Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

[angueto]

Hi all,
I have an old SH-5 (I don't remember exactly when I bought it, maybe 25-30 years ago)
and after all tests it is definitely weak. The sound is a little bit dull and I don't like it.
Questions:
1-is the weakness caused by age?
2-What could I do? (other than throwing it... )
Thanks!

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Have you removed the tape and checked the ground connection yet? Had the same problem with a 500T. Once restored the welding, the pick-up started to work properly again

 

[AlexR]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

How have you determined the 'weakness'.

There can be many issues.......broken coil wires (which would show up using a multimeter), degaussed magnet (which wouldn't), plus poor solder connections.

Is this a pickup you have just come back to after a few years/months away from it?? I have had guitars I though were stellar that sounded flat and lifeless after I got used to others, or got better/more suitable models in the meantime.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Try a new ceramic in it... If that doesn't work then it's probably a much more substantial issue? If I had to guess I'd say its either something with the coils, or it could possibly be that the ground lead has a week solder joint to the baseplate? It would be easier to diagnose the issue if we knew what kinds of testing you've already done....

 

[Mincer]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

I think the first step is checking it with a meter. If it reads too low, there is something wrong with the wire. If it reads properly, but still sounds bad, it could be that the magnet has de-gaussed somehow. These old pickups are worth saving though. Don't discount that it could be somewhere else in the wiring of the guitar- check it directly connected to a jack, too. If all fails and you suspect it is certainly the pickup, contact us on our homepage and we can get it working properly for you.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

ceramics dont usually degauss but anything is possible

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

In parallel or out of phase? Broken coil? Is there hum? Again, need a meter reading.

 

[angueto]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Hi all,
sorry for the delay but for some reasons I did not receive notifications about replies and thanks for answering.

The pickup is connected in series, its measured DC resistance is 12.5K and it is really quite, no hum. It works correctly also in parallel.

@EmiAba
All connections seem good.

@AlexR
Your guess could be right. It seems weak to me compared with new SH-5 and TB-5. It seems a little bit hotter than a good single coil.

@Nostalgic Distortion
I have tested it at different height, measured DC resistance but, most of all, my ear is not satisfied

@Mincer
Unfortunately I am in Europe and must contact a reseller. Let's see if it is convenient to remagnetize it (if it is demagnetised...) or if it's better to replace with a new one.

@Silence Kid
DC resistance read is 12.5K that is a little bit less than spec. I don't know what it was at birth

Your thoughts?

Tnx.

 

[bearded madman]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

12.5 should be good. Does pickup have much magnetic pull? Sounds like either the mag or maybe a bad solder joint/faulty pot in the guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

It is probably cheaper and easier to source a new magnet, if you suspect that. Have you tried wiring it directly to the jack?

 

[angueto]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

12.5 should be good.

Current SH-5 is 14.1K as for SD page.

Does pickup have much magnetic pull?

How can I check this?

Sounds like either the mag or maybe a bad solder joint/faulty pot in the guitar.

Tomorrow I will re-check every joint in order to esclude this eventuality.

 

[angueto]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

It is probably cheaper and easier to source a new magnet, if you suspect that. Have you tried wiring it directly to the jack?

... and will wire directly to the jack.

Where can I find a new magnet?

 

[bearded madman]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

12.5 is a little low but you don't have a dead coil. Does an allen wrench or anything magnetic stick to the coils?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

How have you determined the 'weakness'.

There can be many issues.......broken coil wires (which would show up using a multimeter), degaussed magnet (which wouldn't), plus poor solder connections.

Is this a pickup you have just come back to after a few years/months away from it?? I have had guitars I though were stellar that sounded flat and lifeless after I got used to others, or got better/more suitable models in the meantime.

Exactly! How have you determined that it is weak and dull?

It is definitely NOT a broken wire which would give you no sound at all,
It is probably NOT a poor solder joint which would again make it either work or not work or alternate depending on putting pressure on it,
It is probably NOT the magnet. As Jeremy said, ceramics don't usually degause.
However, is it possible that the magnet was changed to an A2 at some time in the past that you don't remember?

The first thing I would do is check the magnet to see if it is a ceramic or not. If you're not sure (and you like the sound of the SH-5), put in a new magnet that you are sure is ceramic.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Exactly! How have you determined that it is weak and dull?

It is definitely NOT a broken wire which would give you no sound at all,
It is probably NOT a poor solder joint which would again make it either work or not work or alternate depending on putting pressure on it,
It is probably NOT the magnet. As Jeremy said, ceramics don't usually degause.
However, is it possible that the magnet was changed to an A2 at some time in the past that you don't remember?

The first thing I would do is check the magnet to see if it is a ceramic or not. If you're not sure (and you like the sound of the SH-5), put in a new magnet that you are sure is ceramic.

Definitively we can assume that the problem is not the pickup (even if I suggest to follow GuitarDoc advice before doing anything else). The problem should be elsewhere. Have you checked all the connections on pots and caps?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Another aspect is when was this sudden weakness found out???

Is the guitar the main guitar or has it been sitting unused for a while?
You say you have a couple of new Customs....are these in different guitars....newer guitars....better guitars perhaps? Maybe after the new guitars have been played so much the old guitar suddenly doesn't sound so good - especially if you have tweaked your setup for the others.


And a few threads of late have been solved with making sure the lead has been plugged in all the way....so check that too.

 

[angueto]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Well, after all tests and checks I can say that it definitely works correctly.
I have a new TB-5 mounted on another (better) guitar and the new one sounds mighty. I have exchanged them and the old one doesn't sound has the new one, it has something "less" (according to my personal taste). So my conclusion is that I must accept its "ageing" and find an acceptable destination for it, I don't want to modify it.
Thanks all for precious support.

 

[angueto]

Re: Weak SH-5 and suggestions request

Hi,
for those that could be still interested in this thread the culprit was the hot lead that was internally oxidised and didn't soldered perfectly (sic!)
I have replaced it and my SH-5 works as expected again.