ballcapdan

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Is this a dumb question?

Hello, I bought a new bridge for my 4 string bass off Ebay. When i got it I saw that I didn't measure quite right, and the string spacing is slightly wider than the original. The issue is that it is a string through, and the holes on the original are in line, and the new one's holes run diagonal. Also, they are slightly out of position as well. Should I send it back? Or if the spacing on holes isn't too bad, can it be used?

Thank you all for the help. Everywhere I read, and everyone I asked said it was likely a grounding problem. So, I thought I would check those. After looking at it though, I decided it would be easier to just take everything apart and start over. So I did. And it worked. I honestly couldn't say what I did differently this time, except to be VERY carefull about what was touching what and where. Thankfully it worked. The new pickups sound much better than the stock ones. More defined and a lot quieter (maybe because of the shielding). After doing this though, I realized something (everyone else already knows this I'm sure). The tone pot doesn't really change the tone, as much as it sends certain frequencies to ground, as determined by the cap. A filter of sorts. Sorry for stating the obvious, but it was a revelation to me.................. Next will be an active system. Also, some guitar store repair guy told me that it doesn't matter what value of pot I use, because I wouldn't be able to hear the difference, regardless of the pickup type. Any comments on that?

Ok, here's my problem: I replaced my stock peavey jazz bass pickups with EMG selects. I was told by several people that the new pickups were humbuckers, so I should use 500k pots. As the old ones were 250's, I ordered three from Stewmac, along with a new capacitor. Tonight, a friend and I wired it all up. Problem is, unless both volume pots are all the way up, I get a nasty buzz. If the volumes are up, I can play with the tone. If I mess with the volumes, I have to turn the highs out of the tone to get rid of the buzz. Also, the buzz would change as a moved the guitar around. Softer then louder. We followed the diagram supplied with the pickups, and can't see any problems with how things were soldered, but obviously there is one. Could we have damaged a pot by getting it too hot? Also, the solder had a hard time sticking to the pot. He scratched the surface to expose bare metal on each. Any ideas?

I don't have a pickguard. When I keep a hand on the strings, there is no noise, which leads me to believe that as the static electricity is generated, it is sent to ground. When I take my hand off the strings, and then place it back on, that is when it happens. I guess if it doesn't happen when I have my hands on the strings, then the ground is ok? And new shoes.

This is probably a dumb question, but here goes............................ Tonight while playing bass at church, I heard a poping coming from my amp. After a while I figured out it was static electricity. As I would move my feet, and then touch my strings, it would pop. Is that a problem with the ground, or do I just need to get a different pair of shoes? I appreciate the help. I'm not new to guitar, just to the electric side of it.

Another question in the same vein: Tonight while playing at church, I heard a poping coming from my amp. After a while I figured out it was static electricity. As I would move my feet, and then touch my strings, it would pop. Is that a problem with the ground, or do I just need to get a different pair of shoes? I appreciate the help. I'm not new to guitar, just to the electric side of it.

What's "cap value?" The new pickups are Select by EMG. Again, not the most expensive. The diagram that came with them indicates 500k. Will it make that much of a difference if the old ones are 250k's?

Thanks for the input. If I read everyone correct, the ideal way is to connect the new pickups to the pots. Which sounds like the way I should go. Another question then. My bass is a Peavey Millenium BXP 4 string. At $200 it wasn't the most expensive, but I like it nonethless. I don't get much tone variation from the factory tone pot though. I don't know if it is the pot, the factory pickups, the capacitor, or what. Maybe the tone is there and I'm not hearing it. So, I'm starting with the pickups and will go from there. Since I'm going to have the wiring apart, could changing out the tone pot help as well?

Howdy, a newbie question here: I am going to swap out the pickups on my bass, and was wondering the best way. Is it ok to simply cut the wires on the old pickups, and solder them to the new wires? Or do I need to remove them from the pots and solder the new ones there? I'm new at this, so ease is of great importance!!! thx for the input.

Howdy all. This is my first post, so be gentle!!! I am planning to build my first guitar, and was looking at the variety of prewired pickups from Carvin, and EMG. What is your experience with them? Are they worth it? Are the pickups ok? Do the connections last? Etc. The main reason for going this route was ease of installation. However, if they are not that good, I would to the other route..........................