Problems with my new G&L

[jimmy rocket]

Saristi,

As it turns out the wiring in the cavity wasn't my only problem. I took the pickup out to look at it and some of the copper windings were broken. I can't fix this myself so I'm looking into replacement pickups, or maybe a rewind or something. Hopefully this isn't your situation, but since the symptoms are similar I thought I'd give you the heads up.

[saristi]

Originally Posted by jimmy rocket

Saristi,

As it turns out the wiring in the cavity wasn't my only problem. I took the pickup out to look at it and some of the copper windings were broken. I can't fix this myself so I'm looking into replacement pickups, or maybe a rewind or something. Hopefully this isn't your situation, but since the symptoms are similar I thought I'd give you the heads up.

It's possible to buy a l-2500 pickup? How much it cost?

[jimmy rocket]

I just ordered one yesterday from the G&L website (glguitars.com). It was like $137 shipped which, I gather, is more than they were a few years ago. I got a good deal on the bass (probably because of the pickup) so even with the pickup purchase I'm still under purchase price of a new one.

I looked at some basslines pickups that I thought would work in the spot (and were cheaper) but decided to go for the original.

It's been kind of a pain. I thought about just cutting my losses and selling it with pickup issues disclosed, but I like the feel of the bass so much that I just want it to work correctly.

On a related note, anyone looking for an MFD humbucker to try a rewinding project?

[jimmy rocket]

**Update **
Ok, so I just got home and my new pickup was waiting for me at the door, so I removed the old one and soldered the new one in and wow, just wow...
the pickups are at an even volume level and the tonal spectrum of the bass is just phenomenal. I liked it before, but I love it now.

So, Saristi, since our diagnoses were the same it seems like this might be the answer to your problems. I would say if it's still under some kind of warranty, take it back to your dealer. I didn't have that option as I bought it "new" but second hand off of ebay. Or, alternatively, you could order the pickup, and you should be able to replace it easily given the earlier wiring diagram.

best of luck!

[saristi]

Hi Jimmy. I'm waiting for my luthier to tell me if the pickup is failing. How can I check that by myself? Thanks for your help

[jimmy rocket]

The above mentioned Ohm test on the coils would tell you, but your luthier is probably doing just that if you're waiting for him to inform you about the pickup. It may also be that your pickup can be repaired, mine was past the point of no return and only a rewind would restore it, so I just bought a new one.

Installing it was easy, shelling out the $140 for it was not.

[saristi]

I did ohm the pickup coils and there seemed to be problems with one coil, so I removed the pickup cover and some (3) of the cooper windings were broken. Is there something I can do to fix it or should I replace the pickup? Please help me. Thanks

[jimmy rocket]

Originally Posted by saristi

I did ohm the pickup coils and there seemed to be problems with one coil, so I removed the pickup cover and some (3) of the cooper windings were broken. Is there something I can do to fix it or should I replace the pickup? Please help me. Thanks

Saristi,

that was exactly what mine looked like when I opened it up. It is sometimes possible to work backwards from the solder joint where the copper winding joins the output wires unwinding a few turns and then simply reconnecting the wire effectively removing the break in the copper windings. With mine, there were multiple breaks, and as I unwound I discovered that it was beyond repair and would need to be rewound completely.

I contacted G&L about a rewind, but they don't rewind at this time, so I ended up needing to buy a whole new pickup. At $130 a pop, the pickups aren't cheap, but with the new pickup my bass sounds like brand new. I don't know if you can find someone to re-wind the pickup for you, but that usually ends up being just as expensive as a new one anyway.

Sorry this sounds like bad news, but don't give up. There is a sweet sounding bass in there somewhere. I would suggest ordering the new pickup and replacing it unless you have someone locally who can rewind or repair your current one.

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by saristi

I did ohm the pickup coils and there seemed to be problems with one coil, so I removed the pickup cover and some (3) of the cooper windings were broken. Is there something I can do to fix it or should I replace the pickup? Please help me. Thanks

Sorry to hear man. Time to buy a new pickup.

Jim

[Spiritfield]

As mentioned, if it's still under warranty go that route. If not, you may want to contact a G&L dealer about ordering the pickup for you. I went that route and contacted a very nice guitar man in New York to order me a new L-2000 pickup that I wanted for a project bass. It was a couple of years back, but I remember it was less than list price on the G&L website, and it set me back about $45 iirc.

[rok51]

Are these coils just 'breaking' on their own...or are they being removed and installed multiple times? I have a hard time imagining a pickup coil breaking without some mechanical insult.

Kim

[jimmy rocket]

Originally Posted by rok51

Are these coils just 'breaking' on their own...or are they being removed and installed multiple times? I have a hard time imagining a pickup coil breaking without some mechanical insult.

Kim

That's a good question. I can only say that mine came to me in an inoperable condition. I bought it on e-bay advertised as "new" and when I got it it still had the tags on, but the pickup was not working. I carefully removed the pickup, and while it is theoretically possible that I broke some of the coil wires when removing the cover, I know that I didn't initiate the pickup failure.

Unfortunately I can't speak to the life of the pickup before I received the bass. Since I didn't buy it from a G&L dealer I don't know that I can ever pinpoint the cause of the breakage.

not much help I know, but that's what I've got

[saristi]

Originally Posted by jimmy rocket

That's a good question. I can only say that mine came to me in an inoperable condition. I bought it on e-bay advertised as "new" and when I got it it still had the tags on, but the pickup was not working. I carefully removed the pickup, and while it is theoretically possible that I broke some of the coil wires when removing the cover, I know that I didn't initiate the pickup failure.

Unfortunately I can't speak to the life of the pickup before I received the bass. Since I didn't buy it from a G&L dealer I don't know that I can ever pinpoint the cause of the breakage.

not much help I know, but that's what I've got

I agree with you, Jimmy. The pickup wasn't working good before removing the cover, so no matter if you broke some windings, the pickup was failing.

[saristi]

Hi.

I talked to the dealer and the dealer contacted G&L. They sent me a new pickup to my country for only $12 of shipping and I hadn't to send the old one or the bass. I installed the new pickup and the bass is now working perfectly. The sound is amazing. I absolutely love my bass.

I thank Jimmy and all of you guys for your help

[idoru]

Originally Posted by saristi

Hi.

I talked to the dealer and the dealer contacted G&L. They sent me a new pickup to my country for only $12 of shipping and I hadn't to send the old one or the bass. I installed the new pickup and the bass is now working perfectly. The sound is amazing. I absolutely love my bass.

I thank Jimmy and all of you guys for your help

Yet another reason why G&L will get my money again

c-

[jimmy rocket]

indeed!