3way switch!!

Metal89

Metal89

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This is rather irritating. So there I was rocking out with my Dinky and Marshall, I switch from the neck pickup to the bridge and even though everything is dimed out on the guitar the 81’s output sounded like it was cut in half.

I finicked around with the switch a tad and boom! Back to high gain high output. But it did it again as I was messing with some ideas, and it’s only the bridge position. I opened it up and carefully plugged it in, I had unscrewed the switch so I could switch it back and forth seeing what’s going on.

So it may be a short in the wiring at that specific terminal as some of the wire is slightly exposed and not soldered.

I can see how it would be missed as i couldn’t see it unless I had removed it. So I screwed everything back carefully tried to make sure the wires sat where it wasn’t causing the exposed wire to short out where it shouldn’t be touching. Went back to jamming

Same thing, every single time and it’s now shorting our randomly without moving from the bridge. Middle and neck are just fine.

So is this just a case of “take it back make the tech resoder that terminal”? Or replace the 3 way blade switch? If so what’s a good quality sturdy switch? As I tend to switch on the fly, havn’t done it with this axe as I’m getting used to the position of the switch and have actually been gentle with it. Any insight would be awesome!
 
Metal89 said:
If so what’s a good quality sturdy switch? As I tend to switch on the fly, havn’t done it with this axe as I’m getting used to the position of the switch and have actually been gentle with it. Any insight would be awesome!
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I assume you have a blade-type switch.

Anyway, if your Dinky is like mine, your options may be limited. I investigated a CRL switch or an Oak-Grigsby switch for mine back when I did all my mods to my Jackson. Because my top is arched, the body thickness at the stock switch location is too thin for either of those. The import type switch is the only one I’ve found that would fit.

So, be sure to measure carefully.

As for your current situation, I’d just start by resoldering myself.
 
Ah, that’s what I was afraid of. Yup, it’s a blade, and yup mine is archtop as well. Will definitely start with resoldering then!
 
Metal89 said:
Ah, that’s what I was afraid of. Yup, it’s a blade, and yup mine is archtop as well. Will definitely start with resoldering then!
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Smitty knows his stuff, Metal. I have no experience with these Jackson's except for holding and trying Smitty's at my favorite used gear store.
Is your Dinky one that has EMG 81 and 85? Can you post pics of the guitar so I know what I am looking at? Front and Back, Neck and Headstock etc?

I have some thoughts but want to get them clear in my head so as not to put out false info by trying to advise before I have all the facts.
Is your guitar an import or USA guitar? I see you say it has an arched top. Does it have a cover plate behind the switch and another behind the controls? Or is it like a Strat with Pups mounted in a pickguard? SORRY to be so clueless about Dinky's. I know when I first learned about Ibanez Jems, I know they have their own forum. Maybe the Dinky's do too? Might be another good place to see if others have encountered your same problem.
 
Metal, I was googling around for people who experienced similar issues. In the Marshall amp forum, a player with a 5 way switch had issues. Here is his result.


Jackson pickup selector not working properly
The problem has been found.

I was taking photos for Buggs and thought I'd spray some contact cleaner on the switch.....that did nothing.
Then i plugged the guitar into an amp and moved the wiring around while in 3rd position, low and behold! finally some sound!
See photos below.

PROBLEM FOUND: The ground wire was just sitting there (not soldered properly) with the other ground wires that were soldered near the screw in 2nd photo.

Thanks Buggs and BlueMoon for giving me some tips that steered me in the right direction.
 
Just saw this as I am getting back in my car from dropping the guitar back off at the shop. The tech resoldered it and it was still having the issue, plugged into multiple amps including a fender and same issue. He did check the ground wire, making sure everything was solid and nothing else was exposed or touching anything. So he had a replacement switch which he looked closely at that he believes may work for 10$.

As far as pics I do have some. It’s an import and there’s only one plate for the electronics, the only other plate is for the springs for the Floyd.
 

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LOL everytime I open her up I keep thinking it looks like a bomb. Thanks for your help though! The tech is pretty confident it’s the switch itself. It’s like there’s a sweet spot for the bridge position and it’s just not hitting it. So I’m hoping the new switch he has fits and works
 
Well I just got a phone call from the tech saying it’s ready to go. So I’m assuming it fit and the problem is fixed.

I’m going to pick it up tomorrow.
 
Update: got my guitar back and holy crap what an improvement! so yes, definitely was the switch itself. the new one is much smoother both in feel and tonal transition. So far playability of a $320 jackson is really good in my opinion, the license floyd rose seems to be really stable, electronics seem to be crap. So in most cases may be better to just save up to get a more expensive Jackson unless you are just getting a modding platform.

Next on the block, my pelham blue epiphone SG les paul custom. this time... I'm going to go ahead and get a new toggle switch to upgrade.
 
Metal, I am glad it has seemed to all work out. When you can, I'd love seeing a pic of your Jackson, or at minimum a Web shot off the internet of one like it.
 
Metal89 said:
Update: got my guitar back and holy crap what an improvement! so yes, definitely was the switch itself. the new one is much smoother both in feel and tonal transition. So far playability of a $320 jackson is really good in my opinion, the license floyd rose seems to be really stable, electronics seem to be crap. So in most cases may be better to just save up to get a more expensive Jackson unless you are just getting a modding platform.

Next on the block, my pelham blue epiphone SG les paul custom. this time... I'm going to go ahead and get a new toggle switch to upgrade.
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Did you ever see my Jackson Mod thread?

I got some ideas if you REALLY want to get nuts!
 
I love all those brands actually. Jackson really caught my eye because of the headstock and I've always loved super strats.
Actually I did glance at it once before Smitty but definitely post the link, im interested in taking a look.
just waiting a week and I'm ordering EMG 57 and 66 combo in chrome covers for my SG.
 
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