Extra Long 5 Way Blade Switch?

[larryguitar]

I've got a guitar I'm rewiring, and replaced the import switch with a Fender; problem is the wood where the switch slot is cut is quite a bit thicker than a pickguard, and the switch (even after some aggressive trimming) won't move far enough to reach the last (bridge) position.

I'd rather not rout the control cavity deeper, so I'm looking for a quality 5 way blade switch with a longer and/or thinner 'arm' to clear the cutout. Any ideas if such a thing exists?

Larry

 

[beaubrummels]

You probably need a switch made for or typically used by that model. What make/model is the guitar?

 

[Mincer]

I did have this problem once, but what I did is cut notches on the shaft of the switch so it could get in the last position. I used a Dremel, and once the switch tip was on, you couldn't see the modification.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Is it that the shaft of the switch is hitting the wood at the end of the slot, or that the switch tip is hitting the face of the guitar? In other words, if you take the tip off, will the switch go all the way to positions 1 and 5?

 

[larryguitar]

It's a Laguna; the one with the swamp ash body and HSS, with a Wilkinson trem. I tried something similar to what Mincer described, but at that point the switch was so 'deep' that the knob would start hitting the body, like GuitarDoc described. The import style switch that was on there was toast, and both narrower and taller than the Fender.

I've ordered another cheap import switch to get it up and running, but I'd really like to end up with something higher quality; even though this isn't a high dollar guitar, I quite like it.

Larry

 

[GuitarDoc]

I'm not sure if this one has a longer shaft because it's been a year since I installed it and don't remember, but it's very good quality and I THINK it has a longer shaft.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3RQQQHD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[ehdwuld]

I had this problem with my RG2

Get a knife
make the slot slightly longer

if you have a jig saw blade
use this by hand

go slowly

not all the way to the mounting screws


I also tried grinding the shaft of the switch to make it thinner
that wasn't so easy either

 

[larryguitar]

Appreciate the assistance-

Larry

 

[ehdwuld]

I'm not sure if this one has a longer shaft because it's been a year since I installed it and don't remember, but it's very good quality and I THINK it has a longer shaft.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3RQQQHD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Thinner shaft as well

 

[GuitarDoc]

And if you need to, you can sand off some of the bottom or the circumference of the switch cap.

 

[Chistopher]

You know, looking back I had this problem on one of my guitars. I don't recall how I fixed it, that guitar is long gone.

 

[larryguitar]

Hey, GuitarDoc-got that Kaisch switch installed today, and it worked great. I agree-high quality, good price. Appreciate the pointer.


Larry

 

[GuitarDoc]

Glad you got it together and that the switch is gonna work for you.