3 way *blade* switch specs, question

[Jack_TriPpEr]

The 3 way *blade* switch (not a toggle) has crapped out on my Ibanez RG. Its one of those import style switches. I would l like to replace with a Fender 3 way type design... but am unsure if the screw to screw distance will match up (?) I havent been able to find the spec for that distance online for that Fender switch. Anyone know?

 

[dpaterson]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Hello.

Please believe me that there are switches and then there are switches i.e. good and junk!!!

I assume by "import style switches" you're referring to those switches with the square circuit board that is enclosed as opposed to those "Fender type" switches which have an open, half round, circuit board???

It's not only the distance between the screw holes that you need be concerned about i.e. you need to check the depth as well. I have this issue with my Jacksons. Some time ago I ordered some CRL "Fender type" 3 way switches and they don't fit i.e. the cavity is not deep enough for the switch (and not to mention the wrong style tips).

The distance between the screw holes on my Jacksons is exactly 40mm (cannot see that your Ibanez would be any different).

I've now ordered the below i.e. they sure do look solid (as opposed to many others that I've found on the Internet which don't get great reviews at all). What's more: these switches already have the correct pins bridged (for HH setup).



Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/KAISH-Guitar-Pickup-Selector-Plastic/dp/B07K67HRDN/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547538693&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=KAISH+Heavy+Duty+3+Way+Guitar+Pickup+Lev

I've spent days, if not weeks, looking for a decent, quality, 3 way switch for my Jacksons (still cannot fathom why original Jackson parts are not available for sale but anyway) and this particular switch appeared on Amazon only a few days ago.

These below "Fender style" switch for example will NOT fit in a Jackson (not in a Dinky anyway) i.e. they're too deep (they're pretty common place though and this one just happens to have the correct tip). Maybe will fit in an Ibanez??? Dunno I'm afraid.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Hello.

Please believe me that there are switches and then there are switches i.e. good and junk!!!

I assume by "import style switches" you're referring to those switches with the square circuit board that is enclosed as opposed to those "Fender type" switches which have an open, half round, circuit board???

It's not only the distance between the screw holes that you need be concerned about i.e. you need to check the depth as well. I have this issue with my Jacksons. Some time ago I ordered some CRL "Fender type" 3 way switches and they don't fit i.e. the cavity is not deep enough for the switch (and not to mention the wrong style tips).

The distance between the screw holes on my Jacksons is exactly 40mm (cannot see that your Ibanez would be any different).

I've now ordered the below i.e. they sure do look solid (as opposed to many others that I've found on the Internet which don't get great reviews at all). What's more: these switches already have the correct pins bridged (for HH setup).

View attachment 95331

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/KAISH-Guitar-Pickup-Selector-Plastic/dp/B07K67HRDN/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547538693&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=KAISH+Heavy+Duty+3+Way+Guitar+Pickup+Lev

I've spent days, if not weeks, looking for a decent, quality, 3 way switch for my Jacksons (still cannot fathom why original Jackson parts are not available for sale but anyway) and this particular switch appeared on Amazon only a few days ago.

These below "Fender style" switch for example will NOT fit in a Jackson (not in a Dinky anyway) i.e. they're too deep (they're pretty common place though and this one just happens to have the correct tip). Maybe will fit in an Ibanez??? Dunno I'm afraid.

View attachment 95332

Yes, "import type" meaning box shaped with internal circuit boards.

Thanks for the head's up about the potential depth issue.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

I just took some measurements on my Ibanez RG.

Switch screw to screw distance = 42mm
Cavity depth = 36mm

Also, i had a Dimarzio Superswitch uninstalled available for measurement. Because it is the same design/shape as a Fender switch, i took some measurements on it:
Screw to screw distance = 42mm
Switch height = 31mm

Looks like a Fender type will fit my Ibanez RG both screw-placement wise and depth wise. Thanks again.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Sounds good.

I'm assuming you're taking the screw to screw measurements from the outside of the screw heads and not the center of the screw heads??? Just curious (if I measure my Jacksons from the outside of the screw heads then I also get 42mm).

But I'm sure you'll get it sorted.

Must say that for some or the other reason I'm not a big fan of having the open switches i.e. those with no housing. Then again: probably easier to clean should dust or anything get into them.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Sounds good.

I'm assuming you're taking the screw to screw measurements from the outside of the screw heads and not the center of the screw heads??? Just curious (if I measure my Jacksons from the outside of the screw heads then I also get 42mm).

