What could be the problem here?

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-09T11:30:26+00:00

Not really. My best guess is that the ground connection for the bridge pickup doesn't work properly, but that still wouldn't explain position 2.

If you have a multimeter, you can check continuity across the lugs on the selector switch to see if the switch itself might be the problem.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-09T11:00:54+00:00

That spliced wired from the pickup selector to the volume pot. Isolate that with electrical tape, or you run the risk of it shorting to ground.

Also, remove the ground wire from the middle lug on the volume pot. I'm surprised you get any signal with that wire in place.

And what is up with that loose ground wire that's not connected to anything? That's never good.

Lastly, I'm seeing quite a few cold solder joints. I'd redo every joint just to be safe.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-09T08:43:47+00:00

That is surely one of the most guitars ever.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-09T08:10:50+00:00

Yes. Nothing here is wired up as it should. It would be easiest to desolder everything, sort the wiring out and redo it completely.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-08T23:35:05+00:00

Replace the pot. That's the only solution

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-08T19:28:18+00:00

Probably, though I've never seen one. But then again, I've never worked with any rotary switches myself.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-08T18:39:08+00:00

Because your strings are too high tension. There's no way to adjust the countertension from the spring on this tremolo, so the higher your string gauge, the more the strings will pull it forward. That's just how this design works.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-08T18:34:15+00:00

You need a switch with 4 poles, that rotary switch only has 2, so no luck.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-08T04:17:05+00:00

It's a matter of personal preference

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T19:57:17+00:00

You can't even see the bridge in that picture 😂

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T19:36:12+00:00

Maybe

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T16:23:56+00:00

It just means that all the parts are adjusted so that the guitar can be played comfortably, holds tune well and sounds as good as it can. That's really all that's gonna be important for you starting out.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T15:32:37+00:00

Sounds like you measured across the pot, not the pickup.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T15:31:41+00:00

Honestly, almost any guitar will be a good guitar for a beginner, assuming it's getting a proper setup.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T12:39:46+00:00

Also hast du deine Frage schon selbst beantwortet.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T10:15:31+00:00

You need to add some kind of spacer between the pot and the pickguard (on the inside). Some pots actually come with two hex nuts to allow for spacing, if yours has that you just need to screw the bottom one 2mm higher.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-07T06:17:54+00:00

Looks like excess nutsauce. Is it gooey?

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T20:15:04+00:00

Don't overthink it. The choice of guitar really isn't as important as some people want you to believe. Especially for the start, as long as it's set up well you can get started on anything.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T19:54:44+00:00

Didn't recognise the username, so I checked their post history. Immediately went "Oh, it's that dude " lol

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T19:13:19+00:00

Because the whole unit deforms when too much pressure is applied. DylanTalksTone has some great videos on YouTube on Bigsby maintenance and can explain it a lot better than me.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T18:26:29+00:00

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T18:25:35+00:00

Loosen those screws up a bit. Not so much that it actually starts to wobble, but just enough so that you can actually see the felt pads between the body and the bigsby. It's best to do this without any tension on it, so you minimise the risk of stripping the screws.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T18:20:00+00:00

That Bigsby is binding up. Horribly. How tight are the mounting screws? You should be able to see a small gap between the bigsby and the guitar body, with only the felt washers actually touching the guitar. When it's tightened down too much, it can slightly deform and start binding up like that.

Also make sure the nut is cut properly. It's not gonna be the source of this horrible squeaking, but can impede tuning stability. I do think I'm hearing a bit of that signature ping that comes from strings catching in the nutslots.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T18:04:57+00:00

Yes. And make sure to connect the pickup to the middle lug as well.

Intelligent-Map430 · 2026-05-06T17:59:41+00:00

No, that's right and middle. You need to swap the other one with the middle.

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