The Steel Guitar Forum

I bought an old Supro online and the output of the pickup is much lower for the third string than the rest. I'm looking for suggestions on how to fix this problem. Thanks.

Three thoughts come to mind for this problem.

1 Raise the pole piece of the third sting if it is adjustable.

2 Change the third string to an unwound string of similar gage.

3 Lower the other five pole pieces (last resort solution).

I tried raising the pole, but that didn't work. In taking off the metal cover I discovered that one of the magnets was replaced by a spray painted piece of wood. This is the first item I've ever purchased on eBay and its a lemon. Lesson learned. Any suggestions on where to get a new pickup or to fix this one?

That block of painted wood is factory original.
Some of the Supros were made that way. The ones I've
worked on had silver paint on the wood.
I don't think you got a lemon.
Old guitars mostly require some work.
In fact, I've never bought a used steel that didn't
require some work despite what the previous owner thought.

Hi Sasha: You might really like a Bill Lawrence pickup similar to the 705. They are on eBay. With the blades, there are no pole pieces or spacing to worry about and the pickups are humbuckers. Usually around 50 on eBay. Just look at Bill Lawrence pickup on aBay and you will see several. Even some of the vintage ones. Good luck with it. Don't get bummed out. Steel guitar is an adventure. al

You didn't get a lemon. If you don't mind waiting a few weeks, Jason Lollar can re-magnetize your p/up to bring it back up to where it should be.

Chris

Thanks for the input. I think I will send it to Lollar, but I also think I'm done buying guitars sight unseen.

I was given an old Supro six string that had a weak second string. The pole pieces were hopelessly frozen. I snipped a short piece of wire and super glued it onto the pole piece to get about another 3/16" of height and it came into balance. I am afraid that at some point, the pull of the magnet against the string will seperate the fix and I may have to repeat it, but it has held for over three years.