Diagnosing Guitar Electronics Problems

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

1) guitar is so quiet that only with 100-watt amp turned up to 9 can you hear anything at all (ears would bleed at that volume with any other guitar), and it is still quiet. So pickups are working, but at like 1% volume.

What's the most likely problem? What's the easiest way to determine? What's the fix?

2) If you touch just one of the pots (volume, I think), it crackles and cuts out. Pushing the pot to one side 4-5 times usually results in having the sound stay on...unless you accidentally bump it.

What's the most likely problem? What's the easiest way to determine? What's the fix?

I assume the problem is the wiring connection. So if I re-solder the wires to the pot, should that take care of it? If I do that and there is no change, is the problem the wire or the pot itself? How do I know?

3) Same thing, but at the input jack.

What's the most likely problem? What's the easiest way to determine? What's the fix?

I assume the problem is the wiring connection. So if I re-solder the wires to the jack, should that take care of it? If I do that and there is no change, is the problem the wire or the jack itself? Or is the problem just that I need to clean the jack contacts? How do I know?

[Thundersteel]

Do you have an ohm meter, and do you know how to use it? That way, you can check for continuity between the pups and output jack.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Do you have an ohm meter, and do you know how to use it? That way, you can check for continuity between the pups and output jack.

Nope, and nope.

[Thundersteel]

Have you tried another guitar with the same amp and cable? If it's the guitar, it is defective, and is only worth about $350!

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Yeah, I've used the same cable and amp. Definitely the guitar. If you want to purchase my Yamaha SE311 for $350, I'd be happy to include shipping in that price!

I can get an ohm meter, but I'm not really sure how to use one. Clamp/touch where the wires connect to the jack? Or at the pot?

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Any reason I shouldn't get this one?

http://www.amazon.com/DT830B-Digital-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Multimeter/dp/B005KGCI0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381184260&sr=8-2&keywords=ohm+meter

Or is one of these other ones significantly better?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ohm%20meter&sprefix=ohm+mete%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aohm%20meter

[Thundersteel]

Yes, they will work initially, but if you plan on using it for a long time, I'd look for a better quality (more expensive) one.

I work with electronic test equipment daily, and in most cases the cheap ones won't last past their 90-day warranty.

If you can find a used Fluke multimeter in good condition, grab it. Otherwise, Radio Shack has a halfway decent one beginning at about $25.

[murkat]

a meter is a great tool.

As long as you know how to use it.

sounds like (no pun intended) a bad pot.

Befriend a local tech with a case of beer

and discuss the possibilities of your delima over a cold one

Usually works for me

[Bobby Marshall]

a meter is a great tool.

As long as you know how to use it.

sounds like (no pun intended) a bad pot.

Befriend a local tech with a case of beer

and discuss the possibilities of your delima over a cold one

Usually works for me

Is this a poorly veiled attempt to get a beer? Didn't remember where Nathan hangs his hat (if he wears one).

If you are local to Jay, his offer is a good one. Jay amazes me with every guitar I send him. If I were local, I would buy beer more often.