Help with EMG malfunction

[hbarcat]

I just bought and installed a new EMG 45P (soapbar for 6 string) and it's malfunctioning. The 3 treble strings aren't being picked up, while the 3 bass strings are working perfectly.

The internals are two different coils (just like a normal Fender P), so it's obvious that the treble coil isn't getting to the output. The question is why.

I suspect the problem is a defect inside the pickup itself and the only solution is a replacement. However, I want to rule out the possibility that it might be a simpler problem with wiring. As far as I know, the only way this particular pickup could output the 3 low strings without the 3 high strings is an internal fault. If I'm wrong, I'd like to know before I contact EMG.

I've used EMG pickups almost entirely for decades so I'm familiar with installing them, and really like their quick connect, solderless wiring.


It's this pickup:
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Installation instructions:
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[abarson]

I’d simply contact EMG, especially if they are new.

 

[hbarcat]

I s'pose that's best.

 

[onestone]

IME EMG's customer service is great. I'd contact them.

 

[ctmullins]

I believe you are correct about it being an internal fault. Good luck, they should take care of you.

 

[dwizum]

Here's another vote for contacting EMG. The coils on that pickup are behind a preamp. There's no wiring access to the coils from the outside world, so a fault with a single coil is inherently not caused by anything outside the case.

On some pickup designs, a fault like this could theoretically be due to magnets not being charged. That can be ruled out in this case since the magnets in this pickup are ceramic, and ceramic magnets are charged as they are manufactured, well before they're put in a pickup (as opposed to alnico, which are sometimes charged after the pickup is made).

 

[rojo412]

These don't have a wiring method that would allow any splitting or coil selection. The 3 leads that are presented are "output, ground, + battery" and if a coil isn't sending signal, it's definitely not something you did.

 

[hbarcat]

Problem is solved.


After contacting EMG, they asked me to send them a picture of the wiring. After I removed the cavity cover, I noticed that the red power lead from the pickup was loose on the main power bus. After properly securing the connection, the pickup functioned normally.

I played for about 3 hours last night and the EMGs performed flawlessly and they sound amazing.

I just love the EMG take on the P/J configuration. Ultra low noise, too.


Thanks, for the replies, everyone.