HH Sterling problem

[impact07]

So I have this fantastic HH Sterling (buttercream). It's great, really. However, the more I play, the apparent it is that the neck pickup is MUCH quieter than the bridge. I tried raising it up, quite a bit really, but it still isn't even close to being balanced. Anybody else have this issue? I'm hoping there is some simple explanation that will keep me from having to be separated frm Butterball for any length of time.

Thanks.
Chris

 

[ras1983]

So I have this fantastic HH Sterling (buttercream). It's great, really. However, the more I play, the apparent it is that the neck pickup is MUCH quieter than the bridge. I tried raising it up, quite a bit really, but it still isn't even close to being balanced. Anybody else have this issue? I'm hoping there is some simple explanation that will keep me from having to be separated frm Butterball for any length of time.

Thanks.
Chris

i found the same thing with my bongo, the neck H is much quiter than the bridge H. then i noticed that it was also lower (to prevent the strings from hitting it i suppose); but i'm not sure if that is the cause. either way, i never solo a neck pup anyway, so it doesn't matter much to me. the half way mark on the pup blend is the ideal tone for me.

 

[bdgotoh]

Try wiggling your pickup selector. I have a BC HH Sterling and the switch was cutting out in two positions. It gave me similar symptoms to what you are describing. When I moved it up and down (perpendicular to the way the switch normally moves) the pickup would get louder and quieter.

I contacted customer service and they took care of the whole thing.

One more success story for the awesome EB Customer service team!

 

[JimB52]

I had a similar problem with my Buttercream HS Sterling. The neck PU was at least 50-75% lower output than the bridge PU. Turned out the 5-way switch was bad. Jon S fixed it up and the difference is amazing.
Jim B

 

[impact07]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I'll be contacting customer service.

Chris

 

[phatduckk]

I had a similar problem with my Buttercream HS Sterling. The neck PU was at least 50-75% lower output than the bridge PU. Turned out the 5-way switch was bad. Jon S fixed it up and the difference is amazing.
Jim B

oh really? good to know

 

[strummer]

i found the same thing with my bongo, the neck H is much quiter than the bridge H.

That is one thing I haven't noticed at all. Not that I particularly enjoy either PU soloed, but I use one or the other from time to time. And they are evanly balanced.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I remember hearing a general "problem with 5way switches" statement when asking about build times for a Sterling, so maybe they fixed it at some point after the initial runs of BC stuff, and some of the back end ones don't have the problem the others did.

Again, I know nothing, just postulating. Maybe I should seek the advice of my doctor.

 

[ras1983]

That is one thing I haven't noticed at all. Not that I particularly enjoy either PU soloed, but I use one or the other from time to time. And they are evanly balanced.

its strange, but as i said the neck pup is much lower compared to the bridge pup, possibly due to string clearance. its not that big a difference, but its a difference non-the-less.

not a problem though, the best sound is when the blend is 50%. earthshaking goodness...

 

[strummer]

its strange, but as i said the neck pup is much lower compared to the bridge pup, possibly due to string clearance. its not that big a difference, but its a difference non-the-less.

not a problem though, the best sound is when the blend is 50%. earthshaking goodness...

Do the measeurement!

From the faq:
The factory specifications for the pickup height is 6/32" or 0.47625mm from the top of the plastic between the pickup covers to the bottom of the G string. The angle of the pickup is set fairly level, so the larger strings are naturally a bit closer. If you haven't already adjusted the pickup or changed to a very heavy gauge string set, you shouldn't have to do any adjustments on the pickup.

On the new 2-pickup basses, the measurements are virtually the same on the bridge pickup and the neck pickup is further away, about 8/32" or 0.47625mm from the string to the pickup.

 

[ras1983]

Do the measeurement!

From the faq:
The factory specifications for the pickup height is 6/32" or 0.47625mm from the top of the plastic between the pickup covers to the bottom of the G string. The angle of the pickup is set fairly level, so the larger strings are naturally a bit closer. If you haven't already adjusted the pickup or changed to a very heavy gauge string set, you shouldn't have to do any adjustments on the pickup.

On the new 2-pickup basses, the measurements are virtually the same on the bridge pickup and the neck pickup is further away, about 8/32" or 0.47625mm from the string to the pickup.

interesting...
i'll take measurements and see which pup needs to be adjusted.