Bad LP Switch?

TD_Madden · 03-24-2009, 07:37 PM

I just started having a problem with a MIJ (not for export) Epiphone LP Special....a very nice guitar.

The pickup selector switch seems to have gone buggy...when set to select the neck pickup, there's no volume unless the bridge pickup volume is turned up...if it's zero, there's NO sound from the neck pickup. The bridge setting and the combined setting both work as expected...it's only the neck setting that's screwy.

I've eyeballed the wiring in the main cavity and don't see anything strange, but haven't yet pulled the switch.

Is there a test I can do with my meter to see if indeed the switch is at fault?

Thanks in advance.

David Schwab · 03-24-2009, 10:48 PM

Sounds like the switch went bad, or one of the leaves is bent.

They put really cheap parts in Epiphones, so you'd be best off replacing it.

When you have both pickups on, it will work just as you mentioned. Turning one all the way off turns them both off. That's normal for Gibson wiring.

TD_Madden · 03-24-2009, 11:14 PM

Yes, I knew that when both were on, turning off the volume to one would do that.....I'm wondering why it just failed all of a sudden.

TD_Madden · 03-25-2009, 05:17 PM

So the next question would be, should I replace it with another (presumedly metric) replacement or drill the hole out for a SAE-spec'd swtich?

jrfrond · 03-26-2009, 04:15 AM

First of all, as Daid explained, that effect is normal for Gibson wiring, but THAT can be remedied by reversing the input and output leads on the volume pots. By wiring the pickup hot lead to the wiper, the output is a constant resistance, and alleviates this "problem".

The enclosed "box" switch used in most Asian guitars utilizes small, flimsy internal contacts. If you want a switch that won't crap out, use a Switchcraft toggle as in Gibson guitars.

TD_Madden · 03-26-2009, 06:20 PM

I ended-up just pulling the switch and fooling with the leafs until it worked right. I'll eventually replace it, but for now I'm avoiding any drilling.

Thanks.

Plucky · 03-28-2009, 08:39 AM

If you need a switch that will fit and is also better quality, the Allparts switches are great. Much like their longer Switchcraft counterparts, they have corrosion-resistant contact points embedded in the leaves. The stock Epiphone switches don't have that.

http://www.allparts.com/store/electr...00,Product.asp

03-24-2009, 07:37 PM	#1
TD_Madden Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 693	Bad LP Switch? I just started having a problem with a MIJ (not for export) Epiphone LP Special....a very nice guitar. The pickup selector switch seems to have gone buggy...when set to select the neck pickup, there's no volume unless the bridge pickup volume is turned up...if it's zero, there's NO sound from the neck pickup. The bridge setting and the combined setting both work as expected...it's only the neck setting that's screwy. I've eyeballed the wiring in the main cavity and don't see anything strange, but haven't yet pulled the switch. Is there a test I can do with my meter to see if indeed the switch is at fault? Thanks in advance. Last edited by TD_Madden; 03-24-2009 at 09:49 PM.

03-24-2009, 10:48 PM	#2
David Schwab Pickup Maker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 5,610	Sounds like the switch went bad, or one of the leaves is bent. They put really cheap parts in Epiphones, so you'd be best off replacing it. When you have both pickups on, it will work just as you mentioned. Turning one all the way off turns them both off. That's normal for Gibson wiring. __________________ Those who create are rare; those who cannot are numerous. Therefore, the latter are stronger. - Coco Chanel www.sgd-lutherie.com www.myspace.com/sgdlutherie www.myspace.com/davidschwab

03-24-2009, 11:14 PM	#3
TD_Madden Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 693	Yes, I knew that when both were on, turning off the volume to one would do that.....I'm wondering why it just failed all of a sudden. Last edited by TD_Madden; 03-25-2009 at 05:16 PM.

03-26-2009, 04:15 AM	#5
jrfrond Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Oceanside, NY Posts: 718	First of all, as Daid explained, that effect is normal for Gibson wiring, but THAT can be remedied by reversing the input and output leads on the volume pots. By wiring the pickup hot lead to the wiper, the output is a constant resistance, and alleviates this "problem". The enclosed "box" switch used in most Asian guitars utilizes small, flimsy internal contacts. If you want a switch that won't crap out, use a Switchcraft toggle as in Gibson guitars. __________________ *John R. Frondelli* dBm Pro Audio Services, New York, NY

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03-25-2009, 05:17 PM	#4
TD_Madden Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 693	So the next question would be, should I replace it with another (presumedly metric) replacement or drill the hole out for a SAE-spec'd swtich?

03-26-2009, 06:20 PM	#6
TD_Madden Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 693	I ended-up just pulling the switch and fooling with the leafs until it worked right. I'll eventually replace it, but for now I'm avoiding any drilling. Thanks.

03-28-2009, 08:39 AM	#7
Plucky Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 20	If you need a switch that will fit and is also better quality, the Allparts switches are great. Much like their longer Switchcraft counterparts, they have corrosion-resistant contact points embedded in the leaves. The stock Epiphone switches don't have that. http://www.allparts.com/store/electr...00,Product.asp

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