A good experience in New Jersey with a dead PBass

GreggBummer · #1 07-06-2009, 04:59 PM

I recently rescued a MIM Fender PBass from Craigs List. I got the bass a few weeks ago. I gave it a new set of strings, adjusted the neck relief, got the intonation just right, string and pick up height set just where I like them. I went to Vegas for a few days and when I came back...

...it died. Not a sound. I thought it might be the jack, so I replaced it with a spare. It didn't help. I thought it might be a pot but before I went crazy with my trusty soldering iron I broke out my multimeter and starting seeing if I could get a signal from the pups. Nothing. I have never heard of pups dropping dead overnight. I suppose it COULD happen, but I could not figure out what the problem was. Finally, after searching the web (and TB) I took it to my local guitar shop.

Here is the part that kind of ticked me off. The guy who runs the place put it on his bench and was just as confused as I was. He was back there playing with it then came out asked me a few questions. He went back in to work on it and it "mysteriously" started working. The tech invited me back and I watched as he checked the connections, the ground, the solder joints, and so on. He lifted the pups out looking for a loose wire.I felt pretty confident in what he was doing... he is obviously a competent guitar tech. However, he couldn't figure it out, so he put it back together and gave me the bass. I played it through an amp he had available (Ashdown through a SWR cab... sweet) and it sounded great.

Cost: $0

The good side: Crossroads Music Shop in Cherry Hill New Jersey (Route 70) just got a customer for life. Anyplace else would have charged me $30 to put it on the bench. Dave is a great guy and he will be seeing me again.

The bad side: I have a bass I do not trust. Sure it could be a "crimped" wire that got "fixed" when the pups came out. But I don't trust that it won't die on me during a gig. So, until I get new pups, this bass will sit in the hanger.

If anyone might know what else I could check or do... let me know. If you happen to be in South Jersey... check out Crossroads.

deliciouspesto · #2 07-06-2009, 05:03 PM

could have been a stray piece of dirt on the pot wiper or something that became loose after some use? Likely a bad cable somewhere. Just replace all of them to be sure.

edit- and props to that tech, thats some good karma.

walterw · #3 07-08-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deliciouspesto

could have been a stray piece of dirt on the pot wiper or something that became loose after some use? Likely a bad cable somewhere. Just replace all of them to be sure.

edit- and props to that tech, thats some good karma.

i would suspect the pickup itself; try vigorously tapping directly on the 2 coils. if you can get it to cut in and out, it might be the leads going to the coils. resolder them right at the coil.

oh and +1, fixing it and "making it go away" are two different things, so it's cool that the tech honored that.

Jim Carr · #4 07-08-2009, 12:43 AM

You likely have an intermittent short in the pickup. It will return, they always do.

GreggBummer · #5 07-08-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

You likely have an intermittent short in the pickup. It will return, they always do.

I believe you. Until I get some confidence back with this bass I don't consider it "gig" worthy. It's a shame, I like the tone.

James Hart · #6 07-08-2009, 08:54 AM

I would pick up a Fender original 62 (think that's the model) replacement pickup and a pair of alpha pots... no sense waiting for it to fail again. If you decide to ditch it, keep me in mind. I have a body needing a complete P neck, plate & bridge.

GreggBummer · #7 07-08-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I would pick up a Fender original 62 (think that's the model) replacement pickup and a pair of alpha pots... no sense waiting for it to fail again. If you decide to ditch it, keep me in mind. I have a body needing a complete P neck, plate & bridge.

Thanks for the advice. I noticed last night that the tone pot is making some noise. A complete replacement of the electronics is probably in order. I am short on cash right now for the summer so I think I am going to hanger the bass and just enjoy it in my studio for now. However, I will contact you if I decide to unload, er, ah, sell the instrument.

I should say that this bass is lots and lots of fun. I'll post a pic of it... it is the mexi wine red with a white pick guard and pickup/bridge covers. It has a "classic vibe" if you will.

James Hart · #8 07-08-2009, 09:13 AM

nice! Definitely post pictures... it sounds cool. I hear you on the cash thing. I've got more projects than cash as a general rule

The body I have is an old Dimarzio explorer shape with a Tele control plate top route and a single split P pickup route. It's very reliced off-white. I plan on putting a P neck, bridge and pickup cover on it... put an early 80s Dimarzio P pickup I have in my junk draw in it and string it up with some LaBella flats.

mongo2 · #9 07-08-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

.I noticed last night that the tone pot is making some noise. A complete replacement of the electronics is probably in order...

That's what I'd do. If you get the cash I'd recommend a set of Duncan Antiquity pickups for an old school vibe or Bartolini 8SU (my personal favorite) for a bit more punch.