Scratchy pickup switch

sennin

I have an 85 strat and the switch is getting really scratchy. replace it or what's the best fix?

Pacomc79

sennin wrote:

I have an 85 strat and the switch is getting really scratchy. replace it or what's the best fix?

contact cleaner/lubricant. I use Caig Deoxit.

If you find a quick drying formula that's usually best, so it dosen't drip all over the place.

You can probably get some at Frys Electronics or Radio Shack what have you or a music store.

http://www.caig.com/

just spray it on and operate it a few times, that should clean up the dust.

2-feign-reluctance

sennin wrote:

I have an 85 strat and the switch is getting really scratchy. replace it or what's the best fix?

how about a pickup on an epiphone les paul? same solution?

Pacomc79

2-feign-reluctance wrote:

how about a pickup on an epiphone les paul? same solution?

The pickup itself is scratchy or the pots and the switch?

I'd spray the inside of the pots and the switch and the contact first and see if that helps get rid of some corrosion.

sennin

Pacomc79 wrote:

The pickup itself is scratchy or the pots and the switch?

I'd spray the inside of the pots and the switch and the contact first and see if that helps get rid of some corrosion.

The contacts on the switch. It plays fine...but when I switch the switch it scratches.

Pacomc79

sennin wrote:

The contacts on the switch. It plays fine...but when I switch the switch it scratches.

ok, just spray the contact cleaner inside the switch and try to get it on all the moving parts, that should fix it.

ianvomsaal

Yup, this stuff works great (been using it for years): click: CAIG DeoxIT
You can typically find it at most decent Guitar Center and Sam Ash stores.
However, some of their smaller chains might not have it in stock anymore.

who's_pearljam?

Sennin! You're playing it!
I can't find that thread where we fixed up the strat, but glad to see you're using it.

Yes, Deoxit is great. It is the magic spray which fixes anything! It's the WD-40 of the electronic world. Pull the pickguard off and spray the contacts on the switch, and get all the pots while you're at it, too.
If it DOESN'T work, then:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/Lever-action_Pickup_Switches.html

You want a 5 way switch. You could probably get one at Guitar Center. You probably aren't going to need one, though.

sennin

who's_pearljam? wrote:

Sennin! You're playing it!
I can't find that thread where we fixed up the strat, but glad to see you're using it.

Yes, Deoxit is great. It is the magic spray which fixes anything! It's the WD-40 of the electronic world. Pull the pickguard off and spray the contacts on the switch, and get all the pots while you're at it, too.
If it DOESN'T work, then:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/Lever-action_Pickup_Switches.html

You want a 5 way switch. You could probably get one at Guitar Center. You probably aren't going to need one, though.

http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=233640



THANKS!

who's_pearljam?

sennin wrote:

http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=233640



THANKS!

Haha, I typed a lot in that thread! I guess we never followed up, but it sounds like you're playing that Strat, though!