Author Topic: Skylark Pickups Sound "Backwards" (Read 370 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** January 02, 2009, 11:22:28 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2009, 04:37:06 PM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2009, 05:53:49 PM »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2009, 08:31:35 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:33:35 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:38:17 PM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:39:33 PM »

As Bill just said...

T

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2009, 05:13:20 PM »

And grasp the housing, not the wires.

jalevinemd · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2009, 06:00:20 PM »

Check.

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2009, 07:24:18 AM »

Check is good. I also take cash.

hehehehe

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2009, 08:51:53 AM »

Oy!

If the snow stops, I'm going to pick up the tuning fork today.

bsee · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2009, 09:12:52 PM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2009, 07:36:12 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2009, 01:14:54 AM »

Chicken-and-egg situation perhaps, but I would suggest that it's the wiring that is backwards, not the pickups.

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:15:55 AM »

Or it could be that the pickups are properly placed, but the guitar is facing the wrong way!

Bill, tgo