Weird JP problem?

[tonster]

I own a JP 6 string piezo equipped that has a very annoying problem. The bridge pick-up drops out - you can still hear it but its very low. This happens intermittently. When I unplug the lead and plug it back in it returns but on occassion doesn't - usually during a gig! This is driving me mad. I ordered a new pick-up selector switch from music man and installed it but the problem is still there. I thought it could be a jack input problem but I imagine if it was then:
a) problem when its happening wouldn't happen on both input jacks
b) neck and mid position wouldn't function properly but they work fine.
I live in Ireland and bought the guitar from the US. I have spoken to musicman about this problem before and I understand it's hard to diagnose a problem via e-mail but I was hoping somebody else here might have had a similiar problem.
Could it be the pick-up itself?
Does the signal to the magnetic pick-up output jack go through any circuitry on the output board and could this cause the problem?

I've a lot of experience with guitars, own 7 electrics and have never had this kind of problem. I'm really puzzled. I love the guitar it's my fave to play - it's beautifully constructed and beautiful to play but I can't trust it any more - its let me down at numerous gigs. Sending it back to the US would be very costly and not very practical.

 

[jeffrey]

Check all the solder joints? Kinda obvious but it could be the problem.

I'm don't know the ins and outs of the two jacks as far as what completes what circuit when it's plugged in. Maybe (if you are electronically handy) take the preamp apart and check all the solder joints there too, make sure there's nothing shorting out.

 

[tonster]

Thanks for the reply Jeffrey. I've checked all the solder joints in the main cavity, I'm a bit iffy about going at the preamp as the acoustic pick-up works fine and some of those solder joints are tiny! The part that really puzzles me is why does unplugging and plugging back in sometimes solve the problem and why does neck pick-up work fine? It's very hard to trace. Last night at a rehearsal it was fine for about 20 min then cut out so I re-inserted lead and it came back 10 mins later gone again and it wouldn't come back this time. I get home hoping it wasn't working so I could trace the problem and guess what - it worked fine! It's driving me mad!

 

[jongitarz]

It's too bad you didn't buy it in the area or country where you live. It would have been a simple warranty repair.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Maybe the pickup itself is faulty? The action of plugging in a jack causes a minor jolt which brings it back to life. Give the guitar a shake and see if this makes it happen.

 

[tonster]

I'm beginning to think its the pick-up too. I have another dimarzio lying about that I might put in to elimanate that possibility. As for buying in Ireland, especially Limerick were I live not a chance. Over the top prices on all guitars and that's even if you could find a JP musicman for sale, which I have yet to see. I imported guitar from USA paid my taxes and duty when it arrived, and don't see why I should be exempt from a bit of help - I understand Musicman's in country warranty terms but it is a 4/5 month old guitar really well looked after that is completely unusable and wasn't cheap!

 

[tonster]

Tim - I think your spot on - signal dropped out while I was playin guitar and i tapped pickup - it came back then I hit it again and it dropped out, I think you may have solved my mystery- the pickups a dimarzio d-sonic i think i'll order a new one thanks a million - I knew one of you forum guys could help.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

My pleasure! Glad you got to the bottom of it!