513 Neck Pickup Sounds Different

[RickP]

One of my 2007 model 513s started sounding a little strange on the neck pickup in clear humbucking mode (top blade switch in center). It doesn’t sound bad, per se, but sounds almost a bit out of phase and more trebly than it should. For instance, it has more low end on single coil setting than on humbucking. The pickup has been adjusted, very carefully, in the past but has never been removed.

I thought I remembered a similar issue posted some time back, but failed to find it in searches. Anyone with a 513/509 ever experience this?

 

[bodia]

Wasn’t there an issue with some of the early ones with a ribbon cable, or PC board? Or how the ribbon cable connected to the board?

 

[RickP]

Wasn’t there an issue with some of the early ones with a ribbon cable, or PC board? Or how the ribbon cable connected to the board?

I vaguely remembered something like that. I guess I will need to remove the pickup and see what's under there! In all my years of playing 513s, I never pulled a pickup. Maybe a cable came loose.

 

[bodia]

I vaguely remembered something like that. I guess I will need to remove the pickup and see what's under there! In all my years of playing 513s, I never pulled a pickup. Maybe a cable came loose.

Careful if you do. I seem to recall hearing that you could damage something. I can’t remember if that’s trying to remove one, or adjusting too high or too low.

 

[Egads]

I haven't. Sounds like a PTC trip to remove the pcb and hand wire that bad boy!

 

[RickP]

I haven't. Sounds like a PTC trip to remove the pcb and hand wire that bad boy!

I sent an email to them today. I hope it’s not that bad, but it is what it is. They’ve sure earned their keep over the years, so I guess if a trip home is in order, I shouldn’t complain. I will, but I shouldn’t.

 

[Egads]

Good luck. I've only heard positive things on the pcb removal surgery.

 

[RickP]

PTC tells me it could be a deteriorating board. I’ll have to check into it tomorrow. Bad news is it’s going to run over $1000 with shipping cost there and back if they have to go into it. I’m hopeful it is just something not making a solid connection. I’ll update when I know!

 

[bodia]

Ugh, that sucks!

 

[tedtan]

Bad news is it’s going to run over $1000 with shipping cost there and back if they have to go into it.

Shouldn’t that be a warranty issue?

 

[RickP]

Shouldn’t that be a warranty issue?

No, these are both 2007 models. Personally, I do think it’s a faulty materials thing that should be covered, but the warranty with the guitars is to the original retail purchaser only so they are under no obligation to do that. What I think is pretty much just that, and they aren’t wrong to decide they won’t cover it. It doesn’t affect my good opinion of them as guitar makers.

There is only one item of musical equipment I ever bought that was warranted for life, to any owner... the Soldano X99. Their Super Lead Overdrive (SLO) 100 is also covered in this manner. That’s it. So, this isn’t a shocker and would likely be covered if the original owner still had it.

No hard feelings.

 

[RickP]

Perhaps I’m going crazy. I pulled the cover today to check the connections, and it sounds 100% normal. I can’t make it not sound right, no matter what I poke or prod in there.

Gremlins.

At least that brings Phoebe Cates to mind, and how bad can that be?

I’m not looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth. As you were, gentlemen!

 

[DISTORT6]

Perhaps I’m going crazy. I pulled the cover today to check the connections, and it sounds 100% normal. I can’t make it not sound right, no matter what I poke or prod in there.

Fast Times At Ridgemont High

At least that brings Phoebe Cates to mind, and how bad can that be?

I’m not looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth. As you were, gentlemen!

Fixed!

 

[alantig]

Paradise.

(Not the iconic scene of Fast Times, but it did get my friend to say there was something wrong with 25 years ago - before Mr. Skin - because I knew about it. And that Willie Ames was the co-star.)

 

[bodia]

Perhaps I’m going crazy. I pulled the cover today to check the connections, and it sounds 100% normal. I can’t make it not sound right, no matter what I poke or prod in there.

Gremlins.

At least that brings Phoebe Cates to mind, and how bad can that be?

I’m not looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth. As you were, gentlemen!

Nice!

 

[Straight_six]

Perhaps I’m going crazy. I pulled the cover today to check the connections, and it sounds 100% normal. I can’t make it not sound right, no matter what I poke or prod in there.

Gremlins.

At least that brings Phoebe Cates to mind, and how bad can that be?

I’m not looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth. As you were, gentlemen!

I think you're required to look at it as you are now up $1k since the problem fixed itself and start looking to acquire some other gear

 

[RickP]

I think you're required to look at it as you are now up $1k since the problem fixed itself and start looking to acquire some other gear

Hmmm.... I wonder if I can add credit for my other 513 also not needing to go. That might get me most of the way to a Grissom tester... DGT or DG30.

My credit card is in hiding now...

 

[Straight_six]

Hmmm.... I wonder if I can add credit for my other 513 also not needing to go. That might get me most of the way to a Grissom tester... DGT or DG30.

My credit card is in hiding now...

Sounds logical to me, but an addict can rationalize anything, so...

 

[bodia]

I think you're required to look at it as you are now up $1k since the problem fixed itself and start looking to acquire some other gear

Straight up enabling................and I love it!

 

[bodia]

Hmmm.... I wonder if I can add credit for my other 513 also not needing to go. That might get me most of the way to a Grissom tester... DGT or DG30.

My credit card is in hiding now...

Of course you can. Need me to start sending you some links?