Strat problem?

guitarcookie1

So my Strat seems to have developed an issue today where the top E & B strings are very quiet compared to the other four strings, but only when the bridge pickup is selected. They sound fine in all other switch positions. 

It definitely wasn’t like this last week when I played it and nothing has changed. 

Tried a different lead and it’s the same. My other guitars are all fine too. 

It’s a partscaster with Oil City pickups and wiring harness, into a HX Stomp. 

Anyone any ideas please? Five-way switch maybe?

ICBM

If the other four strings are OK then it must be a problem with the pickup magnets. This is very rare, but I had that exact issue with a Seymour Duncan Strat pickup once too - also on the E and B strings.

@OilCityPickups may be able to help more than me though.

HAL9000

Pickup dropped lower on one side?

(I recently had the opposite problem on my Tele in that the E & B strings suddenly become much louder and brighter - thought it was going to be something serious but it was simply that, for some reason, both saddles had dropped (yes, I admit to owning a six-saddle Tele).)

Funkfingers

guitarcookie1 said:

Top E & B strings are very quiet compared to the other four strings but only when the bridge pickup is selected.

Magnet degaussing
Test by tapping gently on the suspect polepieces with a metal object. This test is valid for any selector switch position in which the offending pickup is selected.

Tone control
If your control circuit has a tone pot connected to operate on the bridge position pickup, check that it is turned up to 10. 

Selector switch
The switch should either pass the signal from all six strings or from none. 

String condition
How old are they? Is there any corrosion or a build up of gunk on the E and B strings directly above the bridge pickup?

guitarcookie1

Funkfingers said:

guitarcookie1 said:

Top E & B strings are very quiet compared to the other four strings but only when the bridge pickup is selected.

Magnet degaussing
Test by tapping gently on the suspect polepieces with a metal object. This test is valid for any selector switch position in which the offending pickup is selected.

Tone control
If your control circuit has a tone pot connected to operate on the bridge position pickup, check that it is turned up to 10. 

Selector switch
The switch should either pass the signal from all six strings or from none. 

String condition
How old are they? Is there any corrosion or a build up of gunk on the E and B strings directly above the bridge pickup?

All pole pieces “click” as you’d expect if you tap them with a screwdriver. 

All pots on 10.

You'd think so, but it definitely just the E & B playing up. 

Strings only a few week old, Elixier 9’s. 

Funkfingers

Do you normally use Elixir and, if so, which thickness of the coating?