Strange neck PU problem

[cuda]

Almost no sound from high E string only with neck pu. B string weak also but all the other strings sound strong. Middle pickup and bridge pickup no issues. Strat SSH. Had a magnet get near the pickup, think this may have caused problem.

[newey]

Cuda-

Hello and Welcome!

Unless the magnet that came in contact with it was very strong, or was left there for a considerable time, that doesn't sound likely. But hey, who knows except Mr. Murphy?

Whatever did it, it sure sounds like a pickup problem of some sort to me. If they're ceramic magnets, I suppose it's also possible one is cracked or broken. Just speculatin', you understand. But it sounds like a pickup swap is in order.

[ashcatlt]

How 'bout adjust the screw on the E-string side?

[cuda]

Went to Stewart McDonald website and purchased a polarity tester and set of strong magnets to correct polarity issues.
1st tested all the PU's and found that the two singles both had mixed polarity within themselves. Meaning the individual coil had some posts with north and some with south polarity. Which I'm pretty sure is wrong. The humbucker tested fine w one row of posts north and one south. Used the magnets to set polarity. I did the neck south polarity and the middle north. lol, I know I'm in over my head but what the heck might as well try it.
Results: something is still out of phase, neck and middle have high E but weak low end and the humbucker is 10 times louder than the singles. Not sure what the polarity should be on these singles.

[sumgai]

'cuda,

Hi, and to the NutzHouse!

Your guess is correct, a pickup should read the same polarity all across every pole piece (within a given coil). Weak or reversed magnets indicate either an unmagnetizable piece of material was used, the thing has been somehow damaged, or else somebody wasn't paying attention during assembly time.

I hate to say it, but if your magnets were weak to begin with, or they somehow became damaged, then any attempt to 'reset' them can only end in frustration. A simple mistake on the factory's part might be salvageable with this procedure, but I don't hold out a lot of hope. In most cases, magnets found in pickups are polarized via electrical processes, not with ordinary permanent magnets.

Proof of that pudding is in your Middle pup - you 'set' it with the polarity gizmo, and now it's very weak, compared to the Humbucker that you didn't touch. Your first post didn't mention, or even imply, that there was an issue between the two pups, ergo.......

I think newey's answer above is on the right track in advising you to prepare for some new pickups. Unless your current units are highly sought after by collectors with large bank accounts, then it's not worth the hassle to try to restore them to usable condition. A pair of single-coil pups from GuitarFetish can be had for less than $30 bucks, and most members here are quite happy with their products.

HTH




sumgai

[chuck]

i can vouch for GFS pickups ...
i have found that their products descriptions are very accurate , and you cant beat the price.