How to Fix a Guitar Switch Cutting Out

In this video, I describe a simple solution to a common pickup selector switch issue. In most cases, this is enough to solve it perpetually.
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[@braedycain443]

DUDE. I have had this music man for months with what I thought to be a broken pickup as it made nearly no noise compared to the rest of em, I finally got annoyed enough to research and you gave me the idea of just wiggling it aggressively and it worked almost instantly, thank you for saving me hundreds of dollars and days of sadness.

[@imagee96]

I had this exact problem on my PRS S2. Started with a weak/intermittent signal and after a few weeks I had no signal at all from my bridge pickup. I ended up using some WD-40 Specialist Electrical Contact Cleaner. Instead of spraying directly on the components, I wetted the tip of a pipe cleaner and used that to scrub the contact points of the switch. Worked great.

[@candacesmusic]

I’m going to try this! I am having this issue on my CE24

[@bigsykedaddy999]

I know this comment is a year old but I figured I'd reply just in case anyone else is considering using the WD40 contact cleaner, go for it, it's amazing! I work with electronics quite a bit and that contact cleaner is safe to spray directly onto / into the switch. It's awesome 👍👍

[@tylernewton7217]

At about 5:30 in I had to softly chuckle. Good to know I’m not the only one who has trouble getting those plates off!

[@jdb2722]

To summarize take off the back plate by the switch and spray it with electronic cleaner and wipe it off and toggle the switch.

[@ThomasJackMoore]

That would have saved so much time!!!!

[@shake7691]

Just what we guitarists needed. Been happening to my guitar....cheers!

[@TheLithGH]

Just the other day, I switched to my rear pickup, and it was just as you described!!! Low, quiet, no distortion, I was like "what the....?" So will try this or just replace the switch. Thanks for the video!

[@OTBOPU11]

Just fixed what I thought was a problem with the neck pickup on my ES-335. Thank you!

[@jenrikif5840]

This issue also happen to my schecter's toggle switch. Now i'm trying to solve like u did before i buy the new one. Thanks brother! 🤜🏻💥🤛🏻

[@astewart9410]

My 2005 Epiphone Les Paul Special II, a dirt cheap guitar, has finally started to have this issue. I am totally going to try this. Thank you!

[@TheRockinDonkey]

If you have a backplate that's not coming up, you can use a suction cup provided there's no engraving and you can get a good seal. If I can't get a good seal, i'll try running a guitar string or a small screwdriver through a screw hole on the plate, so I will be unlikely to scratch the finish in a visible area.

[@808stevan]

Never tried the suction cup but think it’s brilliant…I use a small bit of duct tape….works every time but the suction cup is the winner from now on….

[@JackPeloquin]

That intro music!!!! I know it from somewhere… but I’m here for the pots! Cheers!!!

[@mikemurdock7234]

Thanks for this video. I am currently having this issue with an Epiphone ES-339. Like you, it's also my favorite guitar. Problem started happening sometime in the past 8 months but has gotten quite bad since then. I think I might just have to take it somewhere to have it looked at though. Les Pauls and Strats are so much easier to do maintenance since you can loosen some screws and take a look at things. I'm scared to loosen anything on my ES due to how everything is routed through the F hole.

[@timsgarage1861]

Thanks for the tip. Sucks when you chip something. I've learned to always stick something in the screw hole to pry open not the edge.

[@StaleMovesMcGee]

5:30 is me everytime i need to be delicate and wind up breaking something 😂 thx for the video i now know how to fix my PRS

[@maxpower975]

Thanks Jake for the tip, I'm having the same problem and I have the feeling it's gonna work.

[@LukeA1223]

Use the screw in the screw hole, lean it a little to the side till it slightly catches and lightly pull straight away (90 degrees from the back) from the guitar will keep you from having to touch up the clear coat or paint.

[@RT-by4xr]

I use a suction cup.

[@OrvinReyes]

Yeah this. Was flinching when he was prying it open with a screwdriver lol

[@andycorrado2476]

Suggestion ,just lightly clean and maybe need to scrape , sand , the inside of the wood in the cavity , a bit ,and the cover will go on and come out easier

[@jagman745]

To pull off the switch cover plate and not damage the finish I used a small suction cup.

[@rupe82]

There was a tiny piece of sellotape on the contact point on my switch, I have no idea how that got there. I removed it and also sprayed the contact points, no more issues 👍

[@andyjett]

I have really weird situation on my Les Paul - bridge it usually cuts out in March when it sort of "gathers" cold temperature during the winter. So weird. Then when it gets warmer outside again it starts working as normally usual!

[@dadahall10]

Jeezus, get to the point.

[@wayneholman1761]

Ha ha😂I thought exactly that,state the obvious eh lol 😂

[@DougHinVA]

Too much talk and explanation ... Skip it. A 3-way switch is easy to install, but you have to be able to solder in the 3 connections. Many fellows cannot for one or more reasons (some fellows are clumsy or poor at soldering, or are old with shaky hands or poor eyesight or a bad place to work.) So consider if having a shop install a new switch (about $15-20) may be the solution. It is a new switch, you will likely never wear it out, and a pro will install it for you. Some things are NOT worth doing for yourself and this may be one!

[@Olegstuff21986]

Those little round plates are a pain in the ass, I have a Grestch with similar ones. I think the trick should be actually spinning them out once the screws are out.

[@armanpgrigorian]

Great video, I'll definitely try this on my bad switch. Also any chance you can tell me how you got that levy's leather's elastic strap? Been looking everywhere for one but its all sold out

[@jakepoolmusic7061]

I keep hearing that... it's too bad. I've had a lot of them for a while already.

[@freddiebowers1125]

Man switch I’ve had problems with. First the Casino lousy Joe pass emperor :( both times I work the switch back-and-forth a lot like you advised and it fixed the problem haven’t tried the aerosol yet.

