IBANEZ PICKUP SELECTOR - A NIGHTMARE TO FIT | INSTALL A VLX91 SWITCH TO AN IBANEZ RG | AGGRO & SCARY

How to fit a VLX91 pickup selector switch to an Ibanez Guitar? Yes, you might think that it's easy to install a new switch? You would be wrong!
This all started when I was setting up a Helix rack a week or two ago and instantly I was getting a tone that sounded like a tube had failed on my tube amp (I was using the 4 cable method) - it was horrible. So much so that I switched off the amp immediately.
Well after investigation it turned out to be the pickup selector switch on my trusty Ibanez RG550LTD that I have used since the 90's. Thinking wider than I normally might, I bought a VLX91 selector switch that is typically fitted to the Ibanez JEM 7VWH and similar high end Ibanez guitars to 'upgrade' the old selector switch. Silly me!
My guitar has two Seymour Duncan pickups (a 'Jazz' in the neck and a 'Lil Screaming Demon' in the middle and a Dimarzio 'EVO 2' in the bridge. And those are the first problem. Oh yours is similar? Let the fun begin.
Watch this video to see some (but not all) of the aggravation that I experienced trying to fit this VLX91 switch to my Ibanez - even with diagrams from Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio AND Ibanez. I have some really good advice too at the end of the video if you want to fit a VLX91.
The internet was full of guys trying to figure out how this all worked, but alas I never did find anyone that made any real success of it and documented it all. I have to admit I did not document it either... but watch the video and learn from my 'mistakes'. I tell you what you need to know and it's not the answer you might think.
No links on this video, but it might help to show you what a nightmare that these switches can be - even on an Ibanez! And this video is entirely not sponsored in any way so you get a genuine overview from an ordinary user.
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#ibanez #vlx91switch #ibanezpickupselector

[@jessehuerta2028]

Love it. Great video. Something different from an amp. Yet, every bit as informative and practical.

[@tonymckenziecom]

I wish it had been more informative really. This was (although it worked) a fail on my part. I wanted to document it all as the ultimate solution for the wiring but alas by the time I had it going it was long past my bedtime :) Later off camera I fitted a Fender 5 way which slotted in, fitted perfect and works wonderfully for a fraction of the cost of the VLX91 switch! Best not do it! :) Thanks... and stay safe.

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

I'm sitting next to 3 Ibanez Rgs, yesterday I talked to my friend about soldering and a 7 way pick up selector..and I get this video in my feed.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha that has to be an omen. I did do it, but for me basically not that good and aggro in buckets. I later removed it and fitted a regular old strat one :). Remember I said it! and stay safe.

[@TheMeJustMe75]

I have an RG470 that I bought in 1994. The 5 way selector seems to have seen its last days. I bought a Dimarzio 5 way switch and on the back of the bix it says strat style in small letters. Going to probably change the original pickups to DiMarzio.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Eventually (after this video) I DID change it for a strat style switch just FYI. On the pickups I use Seymour JB for the bridge, a SC sized screaming demon in the middle (I don't use it) and for the neck a Seymour 'Jazz' pickup. The Jazz pickup reduces the flubbiness of the neck tone and I find it particularly good for rock stuff. Thanks for watching.

[@bb_lz9790]

If your goal is for a "normally-wired" (or maybe traditionally-wired is a better term) Strat style guitar, then a superswitch like the VLX91 is overkill. If you want to do non-standard wiring, then you need one. When I use a superswitch, I first determine what I want to happen in each position. Then I make a table to see where each pickup's leads need to go in each switch position. That helps me determine how I'll use the switch's contacts since a superswitch has 4 independent sets of them. Of course, you probably already know that... After I determine how each set of contacts needs to be wired. I'll determine which set gets which wiring to make the overall wiring job easier and more tidy (if possible). Only then does the soldering iron come out...

[@tonymckenziecom]

Thanks for this information as it might help some guys. While I did make it work... ultimately I later changed it for a regular Fender 5 way switch... The VLX91 seems a complex switch (I don't doubt it). But with the other brands of pickups too and no really simple diagram it took me many hours. I think your comment of 'overkill' was right but I had to learn the hard way. My intention was to do the job, create proper documentation etc. which might help others, but I spent so long on this in reality it worked, but it was a fail on my part. And I admit it! :) Good info from you though and thanks for posting it. Ha even with the 7VWH wiring it remained a difficult task because the two brands of pickups had the same colors (among other stuff) but you used different wires... hence my jibe at wiring colors and no standardization from the two biggest brands out there. At least I tried :) I love Ibanez and the RG550LTD so the 5 way went in because I don't want to go back. Thanks... and stay safe.

