Output different on same humbucker its killing me

[demerson]

I have been ripping my hair out trying to figure this out- Google searches do not address this issue - though I am probably not phrasing the question right. Hopefully someone in a forum thats all about pickups can decipher what it is I am saying wrong!!!! I have some experience(about 12 guitars so far) swapping out pickups and electronics and can solder to J standard - so I understand bad solder joints and all that.
Here is my issue - I picked up a set of New Duncan Alnico 2 pro slash pickups ... 2 conductor ... to throw in a Dean Cadillac 500k pots all around 2 vol 2 ton 3 way toggle. Bridge pick up had very low output compared to the neck ( yes the height is fine)- I re checked all my connections - switched out a questionable pot ... still low compared to the neck ... like half the output. I tapped the poles with a tiny screwdriver and the adjustable poles and loud and "thumpy" - thenon adjustable poles , when tapped are barely able to be heard .
I un soldered the pickup and connected it directly to a cable and into an amp ... same thing .
I removed the pickup from the guitar and carefully disassembled it and all connections seem solid and in order .So whats the deal with the pickup? Could it have been bad out of the box? is it supposed to be that much weaker than the neck. If Someone with the same set could chime in and let me know how theirs is that would be great. This is killing me here.
Thanks in advance

 

[JeffB]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

No they are not that different in output. They are both pretty potent in their respective positions. And the bridge is definitely on the hot side of vintage, output wise.

Have you checked them with a meter? They should run high 8s for the bridge, low 8s for the neck.

Seek replacement/refund/customer service.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

No they are not that different in output. They are both pretty potent in their respective positions. And the bridge is definitely on the hot side of vintage, output wise.

Have you checked them with a meter? They should run high 8s for the bridge, low 8s for the neck.

Seek replacement/refund/customer service.

Sounds like a dead coil or (more likely) a bad connection on the hookup cable yielding a permanently split humbucker.

I bought a brand new SH-5 Custom in late 2001 that ended up being wired in parallel instead of series for some strange reason. I couldn't figure out how to fix it, so I exchanged it and the replacement has been working great for the past 14 years.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

^
All of what he said plus, maybe, a degaussed bar magnet.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

+1 to dystrust. Sounds like the slug coil is shorted out or disconnected. It could be that the connection between the wire of slug coil and the wire of the screw coil inside the pup are touching ground, thus creating a split pup. But...that would short out the screw coil and only the slug coil would be hot.

Did you buy this pup new or was it used? If you bought it new, return it and get a replacement.

 

[demerson]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Just to throw the info in here if it comes up in someone search in the future - Ohm meter set at 20k read 3.58 on the braided sleeve and hot lead.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Sounds like the connection between the two coils is making contact with the baseplate and grounding out one coil.

 

[demerson]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Sounds like the connection between the two coils is making contact with the baseplate and grounding out one coil.

Nope - I opened it all up... it appeared that all the connections were clean and as they should be would some bare wire somewhere in the wind itself cause it ? everything outside the coil looks good to go

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Nope - I opened it all up... it appeared that all the connections were clean and as they should be would some bare wire somewhere in the wind itself cause it ? everything outside the coil looks good to go

That's weird because the two coils are in series... So the entire coil is shorting somewhere near the beginning of the wind?

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

if its a 4 con pickup, the short could also happen in the 4 con hook up wire. just a thought. changing the hook up would cure it.

 

[demerson]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

if its a 4 con pickup, the short could also happen in the 4 con hook up wire. just a thought. changing the hook up would cure it.

Its a 2 con ....... all I can figure is its internal to the wind ... everything else looked fine ... took it to work and visually inspected connections and clearances under a scope

 

[jeremy]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

put a meter on each of the two coils then, something is off. or get a replacement under warranty

 

[demerson]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

put a meter on each of the two coils then, something is off. or get a replacement under warranty

Got one on the way already - I had torn into it so I imagine warranty is void .... I'll play around with it and get it going somehow ... throw another similar coil on it or something .... i just hate not knowing

 

[jtougas]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Photos may help.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Well since you're going to go to that much trouble anyway, first thing you should do is disconnect the shunt connection between the two coils then measure each coil at the coil level of the pup. That will eliminate the possibility of a bad solder connection anywhere and also the possibility of that coil shunt touching a ground or other wire.

If each individual coil measures fine, then put it back together (perfect solder joints and well isolated), install it in your guitar, and enjoy.

 

[demerson]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Well since you're going to go to that much trouble anyway, first thing you should do is disconnect the shunt connection between the two coils then measure each coil at the coil level of the pup. That will eliminate the possibility of a bad solder connection anywhere and also the possibility of that coil shunt touching a ground or other wire.

If each individual coil measures fine, then put it back together (perfect solder joints and well isolated), install it in your guitar, and enjoy.

Adjustable coil measured 3.8 to 4.5 and the "dead" coil measured at 1.0 to 1.2 .
Also - I got the replacement today- installed and runs as it should - sounds good too

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Shorted coil winding.

 

[demerson]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Shorted coil winding.

So in theory I can unwind the coil a few turns and re-test it until I get a good solid reading and then reassemble and solder and it should work ?

 

[jtougas]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

Depending on where the short is...

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Output different on same humbucker its killing me

I picked up a set of New Duncan Alnico 2 pro slash pickups ...

1st suggestion should have been to return/exchange it.