Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

ginormous

Understatmentologist
My baby's been in the shop for 2 months, and I need help. The 3-way coil tap blade switch, AKA the "tone switch", has lost the click-stop needed to hold the lever in place. This has contacts for 3 taps, on 2 pickups -- a 12-pole, 3-throw. It's an old Oak-Grigsby custom piece, made to order for these models: LP Recording guitar & bass, and Triumph bass. Stew-Mac, WD, even Gibson is clueless to locate.

edit: This is the last item needed to complete the repairs. Anyone with this part, PM me.
 
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Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

Thanks, but I already tried. Electroswitch now owns the Oak-Grigsby name, but they only make standard contemporary items, not the 20+ year old custom piece manufactured for Gibson.

I can well understand why no one would part with one, for I have acheived a massive bass sound with mine. That's why I'm ask for the help of my fellow Forumites. Please help me keep my LP Triumph going.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

how about an ep1111 from dimarzio ?
or this
or this
If it is an on-on-on 4pdt any of these should work.
 
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Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

Thanks for trying, Reload, but Allparts was a washout, too. I've been websurfing for a little over a year.

I need something that will take the 3 pairs of leads from each pup, and switch 3 positions (inside coil, mid, outside).

On the upper left of this page is the wiring diagram I'm dealing with...
http://www.guitar-parts.com/images/gibson5.jpg
PS, don't bother clicking the "home" link; it'll go "file not found".
 
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Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

Well, a standard Tele 3-position would switch one pickup for you. Maybe hardwire the other for your favorite tap?

Or, to get it going for the time being, I would pick 2 of the 3 positions, and use a standard 4PDT On-None-On switch. You could get all three taps with two 4PDT switches.

You could probably get a sign shop or trophy shop to make you a duplicate control plate, but with toggle switch hole(s) where the blade switch slot used to be. Then, save the original for the day you find a replacement blade switch.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

I've considered using Fender replacement parts to duplicate the function, but even a 5-way Strat superswitch doesn't have enough taps.

Rich, I really want to avoid hardwiring stuff if I can. This is the Swiss Army knife of electric basses, and its' versatility was part of the initial appeal for me. I cover a lot of different gigs: rock, jazz, R&B, originals. I want my baby back! :crying:
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

bump: Sent an email to the Gibson repair dept., so maybe they know something that the sales dept. doesn't.

Keep trying, UGF'ers! WIFEY WANTS TO TRASH IT!! HELP!!!!:omg:
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

I've considered using Fender replacement parts to duplicate the function, but even a 5-way Strat superswitch doesn't have enough taps.

Looking at the schematic, a superswitch would work. You would have 2 posistions duplicated, but it will do what you want.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

bump: OK, Reload, school me. I'm open to anything.

edit: still looking for the original, but if it'll fit in the same slot, I'm willing to try it. Anyone with mil-spec parts knowledge?
 
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Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

If it has similar overall construction to the current Oak switches you may be able to rob the part from a new one. Otherwise I would look at making the part, or something that works in it's stead. You could also get the same switching from a Superswitch, but then you'd have to make up two new options or leave two positions blank. Or you could a superswitch and modify the clicker to get you three detents. Or get both a three way and a superswitch and transplant the clicker. That's my ideas for the day.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

So looks like each pickup is 2 coils, and has the out (red) and 2 coil taps (blue and green)
Position 1 is red on coil 1 connected to red on coil 2. Position 2 is blue to blue, position 3 is green to green.
This is duplicated for the 2 pickups.
A superswitch has 4 switches with 6 lugs each. Lets consider 2 sets of lugs for each pickup. The 2 commons have a jumper, lug one is red, 2,3,4 is blue, and 5 is green. posistions 2,3,4 are all the same as your old middle. Hears a horrible drawing. You would replicate on the other 2 sets of lugs for the other pickup.
Triumph.jpg
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

bump: Working out the superswitch solution. Still hoping for an OEM miracle, though.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

bump:

Gibson repair email: "Sorry, can't help you." Basically, they confirmed that the switch was a custom OEM piece, made by O-G for the LP Recording and Triumph models.

My plan B is the superswitch, but I'm still looking for the original dual-wafer, 12-terminal 3-way. Ping all Gibby heads!
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

Is there anyone around that can custom make a switch? What about eBay... maybe someone is selling used parts.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

^What he said -- is anyone making custom switches? If SD and others are hand-winding pups, surely there's a human somewhere making switches.

edit: emailed rareguitarparts.com in Baltimore; searched the Bay. TOD dominates guitar parts listing; no wonder, eBay owns the co.!
 
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Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

I wonder if they make copies? Buy one, rob the parts, and sell the rest to recoup some of the money.
 
Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

My honey's rare; acc'g to best info, they were only made between '71 and '79. I got mine used in '87, consignment sale... $225 US. It was beat up, but I don't care. It's my sound.

edit: No copies exist that I've seen. This is one of Les Paul's genius circuit designs -- doesn't need a direct box, plugs straight into the mixing board. It's basically an LP Recording bass with an internal transformer.

Grabbing one in poor-to-fair condition would cost anywhere from $650-800. Vintage prices are getting weirder every day.
 
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Re: Parts needed for LP Triumph repair (see my avatar)

I had thought I had seen an Agile a little while ago for only a few hundred. Probably wouldn't work too well.
 
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