• 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.

New Dead Pickup

Tewest86

Tewest86

Sep 7, 2007
1,464
1,108
Houston, Tx
#1
I just received a brand new Bartolini 59J-LN1 neck pickup for my Lakland 55-02 and it was dead on arrival. I wired it up and got no sound. I then checked with my multimeter and got nothing. I checked at the wire ends and where it comes out the epoxy. Is it fixable or should I just return to seller?
 
#3
checked with my multimeter and got nothing.
Click to expand...

Do you mean no resistance (short), or an infinite resistance (open circuit)?

If you got a reading of zero, it means it is short so make sure you didn't melt the insulation between the internal conductor and the braided shield where you soldered it to the pot lugs. If the hot and shield are touching, even slightly, the pickup will not sound and it won't matter if you put your meter probes on the stripped wire or the solder lugs at the pickup.
 
#4
RobbieK said:
Do you mean no resistance (short), or an infinite resistance (open circuit)?

If you got a reading of zero, it means it is short so make sure you didn't melt the insulation between the internal conductor and the braided shield where you soldered it to the pot lugs. If the hot and shield are touching, even slightly, the pickup will not sound and it won't matter if you put your meter probes on the stripped wire or the solder lugs at the pickup.
Click to expand...

I got an infinite reading. I still find it weird because Bartolini supposedly tests each pickup before sending out. At least that's what their website says.
 
#7
Update*
I talked to Bartolini. I'M NOT BLAMMING ANYONE!!!!!! Had to get that out the way. Anyway, I sent them a picture of my pickup and they said that for some reason the pickup has been rewired and that it's wrong. I bought the pickup from bestbassgear.com. Bartolini is not sure who would have done that. The picture explains the issue. Blue is how it was wired. Red is the correct wiring.
 

Attachments

  • pickup.JPG
    pickup.JPG
    372.7 KB · Views: 39
#9
Ha. that's actually pretty funny. perhaps the work-experience kid wired that one :)

Barts always have these extra lugs for the internal shield or the multi-coil terminals. from your post about using the multi meter, I assumed you'd checked these. sorry I hope my post didn't mislead you...
 
#10
RobbieK said:
Ha. that's actually pretty funny. perhaps the work-experience kid wired that one :)

Barts always have these extra lugs for the internal shield or the multi-coil terminals. from your post about using the multi meter, I assumed you'd checked these. sorry I hope my post didn't mislead you...
Click to expand...
I checked the positive and negative which really both ground so it read infinite. I never figured that it'll be wired incorrectly.
 
#11
Rewired the pickups and now I have a sweet sound from my 55-02. The stock Laklands don't come close to the Bartolini electronics in my opinion. I love the Barts way more. My sound is thicker now with more low mids with the eq flat. When I have the Lakland electronics, it was thin and twangy. I'm in love again.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back