Going from molex connectors to regular wiring with the same Ibanez AZ switches?

[Nagisa]

So I am currently gathering the pickups and parts to change my Ibanez AZ's hyperions to Suhr Aldrich, True Velvet and Satch Track.
I am debating whether I should go ahead and order a new dpdt and switch, or if I can use what is already there.

I took pics the last time I opened up the guitar. At the time I didn't check if I could pull off those molex things.





Does it look like I can pull the molex things off and still solder onto the dpdt and switch, or do I need to buy new ones?

For the switch, I am assuming YM-50 is the way to go?

Thank you!

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Going from molex connectors to regular wiring with the same Ibanez AZ switches?

Okay so assuming I have to buy the dpdt and switch...

What switch is going to work best? I cannot find any official Cor Tek switches here in Japan (yes you would think Ibanez stuff would be easy to get here but it's not). I am reading online about YM-50s being poor quality. Should I just get a Fender 5-way? I am also concerned about the size. In a 2008 Prestige RG I had to bend the connectors of a Fender 5-way to fit into it. As such I'm a bit wary of going that route again.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: Going from molex connectors to regular wiring with the same Ibanez AZ switches?

Pulling the PCB off the toggle switch may not be that easy. You need some way to heat up 3 of the solder pins on one side, then the other side, alternatively in repeated fashion until you can wriggle the PCB off. If you can simply buy a replacement toggle switch that fits, possible from Allparts or other guitar supplier, it would make the job much simpler and more easily reversible. Otherwise I think there's a bit too much risk of damaging the PCB or switch by overheating it in the de-soldering process.

The Fender / CRL blade switch should fit the pickguard. I guess the question is whether the body is routed deep enough to clear a traditional style 5-way switch. If you can buy a lower profile one spec'd as "Import" guitar style I would think you would be safe.

For curiosity sake, next time you have the pickguard off, I wonder if you could check the value of the control pots, and the value code on the treble bleed cap. That would be interesting.
EDIT: When I clicked on your pic, the treble bleed cap code is 331 = 330pF, which is pretty common on Ibanez guitars such as JS and Vai signature guitars.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Going from molex connectors to regular wiring with the same Ibanez AZ switches?

Thank you very much for your reply. Actually just now I bought a Schaller Megaswitch S (Looked at the YM-50 and the VLX53 too but this looked higher quality and seemed to fit the specs) and a dpdt switch. I think you're right about the PCB being a hassle.

Aside from the treble bleed, I'm wondering about that yellow cap. I assume it's .022, but I have an orange cap laying around and wonder if I should switch it out. My RG Prestige had a yellow chicklet in it that I switched to an orange cap and it make a BIG difference in sound, much clearer. They were both .022.