what can go wrong with a pickup?

[sikrogh]

I bought a neck and middle Fender Custom shop set used on EBAY. I just installed them and the neck pickup is dead. I know its not the wiring or the pot or switch. All are brand new and when I hooked up the old pick up it works fine.
What can go wrong with a pickup?
if it worked fine when he took it out, what could happen that would cause it not to work now?
How do you check it?

Thanks

DK

 

[Artie]

Re: what can go wrong with a pickup?

It can have an "open", (break), or a "short". The only good way to test it is with a meter.

 

[jerryjg]

Re: what can go wrong with a pickup?

Yea, haha. It can Die, just like me.
Unfortunately I cant be rewound.

 

[mirrormind]

Re: what can go wrong with a pickup?

42/43 AWG wire isn't particularly strong (although it's stronger than you'd think it would be).

So the chances are that it has broken somewhere along it's path. If it was working when it came out then it's most likely it's broken at the contact points on the pickup bobbin.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: what can go wrong with a pickup?

If it's the finish end of the coil, it's easy to fix. If it's the start end, it has to be rewound.