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12-15-2018, 05:18 AM
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#1
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 2,203
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guitar electronics
Hi
I've got a MIJ stratocaster from the 90's that's quite good.
It has probably been laying around in closet and maybe worse places.
My problem is corrosion in the switch (maybe more).
What's your experience, fix or replace?
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12-15-2018, 05:40 AM
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#2
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Mortal
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Wickenburg, Arizona
Posts: 14,051
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Spray and pray, and if that don't work, replace
If its an open case switch, some sandpaper or a file might just do it
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12-15-2018, 07:26 AM
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#3
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Stratford upon Avon UK
Posts: 1,291
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Yep Servisol or similar contact cleaner, if that doesn't work a switch won't cost much and if you can solder, easy to fit. Cheers.
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12-15-2018, 08:23 AM
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#4
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Polandia
Posts: 3,584
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Switches are cheap and easy to replace, at least in a typical passive guitar (I'm electrically and manually challenged yet did successful electronic mods or fixes many times). If the part's not rare I'd replace.
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12-15-2018, 11:07 AM
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#5
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 2,203
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Thanks. I hate de-assembly/assembly just to find out it don't work.
I buy a switch before I get to work.
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12-15-2018, 12:05 PM
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#6
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,295
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Those switches are meant to be self-cleaning. Very often, just flipping it a few (dozen) times will scrape away enough oxidation that it'll work. Contact cleaner can help, but is not always necessary.
Strats suck for this kind of thing because you pretty much have to destring them in order to get the pickguard off and gain access to the electronics. On my own guitars with that problem, I usually cut the pickguard into two pieces so I can get to the guts without tearing the whole thing apart. I like to make the cut right through a pair of opposing screw holes so that I don't need extra screws. If you'd rather not cut your original pickguard, replacements are generally cheap.
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12-15-2018, 01:35 PM
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#7
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Polandia
Posts: 3,584
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashcat_lt
Strats suck for this kind of thing because you pretty much have to destring them in order to get the pickguard off and gain access to the electronics. On my own guitars with that problem, I usually cut the pickguard into two pieces so I can get to the guts without tearing the whole thing apart. I like to make the cut right through a pair of opposing screw holes so that I don't need extra screws. If you'd rather not cut your original pickguard, replacements are generally cheap.
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Yeah, non-pickguarded guitars are nicer with that, altough regular strat with a regular bridge is passable, make sure everything works correctly under pickguard before putting strings back and you're good.
Doing it in a guitar with a Floyd Rose is a whole another level of annoying though . Pretty clever solution with a split pickguard, never thought of that.
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12-15-2018, 01:42 PM
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#8
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zeekat
Pretty clever solution with a split pickguard, never thought of that.
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I didn't invent it, but the first time the pickguard comes off, it gets split before I put it back on.
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12-15-2018, 03:39 PM
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#9
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 2,636
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I second the spray and pray. But I wouldn't get a new switch if that didn't do it without taking the pick guard off and doing some cleaning that you just can't do without going inside (unless the piece is shot and funky and you want to get a nice new one). Opening it up and blasting with air and contact cleaner is a lot easier than putting in a new switch : ) if you get lucky.
But what exactly is the corrosion causing? Switching pickups is iffy? Intermittence while playing? Feels stiff and terrible?
__________________
The reason rain dances work is because they don't stop dancing until it rains.
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12-15-2018, 05:15 PM
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#10
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 2,203
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I loose sound when switching. Have to bend it to get it right.
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12-15-2018, 05:42 PM
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#11
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msundh
I loose sound when switching. Have to bend it to get it right.
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Use plier to press contact tounges a bit closer together on each position.
Move switch to one position that you don't try to affect.
Sometimes you grab contact closer to it's seat and bend a bit if it just springs back.
Very simple construction, just fiddle a bit.
__________________
-- Windows 11 Pro, i7-12700F 2.1GHz 32G, RME Digiface USB Audient ASP800 Lexicon MX200, Reaper 4.78 --
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12-16-2018, 12:12 AM
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#12
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 1,125
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Don't order a switch until you've had the scratch plate off.
There are two different types of switch on the Jap Fenders - the open 'US' type and the enclosed type, and they don't have the same tag layout and often don't have the same screw spacing and switch throw - ie. they fit a different sized slot in the 'plate.
Spray switch cleaner in there, waggle it back and forth A LOT and it will probably sort itself out.
__________________
"As long as I stay between the sun & my shadow, I guess I'm doing well."
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12-16-2018, 12:34 AM
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#13
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,295
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We can finger out how to wire the new switch. DO make sure it actually fits.
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12-27-2018, 09:14 AM
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#14
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 2,203
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It was a encapsulated switch, so I bought a new one.
Thanks for all input.
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12-27-2018, 04:24 PM
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#15
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 761
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I have these small plastic bottles with a needle out of the top. I spray the cleaner into the bottle, then use the needle to apply the cleaner. It will blow your mind. It also fits into the small holes on pots with no problems.
1 can use to last me not long. Now, it last me several years and everything stays dry. You can buy these needle bottles at the electronic shops. After you put a couple drops on, if that doesn't fix it, just replace it.
Clean the pots while you are in there as well. None of my electronics ever crackle or fail. It is because I clean them BEFORE they get dirty.
Do it every other string change with just a drop or two.
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12-27-2018, 04:44 PM
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#16
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 2,203
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This guitar has been stored in outdoor storage before I got it.
With an open switch it would be easier to see what's wrong and do somehting about it.
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12-27-2018, 05:07 PM
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#17
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Human being with feelings
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 604
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DeOxit
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