RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

[dlewis0323@msn.com]

Good Evening,

I have a strat where the middle pickup is a Seymour Duncan Antiquity Strat Texas-Hot RWRP (1024-03). For the neck pickup, I installed a Seymour Duncan Antiquity II 60s Surf for Stratocaster (1024-09). The problem was that the neck pickup buzzed when touched. My guitar tech said that it was because it was wound opposite of the middle pickup. Could I simply reverse the wires on the neck pickup? If not, do I need to get an RWRP version of the Antiquity II Surf for Stratocastor pickup?

Thanks, Dave

 

[AlexR]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

RW/RP simply means it has the magnets the other way up, and the start/end wires are reversed. It is great for hum-cancelling in situations where another pickup is also selected. By itself nothing is different tonally. You can run into phase issues of course, but the two (which in stock form are opposite polarity to one another) will have the same polarity as each other and will be quite fine.

What it doesn't automatically do is buzz, or induce buzz when selected with another pickup. Don't know what on earth the tech is talking about......what is sure is that he doesn't know what he's talking about either. I'd be checking all your grounds.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

Can we clarify the circumstances under which touching the neck pickup causes buzz, hum or other unwanted noises?

Firstly, where are you touching the pickup? The rod magnets? The mounting screws?

Secondly, is this at any time when the neck pickup selected or just when it is selected alone?

Thirdly, in what exact make and model of electric guitar are the SD pickups installed?

 

[dotsdad]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

I'd be checking all your grounds.

^^^ do this ^^^

 

[Mincer]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

Thing is, Texas Hots are wired backwards. So a RW/RP middle pickup is the same as a non RW/RP non-Texas Hot pickup. If you used a set of Texas Hots it would be fine, but with a Surfer, you'd need the non RW/RP to cancel hum.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

Hi Guys.

I use a mixed set of Surfer neck and middle and a Texas Hot Custom Bridge pickup in my Mark Jenny Strat.

What I did was put the middle Surfer in the neck position and the neck Surfer in the middle.

Then I reversed the leads on the Texas Hot Custom Bridge pickup.

Works fine now with everything in phase and I have humcancelling in the #2 and 4 positions of the 5 way switch.

I have some defective Texas Hot pickups that I'm returning to MJ. One's a neck and one's a middle. I'm going to have both rewound as hot bridge pickups.

 

[Mincer]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

Yeah, you have to do some fancy switching around to keep the hum cancelling with the Texas Hots. Of course, hum isn't a concern for the majority of Strat players.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

Yeah, you have to do some fancy switching around to keep the hum cancelling with the Texas Hots. Of course, hum isn't a concern for the majority of Strat players.

If you're going to mix them with Surfers, yes you do.

I'm starting to like not using a RW/RP middle pickup.

Can't state this as a certainty, but it seems to me that my Fender guitars with pickups with matching polarity sustain better or vibrate more freely or...something.

You get no relief from the hum though.

 

[Mincer]

Re: RWRP vs non-RWRP pickups

Yeah, but it is weird to me to switch the pickup selector and suddenly get hum. I'd rather have the hum in all positions or not at all and use stacks or something.