One Guitar Pickup Not Working

Yes, it sounds like one of the pickup wires in your guitar broke loose from it’s soldered joint. It is quite common after shipment long distances, or dropping an instrument or just a weak solder joint.

This often happens in shipping when wires and connections are bumped around causing them to get loose.

When guitar pickups suddenly stop working, It’s a very easy fix for a guitar repair shop. As well a hobbyist who can solder, a guitar tech or a handy neighbor with a solder gun can do it too.

In fact, you can most likely accomplish it successfully by following these steps:

Let’s use a Telecaster Bridge pickup as an example:

There are two wires coming from the bridge pickup in a Telecaster.

1)-One is a signal or “hot” wire

2)-The other a ground wire.

The signal wire is connected to the switch.

If you can solder or know anyone who can, it’s an easy fix.

Remember, it’s similar to, but easier than replacing a guitar pickup.

First:

1) Identify the wire not connected.

This can be done by removing the two outer screws from the control plate and carefully turning it over 180 degrees and sitting it back down in the hole (see example photo below).

Now you can view all of the wiring on the control plate.

2) Look for one errant wire “not connected” to either the switch or the back of a volume or tone control pot (a usual ground wire location) with some solder still on the end.

3) Once identified look for a possible connection where it was once soldered.

You can most likely see where it was joined in the circuit by checking to see and clump of solder without a wire connected to it.

That’s usually a clue as to where it broke away from. We just need to get them back together.

4) Simply solder the wire back and you should have it fixed.

Please let me know if you require any further assistance.

I’m sure together we can solve this issue without a long trip for your guitar across country.

Regards,

Rick

Haywire Custom Shop

haywire@sccoast.net

843-347-5742

Help: Confused about wiring new Telecaster control plate - 🎸 Guitars, Instruments & Maintenance - JustinGuitar Community

Turn control plate around and look for a wire that looks like it came loose. Then re-solder it. Test the guitar.

About the Author: Rick Mariner

Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom Guitars Inc. He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans (A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree from University of Md. and a Masters degree from George Washington University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.

One Guitar Pickup Not Working