[@theshoehorns2653]

Park benches were invented because of you.

[@R.DrewWhitsonMusic]

Cmon man ... why would I trust a guy that can't even remove the plate 😂

[@GrahamMylett]

I have this problem with almost every guitar I have. Always On the neck pickup.

[@spyz0rz]

i'm going to have to try this on my esp bk-600. pretty sure this is my exact problem with the bridge pickup/selector

[@yashparikh4738]

You are an angel! Thank you!

[@jmbgouveia]

quality of the switch of course!!!... hugs from Lisbon.

[@danieldee5631]

Jake, what is the brand of contact cleaner that you used in the video?

[@stevo946]

Thanks bro it worked

[@jamisonlipsky8370]

why didn't you use a small screwdriver to put in the screw hole and pry it to get the switch cover off instead gouging your guitar?

[@mikey1983mikey]

It worked!! Thank you so very much!!

[@Blandwhistle8]

i just bought a brand new guitar and have this issue would u recommend i take it into a shop for it or should i do it myself?

[@doki3533]

Take to the shop where u buy it

[@Blandwhistle8]

@@doki3533 I ordered it online from schecter

[@doki3533]

@@Blandwhistle8 oh, then u should email them, or just take to any guitar shop, that will do it

[@chasetruman8676]

@@Blandwhistle8 yeah my schecter demon 7 switch is fucking up too

[@Scorchedbrain]

Thanks man! Very helpful!

[@sciencesaves]

I clicked on the video bc I saw that metal switch ring/plate/cover you have. Do they not need to be plastic? For some reason I thought they had to bend with the contour of the body, is that not the case? Thanks for the video

[@jakepoolmusic7061]

Good observation. They would just have to roll it slightly, similar to a metal jack plate.

[@jaycobyhyde2742]

That’s a badass guitar you got!

[@aydenalvarez6633]

Thanks man I just bought a used Dean Z and I thought it was busted but now it's back to screaming

[@burgerbirger2221]

Just use a small suction cup to remove back plate👍

[@jagman745]

I guess I should've scrolled down to see my valued input was redundant. 😎

[@burgerbirger2221]

@@jagman745 😂 Sorry, was a bit too trigger happy.

[@vincelee6247]

Where can i get this spray.. ?? I have this issue with 2 of my guitars. Thanks for sharing.

[@maxscardanelli6185]

Different brand but it's the same thing.

[@artax9683]

I just chipped the back of my guitar taking out a too-big back plate too. Makes me sick because the back didn't have so much as a scratch on it.

[@vincelee6247]

Where can i get this spray.. ??

[@01157ify]

Try a suction cup tp lift switch plate. While in there replace switch with a Switchcraft brand switch. All done.

[@paulinedavis8734]

Wondering if Funk it , is similar to Detoxit D5 ?... My switch is scratchy and cutting out, will try the product if I can find it at my local Guitar Store ...thanks, and I will try NOT to chip my lacquer. 🧐

[@femto3843]

hi, i wanted to ask, is there any other solution to this?

[@sheetfox2795]

i assume that can you bought is contact cleaner. double price of actual contact cleaner i assume lol. i have an esp and that plate is also a tight fit. i take the switch out the top side for that very reason. so i can push it out from the inside

[@ramaynard77]

That’s a super cool guitar!!

[@yodasecondave]

This video should have been like 2-3 minutes max

[@dulcimermanning]

I can believe that you spent all that time making a 1 min video last 10 minuets!!

[@markdude2858]

Three cables go to switch and the red go's to out put so no connection between neck and bridge

[@kremata]

The trick is good but man, this should be a 1:30 minutes videos that you extended to 10:00 minutes. But thanks for the trick.

[@DRCHE999]

I don’t want to fix the switch anymore, after two minutes.

[@brianeharmonjr]

Should have just sprayed in some from the top of the switch and let gravity do the trick. Didn’t even get to see the switch, just you chipping the finish on your guitar.

[@JohnnyGuitar]

You’re hopping to spray it again, 15 years from now… I have always a can on my rig a and use it almost before any show 🤣🤣🤣

[@HereMikeWas]

My Les Paul back cover was super tight too.

[@RT-by4xr]

I ended up sanding the edges of LP plate a little to make sure it wasn't super tight in the future.

[@inreptilianclubgaming1343]

I had the same problem during a gig 😐

[@jmbgouveia]

I want to hear the guitar on clean not distortion.. thanks anyway.

[@markdude2858]

Should of took the switch out so can see my middle switch go's to neck pick up and not both,use a smaller screw driver to get that out

[@ericl7511]

Will WD40 work?

[@amon123]

Ok now time to Order spry to fix this issues i hope Gona work with me

[@Mestavo]

and then you just rinse it off with that bottle of water you got right there and your 3 way switch will be nice and clean

[@Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed]

3:20

[@brianstitt4161]

👍

[@googlename364]

you don't need to do a lacquer touch-up. It's got a scratch. who cares? does not matter...spend your money and time and effort on playing better. ... a scratch... yeesh. are you a curator or a musician? Ask yourself.

[@edwardmorton6691]

No offence ,but anyone who has as much difficulty removing the back plate as you, does not inspire confidence. just saying .

[@brianstitt4161]

Get a rag man

[@relativeparadox9567]

Eww, Gibson. But thanks for the tip.

[@jmbgouveia]

I bought a bloody Gibson and the selector dont work well it makes noise!... I have a 20 years fender and it never happened! ya?!

[@mr.gruber3573]

Please speed up the boring parts. Too long 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@tjmacjee1339]

Too much talking

[@jmbgouveia]

and for God sake the colour of that guitar is incredible ugly IMO...