But I'm sure you'll get it sorted.

Must say that for some or the other reason I'm not a big fan of having the open switches i.e. those with no housing. Then again: probably easier to clean should dust or anything get into them.

No, my measurement was based on the center of one screw to the center of the other.

The sealed switch designs are reputedly inferior quality and higher failure rates. Reputedly.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

FYI: i installed the Fender style 3 way switch last night. The screw hole alignment was perfect, and my Ibanez RG's cavity depth was sufficient to fit it.

Also, i consider this style of switch a plus over the OEM import switch, in that each pickup's hot lead only has to be soldered to a single switch lug, where on the import switch, each pickup hot lead had to be wired to two switch lug (or a bridge/jumper piece had to be added for each pickup). From my expeeience, those jumper pieces tend to come loose and have to be resoldered each time you remove a pickup.

 

[AlexR]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

The 'sealed' switches tend to be the lower quality for the most part......hence the failure rate. But there is not much to a switch usually, and the switchcraft ones are wholly mechanical - you are simply moving one bit of metal to touch another. If there is some issue there can be a physical fix more times than not.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Dudes!!!

My "supa dupa industrial strength" switches arrived a few mins. ago. While I was surprised to see they're made in China: I can tell you that these really are "heavy duty" switches. Not only are they heavy in weight but their "action" is amazing i.e. almost like the switches themselves are on ball bearings or "damped" (in other words: they sort of click in smoothly between positions and feel like they're lubricated with grease or something) and they just feel and look VERY solid. I've not fitted one into a guitar as yet (not sure what I'm going to do re: pickups at this stage) but will soon I would imagine. One thing for sure: at least with these switches it will be a breeze to solder and desolder if needs be. Oh and the packaging is pretty "heady duty" as well (I do tend to place some weight on packaging i.e. to me it goes toward probable quality).

Here's a link to their online store (although I ordered from Amazon): https://kaish.aliexpress.com/store/2171097.

Dunno about the rest of their stuff but if the quality is anything like these switches...

 

[dave74]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Dudes!!!

My "supa dupa industrial strength" switches arrived a few mins. ago. While I was surprised to see they're made in China: I can tell you that these really are "heavy duty" switches. Not only are they heavy in weight but their "action" is amazing i.e. almost like the switches themselves are on ball bearings or "damped" (in other words: they sort of click in smoothly between positions and feel like they're lubricated with grease or something) and they just feel and look VERY solid. I've not fitted one into a guitar as yet (not sure what I'm going to do re: pickups at this stage) but will soon I would imagine. One thing for sure: at least with these switches it will be a breeze to solder and desolder if needs be. Oh and the packaging is pretty "heady duty" as well (I do tend to place some weight on packaging i.e. to me it goes toward probable quality).

Here's a link to their online store (although I ordered from Amazon): https://kaish.aliexpress.com/store/2171097.

Dunno about the rest of their stuff but if the quality is anything like these switches...

Carvin/Kiesel import-style feel much like what you're describing. Definitely a silkier feel than most of the big wheel type I've tried.
Might not last as long but they do feel nice.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

Might not last as long

What’s the point of that then??? Only joking. These will last me forever. Only time I touch those switches is when I put the guitar in the case and when I take it out again (habit) i.e. I never use the neck pickup!!! LOL!!! Only fitting them because I don’t like having things not all nice and connected up!!! LOL!!! But this could change i.e. dying to know what the Invader neck is gonna sound like!!!

But yeh. They don’t have that harsh and dry and brittle clicky feel and sound to them. Like the difference between the indicator light switch on a Mercedes compared to a ... (insert vehicle make here i.e. don’t want to offend anybody!!! LOL!!!).

Only confusing thing: they actually don’t appear on their website??? Amazon had three “in stock”, I ordered two, so there was one left??? Dunno how that works.

I see those dudes are also selling FR Specials but with no box and no “instruction manual” as they put it. “Ex factory” they say. Wonder what that’s all about??? Still. Cannot be worse than the two I got from StewMac.

 

[dave74]

Re: 3 way *blade* switch specs, question

I guess time will tell. I've used the helloutovthe out of the carvin 5-way switch on my st300 and it still feels like new, but I do rotate guitars and it's only a few years old so it's hard to tell yet on long-term durability, but they sure do feel smooth. Makes me want to switch constantly.