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Squier middle position pickup troubleshooting
Hi group,
I’m kinda new and electronic works always stress me out. I have a squier strat in the shop where the middle pickup doesn’t work. I tested the pickup and I got the correct reading, switched the connection with the neck and it works. I thought the problem was in the import switch so I got a new one and it’s not working anyway but if I switch with the neck pickup it works so it’s not a grounding issue. I did again every connection in the pots and still not working. Can anybody help me to find the problem?
Thanks
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5 Replies
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Do you get signal when you attach the pickup directly to the output jack? You can use something like the attached picture.
If so, resolder it to the circuit and test continuity with your multimeter. First the ground, then the hot working backwards from the jack – jack to the volume pot, volume pot to the switch, switch lug (to the volume pot) to switch lug (to the pickup), etc…
Make sure nothing is touching any shielding in the guitar when you put it all back together.
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You could measure the middle pickup with a meter set to ohms to make sure there’s a reading. If so check the next connection at the switch. Does that connection look good? If you tap the lug of the switch do you get noise at the output jack? If the positive connection at the switch happens to be touching the frame of the switch it could be shorting.
I have an online guitar electronics course, geared for new looths or anyone that does electronics as a “paint by numbers” approach, but would like to have a better understanding.
The course starts in our fall semester (third week of August and runs through early December).
Not trying to sell anything here, it’s part of our diploma program in Red Wing.
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The wiring looks ok in the photos and the fact you can swap switch connections (and, in fact, switches) and get the results you mention is weird. So, from what you’ve said, the pickup works and the switch has been replaced so that’s not the issue.
I’d want to try disconnecting both wires to the tone pots and see if it made any difference. If it does, reconnect one and try again. Then try the other. Also, check if the tone control works in the neck position before you do start disconnecting stuff.
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Thanks Gerry, I missed your reply. In fact there were some breaking in the tone pots circuit. Disconnected everything and re did the tone circuit with your bible. Problem solved. 🙏
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Awesome. Great stuff. 👍
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