"Ask Bud!"

Question:

My old 6-String Rickenbaker guitar does not produce any sound through my amp from the 17th fret on up. I have strung my guitar in reverse since I am left-handed. What is causing this problem?

Answer:

There are several possible answers to this question:

1. The most probable cause of your problem is that your strings are shorting out against the poles of the pickup. Lower the bass side of the pickup to see if the sound returns. If the sound returns, then raise the treble side to balance out the sound.
   
   
2. If # 1 above does not cure the problem, then I suggest you take your guitar to an audio repair shop and hook it up to an oscilloscope. Look to see if the frequencies are canceling out or not producing current at the higher frets. If this is happening, the pickup is bad and the solution will be to replace it. Of course, if you cannot locate a pickup for your Rickenbaker, then the solution may be to get another guitar.
   
   
3. This cause is very rare: your amplifier may have a partial failure and may not be able to completely reproduce all sounds and frequencies. Try another amplifier to see if this is the cause.
   
   

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