New CS '69 Neck Pick-up Problem

Darran Moore · August 15th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Hi,

Newbie to forum, first post and after some help please!!!

I have bought a single Fender CS '69 pick up for my 2007 Am Std Strat. I have straight swapped it , wiring black to vol pot and white to switch (same terminal as I removed the old pick up) The neck position works ok (sounds thinner than I anticipated?) but when switched to neck/middle the sound is very thin and tinny, not right at all???

I bought the pick up as described that it is suitable for any position (N/M/B) culd this be reverse wound middle? Or is it possible that the wiring black/white is reversed colour scheme? I certain I haven't wired wrong as straight replaced other pick up.

Any help appreciated...

Kind regards from Northern England,

Darran

dan P · August 15th, 2008, 08:22 PM

Hi, welcome, I would suggest you reverse the neck pup leads...

bobthecanadian · August 15th, 2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan P

Hi, welcome, I would suggest you reverse the neck pup leads...

+1

Strat-Talk · August 16th, 2008, 12:23 AM

+100

You have the pickups wired out of phase. Just switch the black and white leads on the new pup.

Darran Moore · August 16th, 2008, 03:25 AM

Thanks guys, will give that a go this morning... If this works it would mean that the white is ground and black is hot? Could this be correct? Soon find out I guess!!!!

Thanks for the help I will let you know how I get on,

Cheers and Reagrds from Northern England

Darran

Darran Moore · August 16th, 2008, 09:22 AM

Hell yeah!!!! Boy that's done the trick!!! Smooth and creamy neck now, thanks a million!!! I''ll bookmark this forum!!!!

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond"" never sounded better

Thanks ever so much, greatly appreciated,

Kind Regards and have a Great Weekend!!!

Darran

dan P · August 16th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Now have fun ! Very very good neck pup . Beats about all of em !

Darran Moore · August 16th, 2008, 01:45 PM

Well after a few hours playing and tweaking patches on the pod xt live (driving an atomic reactor amp) I am not that bowled over??? I am wondering if I been stitched with a middle pick up and thats why I have to wire blk/white reversed??? It isn't that different sounding to my Am-Std p/up???

I have e-mailed fender to ask if the picks are all identical as advertised where I bought it from as I am not convinced?

Thanks for support anyway...

Darran

justrc · August 16th, 2008, 06:03 PM

Darran,
Winding direction not withstanding, all Fender fiber bobbin pickups since 1965 are south magnet polarity. Whereas, most plastic bobbin pickups, including the Am Std, are north magnet polarity. (There are exceptions) Dan is correct in stating the CS69 is one of the best sounding single coil neck pickups. If you like that sound I would suggest you replace the other two pups with Fender CS fiber bobbin types as well. A great combination is the CS54 bridge (slightly hotter) and two CS69 in neck/mid. Some players further prefer the 57/62 in the mid for it's extra bite to achieve a more pronounced "quack" on pos 2 & 4.
RC

dan P · August 16th, 2008, 06:28 PM

...he's got a good start...Ive had a set of 57/62s and 69's parted ways with both sets but not the CS54's..they are keeper's...

thaus · August 16th, 2008, 06:32 PM

Would having the middle pup from the CS 69 set make that much difference? Not sure what the output is like on those but from what I have read, they are hotter than a lot of other CS pup sets.

dan P · August 16th, 2008, 07:10 PM

depends on what middle pup it is, and the tone cap value, I like to have my mid wide open, with no filter in circuit, that can be done two ways, also most american strat mid pups are good...IMHO..dont care for the scooped ones( fat 50's)

Darran Moore · August 17th, 2008, 06:57 AM

Some intersting tips guys, cheers...

I am going for the Gilmour Black Strat set up, I have a Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in bridge and when I get the Fat 50's for the neck the CS69 will move to middle position. I currently have the std Am p/up in middle.

I was considering buying the DG Black Strat but at that price and with off the shelf pick-ups I decided to do my own, already looks the part with black body & pick guard with maple neck.

I am struggling to get the FAt 50's neck p/up as a single, you guys know any shop that splits the packs as Fender only supply 3 p/ups as a set?

Thanks again for the help,

Cheers

Darran

dan P · August 17th, 2008, 08:23 AM

Darran, the fat fifty's have a scooped mid range , if I was you I would look for another 69 for the mid..my thoughts...sounds like your having fun though, here is my somewhat Gilmour..knock off

Darran Moore · August 17th, 2008, 09:18 AM

Very nice.... is that a #0001 replica?

The p/up selection is that given as the spec for the sept 22nd release of the GIlmour Signature Black Strat, I think the Fat 50's in neck will sound just great judging by some samples I heard on you tube, real woody and smooth. I am very suprised the $4000signature doesn't have custom woun p/ups??? I may have sold my sole to to buy it otherwsie but I cn now get close (albeit on Am Std chassis) to that famous sound.

Thanks for the support again, a great friendly forum I shall definatly keep in touch with,

Kind Regards from Sunny England,

Darran

justrc · August 17th, 2008, 09:37 AM

If you want the Gilmore tone I believe you need two 69's in thed neck/mid and a Duncan SSL-1 bridge. Here's a link:

Gilmourish The Black Stratocaster

BTW nice strat Dan! Hot Golds?

dan P · August 17th, 2008, 10:04 AM

Yes Sir ! these and CS 54's are my favorites, I have got past not having poles, and really have a hard time deciding which of the two are better to my ears, the plus for the hot golds is the noiseless design, as well as the price point....thanks RC !

Darran , the guitar is a 50th commerative AV57 that was on sale late last year, the norm was 1600, Guitar Center droped them to 1k and I believe I bought the last one...the saving's allowed me to spend a little more on the pup's I like...Also might add that fender recently released the Classic Vibes Squier strats, I have one, with hot golds installed too, if they had just released these guitars a year earlier I could have saved a hell of lot of money, as they are just about every bit of the 57 AV, with a few tweaks here and there, and I urge anyone to check them out before droping a huge chunk of dough...

Darran Moore · August 17th, 2008, 10:12 AM

I was running the SSL-1 but swapped it out to try the SSL-5 they have spec'ed in the signature black strat and it is awsome, it is a lot hotter than the SSL-1, appraoching humbucking output, really nice!!!

I ma going to try the FAt 50 as per same spec, I aint paying $4000 so I will make my own!!! I am busy on trying to put the toggle switch in this afternoon (morning for you guys!)

Daz

thaus · August 17th, 2008, 11:05 AM

Hey Darren, check out the guy at Copperhead Pick-ups. He's here in Canada and hand-winds to whatever spec you want..........I have a set of his 59's and they are very good.....as good as any fender offerings IMO.

Darran Moore · August 17th, 2008, 11:31 AM

Good call Thaus, may take a look,

Cheers

Daz

thaus · August 18th, 2008, 08:53 AM

Let us know how things work out..........