u/SaltFun6310

Ive been working in my jazzmaster because I've been getting some crazy emf and hum in all positions so I decided it needed some shielding, my 3 way switch was scratchy when selecting pickups, and as well my tone seemed to get "stuck"when once in awhile selecting different pickups ie I would have to wiggle the switch to get it to audibly sound like the pickup I was selecting.

Here is what I did before opening the guitar up and what Ive found or what has happened since opening it up.

* Before opening the guitar I did the instrument cable test for the pickups and they read 6.7 and 6.5 (right around where the pickups I have should be)

After opening

* The guitar definitely needed shielding. It only had shielding paint on the base of the guitar but the sides were covered so nothing was connected. The ground was screwed to the bridge pickup cavity then to the guard, but again none of the shielding paint was connected so I assume that did nothing?

* Had a friend (as well posted in the offset subreddit) look at some pictures to check out the solder joints as I am fairly new to DIY to see what he thought and he said that the neck pickup wires are the bobbin definitely didn't have good looking solder joints. So I reflowed them and they read perfectly after checking.

* Did the screwdriver tap test. In one switch position (I cannot remember if it was bridge or neck position) both pickups reacted to the tap test when it should have only been the one? Though the other one that shouldn't have reacted was quieter by a little bit than the other. When performing this test, I had immense buzzing. Especially when I would just move the neck pickup.

* I tried to test the 3 way switch and didn't get a 0 for continuity (my multimeter doesn't have a speaker), rather it read 6.5 for one pickup then 0 or a fluctuating number for the other.

* Tested the pickups again, only to find now that the neck pickup reads L. Thought maybe my solder failed even though after testing it numerous times it was fine? So I carefully reflowed it and tested again, nothing. I inspect the coil and the thin wire that wraps around the eyelits and it looked fine to me.

* I then tested the pickups with the instrument cable and multimeter to confirm. Again it read an L for the one pickup.

Before testing that pickup, I posted my findings about the switching again in the offset subreddit and someone said that definitely doesn't sound right they thought there's a short in the wiring or the switch.

Now my question is.. before I go buying new pickups, is it possible it's the wiring or is the pickup indeed dead? Is it possible the solder joint was so bad before that when I reflowed it, did that just make it no longer work or did I just break it?

Sorry if I am becoming annoying frequently asking questions about working on my guitar. :/ But I am just wondering, what are some typical readings for the usual part testings? I am testing a 3 way switching in a MIM roadworn jazzmaster and I am a bit confused. I posted the wiring diagram for it in a previous post and someone said to probe the black wire lug then each of the pickup lugs for continuity. I get the reading of my pickups. But only in one position. I then tried for giggles probing the black wire lug with the tip brown lug and that too, showed my pickup resistance. What am I doing wrong? Is my switch shot?

I've been in the process of working on my jazzmaster and just performed the screwdriver pickup test outside of the guitar. When testing the neck pickup position, should the bridge be absolutely dead quiet? Because I can still hear, albeit not as loud, the bridge pickup when tapping it with the crew driver when having the switch in the neck position. Also, when I touch the hot wire near the solder joint of the bridge pickup,

What brand do y'all get for your witch hats? I don't want to end up with junk.

UPDATE

Hey y'all, thanks for your recommendations! Though having prime, I just found a set by Kaish that have great reviews and decided to pull the trigger on those!

I have my jazzmaster open to add shielding, clean switches, and fix some solder joints. see my previous post linked . While testing my pickups I discovered some strange findings. I first tested them while inside the guitar via the guitar cable method and it read just fine. I then tested again with the guard off and again, same thing. But now that I have the entire wiring removed from the gaurd I tested the lil cups again and only for ~ 3.5k on each. The pickups I have are the pure vintage 65s so I believe they should read around 6.8k. I fixed the solder joints, discovered upon more inspection one of the ground leads had a part of the wire not connected, then tested again. Now they SOMETIMES read 3.5 but mostly the numbers fluctuate. Am I doing something wrong in testing or otherwise? Does the pickup switch need to be set to a certain pickup? Or is there something else going on with the pickups?

Please excuse the road noise as I recorded with my window open and my rattly screwdriver lol. But can anyone let me know what the issue is here? I have been working on my guitar as some of you have probably seen me post about it in the last few days, because I have been having some gremlins, and one is this noise. I usually get this noise while playing/recording and it tends to get louder or quieter throughout the day (not this loud with it being open). The hiss is so loud that its hard to even hear the taps, if there any. I have tested the pickups and the read very healthy. I think it is the 3 way switch? But why would the noise get louder just moving the pickups around?

I will be shielding my jazzmaster tomorrow and have a question about the stock wiring layout. From factory the neck pickup has its leads going underneath the pickup. I know that isn't great for noise, but is that even a bigger problem when adding copper tape shielding?

It hums. Just as bad as the other positions and it just takes on me it's supposed to cancel that out. Also, yester day I had my jazzmaster resting against my desk with the base of it on the floor and and someone walked across the room, it would buzz with every step(I may even had it muted via the rythmn circuit, I can't remember).

What should I be looking for? What are your thoughts as to what's wrong?

We wanted to go out to Dave and Busters for a friends birthday but due to availability and time constraints we will have to stay around town. Is there possibly anything I'm unaware of where we could go that would be a bit different than the usual restaurants in town that stays open late enough?

Has anyone used 12s on this model? Did you have to cut the nut?

I'm on a mission to tame some highs on my D standard jazzmaster, mainly on the third string. Hence why I'm trying a wound third. I was wondering everyone's thoughts on the daddario ej21 vs pure nickle strings. I am by no means a jazz or blues player, so bending or vintage jazz tones aren't factors for me.

What are your thoughts/experience with wound thirds for tuned down jazzmasters? I play in D standard, what brands and gauge would you recommend?

Considering switching to flats, as a few have suggested doing so. But I play ambient/post-rock, will I lose bite when playing with gain? What flats would you recommend? I play in D standard with string joy 11-50 rounds right now. But for some reason I find the high three strings too thin?