Charvel EVH Loss of power!

[JediHalen]

Hi guys,

I have an EVH Art Series Charvel, and just recently I have noticed a big loss of output.. about half I would say. When you put it through an amp with distortion it seems like I`m only using a mild overdrive sound when it should be on full tilt. Could it be the volume control, wiring or god help me the pickup!

Its a real simple set up... just one volume and one pickup so there cant be too much to go wrong.

any thoughts?

Cheers.

[Matt_B]

I'd start at the output jack and work your way in. Just check all the soldering on the output jack and volume knob. If it gets to the pickup, it will be time to break out the ohm meter.

[JediHalen]

I hadnt took to output jack into consideration as they usually start to crackle and go on and off when they go wrong. will give it the once over tonight and see.

cheers man

[JediHalen]

Hi Matt_B

I got a tech to check this out today.. and to my horror it`s the pickup, the coil had split and needs a rewind So I`m not a happy bunny!

Does anyone know about the limited lifetime warranty that Charvel have, as this sort of thing doesnt happen very often.. (Coils splitting after 2 short years!)

And its not just any old ordinary pickup its a 78 custom and costs a small fortune.

I know I have to get a rewind done but I was just checking on this warranty thing.

Anyone got any knowlege on this?

cheers

[metalchurch79]

Either that or you could sweet talk the Seymour Duncan tech/help and tell them what happened. Since it's a limited run pickup they might be more compassion for you.
But I'd try the soure where you bought it first. Did that come with the pickup originally?

[Grandturk]

Did you wack it against something? How exactly does this happen?

[Matt_B]

Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that. It's rare for pickups to fail but it happens. I had a Dimarzio that was bad from the factory but it was the only bad one out of probably 50 or so I've bought over the years.

Just to be clear, is the pup in your EVH the stock pup or a replacement Duncan?

[shreddermon]

And its not just any old ordinary pickup its a 78 custom and costs a small fortune.

Just to be clear, is the pup in your EVH the stock pup or a replacement Duncan?

Right. There seems to be a common disconception out there that the pickups in the EVHs were Duncan '78s. They're not. Unless you replaced the original PU, that is a custom-spec'd PU done in the Fender custom shop specially for the Charvel EVH series guitars. And they were never sold aftermarket, so you can't just run out and buy another, either.

If you go the warranty route, you'll likely have to send the whole guitar back for them to evaluate. I love those EVH PUs, but not sure I'd go through all of that hassle to replace one. Might just be better off going aftermarket with a Duncan or Dimarzio to your liking.

[Newc]

It's my understanding that the stock pickup was the Duncan EVH, which they later renamed the 78 because of the "EVH" trademark, and then was renamed the EVH and billed as Evenly Voiced Harmonics.

[shreddermon]

It's my understanding that the stock pickup was the Duncan EVH, which they later renamed the 78 because of the "EVH" trademark, and then was renamed the EVH and billed as Evenly Voiced Harmonics.

No, no, no and no. Sort of.

The Duncan "EVH" pickup (evenly voiced harmonics) pickup did have its name changed to the "78", mainly to avoid the wrath of Ed's lawyers.

But that is NOT the pickup in the Charvel EVH series guitars. Never was, never will be. It is a specially wound PU done in Fender's custom shop specifically for the Charvel EVH series.

[Newc]

Ah, I see. Interesting. Stupid, but interesting

[JediHalen]

Either that or you could sweet talk the Seymour Duncan tech/help and tell them what happened. Since it's a limited run pickup they might be more compassion for you.
But I'd try the soure where you bought it first. Did that come with the pickup originally?

That might sound like a plan, will give it a try... According to the tech that checked it over, he said that these things rarely happen but do on the odd rare occasion.
On the bright side I do have a decent spare that is currently in my home made Warmouth strat (a Bare Knuckle VH2 Pickup)
So this will be my temporary pickup till the EVH... or 78 or whatever the hell its called! can be rewound.
Its also a great pickup, but my original had the magic mojo about it.
If anyone has played an EVH art they might know what I mean!

Did you wack it against something? How exactly does this happen?

I`m uber carful with my guitars especially this one! so there has been no misshandling, besides its mounted down hard to the wood and is as sturdy as hell.

I`ll try the Seymour duncan route first then the Charvel warrenty thing next, If I get no joy, it`ll have to be a rewind from a pickup specialist.

Cheers guys

[shreddermon]

Dude, going the warranty route with Duncan will get you nowhere. It is NOT a Seymour Duncan pickup!

Charvel is your only option, as far as warranty work.

[Grandturk]

I'm trying to think of the last time I heard of a modern pickup just up and dying... nope can't do it.

[JediHalen]

I'm trying to think of the last time I heard of a modern pickup just up and dying... nope can't do it.

Guess I`m just lucky like that :ROTF:

Charvel is your only option, as far as warranty work.

Will do that, cheers.. god knows what this pickup is called, but if I say its
a Charvel EVH Art series pickup I think they`ll know what I mean

Anyone else here had any dealings with the Charvel warranty thingy?