Yamaha SA503 TVL - P90 wiring

[Janglin_Jack]

I have a Yamaha SA503 TVL which is a semi hollow guitar, bigsby and three P90's. Something is going on with the wiring as the guitar plays normally, but the volume one the middle PU is faint. Would that be a ground wire somewhere? There is some unique wiring as there are two three way selectors. One is standard for Neck Neck/Bridge and Bridge. The other selector in the up postion is off middle turns on the middle pu with whatever other pickup is on from the other selector and the third option turns off the neck and bridge and turns on the middle only. It has one volume pot for each PU and one master tone control. I don't want to rewire the whole thing, (I hate wiring hollowbody guitars). Where do you think the trouble might be for faint output on the middle PU only?

Thanks,
Jack

 

[Janglin_Jack]

Re: Yamaha SA503 TVL - P90 wiring

Found it. Loose wire on the middle PU selector switch. Touch of solder and works great!

Jack

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Yamaha SA503 TVL - P90 wiring

how do you find it? i tried one of those and quite liked it but didn't want to pay for it

 

[Janglin_Jack]

Re: Yamaha SA503 TVL - P90 wiring

how do you find it? i tried one of those and quite liked it but didn't want to pay for it

I tested with my meter and found the bridge and neck tested out at around 8-9K ohms. With them on together the were about 4.5K as expected. When I flipped the switch for middle with neck or bridge, it tested like the neck or bridge would by themselves. When I moved to middle only, the needle didn't move much at all. I felt the problem must be at the switch. Took the switch plate off and looked and the connections looked so so, not much solder. I found one connection that the insulation was to far in and the solder didn't make a good connection at the lug. Just touched it up and while I was at it, cleaned up the others. Plays great now, (and easy, too). I got cold sweats thinking about pullilng the entire harness!!

BTW - one of my favorite guitars!!!

Jack

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Yamaha SA503 TVL - P90 wiring

BTW - one of my favorite guitars!!!

that's what i meant, i should've been more concise. cheers!

 

[Janglin_Jack]

Re: Yamaha SA503 TVL - P90 wiring

that's what i meant, i should've been more concise. cheers!

LOL - How did I find it, (the guitar) not the loose wire!!! I did a search and found one at 8th Street guitars. They got it straight from the factory. I asked him about it being discontinued and they said they didn't hear anything about it. I don't see any inventory at any of the big on line sites. If you can find one get one!! It is really versatile and love that bridge PU!!!

Jack