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Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Troubleshooting » Archive through March 08, 2009 » Skylark Pickups Sound "Backwards" « Previous Next »

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jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 698
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, January 02, 2009 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 4:37 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 5:53 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 8:31 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 9:33 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 9:38 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 9:39 pm:   Edit Post

As Bill just said...

T
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7316
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 5:13 pm:   Edit Post

And grasp the housing, not the wires.
jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 700
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 6:00 pm:   Edit Post

Check.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3474
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 7:24 am:   Edit Post

Check is good. I also take cash.

hehehehe

Bill, tgo
jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 701
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 8:51 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 9:12 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 7:36 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 1:14 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 6:15 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 6:22 am:   Edit Post

Your belly would be in the way, so that's a mute point. ;-)
jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 704
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 5:44 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 6:24 pm:   Edit Post

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:
controls
jalevinemd
Senior Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 705
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 8:44 pm:   Edit Post

This is how they actually are...


mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 5783
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 11:32 pm:   Edit Post

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.

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