'88 rootbeer's pickups squeal like a nobody's business

lespaulreedsmith · #1 07-19-2005, 03:36 PM

my '88 rootbeer I bought awhile back (like new by the way, eatcherheartout) has a downside..(GOOD! you say... serves you right for rubbing it in!) The neck especially and the bridge pickup both at high gain settings has that microphonic monotone squeal that I always associated with unwaxed/ unpotted pickups.
Does anyone know if Dimarzio didn't pot their pickups in wax back in '88? I can always switch to some new ones and these do sound good until you get into some uber distortion and then they sqeal with the bestof 'em...
Anybody have a solution or idea on thes PAF pros?

darren wilson · #2 07-19-2005, 05:29 PM

You might be able to send them back to DiMarzio for re-potting.

Serratus · #3 07-19-2005, 06:38 PM

How close are the pickups to the strings? I had this on one guitar of mine and when I wound the pickups down (away from the strings) it got much better.

Jemwielder · #4 07-19-2005, 07:30 PM

Sometimes the wax loosens and causes the pickups to squeal. You might be able to take it to a nearby shop and the pickups re-waxed. I usually just get new pickups but with a tasty vintage piece like you have that's not an option.

Popsyche · #5 07-19-2005, 10:55 PM

I recommend contacting the Dimarzio Tech staff. I had a bad coil on my JEM PAF Pro, and they were able to rewind it for $25 including shipping back. It works better than ever now. i've also asked them a million questions, all replied to promptly.