Convert Silhouette Special

[youngy57]

Thanks for the feedback & I agree with your logic @DrKev. However, I'm thinking maybe I've missed something in the wiring that's causing the issue. I'm tempted to rip out the super-switch & just put in a normal 5-way switch (I've wired many of these in a HSS config over the years).

I've recorded a short sound sample of the Area 67 pickup install ...have a listen. Recorded on my iPhone 11 - so not exactly hi-fi quality - but you should get the idea. The drop off in volume & the thinness of Position 4 is more noticeable live in the room than in this recording.

 

[beej]

Yeah something is definitely wrong there- it's almost all cancelled out in position 4. I'd wire the neck pickup in reverse and give that a go.

(Often in these situations, I'll unwire anything suspicious and use alligator clips to make connections until I'm happy, then solder things back in.)

 

[youngy57]

Yeah something is definitely wrong there- it's almost all cancelled out in position 4. I'd wire the neck pickup in reverse and give that a go.

(Often in these situations, I'll unwire anything suspicious and use alligator clips to make connections until I'm happy, then solder things back in.)

Well, I did what you suggested @beej & wired the neck pickup in reverse and ....WooHoo !!! success ...all good now - sounds fantastic!
I still think I may replace the superswitch with a normal 5-way. The mechanism is a bit sloppy & worn after 30years of use.

Many thanks to you & @DrKev for your help.

 

[beej]

Hey great! Glad that all worked out.

 

[DrKev]

So glad you got it figured out!

Just listened to the samples. Defo out of phase! Weird that two should-be-identical pickups are out of phase with each other but all's well that ends well!

 

[youngy57]

So glad you got it figured out!

Just listened to the samples. Defo out of phase! Weird that two should-be-identical pickups are out of phase with each other but all's well that ends well!

Just an update re the Dimarzio Area 67 pickups. Now that I've had a chance to test them out ...I'm loving them!
All those sales pitches that pickup companies like to use about "bell like tone", and "clarity & chime" are not wasted on these pickups.
The Alnico 2 magnets & the vintage output - 5.8k make these a winner. These pickups have transformed this guitar & it will be at hand in my guitar rack from now on (finding it hard to put down!) rather than locked away in its case in the wardrobe. I have been playing since 1974 & I own many quality guitars, but these are the best single coil pickups I've tried to date. Anyhow ...enough gushing about the pickups - try them if you get a chance. I'm also keen to try Lollar Blondes - they are also Alnico 2 & similar output - I may put them in my 2007 USA Fender Strat (my #1)

Cheers