[@erikpaterson1404]

You've given me hope Mr Tony Mc. I've recently procured two brand new dimarzio pickups and two brand new pots (same brand) that ibwant to install in my rga42fm... for obvious reasons. I'm pretty intimidated, it'll be my first foray into modifying a guitar. But I'm going to follow your advice... Will also to remember to maintain a sense of humor. Thanks

[@tonymckenziecom]

Use a standard switch! I came back later and did just that! :). Thanks.

[@ranman58635]

Thanks, I just got on dropped off to work on. Unfortunately he gave me a switch craft. I need exact same cause I can duplicate.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Man these switches I found hard to use for sure... and later I just flipped it to a Fender one :( Thanks for watching.

[@rogerspahn]

Does anyone here know where to get or have the schematic for the VLX91 pickup switch ?

[@tonymckenziecom]

Hard to find. I might have had it at one stage and I'm pretty sure it IS on the net somewhere... thanks.

[@joeyvanostrand3655]

I have a 2000 RG7620 that's has a scratchy volume pot. I opened up the back as one does, and after about a half hour or staring at it like a neanderthal with a laptop I sprayed the pot with some DeOxIt and screwed the cover back on. Going to cost me $60 at my local guy's shop to get the pots replaced when they finally die. As long as I don't have to figure out that craziness, money well spent.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha I agree :). I guess I could have done a similar thing, but when I saw the wiring - it all came flooding back to me like a dream... I just had to fix it. Shame I chose the VLX91. Later I fitted a simple Fender 5 way ;-) shhh. Stay safe.

[@hawg427]

Tony, how does your older Ibanez JEM compare to the newer model Jems made today. Not the new contraption Steve came up with but the actual JEM like your White model? I noticed that all the pots on the new Ibanez diagram have 500K pots on the diagram.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Different guys have commented about that on a video where I compared a Jem Jnr and the real 7VWH (mine). They know more than I do for sure - basically I only have the old one to refer to... many talk about the frets being different in particular and maybe different materials. I'm not so sure the rest is drastically different between the old 7VWH and the new 7VWH although of course the Jem Jnr was quite different. I did not check the 7VWH pots here - the switch was really my focus... not sure if they can be seen but I thought they were 500k pots? At least on the RG550LTD they are 500k pots now :) The guitar originally had really bad electronics when I got it all those years ago... and as you see, I helped :) But after this video I removed the VLX91 switch and fitted a regular Fender switch... the VLX91 is really quite difficult if you have different brand pickups along with diagrams that just seem wrong :( Stay safe

[@steveparkes1]

Hi Tony, I quite agree, why no standardization between pickup manufacturers??

[@tonymckenziecom]

Yes it is a bit crazy really. The worst part was they both had the same colours but on one the green and white were linked and on the other the black and white were linked. Ha ultimately I did make it work... but not for that long. I then fitted a 5 way Fender switch :) Oh well. Stay safe.

[@steveparkes1]

@@tonymckenziecom Exactly! You too.

[@gahu7]

already have this on my slim s 770 need some woodwork but it fit perfect

[@tonymckenziecom]

:) I never did solve that one and in the end fitted a simple 5 way :( Thanks for watching.

[@gahu7]

@@tonymckenziecom yes, wiring diagram for this thing is mindblowing, thats the thing you solve one day and forget on another :p

[@tonymckenziecom]

:) Exactly...

[@martinmccann8975]

Have you ever tried any of the Fgn guitars Tony ?..A friend of mine bought a T style guitar made by Fgn (Fujigen) for £449.99 recently and it is simply amazing.I hope alls well with you and yours.

[@tonymckenziecom]

That's a good question - likely to be yes and no! :) Honestly I have played so many guitars, but likely some of them were Fgn. I don't remember pulling any apart though. Man it all gets harder as I get older to try and remember some of that stuff... Ha its like a blur :) But make no mistake it is now embedded in to my mind again... Yes all OK here and trust you are all OK there too. This darned virus needs going sooner than later...

[@David-ry9ly]

You can't go wrong with fujigen gakki. They have made some of the best guitars on the planet including my strat and Ibanez rgs. I'm surprised that their own FGN brand does not get more love, considering some of their made in Japan guitars are cheaper than some indonesia made ibanez guitars as well as being better made.

[@tonymckenziecom]

I always liked Ibanez myself and while I have had a few the RG550LTD and that 7VWH were the two I stuck with, this black one getting tons of punishment. Japanese guitars somehow seem to last. I have a Tokai Les Paul too (also Japanese) that is made almost exactly like a Gibson Les Paul... and honestly how they got away with that I really don't know unless its licensed. The Indonesian brands I have to say are not for me, they are different and you can tell if you played the Japanese stuff for a short while. Thanks for the comments and stay safe.

