EBMM JP7 problems...

[jeffrey]

First off, let me preface this by saying I absolutely adore my guitar. I purchased it about three years ago now and it quickly replaced all my previous seven strings.

I had four, I now have two (soon to be three because I'm purchasing another JP7!).

I play the aboslute hell out of this guitar. Then again I'm pretty hard on most of my guitars, but this one (with the style of music we play) seems to get extra abuse.

Here's my current problems:

1) Volume pot: It's crunchy and won't turn all the way off; there's still audible signal coming from the guitar when it's as far "off" as it goes. I figure it just needs to be replaced. I turn my volume off every time we have a break in a song (even really short breaks) as it makes it much tighter/cleaner.

2) Toggle switch: It's crunchy as well and works sporadicly. Neck/Bridge positions work fine, but the middle position is hit or miss. Sometimes I get the full neck pickup or the full bridge or some combination of the two.

3) Bridge pickup: Just recently I've started to get squealing feedback from the bridge pickup, even at relatively low volumes. It started while we were recording for our most recent release. The last time this happened, I just had to buy a new pickup, but I know they are exclusive to this guitar (and I really like them) so I don't want to just replace them if there is some other solution.

I use D'Addario .010 guage 7 string sets (.010-056 I think) and go through a set of strings at the very least, once a week. Often, twice a week. Our style of music requires a lot of "playing" (hence why I go through strings so much; well that and my heavy picking hand). I even go through 2-3 Jazz III picks per practice (I end up rounding them off!). So as you can see, I really need a second guitar to spread out the abuse.

Any feedback from the EBMM crew? Any help/input would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[jongitarz]

What is it you need to know? You "play the hell out of it" and stuff starts to wear out...hhmmmmm...I think you can answer this your self. The pick up issue with feeding back...Probably not the p/up, but let's see...how can someone who is a CUSTOMER get some SERVICE? 1 866 823-2255

[jeffrey]

I actually called emailed someone in Service and they replied with prices for the pot/switch, which was fine. I'd actually like to buy a few extra's for the future.

My biggest concern is the pickup. In the three years I've had the instrument, it's never exhibited this behavior.

My signal chain is very simple (and has not changed in a long time): EBMM JP7 > Monster Cable > Rivera TBR1-SL > TC Electronics G-Force, TC Electronics M-One > Mesa Boogie Recto Traditional 4x12 bottom x2.

None of my other guitars produce this "squealing" either.

It helps if I 'cup' my hand over the bridge pickup, if that makes any sense. I've never had to do that in the past.

Any ideas?

[jongitarz]

No ideas without seeing/hearing it. I usually stay away from these type of posts, because it is really difficult to diagnose problems via the net. If this is a piezo equipped axe, try this.....Check the battery box contact points. Pop the battery out and look inside the holder. If the copper contact points look flat, GENTLY bend them in so the battery is sure to have good contact. If it's non piezo, I would have to get the guitar in to evaluate.

[jeffrey]

It is piezo. However, I never use it so it hasn't had a battery in it in probably 2+ years. Would that make a difference?

[jongitarz]

Yes it could...2 years is a long time, but even if you don't use the piezo, every time you plug in, the battery is being used. Change it, then let me know OK? Email me at jons@ernieball.com I'm going to get off here now, but tomorrow let me know if the new battery worked.

Jon

[jeffrey]

Hrm... battery is being used? How so if I don't have one?

I put a new battery in it probably twice, then decided "Hey, I never use this piezo thing, and it works without a battery, so why bother putting one in?" And at that point, stopped putting a battery in it at all.

I just use the Magnetic Only output.

[beej]

Jeffrey,

Could be a bunch of things going on. Sounds like your toggle switch and pot need a good cleaning (possibly replacing), and the pickup squeal could be a number of things.

If you're handy, take it apart and check the wiring. If not, I'd just say find a good local repair shop and let someone have at it. I'm sure some of the guys can recommend a good place in your neck of the woods.

I would be *really* surprised if you need to replace the pickup- they don't wear out.

[tommyindelaware]

I actually call

My biggest concern is the pickup. In the three years I've had the instrument, it's never exhibited this behavior.
None of my other guitars produce this "squealing" either.

It helps if I 'cup' my hand over the bridge pickup, if that makes any sense. I've never had to do that in the past.

Any ideas?

if the pickup still has the same tone as it use to but is simply squeeling microphonically........probably the pickup needs to be repotted...i have to redo mine every 3-5 years.
the wax dries out some & losens up a little over time allowing microphics to occur.......usually only noticeable w/ people who use alot of high gain settings on there amps.......

[jeffrey]

Jeffrey,

Could be a bunch of things going on. Sounds like your toggle switch and pot need a good cleaning (possibly replacing), and the pickup squeal could be a number of things.

If you're handy, take it apart and check the wiring. If not, I'd just say find a good local repair shop and let someone have at it. I'm sure some of the guys can recommend a good place in your neck of the woods.

I would be *really* surprised if you need to replace the pickup- they don't wear out.

I've cleaned the pot/switch a few times in the past and it did help some, but it's not improving the situatino at all currently.

I'm very handy with wiring and working on guitars in general (I've always don't my own pickup installs, built a few Warmoths, etc. Actually my JP7 is the only guitar I own that I didn't replace the pickups in because I liked them so much!). I've checked out the wiring and it all seems fine; nothing lose or frayed.

I think tommyindeleware might be on to something. He's just about described my situation to a 'T'.

I may end up just sending the guitar back to EB for repairs. I'm sure they won't just give me a pickup to put in.

Have to buy another one first though!

[ddt802]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum, and I had a question/concern in the hopes that somebody can help me out. I recently purchased a JP 7-string, and I absolutely love how it looks, plays and sounds. BUT, I'm having a problem with the tremelo system. My guitar whacks out of tune everytime I do a complete dive bomb (slacked strings). They usually go sharp. So, I bring the tuning back down, start playing again, and if I bend any strings they go flat!! Then I pick up the pitch of the strings, use the bar, and they go back to being sharp!!! Then what really ticks me off, is that if I bend a string when the guitar is in tune, it goes flat, but when I use the bar the string knocks back in tune (somewhat!). I need help desperately. There is probably a simple solution to my problem, but like I said, I'm new to this forum, and new to owning a Musicman guitar.

[chanminator]

im no expert..

but it sounds like your nut needs some lube... get some pencil lead into the nut slots and see if it helps... if it doesnt work... refer to my first 3 words.

[OrangeChannel]

Lube the KNIFE EDGES on the trem....roll up some chapstick into a ball or even some vasoline with graphite powder...use a small disposable paint brush or a toothpick to apply it...use the same method for the nut slots...

[tommyindelaware]

i don't know if ebmm will redip your dimarzio pickups.......
lindy fraylin does the best job i know of aftermarketwise.....ive' used his reciepe for years
http://fralinpickups.com/rewind_repair.asp
also....
http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/...s26fralin.html

I've cleaned the pot/switch a few times in the past and it did help some, but it's not improving the situatino at all currently.

I'm very handy with wiring and working on guitars in general (I've always don't my own pickup installs, built a few Warmoths, etc. Actually my JP7 is the only guitar I own that I didn't replace the pickups in because I liked them so much!). I've checked out the wiring and it all seems fine; nothing lose or frayed.

I think tommyindeleware might be on to something. He's just about described my situation to a 'T'.

I may end up just sending the guitar back to EB for repairs. I'm sure they won't just give me a pickup to put in.

Have to buy another one first though!