Axis Super Sport - Low Output From Neck Pickup

[mikeboone]

I noticed the other day that the neck pickup on my Axis (HH) is low, almost as if it were only one of the coils. But it doesn't seem to have a noticeable single coil hum. I checked all of the connections on the switch and reflowed the solder on all, no joy. I sprayed the switch with contact cleaner and worked it a bit, no joy.

My gut tells me there is an issue in the switch. Although not impossible, I have never had pickup fail on me sitting in the case. I was playing it not more than a week ago to test a new amp I built. The guitar went straight back into the case and sat undisturbed in my music room. No travel, no gig, no impact...

Any suggestions? If it is the switch, where can I get another?

 

[mikeboone]

I just checked again for hum. There is a noticeable hum in the 2nd position (from bridge) that is not there in any of the other 4 positions. Before I was checking for hum in position 5 to see if possibly one of the coil was open or otherwise disconnected.

 

[DrKev]

Tap on the pickup pole pieces with a small screw driver. The click you hear through the amp will tell you what coils are active in each position.

 

[mikeboone]

OK... I used the schematic (?) from the Super Sport web page to determine the coil numbers and what should be active where. I am getting some odd results.

Pos 1: Coils 1&2 have a thump (expected)
Pos 2: Coil 1 thumps, coil 4 is thin
Pos 3: Coils 1&2 thump, 3&4 are thin
Pos 4: Coils 2&3 thump (this is the only position that either coil from the neck has the thump)
Pos 5: Coils 3&4 are thin

 

[DrKev]

Sounds like the problem is either coil 4 or a connection close to coil 4 (posn 3 and 5 are coils 3 + 4 in series so the coil 4 problem affects coil 3s's output too). Where coil 3 is used without coil 4 there is no problem, so that must be good.

Call customer service (though you'll now have to wait till Monday). They can give you the full wiring schematic and can help you figure the problem out. You can buy another switch from them too if that's all it is. Of course any similar "super switch" will work fine, some just have a slightly different terminal assignment. You can buy them online from Stew Mac and your local guitar stores or guitar techs may have them in stock too. And a good guitar tech should be able to diagnose this very quickly.

 

[mikeboone]

Great, thanks for taking the time to help out. I will call on Monday. This is my absolute favorite guitar, ever. Have to get her back to 100%.

 

[DrKev]

As an interim check, measure the resistance across the coils. They should be similar. Red and black is one coil, green and white is the other. They should be similar in resistance. Any major changes will suggest a problem with the coil.