Help! New Cutlass RS HSS -- silent circuit seems to do nothing?

[alspacka]

Hi all, I'm having an issue with a brand new Cutlass RS HSS. When I plug into an amp, I get clear sound output, but there seems to be no hum canceling whatsoever on the single coil positions. The volume and behavior of the hum is identical to what I get from my basic strat, which has no hum canceling features. The humbucking positions on the Cutlass are near-silent, as expected.

I've tried several new Duracell batteries and different cables, all with the same results.

Is it possible this is user error somehow, or do I have faulty electronics? Is this the behavior that would be expected if the dummy load is just not connected to the circuit?

 

[DrKev]

Unstring then unscrew the pickguard and carefully lift it up. There are two trim pots on the circuit board that adjust the strength of the silent circuit - one for the neck single (and bridge if it's a single coil) and one for the middle pickup. With the guitar on a table, hold the pickguard in playing position (vertical) with one hand and adjust the trim posts with a precision screwdriver using the other.

 

[alspacka]

Unstring then unscrew the pickguard and carefully lift it up. There are two trim pots on the circuit board that adjust the strength of the silent circuit - one for the neck single (and bridge if it's a single coil) and one for the middle pickup. With the guitar on a table, hold the pickguard in playing position (vertical) with one hand and adjust the trim posts with a precision screwdriver using the other.

Thank you, I can try that. A couple of additional questions though:

1) Is there a reason these pots would have both been tuned down to the level of having zero noticeable effect, straight from the factory?

2) What feedback should I be using as the basis of the trimpot adjustment? Of course I can have the guitar plugged in and just listen for the hum, but does changing the trimpot value also have an effect on the tone of the pickup when playing?

 

[DrKev]

Thank you, I can try that. A couple of additional questions though:

1) Is there a reason these pots would have both been tuned down to the level of having zero noticeable effect, straight from the factory?

2) What feedback should I be using as the basis of the trimpot adjustment? Of course I can have the guitar plugged in and just listen for the hum, but does changing the trimpot value also have an effect on the tone of the pickup when playing?

1) They should have been set at the factory.

2) Just use your ears. You may find that the best position for higher frequency hum is different to that for lower frequency hum. Just get it to where you think it's best and move on. The trimpot setting has no difference on tone of the pickup at all.