pulling the board loose, and trimming the prongs flush with the bottom of the board, then applying a layer of electrical tape to the pickup to cover any holes caused by the original installation. Re-install the PC board, snap a battery in place and test. Sure enough, that was the problem, no permanent damage done.

Disaster averted, guitars back in business, and another good reason to deal with Seymour Duncan -- knowledgeable and prompt help.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Mag Mic disaster

nice! glad it was an easy fix and the pup still works

 

[Mincer]

Re: Mag Mic disaster

Arwin to the rescue! I am happy you are back to rockin' again.