Changing the pickups on my JM...

Bodah

I took off the strings today so I could change the saddles and trem system, but I can only solder tomorrow. With the stock pickups though the bridge pick-up output was VERY low, is this with most Japanese stock pickups or should I raise them somehow? Would I be able to raise the pickups without having to take the strings off? I just add more foam to the bottom, right?

robertoriginal

loosen the srews, that should raise them, if you are unhappy with they sound, then get us jazzy pups.

if they will not raise anymore that they alreadyt have and they are significantly lower than norml then definitly add some foam underneath to add some sort of push.

peace

Bodah

The screws were already loose.

There isn't a way to test the output without the strings on is there? Cause I think I'd have to take off the strings to add more foam to the bottom of the pickup, and then I'd have to keep changing it until it was the right amount.

Malik

Bodah said: The screws were already loose.
There isn't a way to test the output without the strings on is there? Cause I think I'd have to take off the strings to add more foam to the bottom of the pickup, and then I'd have to keep changing it until it was the right amount.

You can normally make a pickup make a noise by rubbing the strings against it or something. Basically, if it works you'll know about it. If it's accidentally out of phase, you'll have to wait until you've strung it up to notice, but if you follow the diagrams it should all be fine. 😉

Bodah

OK, I had the pickups soldered, and by having it plugged in and tapping the pick-ups I can tell it works. But when its on the rhythm circuit (black switch at the top is in the upper position, right?) it doesn't work. I realized that the neck pickup isn't attached to the capacitator on the volume and tone, but how am I supposed to solder them together, the wiring diagram shows the capacitator on the pickup, but on my guitar its just attached to the two wires from the tone and volume. Where on the pickup does the capacitator go? Is this making any sense 😕

Wiring diagram: http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/sc ... aster.html

I also lost a screw for the pickups. Will having three screws on one of the pickups make it slanted?

Edit: nevermind all that, I don't think the capacitor is attached to the pickup on the diagram, and a wire actually broke.

Does it matter which way I place the pick up though, with the wires going out to the left or the right?