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Post new topic Really weak C6 pickup on an MCI
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Author Topic:  Really weak C6 pickup on an MCI
Gabriel Stutz

 

From:
Chicago, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2010 5:52 pm    
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This is probably a better section of the forum for this than I had it in....

I just found an MCI in great mechanical and cosmetic condition at a flea market that was really cheap, so I bought it without being able to test it through an amp... I got it home and found the E9 sounded great and the C6 was extremely quiet/weak and with the button switch on the "both necks" position the C6 was still quiet and even thinner sounding while the E9 was still sounding fine....

So, in hopes it was a cold solder joint, I re-soldered them all tonight, but no change, I put contact cleaner in the button switches, and still no change. Does this me the pick-up is dead? It doesn't appear that this steel was played much at all, so I don't get it.... Any suggestions?

Btw, the C6 pick-up is a BL 705, and does not seem to be microphonic - unless its just too weak for me to hear it....

Thanks for any help,
Gabriel
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Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 23 Nov 2010 6:25 pm     really weak C6 pickup on MCI
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Get hold of an ohm meter and check the pickups both the C6 and E9. If they are at specs. then go to the plugin where cable attaches going to amp. check OMH resistance. It sounds like the pickup, wire to switch or switch on the C6 connection is the problem. Hope this will allow you to find the cause. Good luck and happy steelin
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Gabriel Stutz

 

From:
Chicago, USA
Post  Posted 25 Nov 2010 12:33 pm    
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Thanks. I just found out my girlfriend has a multimeter, and I was emailed detailed instruction on how to test everything from another very helpful member. Can you still buy the switches (actually buttons) for the MCIs? Do the tops of the buttons come off? I'd like to keep everything matching the original if I can?

Thanks,
Gabriel
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Gabriel Stutz

 

From:
Chicago, USA
Post  Posted 27 Nov 2010 11:49 am    
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Well, I found a multimeter and tried to test the pick up and all jumpers and everything between the two button switches. I got a reading of 19k on all the E9 related stuff, but I got a reading of OL (open loop?) on the C6, does this mean the pick up is dead? I'm not sure how to test the switches exactly, so I may have done it wrong. It's a lot more wiring than just the usual 3 position switch on my other steel. Can anybody tell me how to test these crazy buttons on the MCI? Thanks.
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