[@satchjani5953]

Hi Tony. You must have also changes the pots on the LTD? Every Ibanez I've looked into has the small pots. I wonder if the wiring is any better in the new range of Ibanez. Great content 👍

[@tonymckenziecom]

The RG550LTD was different from the offset. I bought it for $500 on eBay a very long time ago and it was all over the show and not the pickups you see in it these days. At the time I did change the pots (well spotted) and in fact all the pickups too. The 'lil screamin demon' being fitted to 'fill a hole' :) and the other two because they are great pickups. I wanted to really show exactly how I did the wiring but because of the mix of basically three brands that was not easily done. Hence my advice to change to a Fender 5 way switch... which later I did. Oh well. I don't look at the non Japanese guitars often and can't advise re the wiring, but my 'guess' is that its probably similar to how it all used to be... Stay safe.

[@scod3908]

If the pickup wire colours is what gave you trouble, you'd have experienced the same issues with a difference switch?

[@tonymckenziecom]

Nah, the switch itself was a bit of a nightmare for me (and I have been around) and eventually out came this one and a regular 5 way worked perfectly instantly :). Thanks for watching.

[@scod3908]

@@tonymckenziecom If you had a jem with the same switch and you copied the wiring, it's not an issue of the switch being complex... it's just a doubled up switch with the commons in a different layout.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Thanks for the info and I'm sure its useful to many guys... and I DO have a 7VWH but was not bothered to open that one up and I am not sure the same switch is internal although it is a Japanese model.

[@Thomasdgolden]

Great Video. I hate Super Switches for basic wiring.

[@tonymckenziecom]

And... now I do too! :) What a switch to fit? Don't bother unless your guitar already has one in there. At least I tried. Lastly (which you might like and I find funny) is that the Fender 5 way that later I fitted works perfectly well! Stay safe.

[@omeralpcetinkk]

i need ibanez sv5470f original wiring diagram, could u help me?

[@omeralpcetinkk]

i have this model and they used vlx91 and 4pdt push pull switch...

[@tonymckenziecom]

I don't have it... try dimarzio and seymour sites...

[@cramster3495]

I have no interest in rewiring a guitar, Tony, but that video was highly entertaining....thank you

[@tonymckenziecom]

I try :) and thanks for watching.

[@thetoneknob4493]

ok after watching the whole video i have to agree with you about this particular switch! its simple to wire in a fender 5 way! the vlx91 is a mess!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha I said it in my last reply :) The VLX91 is a MISTAKE! So did I really fail? Ha I did.

[@shreddyz]

Funnily enough, I did get a strat switch to replace the 3 way switch on my Ibanez S series, but it actually wouldn't fit in the cavity!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Not sure which one you have? But after this episode (really a fail) I bought a Fender 5 way switch that fitted in the RG550LTD perfectly! Is your guitar Indonesian? and what's the model... worth mentioning to others. This guitar if I remember right is about a 1998 Japanese model. Thanks for the info... useful. Stay safe.

[@shreddyz]

@@tonymckenziecom Mine is a Korean S520EX. My guess is that the S series body shape is a bit thinner than the RG? The strat switch was sticking out of the cavity by about 2mm when I installed it. If course I didn't notice until I had finished writing it! Thanks for the great vids Tony!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ah good to know that for sure. That's a useful bit of info. Ha the VLX91 might fit but then wiring it.... ouch :)

[@buckfuhtt2083]

After trying to put a Jackson J90C AND a J50 In my 81ish custom blazer WITH a phase switch AND a 5 way switch, just for poops n giggles. I am convinced that the designers at Ibanez are the same people that go to homes for the sick and aging at about 10pm to poor cooking oil up and down the freshly waxed hallway floors and on their way out pull every fire alarm they can. The new style 5 way switch is playing checkers and the first one they put in the blazers is more like playing chess,,, While drunk,,,, And high,,, On acid,,., During a 6.5 earthquake,, And a tornado(medium size),, And being shot at by a platoon of marines,,,, While Philice Filler (circa 1977) gives u a $500 lap dance,, Aaaand a large and not too bright boy in his late teens beats you severely about the head and neck with bike chain with the lock still attached. And at this very moment I am resoldering all the wiring without a diagram because that got lost in bout 92 and no capacitors because the prigs at the music store picked my girl apart 3 years ago. Not just the capacitor tho, they took my aged original nickel plated nuts and washers. Except the inverted ones around my tuning pegs because when they checked to see if they wanted them they just stripped them all the way down. I just remembered that when I took it to Alta Loma music in Cucamonga CA. Back in 89 when the J90C first came out their tech was not happy when I picked it up. I think it was the first one that he had put in an old Ibanez with a phase and 5way switch. He just handed it to and walked off screaming something about O-Capacitors and Oh look at me, I'm an Ibanez, I'm so much better because I suck to work on. Look at my switch blah blah.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha brilliant comment... and probably dead right :) Thanks.

[@wills8705]

Is that a RG550 or a RG 550 limited? 😝

[@tonymckenziecom]

The guitar is a RG550LTD... thanks and stay safe.

