Andy40's LP-1SS

[phrozin]

FINISHED!
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nice work Andy i like that a lot, the headstock inlay looks excellent can see you have put some serious hours in to that build

[Rossc0]

K'n awesome. If my SS build turns out half as good I'll be wrapped.

[Andy40]

Is the bridge pup unusually low in output, or is the neck just too loud in comparison?

I think the bridge is just too low. If they both sounded like the neck it would be awesome.

[Hobastard]

You haven got them in the wrong holes, have you?????

[WeirdBits]

We'll trust that you don't have te bridge and neck swapped, because that you just be embarrassing If the pickup heights are Ok and the bridge output is just weak then it's either something with the bridge pup itself or possibly a fault with its associated controls. Did you test the parts and pups with a multimeter before you wired it? It's a good habit to get into as then you know what you're working with and can be sure there are no faults before you start.

Is the level the same in bridge only and middle position? As in, turn the neck down low'ish (but not fully off) then listen if the level of the bridge changes switching bridge and middle. If it's essentially the same try it again while shorting the bridge pup's input on the switch to the switch's output, a clip lead is good for this. That will tell you if it's a dodgy contact in the switch.

Then I'd start lookng at the bridge volume and tone pots and related connections. Disconnect the pup and test it direct to output, then test the other components. Maybe the volume pot is still adding resistance even when fully open.

[ILRGuitars]

Check the earth...it's always an earth problem. Or maybe it's just me.

[Andy40]

Thanks guys, I'll run through those checks over the next month or so and see what comes up. I never thought to check the pups with a multimeter before I put them in

[wazkelly]

Hi Andy, before you pull it apart maybe run the multi meter across everything and record the differences to help trace back to the fault. Out of curiosity I always check the impedance before installing PUP's and pots.

[Simon Barden]

You should be able to measure the relative pickup resistance with a multimeter by measuring across each pickup's signal and ground wire connections on their volume pots after setting the volumes to 10. The pot resistance will be in parallel with the pickup, so will affect the reading slightly but having so much greater resistance will only modify the value by a very small amount (assuming the two volume pots have identical actual resistances) e.g. a 7k pup and 500k pot would read around 6.9k. The lowest value of the two readings should be the neck pickup. You could just remove a pickup and have a look at the back, but then you've got to take all the strings off.

Another thing to check is the volume pot resistance across the two outer tabs. You'll need to de-solder the pickup signal or ground wire to do this, but if the bridge volume pot has a much lower actual resistance than the neck one, then the bridge pup will be quieter as a result of more of its signal passing through the pot to ground.

I had a similar problem some time ago with when I was rewiring a Vintage LP copy, using an SD Jazz (N) and SD JB (B) pickups. The Jazz was loud and clear and the JB weak sounding. I can only put it down to either a duff pot or damaging one through overheat when soldering the ground leads on. In the end, I fitted a Gibson Classic '57 instead of the JB and replaced the loom and pots at the same time to be sure of fixing the issue. The JB's DC resistance is still spot-on (I recently dug it out of a spares box), so there shouldn't be anything wrong with it, so it can only have been a pot issue.

I'd also check that there isn't any thin whisker of wiring touching the cavity shielding.

[nitroburner1000]

FINISHED!

Epic build for me and a huge exercise in patience. Five months and 10 days. This was always the guitar I wished i had. So even if the wife doesn't allow me to hang it in the lounge, I still win!

Last touches done. I ended up replacing the PBG bridge with one of these http://www.realparts.com.au/bridges-...idge-gold.html. If anyone doesn't know the measurements fit perfectly in the factory bored post holes and PBG bushings. The bridge is slightly fatter but doesn't buzz as much.

Still trying to get the intonation perfect. Its close. I'll see if I can get a sound check done for you guys.

Specs are as follows:-
Kit - LP-1SS
Tuners - Genuine Kluson 3 a Side Keystone Button Tuners - Gold
Jack - Switchcraft 1/4" Mono Jack - Gold
Switch - Short Straight Toggle Switch - Gold
Pots - 500k CTS Vintage Style Audio Taper Pots
Caps - Sprague .022mfd Orange Drop Capacitor
Wiring - Vintage cloth
Shielding - Copper tape
Bridge - Contemporary Style Tune-O-Matic Bridge - Gold
Knobs - Bell Knob - Black / Gold Reflector
Pick-ups - Tonerider Alnico II Classics
Finish - Dingotone Karajini Red and Tru-oil

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Wow looks awesome, another stunner...