Help w/ pickup install

[XcitR]

I've just installed (and re-installed) a pair of APH-2 Slash humbuckers in an Epi LP. Neck PU sounds fine - no noise, good tonality when played, etc. The bridge pickup is a different story. It seems nasally, very high trebel, no real bass - seems to be picking up a LOT of "background noise" when not being played, even with very little gain and no overdrive - as if it's not shielded at all.

I first thought it was a grounding problem, and completely rewired it, checking solder connections, etc. but the problems still exist. This is not remedied by touching the bridge, strings, etc.

Do I have a bad pickup? How can I test? Just got it tonight from SamAsh...

 

[SKATTERBRANE]

One coil is grounded out. If it is a 4 conductor, maybe you got two wires interchanged?

 

[XcitR]

the aph-2 is a single wire, metal braid outside, cloth shielded single inner wire

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Do you have a meter? Extra wire? Alligator clips?

 

[XcitR]

yes have all of the above

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Use the alligator clips to go straight from the pickup to the output jack. See how that sounds. What does the pickup measure?

 

[MATTM]

Got pics of the control cavity?

 

[XcitR]

wiring straight to the input jack sounds the same. Only thing that eliminates the hum on the bridge p/u is to fully engage the tone control to 0 (wired normally or straight to input jack) P/U resistance reads about 6.8 on my cheap multimeter. Neck P/U reads the same.

 

[MATTM]

wiring straight to the input jack sounds the same. Only thing that eliminates the hum on the bridge p/u is to fully engage the tone control to 0 (wired normally or straight to input jack) P/U resistance reads about 6.8 on my cheap multimeter. Neck P/U reads the same.

6.8 sounds way too low. Again, pics?

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

If the sound is like that when wired straight to the output jack then the pickup is probably messed up.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Wait, did you measure the pickup in circuit or disconnected? Measure disconnected. I don't want a defective volume pot getting in the way.

 

[MATTM]

Wait, did you measure the pickup in circuit or disconnected? Measure disconnected. I don't want a defective volume pot getting in the way.

That's what I'm thinking as well, Lyle.

 

[XcitR]

working on getting a pic, but not sure it'll be that good.... measured the p\u in question (bridge) disconnected... measured the neck connected. both on the 1KOhm resistance setting, both read 6.8-6.9

Update.... can't get good pics of the cavity... too dark.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Try again using the next step up on your meter.

 

[XcitR]

next step up is 10k ohm... reads nothing

I did get an RMA number to return them, but hate doing so if it's something of MY doing!

 

[MATTM]

What wiring method are you using? 50's or modern?

 

[XcitR]

50s wiring. think my multi-meter might be junk... I get the same readings when testing the stock epi pups.

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Disconnect the wire from the switch to the output jack. Connect only the bridge pickup to the output jack. Same thin sound?

 

[XcitR]

same sound. for kicks, I put the orrig epi pu back in... sounds fine. packed up the aph-2's to exchange for new ones. Will try again when I get replacements. Thanks for all of the help Lyle & Matt!

 

[MATTM]

same sound. for kicks, I put the orrig epi pu back in... sounds fine. packed up the aph-2's to exchange for new ones. Will try again when I get replacements. Thanks for all of the help Lyle & Matt!

Sure thing. Sorry you got a dud. Good luck with the reinstall when the replacements come in