[@Andrew-ry7iw]

Lol, a self inflicted dog's breakfast. Bodged stuff always comes back to bite you in the end

[@tonymckenziecom]

Actually my crappy wiring (from about early 2000's had not failed (lord knows why!), but rather the switch that was in there - a three way fender looking switch. But you're exactly right and I have to admit that this WAS a fail video. The VLX91 did work for me eventually, but by the time the day had gone and I had no self penned diagram I gave up. The next day off camera I fitted a Fender 5 way :) and left the wiring in a good place. Thanks and stay safe.

[@Twobarpsi]

I replaced all my Ibanez switches with Fender style.

[@tonymckenziecom]

So yours is a Japanese Ibanez? Some say the Korean Ibanez are not wide enough and I know the Japanese one is. Would be nice to know. Thanks and stay safe.

[@Twobarpsi]

@@tonymckenziecom all of my Ibanez guitars are either Japanese or USA Customs, vintage early 90s. I have around 5 of them. 2 RG565s, 1 570, 1 RG USA Custom. I saved the original switches, and used cheap Fender type 😮. I only ever use neck or 99% of the time, bridge. No need for 5+ modes 😃. Will looks for them and see what their dimensions are.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Yes that would be very useful. Mmm you have some nice Ibanez there for sure. I never got a USA custom shop jobbie but here in the UK I believe they were ultra rare. And the price of some of the Ibanez today... it's just too much for me to pay that. I look around for perfect used high end Ibanez but not really that common.

[@Twobarpsi]

@@tonymckenziecom how do I email you? Thanks!

[@tonymckenziecom]

Easy. Go to my website tonymckenzie.com and fill in the form on there... then I'll reply and give you an email address :) Thanks.

[@aipsong]

Wiring/soldering - a skill I don't have. When I built my guitar, I let my Crimson teacher do the wiring - and it works like a charm, 2HBs, splittable, and a phase flip.

[@tonymckenziecom]

If you practise it a bit you can pick it up. Mine is by no means perfect, but I have completed some pretty big jobs so it must be reasonable :) You should practise it a bit and who knows - there might be a master solder whiz in there somewhere! Stay safe...

[@aipsong]

@@tonymckenziecom As they say - Tinker, tailor , solder sailor.

[@micheltremblay4774]

It was made by men and should be serviceable by man, if not, start over on a clean sheet. I am sure that switch will brain bug you so much that in a month, we'll have another video on the Ibanez 5 ways voodoo switch. Take care and be safe.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Nightmare switch and don't let anyone tell you it just fits... well it does, but the missing ingredient (the wiring) is then to try and figure. I did not find a single diagram that worked right. The multi brand pickups were a hindrance too. Scarily... I later just fitted a Fender 5 way :) Stay safe.

[@omarcusihuaman4261]

VLX91 is the crappiest superswitch ever made, it works with pcb traces that eventually wear out because of the constant friction. Dimarzio, CRL and oak grisby switches dont use cheap pcb, they use real contacts and lugs.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Ha I cannot disagree with you! Later I fitted a Fender one :) Stay safe.

[@thetoneknob4493]

hey im 5 min in and im still not sure whats going on...i dont like being critical unless its going to be helpful. that being said i think a quick summary at the very beginning to give us the info about the topic at hand would do wonders. that way we know a little about whats going on right off the bat.ive ben enjoying your content for yrs now.so im saying this as a fan.i hope it dose not come off condescending at all. i truly do enjoy your content! .... sincerely...joe decius

[@tonymckenziecom]

Be critical on this video - that's OK. In reality I wanted to document it all with fitting the VLX91 switch where there was not one, and in to two brands of pickups. Guys all over the internet have had trouble. I simply could not document it, I spent so long on this that while it did work in the end, later I simply ripped the VLX91 out and fitted a Fender 5 way switch and said 'stuff it'! That's the truth! I don't fail that often but this was one of the videos that I did. :( However, it does show, once you read this comment, that the best fix (I found) was fitting a Fender 5 way switch that went in in 1/2 hour, as opposed to this VLX91 that took substantial time. But at least I'm not afraid to admit this one was a failure and I wish I had never seen that switch :) No offence taken and I would have said the same. Thanks... and stay safe.

[@jimsuber6784]

Wow. What a pain in the butt.

[@tonymckenziecom]

Dead right. I stated out with about half a day (easy?) and ended up a whole day messing about. It was working but I would call it a fail. I later fitted a fender 5 way first go and perfect. The VLX91 really can be difficult... and in my case with wiring colours the same but used differently across the pickups it was very hard to do. Best get the 5 way! Stay safe.

[@officialpoa3171]

*OLD MAN WHITHERS, you have got to learn how to use EDIT and respect your viewers time!*

[@tonymckenziecom]

Who knows what that means..