Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

[krm27]

I bought a pair of P-Rails and a pair of Tripleshot rings to put in an LP style guitar. I was doing the installation last weekend and was 90% complete. However, as I put the bridge pickup and ring into place, something happened and the ribbon wire running from the ring to the ring's circuit board broke away from the ring. These look to be four VERY tiny, individually insulated wires that are joined side-to-side. Where they attach to the ring behind the switches, I cannot see four individual terminals or I might have some hope of soldering it back on. However, it looks to me like Seymour-Duncan made this so the connection is so tiny that it is simply impossible to re-attach these ribbon wires if they break away. Alas, if that's true that this cannot be fixed if the wires break away, shouldn't they take extra care to make this wiring connection strong?

I googled this problem just a moment ago and found others have complained of this same issue, that this ribbon-wire connection is too delicate and breaks off. I'm wondering (1) if anyone has managed to fix this problem and can walk me through it or if anyone knows about Seymour Duncan's warranty policy on these.

Ken

 

[Davii]

Re: Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

It's happened to me, and I went straight back to Thomann about it. Much like you, my first thought was to see if I could rectify the situation myself, but one look at where the ribbon fits to the board...

They are nifty things to have, but really do with being more robust, especially as they're not cheap.

 

[krm27]

Re: Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

Alas, I bought this stuff months ago (December) online from Musician's Friend, I'm sure it's past any return date. I checked their site for warranty info and they REALLY do not make it easy to find, and does not appear to offer any ongoing warranty, just refers you to manufacturer's warranty. I've e-mailed SD about warranty coverage, no response yet (only been a few hours, so I understand it may take a few days ot hear back).

If SD will not replace this Tripleshot ring with another, then I do not plan to pay another $30 for a replacement. I could buy four push-pull potentiometers for less than that, then I will replace the two volume and two tone knobs with push-pulls, wired to give me the same functionality as having a Tripleshot ring on each pickup.

The only annoying part of switching to push-pull pot controls is that I already shortened the P-Rails wiring so the pickup cavity would not be so clogged, and now they are too short to reach my control cavity. So I'm going to have to extend 10 wires to undo those cuts. Very annoying. I wish I had listened to the negative reviews I read on Tripleshot, I was really on the fence about them but ultimately decided to just give them a chance. The result? Hours flushed down the drain in work time plus the days or weeks delay in getting this project done.

Well, if SD comes through with a free replacement tripleshot ring, it would definitely be the fastest way to go, so I'm hopefully they stand behind this product.

Ken

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

I've got at least a dozen Triple Shots in some of my guitars and have had a similar, but not quite as drastic, problem. I was able to get a replacement from Musicians Friend. But even if I didn't, I would not have been completely turned off on the TS. It's a great device and much much easier to control than 4 p/p pots.

Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Maybe next time you'll know to be more careful when handling your TS. A lot of great devices in life are fragile.

 

[krm27]

Re: Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

Well, Seymour Duncan has completely ignored my online inquiry through their website about this problem (and has ignored this thread), so I guess they don't stand by their product and I'm just S.O.L. I mean, I expect some acknowledgment that I sent them an inquiry about a product issue, even if they ultimately say I fall outside the requirements for warranty / replacement or whatever. Just courtesy since I filled out the online inquiry form. Makes me not want to do business with SD anymore.

So I'll probably sell my one "good" Tripleshot for whatever I can get, and buying four push-pull pots to control my two P-Rails, since I get get four push-pull pots for the same, or less, as one new Tripleshot. I disagree with the concept of devices that are "great" but "fragile." I drop my iPhone, it still works and if it broke the first time I dropped it, I'd figure that's a non-starter, because phones DO get dropped. Great guitar parts need to stand the test of time and be durable or, in my opinion, they simply are not great -- they may have potential, but it's not realized unless they add durability to the equation.

I have a second issue, too, that these rings don't fit the holes from my old rings. They are slightly off. To use them, I'd have to fill in the old holes and re-drill new holes. (I couldn't just leave the old holes because they're too close to where the new holes need to be.) I don't know why the spacing for the holes on these rings are fractionally smaller than for "regular" pickup rings, but I think the problem is the Tripleshot, rather than my guitar's old rings being a bit oversize. Because I know the prior owner of this guitar replace the pickup rings and the replacement rings also fit the same holes as the original rings (the mismatched rings is one of the reasons I started considering a pickup/ring upgrade). Since two different types of rings fit the same holes, but the Tripleshot do not, I would guess the Tripleshot measurements are at fault here.

I know there are SD pickups with great reputation / history, and I may still buy SD pickups if they seem the best bang for my need; however, I'm going to steer clear of any "new" SD products because I think they are just not into making things durable or giving good customer support.

Ken

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

I've reattached the ribbon cable before. It's tedious, but it can be done. I also have high blood pressure and an astigmatism, which means working with such small components is extra-tedious. I also received some of the original versions which had the wrong switches and replaced them myself.

You can fix it yourself once you get over the fact that it happened, it just takes focus.

Separate the individual wires and then strip them down enough to go into the contacts, and get soldering.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Problem with tirpleshot pickup ring...

So I'll probably sell my one "good" Tripleshot for whatever I can get, and buying four push-pull pots to control my two P-Rails, since I get get four push-pull pots for the same, or less, as one new Tripleshot.

The nose/face concept!

I disagree with the concept of devices that are "great" but "fragile." I drop my iPhone, it still works and if it broke the first time I dropped it, I'd figure that's a non-starter, because phones DO get dropped. Great guitar parts need to stand the test of time and be durable or, in my opinion, they simply are not great -- they may have potential, but it's not realized unless they add durability to the equation.

I accidently threw a baseball through my TV. OMG!, it was "fragile", it wasn't "great", it wasn't "durable"! I'm going to get rid of all my TVs and just read the newspaper from now on. Newspapers have passed the test of time for durability.

I've had TS rings in my guitars since they first came out...they still work flawlessly. They are durable and have withstood the rigors of practicing and performing. They have passed the test of time, IMHO.

One has to question your ability to install something less durable than a block of wood. I think "bull in a china shop" might be an appropriate assumption given your posts and you "blame" attitude.

I have a second issue, too, that these rings don't fit the holes from my old rings. They are slightly off. To use them, I'd have to fill in the old holes and re-drill new holes. (I couldn't just leave the old holes because they're too close to where the new holes need to be.) I don't know why the spacing for the holes on these rings are fractionally smaller than for "regular" pickup rings, but I think the problem is the Tripleshot, rather than my guitar's old rings being a bit oversize. Because I know the prior owner of this guitar replace the pickup rings and the replacement rings also fit the same holes as the original rings (the mismatched rings is one of the reasons I started considering a pickup/ring upgrade). Since two different types of rings fit the same holes, but the Tripleshot do not, I would guess the Tripleshot measurements are at fault here.

OMG!!!

Are you so new to guitars that you didn't realize that different makes of guitars have different pup ring screw spacing? Do we like that? Absolutely NOT!! But it IS a fact of life. Live with it.

You have an "LP style" guitar. There are many different sized LP style guitars. SD only makes the TS to fit one "style" to save on manufacturing costs. It's a simple task to glue a toothpick into the existing holes and drill new ones. Is this beyond your capabilities?

I know there are SD pickups with great reputation / history, and I may still buy SD pickups if they seem the best bang for my need; however, I'm going to steer clear of any "new" SD products because I think they are just not into making things durable

Again, the nose/face principle. Do what you like. It's your guitar and your money. I presume SD will survive without your support.