• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Broken Squier TB pickup... what to do?

M

McSpunckle

Feb 15, 2008
597
11
#1
So, in my own retardation, I damaged one of the coils in my Squier TB's pickup, so it can only work as a single coil (I also kinda removed the wax so it's microphic, but I can fix that).

I'm not having luck finding a used one. I guess nobody changes the pickups in these things (other than the Darkstar crowd). When I find one, it costs the same as the whole bass would cost use, and the vintage ones super expensive, so...

I think I'm left with the option of having it re-wound (by Lindy Fralin, most likely), rewinding myself (ever done it before, but... could be fun?), or just keep waiting for a used one pop up.

Of course, there's the option of replacing the pickup. Thing is, I really want a 4 conductor pickup, and the only suitable replacement is a Darkstar. I know of the Dimarzio Model 1, but I just can't stand the look. Call me vain, but I need that big, chrome pickup.

So, what would you guys do? :crying:
 
#4
You can get the Gibson style ones on eBay easy, and cheap, but not four conductor.

There is one fellow making the Fender ones, but I can't remember his name, Scott something........
 
#5
I could mod a Gibson one into a 4 conductor, though... but I guess I should stay out of the inside of pickups. :hiding:

What I was working on was getting the pickup all apart so I could move the "dumby" poles to the front of the pickup... so there's 2 rows of 4 screws in the face of the pickup. That way it'll work a bit better as a single coil, maybe.

The Gibson ones might be the only option... Gottoh makes one that sounds pretty good, I think. But it won't look as good as the Fender. :scowl:

At least they're cheap and easy to find if I screw something up. Of course, I doubt I'd make the same mistake again.
 
#7
... I think I might love you. Are they epoxy potted like the other Dimarzio pickups, though? I don't see it fitting under there with the cover on.

I'm wondering if the coils from an EB-0 pickup could be turned the other way... and configured like a Fender humbucker.

Man... this might turn out to be fun. :eyebrow:
 
#10
fishsticks said:
you could probbaly contact squire to get a replacement. it is part number: 0073880000

Pickup, Precision Bass®, TEB101B 0073880000 Vintage Modified P Bass® TB

I think i would go for a dark star though... i haven't played one but they look fricken shweet!
Click to expand...

I'll hit up a Squier dealer and see what they can tell me. :hyper:

LCW said:
okay there is a used bucker style bass pick ups in the classfieds for 40$ get that put it in and be done . I highly doubt you'll get a better pick up for cheaper.


http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=578572&highlight=dimarzio
Click to expand...

I'm not totally sold on a Model One. I'm not really looking to get more range from the pickup, since I'm gonna install a bridge pickup in it anyways.
 
#12
McSpunckle said:
I damaged one of the coils in my Squier TB's pickup, so it can only work as a single coil (I also kinda removed the wax so it's microphic, but I can fix that).
Click to expand...

I'd try to fix it. Look closely and see if the ends of the coil are ok where they get soldered to the leads. If they look good and you get no reading on a DMM you probably broke the coil wire. Most likely that break in near the outside of the coil where it's less protected. Make sure you have the outside end of the coil wire and start unwinding until you fine the break. The retest with the DMM. You might have to sand the end of the coil wire to remove the insulation so you'll get a reading.

Use about 1 square inch of 400 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper. Fold it over on itself like a little book. Hold the good (coil) side of the wire with one hand and stick about 1/2" of the wire in sandpaper book, apply LIGHT pressure to the sandpaper with your thumb and finger and pull. Do this a few times. You'll break the wire at first there's a learning curve. Once you have the insulation removed, check the coil with your DMM. You can loose .5K or more wire and not really notice when you hear it.
 
#13
GlennW said:
I'd try to fix it. Look closely and see if the ends of the coil are ok where they get soldered to the leads. If they look good and you get no reading on a DMM you probably broke the coil wire. Most likely that break in near the outside of the coil where it's less protected. Make sure you have the outside end of the coil wire and start unwinding until you fine the break. The retest with the DMM. You might have to sand the end of the coil wire to remove the insulation so you'll get a reading.

Use about 1 square inch of 400 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper. Fold it over on itself like a little book. Hold the good (coil) side of the wire with one hand and stick about 1/2" of the wire in sandpaper book, apply LIGHT pressure to the sandpaper with your thumb and finger and pull. Do this a few times. You'll break the wire at first there's a learning curve. Once you have the insulation removed, check the coil with your DMM. You can loose .5K or more wire and not really notice when you hear it.
Click to expand...

Hmm... may as well give it a shot! The coil's dead if I can't fix it anyhow. I'll try it and see how it comes out. If it doesn't work, I'll see if I can get a new pickup. The coils in these things are 24K a piece... that's 48K in series. Seriously... So overkill. But so awesome.

I bet you could replace the magnet with a ceramic (the magnets are silver-- so I think the points to it being an Alnico of some sort) to get more high end from them... Tehe.

Thanks for the advice!
 
#14
24K apiece? That's a lot. The highest I've measured were the Guild HB's, about 18K per coil.

For fixing your coil, the hard part will be stripping the insulation. It's not difficult, but is very delicate...especially since it might be wound with 43 awg (or thinner) to get that much resistance. Once you've got it to where you're getting a reading on the meter, the same strip the insulation deal applies before you solder the lead back on.

You can check the magnet for resistance with the DMM too. Alnico will conduct and give a reading on the Ohm scale, ceramic won't.

Good luck.
 
#15
I've already delt with this pickup a bit. I think I broke the coil while un-winding it, and losing the wire when it snagged and snapped. I didn't dig into the coil or anything, though. Hopefully I can fix this pickup. I really like it. : /

I think my memory might be failing me (And it was just yesterday!), and it was really 24K in series... 12K per coil. Either way... I love the sound of this pickup, but I can't deal with the single coil hum.

I'll check the magnet. I didn't know you could do that. Hah.
 
#17
fishsticks said:
you could probbaly contact squire to get a replacement. it is part number: 0073880000

Pickup, Precision Bass®, TEB101B 0073880000 Vintage Modified P Bass® TB

I think i would go for a dark star though... i haven't played one but they look fricken shweet!
Click to expand...

Hmm... If one can get these pickups, then it would be possible to mod a Squier TB into the functional equivalent of that beautiful (but overpriced) green, two pickup Fender CS Tele' Bass whose picture pops up on TalkBass once in a while.
 
#20
Darkstrike said:
Just rang my local Fender/Squier dealer, and gave them the number, along with the numbers for the two 1Meg pots, gonna see if they can get me them. They said it should be no problem. :cool:
Click to expand...

Wow! Cool! Fender should make these things available. They're excellent pickups... if you're into that sorta thing.

I'm still gonna try and fix the pickup-- if only to learn to work with pickups.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back