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October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | My 2003 les paul has a problem that occurs rarely. When I switch to rythem, sometimes the sound doesn't kick in full volume right away. This happens about 1 or 2 percent of the time. Any ideas of what this is and what I should do next? |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Give Kim or John a call at the Mothership and...
oh....nevermind.
sorry...that was Pavlov's dog speaking. |
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October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | I know its a Gibson, but there are alot of Les Paul players here and there are a lot of electronics experts. I thought I would throw the question out there and see if I got any GOOD feedback. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Mmmh. I know a tele's (which is what I have experience with) not a les paul but it sounds like there's some point where a connection isn't meeting right. I'd be hoping its somewhere where the switch isn't making contact. Then check that wires are secure. I'd be hoping it's not the pots (though they cost only about $5 to replace.) |
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August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | I don't really understand the description. If by "switch to rhythm" you mean that you change pickups, e.g. change the pick up selector switch, then your problem maybe your method of moving the switch. Back in my early days in the testing business, I ran across a problem where a device failed when a switch was 'placed' into its detent. The problem never ocurred when the switch was 'flicked' or 'tapped' into its detent. The issue was some contamination on the switch contacts. Try changing how you move the switch and if that makes the problem disappear, then you probably have a dirty switch.
Then again, I just might be full of ...
Let's wait to hear from BruDev, our resident guru of things guitarical. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Spray the switch w/some contact cleaner/check the soldered joints . . . |
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August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | Yeah,
Spray the switch w/some contact cleaner/check the soldered joints . . .
that's what you should do ;) |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | you need a new switch.
get a switchcraft if you can.
the new ones are not made in the USA and the quality is spotty not like the old usa ones |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | If by "switch to rhythm" you mean that you change pickups, e.g. change the pick up selector switch That's what I mean. On Les Pauls the switch is marked rythm and treble.
I'll get some contact cleaner the next chance I get and then remove the switch and clean it. Hopefully this will solve the problem. Though it happens so seldom it might take a while before I know if it is fixed. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | If the cleaner doesn't work, bend the contact inward SLIGHTLY. |
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December 2005
Posts: 37
Location: No Town, California | Just have the switch replaced. Your switch is going bad. I had a simaler issue with my Washburn BT2. I replaced the switch and problem solve....... |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | What Al said.
and Francis. |
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October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | Ok so if I change to a new switch what is involved is:
1 unscrewing the old one.
2 melting two solder conections.
3 solder the new one to the wires.
4 screw the new one back in.
Is this right? Are there potential problems I should be aware of before starting? Is this an expensive task to have a professional do? |
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December 2005
Posts: 37
Location: No Town, California | Thats basically it. If you are not real keen on soldering, then have a professional do it. You can damage the new switch with too much heat. But otherwise, thats pretty much it.
OT: Cute babies........ |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | OLJ, just make sure the soldering iron is not too hot or you could damage the switch....otherwise it is just as simple as you outlined it.
I would suggest a soldering iron in the 15-30 watt range. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . and use a heat sink. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | remember when soldering to heat the conntection NOT the solder itself. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Radio Shack use to sell a nice combo unit that had the heat sink, holder, sponge, etc for a reasonable price. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | That was back when RadioShack used to sell "useful" stuff . . .
Now . . . unless you're just looking for cables t'hook up an Xbox or a HomeTheatre . . . or buy a cel phone or a radio-controlled plastic dinosaur, 'yer pretty much S.O.L. . . . |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Agreed on the demise of Radio-Jacked stores.
I went in last week hoping for some 250K audio pots and some small connectors. I did get a an inexpensive soldering gun.
And, No, I didn't need a new phone... |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | That's a shame. Radio Shack used to have a high-end dedicated store here (Tech America or something like that) that was absolutely awesome.
They carried just about everything a DIY techkie could ever want in every shape, size, and color made. It was close to an hour drive from my house but I never even called ahead to see it they had the parts. I knew it would be there.
Sadly, they shut down about 3-4 years ago. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Should be 3 or 4 connections to unsolder/solder. |
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Switch problem?