Sweet 16 floating pickup - dead 3rd string

[Ned]

Hi all,

 

Do any of you have experience with older pickguard-mounted floating pickups?

 

Just started plugging in and the sound is great, except for the "g" string. As far as I can tell, nothing is coming through the amp. I haven't really dug into diagnostics, string change, shifting the pickup, nob twisting, measuring ohms. etc. Thought I'd ask here first. It is an unmodified 1990 instrument and I seem to recall that Heritage has deal to switch out the older pick-up and replace it with the current version. Have any of you updated your instruments through Heritage?

 

Any thoughts before I start that actual work of messing with the guitar or searching the forum?

 

thanks,

 

Ned

[DetroitBlues]

Is the pole piece adjustable? Might want to raise it if that's the case. Usually on that type of guitar, I believe you use a wound G string. If those two things don't work, I'd suggest a bad pole piece on the pickup which can either be repaired by a tech or outright replaced.

[Ned]

thanks. Unfortunately, the face of the pick up is completely smooth with no exposed pole pieces. And you are correct, I am using a wound g.

 

I don't know what the back of the pu looks like (yet) but I suspect it is all sealed.

 

I appreciate the response.

[DetroitBlues]

I guess I'd suggest a tech at this point. My money is the pup when bad.

[MartyGrass]

I don't think you can modify the pickup.

 

The G is the transitional string and I find hardest to get right. The Floating #3 works well on three of my archtops, although by design they are low output. On another Golden Eagle I could never get the G string output to blend so I let it go.

 

It is not hard to mount a pickup with adjustable screws on the fretboard. You'd have to deal with your pickguard though. As an alternative I understand that Kent Armstrong will make a pup that will replace the Heritage.

 

Archtops are not for the faint of heart.

[tbonesullivan]

from what I've heard, benedetto S-6 or something from armstrong would be best. They both make pickguard mounted acoustic pickups, though as martygrass said, armstrong has one with adjustable poles. The others seem to just feature a bar magnet, kinda like a charlie christian.

[DetroitBlues]

from what I've heard, benedetto S-6 or something from armstrong would be best. They both make pickguard mounted acoustic pickups, though as martygrass said, armstrong has one with adjustable poles. The others seem to just feature a bar magnet, kinda like a charlie christian.

 

That seems like the way to go. There isn't a little adjustment that can't be made anywhere else on such a guitar except for an adjustable pole piece. I wish fender single coils were adjustable.

[Ned]

Thanks MartyGrass (and all others too). Do you have any guidance on how best to work with Heritage for the swap to a #3? I would like to keep my pickguard un-modified.

 

much obliged.

[Gitfiddler]

Hello Ned. You might try contacting the good folks at Archtop.com. They specialize and are great to deal with.

I purchased a hand wound Kent Armstrong PAF floater from them for my Golden Eagle. It sounds wonderful and has 12 adjustable screws to dial in just the right string-to-string output balance.

 

http://www.archtop.com/ac_access.html

[MartyGrass]

Kent Armstrong will take care of the problem. I have heard good reports about his upgrades.

 

I may be sending Kent a Floating #3 and pickguard to work on. He will rebuild it for $120. He told me he prefers to change the pot on Heritages, which is included in the price.

 

His personal shop number is 802-843-1065.

[Kuz]

Wait just a second before changing the pickup. I have a floating pup Golden Eagle, a mounted humbucker Golden Eagle, and a mounted humbuckers in a 575.

 

The one that gives me the biggest problems, in terms of string to string volume, is the 575.

 

I would make darn sure that the G string is not binding at the nut first. I once changed strings (same gauge, but a different brand) and two of my strings were chocking, loss of sustain. I didn't notice it at first, but after going back to the original stings, the guitar, tone, sustain, and volume come back.

 

Did you change the strings lately? If not you may want to try a fresh set.

 

Did you change the gauge?

 

Did you check the nut? Make sure the G string nut slot is open, clean, and not binding.

 

These I would do first, IMHO!

[MartyGrass]

Wait just a second before changing the pickup. I have a floating pup Golden Eagle, a mounted humbucker Golden Eagle, and a mounted humbuckers in a 575.

 

The one that gives me the biggest problems, in terms of string to string volume, is the 575.

 

I would make darn sure that the G string is not binding at the nut first. I once changed strings (same gauge, but a different brand) and two of my strings were chocking, loss of sustain. I didn't notice it at first, but after going back to the original stings, the guitar, tone, sustain, and volume come back.

 

Did you change the strings lately? If not you may want to try a fresh set.

 

Did you change the gauge?

 

Did you check the nut? Make sure the G string nut slot is open, clean, and not binding.

 

These I would do first, IMHO!

 

 

You're absolutely right.

 

I'm changing the pickup only because I want a higher output. My string balance is fine. This Floating #3 is on a non-Heritage of mine.

 

Placing a capo at the first fret will eliminate any nut problem as a cause.

[Ned]

excellent idea. I have gone from GHS (keeping the Michigan vibe) to DLs. It's been a while so I'll freshen up. The capo is a great idea and I sing sharp anyway.

 

thanks Kuz and all others. I'll report back if it is a winner. Otherwise, I'll let this thread sink to the bottom.

[MartyGrass]

I suggested the capo as a means to figure out what's wrong. See if placing a capo on the first fret resolves your problem. If so, your nut is the likely source.