Signal dead after changing bridge

[expatmuso]

Hello Tbers,

I recently changed the bridge on my 1999 Fender jazz (MIM). Up until this point the bass has been stock, and I have not had any major issues with it. I swapped the stock bridge for a Fender high mass one. It was fine for a few days and then the signal went dead. Nothing from my amp (tested the amp and it works), nothing from my DAW. I thought maybe the ground wire had slipped when I installed the new bridge, so I took off the new bridge and the ground wire appears to be in position. So I'm not sure what the problem is and I thought I'd ask the TB community. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RyanOh]

Look inside the control cavity and the output jack for a loose wire? Maybe something came undone.


EDIT: Try a different cord too.

 

[micguy]

I'm willing to bet it had nothing to do with your bridge change - even if the ground wire broke, you wouldn't lose signal, you'd just get some hum/buzz.

 

[expatmuso]

even if the ground wire broke, you wouldn't lose signal, you'd just get some hum/buzz.

Thanks for clarifying, I wasn't sure about that.

Try a different cord too.

I've tried a few, including a brand new one, and still no signal.

 

[cheapbasslovin]

Assuming the wiring is intact, look for a lug shorted to a pot or to the cavity sheild. That's the kind of thing that might move while you're working on the guts.

 

[expatmuso]

I opened up the cavity and could see the jack's wire had broken off. So I guess I just have to solder it back on, I hope.

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[JGbassman]

I have a mim p bass that I shielded the control cavity on. After putting it back together I would get a random cut out. After this happened a few times at practice, I took some electrical tape and wrapped it around the two jack terminals and the long metal tang that secures the 1/4" plug. It stopped the issue, as it was temporarily shorting on the cavity wall. I didn't put much around them, just in the area they might make contact with the cavity wall.

If you ever have shielding in the control cavity and intermittent shorts, it might be a good troubleshooting idea if all of the solder connections look good.

 

[expatmuso]

update:

I soldered the wire back to the jack lug and that brought 'er back to life