Super low output after EMG GZR solderless install

brushfirewolf

brushfirewolf

Nov 12, 2016
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Maryland
#1
I just installed this set into a new P bass body (unshielded) and it's producing a ton of buzz when not touching any metal, but the biggest problem of all is the output. It's total crap. The volume pot seemingly does nothing until 80-90%. At 100% the output is about half that (comparing by ear) of my stock Squier P bass. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure this out. Getting ready to say screw it any buy a whole new set.
 
#3
I have made sure everything is ok in that regard. I’ve pulled it all apart and put it back together so many times I’m starting to strip bolts.

Could what I used to raise them be affecting this in any way? It was a fresh body and I didn’t have springs so I just used some thin layers of double sided tape to position them before screwing them down.
 
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#4
So did you sue their output jack or the one that came with your bass?

And of course you grounded your bridge ground wire as per instructions right?

That little thingy they give you to compositely connect ground wires is sort of dorky imo...but it works if you get it right.
 
#6
J0hn said:
I have made sure everything is ok in that regard. I’ve pulled it all apart and put it back together so many times I’m starting to strip bolts.

Could what I used to raise them be affecting this in any way? It was a fresh body and I didn’t have springs so I just used some thin layers of double sided tape to position them before screwing them down.
Click to expand...

Double-sided tape?? That could be a problem. How far from the strings are the polepieces?
 
#9
Try to eliminate things to see if you can find the problem. For example, connect the pickup directly to the jack without the tone and volume controls. In the instructions http://www.emgpickups.com/media/productfile/g/z/gzr_phz_instructions230-0282rd.pdf
page 2 at the bottom, it looks like the output cable could be connected directly to the pickup. If that works, then you know the issue is with the vol or tone pots or wiring between them. If that doesn't work, it is down to the PU, jack or wiring between them.

If the output cable is too short, don't mount the jack. Actually all of this testing can be done without mounting any components on the body. You can hold the pickup over the strings for testing purposes.

Judging from the pickup wiring on the top of page 2, it looks like you could even test each half separately.
 
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