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54 pick-up issues

Started by pol isaac, June 23, 2024, 04:23:44 AM

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pol isaac

Hi,
I have some issues concerning the pick-ups on my 54 Rhodes.
I have to replace at least 1 pick-up every 2 weeks.
Especialy when I moved the piano after a concert or rehearsal.
They are soldered one-by-one.
I've bought the piano 2 years ago like "totally revised"
What could be the problem?
thanks.

Jenzz

Hi + Welcome :-)

The pickups with the white band are prone to failiure. The laquer on the copper wire gets / is broken at the sharp edge of the bobbin (green circle in attached pic)). Due to the broken covering, the copper gets corroded and the wire is broken.

Since on a 54 all pickups are in series, even a single dead pickup will have the whole instrument dead.

The only solution will be to replace or rewind the dead pickups. The keep (hopefully) the working pickups intact, place a drop of urethane laquer at the area at the circle to recover the laquer layer on the wire.

Jenzz

Jenzz

Rhodes tech in Germany
www.tasteundtechnik.de
www.spontaneousstorytelling.net

VintageVibe 64 ACL + Type 120 Env. Filter (DIY MXR MX-120 clone) , EHX SmallStone, EHX NeoClone

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In the Past:
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pol isaac

Hi Jenzz,

Thanks a lot!
this info is quit helpful!
love this forum already!

pol.