URGENT" Pickup help!

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 23 Mar 2003 10:17 am

Help, I was practicing 10 minutes ago, and my (Bill Lawrence L-910 W) Pickup crapped out on me. It started distorting and then nothing. Nevertheless, I took my OHM meter and measured my C6th neck pickup. It reads about 30K and plays fine. My E9th neck reads infinate or open and I am dead in the water. Before I tear into this thing, who has some experience here, and what is the cost to just replace this thing. Any ideas, the month of April is filled with gigs and I have to do something....Thanks

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 23 Mar 2003 10:38 am

I doubt that it's your pickup. I assume you were checking the pickups at the output jack but the problem may be at the neck switch. Flip the guitar over on a padded workspace and check the readings at the neck switch.

Frist check the output poles. If you don't get a reading, check the E9 pickup wires. All that may be required is to resolder one wire.

If you get a reading on the pickup but not on the output of the switch, your neck switch may be the culprit. Try some contact cleaner on the switch and work it a few times to see if that gets it working again.

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 23 Mar 2003 10:43 am

Thanks for the reply, The Pickup is out of the guitar. It is reading open, so in other words, I either have to rewind this myself or I need to find a replacement.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Mar 2003 2:58 pm

99% of the time, failure in a pickup is right at the point where the wire goes in. If you're careful, reasonable skilled, (and lucky), you might be able to fix it. A replacement will run about $100 for a new one, and $50-$75 for a used one.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 23 Mar 2003 3:11 pm

I've got two words:
Jerry Wallace

His TrueTone pickup is absolutely dyn-o-myte. Search the Forum for testimonials. And add mine to the list. And they don't cost $100.

go to http://www.jerrywallacemusic.com

made for steel players BY A STEEL PLAYER.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 23 Mar 2003 4:37 pm

Ditto what Larry says...TrueTone.

John Fabian · Post by **John Fabian** » 24 Mar 2003 4:16 am

All of the current manufacturers of steel guitar pickups stand behind their products.

I am simply amazed that anyone wouldn't FIRST check with the pickup manufacturer for replacement before buying a new pickup (unless they wanted to try a different pickup).

I strongly recommend you call Bill Lawrence.

John Fabian
www.steelguitar.com

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 24 Mar 2003 6:01 am

Yea, well not everyone is as smart as you are John, I'll make the call today.

Kurt Graber · Post by **Kurt Graber** » 24 Mar 2003 6:20 am

Bill Lawrence is back ordered, and no guarantee when I'll get mine fixed or get a replacement. Hopefully I can find a used one or try Jerry Wallace for a replacement. I really don't have a month or two to twittle my thumbs. thanks for all the posts everyone.