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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 36
Location: San Fernando, CA | Hello all:
I know I should have asked the question elsewhere but I feel more comfortable here as so many knowledgeable members and all of you are very nice and are willing to help others.
Here's my question: I have a Japanese made "Aria"
electric guitar (looks identical to a Gibson SG) which was given to me as a birthday gift by my late father back in the 70's. I haven't played this guitar for 10 years since one of the pickups (at the bridge)does not have any sound at all. Since my father recently passed away and I wanted to fix this guitar up (for sentimental reason) so that when I play this guitar I would feel that my father was still with me.
Anyway, one of my friends feels that all I needed was to replace the bridge pick up and I did it last night, but the problem still exists. My question is:
1) Could this be a 3-way toggle switch problem? (when it switch to "treble", the guitar sounds alright, when the toggle switches to middle, the neck pickup still has sound,but not bridge pickup however, when it switches to "rhythm", it does not give out any sound at all).
2) Could this also be a Volume switch problem?
I know I could have just asked a professional guitar repair guy to fix this for me, but I really want to do it myself. I would appreciate if anyone can enlighten me on how to go about this.
Thank you.
Charles |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I'm no expert on this, but you should check the switch and controls with a multi-meter.
Also, the "rhythm" selection on the toggle usually is for the neck, not the brige pick-up. Are you sure you swapped out the correct pick-up?
Was the guitar ever modified? Take a good look at all of the wiring. Here' a Gibson wiring diagram . Perhaps that will help figure things out. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Not sure what you are asking for. It could be anything.
This thing doesn't have a stereo output that requires a TRS plug, does it? I'd make sure of that first.
Beyond that, I would:
1) Go over all the connections and make sure they are good. You might even go to the trouble to re-solder them all, just to make sure.
2) Toggle switch, having moving parts, is the first thing I'd suspect. Try blowing it out with some contact cleaner (careful...that stuff will destroy the finish on the guitar).
3) Next go after the volume and tone pots with some contact cleaner.
If that doesn't get you there, start replacing stuff, starting with the toggle switch. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Either the Pup is grounded/shorted or the power lead is disconnected somewhere.
3 Way and 5 position Switch Explained
2 HBs, 1 Volume, 1 Tone and a 3 Way switch
Look for something broken or grounded. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | How about taking it to a guitar guy? |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | Hi, If it's similar to an SG, I presume you have two volume controls and two tone controls ??
I think it very unlikely to be a pick up problem at all unless a wire has become disconnected.
When you switch to `Treble' how do you mean it sounds `alright'? This should just activate the bridge p/up.
Middle should activate both.
Rhythm should activate the neck p/up.
Sorry, but you were saying the bridge p/up has no sound, but then when you switch to treble it's `OK'
Has anyone `messed' with the wiring at any time ?
I would tend to go for the 3-way switch first, but one of the volume controls also sounds suspect.
Now here's a relly stupid question- Have you got both Volume and Tone controls turned up ?
Try them in both directions !!!
Clyde
I would definately be looking at the toggle switch |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | Please ignore the last line on my last post !
I was just thinking out loud ! Clyde |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Did you do a visual inspection for loose wires from the pup to output, with careful attention paid to the toggle? |
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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 36
Location: San Fernando, CA | Thank you all for the input.
I must have mixed up with the "Rhythm and Treble" washer sign. Mitchrx, you're right, the rhythm/neck
pickup has sound coming thru the Amp good.
The treble/bridge pickup does not pick up the sound of the string at all. Jeff, I will try to pick up the contact cleaner this weekend and see if that was the problem.
Clyde, yes, this guitar has two volume controls as well as tone controls. What I meant "sound alright" was the pickup produce clear sound from the strings thru the amp.
I'll follow all of your suggestion and check things out to see if I could identify the problem.
Thank you all.
Charles |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Mitchrx:
I'm no expert on this, but you should check the switch and controls with a multi-meter.[/QUOTE
Using the multi-meter is the quickest way to troubleshoot your circuitry. Find an audiophile or 'puter geek buddy with a meter that knows how to perform continuity checks.
He could also check/compare the coils in the pups.
Good luck! |
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Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | It's a common problem with the pickup select switch on older Japan made guitars. I'd replace the switch AND replace the original pickup.
The older Japanese pickups have a lower output then newer pickups, so a new pickup with an old one would be mismatched. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | The Ep-4366-028 or EP-4366-023 at GuitarPartsResource are exact replacements. The only difference between the two is the color of the switch knob. |
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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 36
Location: San Fernando, CA | Thank you all for the information and I certainly learned a lot here.
BruDev, thanks for the parts place for the replacement toggle switch. I wouldn't know how to locate them.
Charles |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | OK, then - a 3 way switch problem, or the volume control of the p/up which is not working.
CLyde |
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Sorry for this electric guitar question...