Stupid question re: pickup installation

scootron · #1 01-09-2009, 05:27 PM

This involves installation of jazz-style pickups. Some of them make it clear which end are to be installed toward the bass end and which end toward the treble. I have a set which has no such indication. My questions are these:

1. Is there a way to find which way is the treble vs. bass end?

2. Is there any differece? Are they interchangeable?

For example, on an EMG active, the connector is on the bass end, and you have to run the wire back under the pup and out into the control cavity. These pups I have now have the connecting wire coming out of one end, but no connector.

Before you ask, I got these from a fellow TBer for a project bass for my son. I don't know what kind they are, but the fellow TBer said they had a nice tone, and I trust him. I'm just not sure how to hook these rascals up.

Help?

Band Dad · #2 01-09-2009, 05:36 PM

Others will be along shortly who know more about this than I (so, no, not a stupid question ;->)

I don't think there is a "bass end" and a "treble end" to pickups. The Darkstar, for instance, can be mounted either way. I think if it's more convenient to keep the wires closer to the control cavity, then go that way.

scootron · #3 01-10-2009, 06:11 AM

Since nobody has chimed in, I assume Band Dad is correct?

slyjoe · #4 01-10-2009, 06:21 AM

I have never seen a 4 string jazz pickup that had a "bass" or "treble" end. FWIW.

bassmanrocke · #5 01-10-2009, 06:24 AM

The coils run in a circle around the magnets, so if you spin the pickup, the coils are still running in the same direction. (example: If you place a clock upside down on the wall, the hands will still run clockwise) It should make no difference. However, the magnets on the two different jazz pickups should have reverse polarity. When you wire them up, if you turn up both pickups and notice a significant drop in the mid volume you have wired them improperly and they are out of phase. It is an easy fix. Just reverse the solder joints of the rear pickup. This may seem strange as you may run a white line to ground and a black line to the hot terminal. It is less confusing if you just think of them as opposite ends of the coil, and you are just switching the direction the current is flowing.

slyjoe · #6 01-10-2009, 06:33 AM

Right on - right up until the last part

It's AC, so the current flows in both directions. It changes direction at twice the fundamental frequency. Phasing issues are caused by WHEN it is going positive or negative in relationship to the other pickup.

Or maybe I'm just picking nits.

bassmanrocke · #7 01-10-2009, 06:39 AM

Slyjoe, you are probably right. I didn't want to get into a discussion about AC vs DC current that I am overwhelmingly unqualified to explain. I was just trying to explain a simple fix to a common problem in laymen's terms.

scootron · #8 01-10-2009, 09:19 AM

Thanks for the responses, guys. It sounds like if I hook up the pickups and they sound right, I'll know they have been put in correctly and won't have to worry any more.

Like I said, pretty stupid question, but I just couldn't figure out if one end was designed to be under the E and A and the other end under the D and G.

Thanks again.

Stan Hinesley · #9 01-10-2009, 02:20 PM

There shouldn't be a difference. The best way to install is with the wires going towards your control cavity.

scootron · #10 01-10-2009, 04:50 PM

Thanks. They are going in tonight.

Fred Hammon · #11 01-13-2009, 09:37 PM

Wait! Stop!
J pickups have different pole spacings...I think...did I dream this?
There is a difference between the bridge a neck pickup. Please get out a ruler, or scale, or tape measure and check this.
...or just check them against the strings or bridge.

A true matched set of standard (single coil) Jazz pickups should be rw/rp.
If you bought these pickups as a set from a dealer or trusted TBer then I wouldn't worry.
rw/rp means reverse (coil) wind - reverse magnet polarity.
When they are both on they cancel hum (if needed) like a double coil humbucker.
If they are out of phase - coil phase or magnet phase - then you're sound will be thin in the extreme.
I would expect the leads to be opposite. The ground lead on one should be on the opposite side of the other.

Fred

slyjoe · #12 01-13-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Hammon

Wait! Stop!
J pickups have different pole spacings...I think...did I dream this?
There is a difference between the bridge a neck pickup. Please get out a ruler, or scale, or tape measure and check this.
...or just check them against the strings or bridge.

I think the OP was asking about which end of either pickup goes towards the cavity, not which is the neck or bridge pickup. I think.

Quote:

A true matched set of standard (single coil) Jazz pickups should be rw/rp.
If you bought these pickups as a set from a dealer or trusted TBer then I wouldn't worry.
rw/rp means reverse (coil) wind - reverse magnet polarity.
When they are both on they cancel hum (if needed) like a double coil humbucker.
If they are out of phase - coil phase or magnet phase - then you're sound will be thin in the extreme.
I would expect the leads to be opposite. The ground lead on one should be on the opposite side of the other.

Fred

True, but I certainly hope the OP isn't getting intro the reverse magnetic polarity problem.

Edit: quick question Fred. Is coil winding fix same as magnetic polarity fix?