Repairing a ‘74 Telecaster Bridge Pickup
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One of the most common pickup repairs that I get in the workshop is where the pickup wire has been snapped or damaged right at the start of the coil. With little free coil wire left over, often the pickup requires a compete rewind to restore it to working order but in some cases I’m able to tease enough wire free to work with. In these instances it means a vintage pickup can be repaired as close to the original as possible.
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Carefully teasing out the start of the coil, I worked free enough fine wire with which I could solder and create the join to an extra length of jump wire. This could then be connected to the flatwork eyelet to make the pickup connection.
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I couldn’t leave the large solder joint like this it could easily be damaged so with a simple solder suction stick the joint was ever-so-carefully reduced. The join could then be taped down to keep it free from damage.
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The new solder joint was taped down and with a quick test with the multimeter, the pickup was repaired. Its always good when a vintage pickup can be repaired and I always go for a full pickup rewind as a last resort. If I can, I always try and fix pickup without the need for a rewind.
If you’ve a pickup that needs repairing or a rewind, then get in touch. You can find details & case studies of my guitar pickup repair & rewind services here
