Members koadan91 Posted March 6, 2011 Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Hey so I am having a problem with my guitar's bridge pickup. In my SG, I had a Duncan Distortion installed in the bridge slot a couple years ago by a trusted tech (my ex-teacher). Now, this is my player guitar, and so it gets used multiple times a week. I would notice any problem it'd have pretty immediately. So all of a sudden yesterday, when selecting the bridge pickup, I'm not getting any sound. I adjusted all of my volume knobs and whatnot, and still nothing. I select both my bridge and neck pups and I'm getting sound again. I select just the neck pup and it's the same tone as bridge/neck. So, knowing sometime guitars are funny, I try the ole' moving the selector switch fast up and down. Now I'm getting a very weak, thin tone out of the bridge. What on Earth could be the problem? I'm completely useless when it comes to the electronics of the guitar, so I'll probably just end up taking it to another tech, but I'd like to at least know what I'm getting myself into. I guess I'm asking what YOUR interpretation of the problem is and what YOU would think it would cost to fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaleH Posted March 6, 2011 Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Sounds like you need a new switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members koadan91 Posted March 6, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Sounds like you need a new switch. A new selector switch? Is there any difference in a switch that I would buy (obviously other than 5-way, 3-way, and the shape, color and whatnot), or is it pretty much, a selector switch is a selector switch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike42 Posted March 6, 2011 Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Sounds like a switch problem, and there are definite differences in switch quality. Best bet quality-wise will probably be something by a US company, even if the actual switch is an import. The, very common now, import "circuit board" switches, (often encased in a plastic box) are generally pretty poor quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members koadan91 Posted March 6, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Could I get a recommendation on a switch? Musician's Friend's stock seems to be somewhat limited. I'd really like to avoid breaking the bank on a selector switch, but I want something that'll be reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mike42 Posted March 6, 2011 Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 I didn't even see that this was an SG. That's probably not as much of a issue as a strat type switch. StewMac will have something. I've used a place called GUITAR PARTS RESOURCE for a lot of basic component stuff. A good toggle for an SG will probably run 12-15.00. You could probably get by on an SG for several years with something from Radio Shack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Bear Posted March 6, 2011 Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Hey so I am having a problem with my guitar's bridge pickup.In my SG, I had a Duncan Distortion installed in the bridge slot a couple years ago by a trusted tech (my ex-teacher). Now, this is my player guitar, and so it gets used multiple times a week. I would notice any problem it'd have pretty immediately. So all of a sudden yesterday, when selecting the bridge pickup, I'm not getting any sound. I adjusted all of my volume knobs and whatnot, and still nothing. I select both my bridge and neck pups and I'm getting sound again. I select just the neck pup and it's the same tone as bridge/neck. So, knowing sometime guitars are funny, I try the ole' moving the selector switch fast up and down. Now I'm getting a very weak, thin tone out of the bridge.What on Earth could be the problem? I'm completely useless when it comes to the electronics of the guitar, so I'll probably just end up taking it to another tech, but I'd like to at least know what I'm getting myself into.I guess I'm asking what YOUR interpretation of the problem is and what YOU would think it would cost to fix it. Try this.Plug guiar to amp,keep the volume up high on amp and guitar.Put the switch in the neck position, then tap on the pickup with a key, screwdriver or something metal.You'll hear the tapping come from the amp.Put the switch in the middle position, and do the same.Only this time tap the neck and then the bridge pickup.If you hear the tapping out of the amp from both pickups, it's not the switch, it would then be a pickup connection on the bridge pickup.No sense buying a new switch if that's not the problem.Let us know what turns up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GilmourD Posted March 6, 2011 Members Share Posted March 6, 2011 Could I get a recommendation on a switch? Musician's Friend's stock seems to be somewhat limited. I'd really like to avoid breaking the bank on a selector switch, but I want something that'll be reliable. http://www.allparts.com/Switchcraft-Right-Angle-Toggle-p/ep-4365-000.htm That's what you need. Don't buy it straight from AllParts, though. Find it at a local dealer. If you have a Guitar Center nearby, they might even have it. If not, Sam Ash, or any shop that's larger than a shoebox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members koadan91 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 Well after many hours of not using the guitar, I went to try the key-tapping method. I found that both pickups were allowing the tapping to come to through the amp. I start playing on the troubling bridge pup and it appeared to have fixed itself. This is kind of good, but I'm concerned more problems are on the way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members CoqBelliqueux Posted March 7, 2011 Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 I think the pickup's wire is getting ripped out of the solder spot on the switch. Open it up and take a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bdecorsey Posted March 7, 2011 Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 Sounds more like a loose wire or a connection thats sketchy. Just take it in to a tech or have a friend who knows something about electronics take a look at it. Chances are, just about anybody who understands a little bit about electronics will be able to tell you what's wrong after 2 minutes of poking around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted March 7, 2011 Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 I think the pickup's wire is getting ripped out of the solder spot on the switch. Open it up and take a look. This or dirt in the switch. Open it up, clean it and touch all connections at the switch with your soldering iron to reflow the solder. These switchs are an open type and usually don't go bad. While you're there, do a little bending to ensure all contacts are being made. you'll see what I mean when you have the switch exposed. Chances are good this will cure the problem for ten years before it needs the same treatment again.This is a common occurence with these switches. I see it about twice a year in my sideline repair bidness. You probably don't need to reflow the solder. I always do, but people are paying me money and I wanna make damn sure it's right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted March 7, 2011 Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 IMO all electric guitar players should have a basic knowledge of wiring and soldering. If you start gigging, things will need fixed at the worst possible moment. If you have a small repair kit with a soldering pencil, wire stripper, small dikes, solder and a few basic hand tools you'll never have a speaker cable or similar phuck up ten minutes before showtime. It's that damn Murphy's Law thang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members koadan91 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 Well I neither have the time, nor the money at the moment to give myself a basic education in soldering. It is something I'd like to learn, though. I'll probably end up taking it to the guitar store around the block. Thanks all for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pope on a Rope Posted March 7, 2011 Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 I would hit the switch with some contact cleaner before doing anything with a soldering iron. If it was working a couple of years ago it may just be that the contacts are dirty from oxidation built up. Oxidation is known to tickle a guitar's funny bone. Squirt some contact cleaner into the switch and flip it back and forth a few times. You may need to do it a couple or three times for it to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members koadan91 Posted March 7, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 I would hit the switch with some contact cleaner before doing anything with a soldering iron. If it was working a couple of years ago it may just be that the contacts are dirty from oxidation built up. Oxidation is known to tickle a guitar's funny bone. Squirt some contact cleaner into the switch and flip it back and forth a few times. You may need to do it a couple or three times for it to work. While this sounds a bit dangerous to me, I'll give it ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Armitage Posted March 7, 2011 Members Share Posted March 7, 2011 Contact cleaner... the first thing to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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