3 way selector switch problem

[ErrFranko]

I've come across a problem regarding my selector switch. Well whenever I move the blade to the neck position (humbucker) it sort of makes this crackly sound and mutes the volume on my guitar (sometimes makes the sound barely audible). I have to fiddle with it a bit such as pushing it back and forth to make the neck pickup work. The middle position is fine, but whenever I move it to the neck, it just doesn't respond too well and I have to keeping switching back and forth until it gets working. Same thing when I move it back to the bridge pickup position as well. Anybody know whats the cause of this?

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

It could be a couple things. I would check all the solder joints. If everything looks okay...get yourself a new switch (preferably Switchcraft).

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

I've had this on 2 out of 3 of my guitars with a 3-way. Ironically, both were Switchcraft while the one that is fine was the cheap Asian kind.

In both cases it was in the neck position (dunno why) and turned out that it was a cold solder joint and that the 3-way needed some cleaning with that spray, respectively.

Try the simple things first.

 

[dystrust]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

I've had this on 2 out of 3 of my guitars with a 3-way. Ironically, both were Switchcraft while the one that is fine was the cheap Asian kind.

In both cases it was in the neck position (dunno why) and turned out that it was a cold solder joint and that the 3-way needed some cleaning with that spray, respectively.

Try the simple things first.

I've had this happen several times and it's usually because the switch is dirty. A little contact cleaner and working the switch does wonders.

 

[Artie]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

One other common problem is that on many pickups, the ground wire is bare. When you shove all that wiring back into the control cavity, it might touch up against something hot.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

Dirty contacts,
Bad solder joint/connection,
When switched to neck position, one of the contacts may be touching a ground wire of the wall of the body cavity if it is shielded.

 

[guitarlava]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

One other common problem is that on many pickups, the ground wire is bare. When you shove all that wiring back into the control cavity, it might touch up against something hot.

This is happening to me and I think it's because of the ground on the 2-conductor wire from my Humbucker. Any recommendations on how to fix this? Should I tape it to keep it from making contact?

Thanks
Craig

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: 3 way selector switch problem

Welcome to the forum.

Thread was last posted 4 years ago, but fortunately the guys are still here.

I would focus more on where your exposed hot wires are. It's a good thing to have the cavity and various things grounded, but you want to keep you hot signal separate. If your grounds are contacting your hot connections, I would focus on protecting your hot connections.