Epi LP Pickup Switcher Problem

hey everyone, first time posting here.

i hadnt played my epi LP custom in a long time, several years ago i bought it and swapped out a lot of parts- pickups, tuners, etc. it sat in a hardshell case for a while now.

i took it out last night, restrung it, and when i switch between the pups the bridge pup is often silent until a strum or play for a few seconds then i cuts in and is fine. i noticed also that if a play for awhile itll be fine. but the next time i pick the guitar up again it has the same issue. i also noticed the pup selector toggle switch crackles when used.

bad solder joint? bad toggle switch? the switch is the original with the original joints, etc.

any ideas? thanks.

Switch may be bad, but sounds like it may just be dirty/oxidized. Regular operation of switches, pots, etc., helps keep them clean. You can probably buy a new switch for less than the cost of a can of spray cleaner, but depending on what you're comfortable with, (soldering, etc.), you might want to try spray cleaning it first. If it's a sealed toggle switch, may not be any way to get cleaner into it. Just working it may clean it up for a while.

ditto on the oxidized contacts.

But the advantage of buying a can of spray contact cleaner is that you can use it again and again;)

Just unscrew the cover on the back of the guitar, spray, and work the switch back and forth.

aha! awesome. id considered that too. i actually have a can of deoxidizer in my gear closet somewhere. thats definitely preferable to replacing the switch.

thanks guys, much appreciated.

The switch is a reed switch, they're pretty much fail safe if they dont get bent up. Easy enough to inspect though. Since you were in there monkeuing around with a soldering iron, I lean more towards a cold solder joint.

If the components werent heated hot enough when the flux solder was applied, then the solder didnt bond with the metal and force the air out. This can allow the lead to oxidize over time and make the bad contact. I suggest you remove the switch and puts for the one pickup and resolder the connections.

This way you wont be chasing your tail thinking you have it fixed. If needed, use some lubricating contact cleaner on the switch and pots too if its needed.

quick update if anyone cares (probably not). as suggested its was just dirty- from lack of use i guess.

i just took the switch out, verified all the joints were good, dusted, and deoxidized it. put it back in and its 100% again.

oh, and this toggle switch wasnt an enclosed one-fortunately i could get to everything.

Actually, I'll bet that just about everyone who watches or posts in these kinds of threads appreciates the feedback. Nice to see some "closure" occasionally, even on something as basic as a dirty switch.