I have two electric guitars, a 1983 Gibson SG, and a 2001 Gibson Les Paul... I bought the SG used in late 2001, it still has the same pickups in it as when I bought it - I have no idea if they're original or not. The LP also bought used, in 2012, and I immediately put new DiMarzio pups in it.
Two weeks ago I noticed the SG was a extra squeally, and sure enough, the bridge pickup is microphonic (I didn't test the neck). Last night, between songs at band practice, I tapped the LP with my pick and heard it through the amp. Tested both bridge and neck pickups, and they're both microphonic. What the heck?
What are the odds that 4 year old pickups, and at least 15 year old pickups would go microphonic within the same two-week period? What could I be doing to facilitate that? Could it be the weather? Philly summers are hot and humid, this one especially so.
And does repotting them generally help?
Microphonic pickups on multiple guitars - what gives?
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Re: Microphonic pickups on multiple guitars - what gives?
Is it a tube amp? If so, are you sure one of the tubes isn't microphonic?
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Re: Microphonic pickups on multiple guitars - what gives?
Have you left them in a hot car or practice space recently?
The wax can melt, causing the pickups to go microphonic.
If you pull the pickups and there's a waxy substance in the cavity, then that's most likely what happened.
I can't speak for repotting, but I assume it would work if done in a professional manner.
The wax can melt, causing the pickups to go microphonic.
If you pull the pickups and there's a waxy substance in the cavity, then that's most likely what happened.
I can't speak for repotting, but I assume it would work if done in a professional manner.
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Re: Microphonic pickups on multiple guitars - what gives?
I've had cables-going-bad turn out to be the culprit, displaying similar symptoms
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Re: Microphonic pickups on multiple guitars - what gives?
Two guitars, two different amps... both tube amps. One amp fresh out of the shop, so the tubes are likely not the culprit there. The other, I can talk into the pickup and it comes out the amp. I don't think that's the tubes either.Chankgeez wrote:Is it a tube amp? If so, are you sure one of the tubes isn't microphonic?
I don't leave my guitar in a the car for longer than it takes to get where I'm going (practice or a show). My house has central air, both practice spaces are in basements, but I don't leave my guitars there... I'll look for wax residue in the pickup cavities. Thanks.ALLisNOISE wrote:Have you left them in a hot car or practice space recently?
The wax can melt, causing the pickups to go microphonic.
If you pull the pickups and there's a waxy substance in the cavity, then that's most likely what happened.
I can't speak for repotting, but I assume it would work if done in a professional manner.
My cables are the one constant between the guitars and amps, though one cable is only a few months old. I'll try different cables.rustywire wrote:I've had cables-going-bad turn out to be the culprit, displaying similar symptoms