Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

[Frogman]

There's something going on with my Les Paul's toggle switch. I probably didn't notice it because of the neck pup output problem before.

Bridge only (down): totally normal.
Neck only (up): totally normal.
Middle: here's where it acting up.
-when I switch to the middle position, 80% of the time the only the bridge pup is playing (usually when switching from the down/bridge-only position);
-15% of the time (and usually when I switch from the up/neck-only position to the middle) only the neck pup is playing;
-the other 5% (maybe less %) of the time, when I switch to the middle position, there's either no sound or just a slightly audible signal.

I looked at the switch and all the solder joints looked good, and for good measure I even "touched up" all 3 of the joints.

Any idea what could be causing this to happen...??

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

Is it a Gibson switch or "black box" switch? (Can you literally see the contacts opening and closing or is it all in a black box with three terminals)

If its a Gibson style, I'd clean the contacts and check your solder joints all the way through from pickup to switch. If its a black box style I'd just replace it with a Gibson (and then check all solder joints from pickup to switch. )

I had a cheapie 3-way on my Epi that was doing a similar thing.

 

[Frogman]

Re: Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

It's a "black box"..

Any way to trouble shoot the "black box", or is getting a Gibson/CTS type toggle switch the only real way to go?

 

[Frogman]

Re: Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

It's a "black box"..

Any way to trouble shoot the "black box", or is getting a Gibson/CTS type toggle switch the only real way to go?

bump

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

You can use a multimeter to confirm that it is bad using the continuity mode. In the end if it does need replacing, it's really for the best long term.

 

[Frogman]

Re: Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

Is it possible to open up one of these boxes to check the contacts/connections?

I can try tonight, but if it's not possible I'll probably go ahead and order a new switch today.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Toggle Switch Issues...?!?

Order a new, quality toggle switch with contacts that you can get at when you need to.

As PF mentioned above, your contact points are probably dirty/slightly corroded. With a standard, "open" (?) style toggle, you can clean the contacts by running a piece of 600 grit sandpaper over the contacts and then cleaning with contact cleaner. This often takes care of any issues.