Did I ruin a pickup doing this?

[suddenlysane]

I learn everything the hard way.

I found a ground wire coming from the neck PUP that is not soldered to anything. The white wire from both pickups goes to the pickup balancer pot. The black wire from one goes to the Volume pot. I'm assuming that this is where the loose wire should be soldered?

 

[suddenlysane]

After taking this bass apart like this I'll have no other choice than to learn how to set it up properly for me. One of the reasons I bought the SR300 to start was so I wouldn't mind taking it apart and "repairing" it if need be. Best way to learn anything.

 

[SnakeKappele]

Some genius at Ibanez decided it would be a good idea to tie all the wires in my SR305 into a knot!

Looks like you're right.

Here is the wiring diagram for the SR305:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[SnakeKappele]

The wire was probably just hanging on and the movement from adjusting the pickup popped it off. That is weird!

 

[suddenlysane]

Wow, thanks for the diagram. That's exactly it. It wasn't on good at all.

As for the neck. the guitar sat in my lap easier without it on. And i like taking things completely apart. It's fun. I'll solder it and put it all back together tomorrow afternoon.......err...this afternoon.

 

[suddenlysane]

Thanks for the help, everyone. It's appreciated.

 

[SnakeKappele]

No problem!

Let us know if it works.

OK, you can let us know if it doesn't too.

 

[suddenlysane]

Good News: I got the ground soldered back on successfully and everything works great again. I really appreciate everyone helping me troubleshoot this! I feel a lot more confident that I can diagnose and fix this issue if it ever happens again.

Not so good news: I probably shouldn't have removed the neck. I did so because, just like when I was a kid, I like taking stuff completely apart. Although, I've never been very good about putting anything back together again.

Me thinks it's a good thing, though. Now I HAVE to learn how to adjust the truss rod and set it up. I'm cool with that. I did manage to lose 3 out of the 4 screws to the back cover. That's got to be a new record for me.

 

[SnakeKappele]

Not so good news: I probably shouldn't have removed the neck. I did so because, just like when I was a kid, I like taking stuff completely apart. Although, I've never been very good about putting anything back together again.

Glad you got it working.

The secret to putting the neck on is that the screws thread into the neck and body so you have to make sure the neck is flat and tight against the body in the neck pocket when the screws go in. You want solid wood to wood contact between the neck and body.

Now that the neck is on, you can loosen the rear screws to where they are in the body but not the neck and tilt the neck up to push the heel of the neck down and remove any possible gap. Screw the screws back in and go the other way. Loosen the front screws to where they are in the body but not the neck and tilt the neck down to push the neck down and remove any possible gap. Screw the screws back in. You don't need to go crazy tightening the screws. Since the threads catch in the neck and body, once the screw is going into the neck the joint is as tight as it's going to get. Just snug them up.

As far as setup: this is a really good investment:
http://www.amazon.com/CruzTOOLS-GrooveTech-Bass-Player-Tech/dp/B00134T67K/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1286834232&sr=8-15
It gives you all the tools you will need and step by step directions.

 

[suddenlysane]

Thanks for the advice, Snake. And I REALLY appreciate the link to that tool kit. I'm slowly getting it dialed in and I'm diggin' it.