Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

[FarleyUK]

Hi all,

I've had a pair of Alnico II Pros in my Les Paul for a while now, but have noticed that there can often be random volume drops or cut outs. I can rectify this by wiggling the pickup selector switch back and forth a few times, but I'd be keen to get some ideas of what could be causing this issue...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

I would start by checking the wiring and maybe replacing the switch.

 

[FarleyUK]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

OK, re-soldered the switch connections, and it sounds like (to my ears at least!) that the tone has changed - it's a lot more punchy now....

Is that possible? Or is it just my imagination?

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

OK, re-soldered the switch connections, and it sounds like (to my ears at least!) that the tone has changed - it's a lot more punchy now....

Is that possible? Or is it just my imagination?

Hmm, that's interesting. Anything is possible.

Is it still cutting out?

 

[FarleyUK]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

Hmm, that's interesting. Anything is possible.

Is it still cutting out?

Didn't seem to be - but I'll continue testing it tonight.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

That's was likely the problem, a bad/loose can cause the signal to lose strength traveling from the wire to the switch contact and if it's loose, lose contact completly

 

[Aasinsilta]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

I had a similar issue about a year ago, the neck pickup on one of my guitars was very unreliable. It would work sometimes, others not without flicking the switch a few times. One rewire (and switch upgrade hehe) later and it works like a charm. I don't really recall much of a change in tone, but I bought it used and made the fix not too long after I got it. So the "new" tone is the tone I remember the best, I think it is a bit louder after the change.

 

[oneblackened]

Re: Alnico II Pros - Random cut outs?

I've had this problem with more than one switch in the same guitar. It's pretty much definitely the switch.


I'm beginning to think that my guitar actively hates 3 way blade switches that aren't PCB based.