ataylor Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Noticed something interesting with the switchcraft pickup switch on my IBJL Casino today -- I am sometimes getting a buzzing noise when it is in the middle position -- it's just rattling enough to vibrate when i play low strings. Kind of annoying. Also, today the switch started making a little bit of a metallic "ping" sound (this is unplugged, not an electric noise) when I move the switch down (bridge pickup). It hasn't done this before. Is this something I should worry about? Any ideas what I should do? I don't want a slight little annoyance to distract me from enjoying my otherwise amazing and wonderful guitar. I thought these switchcraft jacks were supposed to be top-notch? