| Author | Message | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 698 Registered: 12-2003 |
I just noticed that on Big Stubby, the bridge pickup sounds more like I'd expect the neck to and vice versa. I don't know why I never noticed this before. Anyone else experience something similar? I think I did a trim pot adjustment awhile back for a touch added gain to the neck. I don't know why this would account for the tonal differences, though. There's no gain discrepancy between the two. It's almost as if the controls are wired to the wrong pickup. I love the sounds I get...it's just a bit disorienting. Thoughts? | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 381 Registered: 5-2002 |
Click on the pickups with a metal screwdriver (very gently) and that will tell you which one is on for each switch position. Some instruments do set up the switches backwards from the way I'd want. Edwin | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3469 Registered: 7-2004 |
A neat little alternative to clicking with a screwdriver is to hold a vibrating tuning fork over the pickup. You'll get a VERY obvious signal and no chance of scratching the pickup covers. Bill, tgo | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 699 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks...I'm going to pick up a tuning fork this week. Guess it really doesn't make a difference if the pickups are wired opposite so long as I remember which switch is for which pickup...right? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3471 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jonathan: It's very easy to swap pickups in the Alembic circuit as the pickups are plug-in rather than soldered. So IF yours are switched AND you'd rather have them the other way, it's basically a simple 10 minute procedure. No anesthesia required! lol Bill, tgo | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 401 Registered: 4-2005 |
Simply unplug the the pickups from their preamp connections and switch them. Preamps are on the filter pots. Check the Skylark control cavity in the FAQ section for a quick view. Very easy to fix if they have been mixed up. T | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 402 Registered: 4-2005 |
As Bill just said... T | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7316 Registered: 5-2002 |
And grasp the housing, not the wires. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 700 Registered: 12-2003 |
Check. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3474 Registered: 7-2004 |
Check is good. I also take cash. hehehehe Bill, tgo | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 701 Registered: 12-2003 |
Oy! If the snow stops, I'm going to pick up the tuning fork today. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2138 Registered: 3-2004 |
Existential question time... Does it matter which pickup is doing what as long as you're getting the tones you want? If you wish the controls were swapped, just swap them and don't worry about what goes with what. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 702 Registered: 12-2003 |
Finally picked up the tuning fork. I sat there for a bit, like a dumb-ass, holding the thing over the pickup waiting for something magical to happen. Then I realized I had to strike the tuning fork first! Long story short...the pickups are backwards. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2071 Registered: 6-2002 |
Chicken-and-egg situation perhaps, but I would suggest that it's the wiring that is backwards, not the pickups. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3491 Registered: 7-2004 |
Or it could be that the pickups are properly placed, but the guitar is facing the wrong way! Bill, tgo | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2073 Registered: 6-2002 |
Your belly would be in the way, so that's a mute point. ;-) | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 704 Registered: 12-2003 |
Now, what if I want to adjust the pre-amp or selector switch trim pots? Would they be the opposite of the wiring diagrams? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5777 Registered: 6-2000 |
Your report is only about the switch operation. We need to learn more. Turn both pickups on with the switches. With the tuning form over the bridge pickup, does the proper volume control and the frequency control affect the bridge pickup? This will tell us if the pickups are plugged into the proper preamp/filter. Here's a roadmap of what I think the controls should be doing:  | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 705 Registered: 12-2003 |
This is how they actually are...  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5783 Registered: 6-2000 |
Just reverse the pickup plugs and everything will be great and match my "should be" map. You can do this yourself in a few minutes like Bill said. Follow Dave's advice as well - don't yank the wires, use the housings on the connectors. Needle node pliers will work well if you can't get your mitts in there. |
