Pickup not working...

blackgrass · #1 11-23-2009, 11:48 PM

Hey all!

Back-story:

So a couple months ago I stumbled upon a Peavey T-40 at a really good bargain. Stoked of course, and particularly because another one had just slipped past me (the pawn shop sold it by the time I got back with the cash).

Aside from some minor cosmetic issues, I noticed that the phase switch was broken off. No terribly big loss there -- it was still usable, but I didn't intend to use it anyway. Simply cosmetic. The input jack is a tad loose, so that will have to be tightened/replaced for sure.

Then I got it home...

After some noodling about I realize that the bridge pickup produces no sound. The next day I take it to a local guitar tech. The guy seems excited and familiar with the T-40 model (good sign!). I explain the issue, and give him a rundown of extras I'd like done. Primarily to just tighten/replace the input, perform a setup/restring, and as a back-burner replace the broken phase switch.

Well, after endless delays (this seriously took like 2 1/2 - 3 weeks) and torture, I finally hear the good news: she's ready. I immediately set out and pick her up. The tech tells me that the switch hadn't arrived yet, but everything was in good working order now...

TL;DR / The Issue:

However, once I got the bass home I realize, yet again, the bridge pickup still produced no sound. Actually, wait a minute -- he didn't set this up either... The only thing he did was tighten the input jack!

So now I have this potentially sweet T-40 with no bridge pickup. I checked the connections and the pickup itself, and they all seem solid (i.e. I get a reading). I am no tech, so I don't know what I'm really dealing with. Could this be an issue with dead pots, or is it with the pickup itself? Is this a common/known issue with this type of bass?

Basically I'm just trying to get a feel of how much I'll be spending to get this thing up and running parts-wise. It is currently playable via the neck pickup, but I'd really like to get the bridge going to get the full sound/tonal options.

I DO intend to take it to another tech next round, as the last one completely let me down (and charged exorbitantly for what was done.

bassmanrocke · #2 11-24-2009, 02:14 AM

The pickup selector switches on T-40s have been known to go bad. It may simply be that it is never switched on. I would not be surprised if that is your real issue.

Clark Dark · #3 11-24-2009, 02:20 AM

+ 1 and also check for cold solder joint(s)

GlennW · #4 11-24-2009, 03:51 AM

As already said, if you get a reading on the pickup and no sound from the amp it's probably because of a bad component or solder joint (unless the pickup has no magnet).

I'd suspect the switch. I've had a bunch of Peavey Predators (Strat copies) and the stock switch really was a POS.

To find out for sure bypass everything. Do what you have to do (don't disconnect anything) to clip two wires to where the bridge pickup leads are soldered. Clip the other ends of the two wires to a cable and plug it into the amp. Turn it on and lightly tap the pickup with a screwdriver, key or something metal. If you hear a popping through the amp the pickup is alive and the trouble is something between it and the jack.

bassplayer8953 · #5 11-24-2009, 04:17 AM

Subscribed: my son has a Peavey Foundation with similar difficulites...but no p'up switch.

countshockula · #6 11-24-2009, 05:15 AM

I had the exact same problem. It was the switch. Also check the phase switch.

countshockula · #7 11-24-2009, 06:17 AM

I believe the phase switch affects the bridge pickup.
So I would start there. A new switch is a cheap and easy fix.

blackgrass · #8 11-24-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennW

To find out for sure bypass everything. Do what you have to do (don't disconnect anything) to clip two wires to where the bridge pickup leads are soldered. Clip the other ends of the two wires to a cable and plug it into the amp. Turn it on and lightly tap the pickup with a screwdriver, key or something metal. If you hear a popping through the amp the pickup is alive and the trouble is something between it and the jack.

Would've never thought of that -- thanks a ton!

I'll go ahead and order some switches, and will run that test over the holiday. Here's to hoping it's not the pickup itself...

bassplayer8953 · #9 11-24-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackgrass

Would've never thought of that -- thanks a ton!

I'll go ahead and order some switches, and will run that test over the holiday. Here's to hoping it's not the pickup itself...

...same thing I was thinking: $5 pot, or impossible-to-get Super-Ferrite pickup?

...this is 1 common-sense way to find out, without wasting time soldering/unsoldering...

GlennW · #10 11-24-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackgrass

I'll go ahead and order some switches, and will run that test over the holiday. Here's to hoping it's not the pickup itself...

Good luck with it. One thing I didn't make clear...when you clip to the pickup leads do it where they're soldered to the controls, NOT the pickup itself. Clipping to the pickup has a high risk of damaging the coil wire.

blackgrass · #11 11-27-2009, 04:32 AM

Pickup checks out. Knew to clip the leads, but appreciate the heads up for sure.

In case any other T-40 folk are out there with a bad pickup, there is one on eBay right now that ends today. Still sitting @ $9.99 + s/h. Had it on my watch list, but I suppose I'm out of the woods now.

Thanks again to all.