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Japanese Strat

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andrewniles	Japanese Strat	Lead	[-]
Posts: 5 (07/17/2008 8:49 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Tags : None I was wondering if I could get some help. I have a 20 year old Stratocaster with two humbuckers and one singlecoil (rigged up Maidenstyle). The thing is that the pickup switch is glitching. I really like the guitar and don't want to buy something else just because a small problem like the pickup switch. If I switch the control really fast back and forth a couple of times it works again. Though this is a good solution at home I find it troublesome on stage. The amps make a scratching noise when I do it and that is quite annoying. Do you have any solution on what could be done? cheers
marlow		#1	[-]
Posts: 2629 (07/17/2008 9:39 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'd pull the pickguard and make sure that the contacts in the switch aren't gummed up with anything, and to make sure that the solder is still holding things together the way that it was meant to. It might be something as simple as a loose connection or metal no longer meeting metal in the switch. It its just totally worn out - buying and replacing a toggle is pretty cheap compared to a completely new rig. Might not be the answer - but its a start...
caboose22		#2	[-]
Posts: 557 (07/17/2008 11:29 PM) I'm never speaking up again... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Yeah, don't toss a MIJ strat just because $5 worth of electronic are crapping out!! Take the strings off, unscrew the pick guard and see if any thing looks bad (Marlow's steps are dead on, use them), and try and decide if whether it looks like you need to replace a switch (less than $10), replace a pot (even less $), or even just re-wire it if somethings shaken loose. Take it to a shop if you're not into soldering & wiring. I usually take this as a chance to shield strats if they aren't already. Copper Foil tape from Stew-Mac is the easiest to use IMO. I know its scary to start - but its really worth it in the long run to learn basic soldering and wiring. You can fix all kinds of stuff like this. I started in order to build a few B.Y.O.C. pedals and ending up building electric guitars for a side job.
andrewniles		#3	[-]
Posts: 5 (07/18/2008 5:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Thank's guys. I have a fear of going in an messing around on the inside of my guitar. Mostly because I'm known to be able to short circuit a computer just by looking at it. It has happened too many times for it to be funny. A bit like dr Grant in Jurassic Park. So I think I'm going to go down to one of the local music stores here in Gothenburg. Do you know if there is any site dedicated to guitar maintenance? I'm going to try both of your suggestions. Do you know how much a guitar like that is worth now a days? I paid around 800dollars (converted from Swedish crowns) five years ago. Thinking about getting some pedal as well that has a good clean-blues sound to it. What type of guitars do you play?
caboose22		#4	[-]
Posts: 557 (07/18/2008 9:43 AM) I'm never speaking up again... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'd do whatever you feel more comfortable doing - take it to a shop or re-wire it yourself. I'm not sure how much MIJ strats are worth, they're better than MIM (mexico) strats for sure. They supposed to be 'cheaper' than MIA (american) strats, but as I understand it, they're hit-and-miss. Some are only fair, but sometimes Japanese Strats are very very nice guitars. I'm not sure about a EU website - I know of several US sites - but it wouldn't be worth it to buy $15 worth of stuff and then pay $30 to ship it and another $30 in import duties just to get it. Somebody might know of one on here, don't worry. I'm definately a strat guy - but my next build will probably be my first telecaster.
andrewniles		#5	[-]
Posts: 5 (07/21/2008 10:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I'll check out some US site then. Ive noticed that many shops in Sweden lack certain details/parts but maybe I haven't looked hard enough. A friend of mine says it's just an oxygen problem and that it "coagulates" in the mechanics. To be honest I don't know the correct translation of his answer. That works for now! I haven't played on a Telecaster. I have played mostly on my Strat, and some of Gibsons guitars and Ibanez. I really like Ibanez, they have a really cool sound. Does Malmsteen play on a Tele or a Strat? Another thing: Guitar Skins...is there any major shop in the US on the Net for stuff like that?
mrdama		#6	[-]
Posts: 376 (07/21/2008 10:47 AM) I'm never over...over you. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Malmsteem does indeed play a Strat I believe...I read somewhere that he likes vintage ones these days only as they are more aerodynamic and fly better when he throws them around lol. I think you'll find most people on this forum favour Strats as well (for some reason hehe). I've read also that a lot of the older MIJ strats are really really great sounding / playing guitars, But as Caboose said they are definately not consistently that way. Quality control was obviously not the highest thing on there agenda, but if you have a great one, don't get rid of it over something that could be sorted out with a bit of solder or even switch cleaner etc. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
jordanazor		#7	[-]
Posts: 318 (07/21/2008 3:43 PM) I'm never speaking up again... Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts Report Post	I was in your boat a few weeks ago, actually. I love my 70-something Jap even though it has a God-awful Candy Apple Red Sparkle paint job. The joy of guitars is that they're passive. Unlike pulling apart a computer you'd be pretty hard pressed to irreconcilably damage your electronics. I had no real experience and managed to swap out the pots, 5-way and resolder the jack. Good as new. Although I'm not going to admit how many times I had to open her back up because of stupid things like forgetting the earthing etc. Just crack it open and you might learn something.

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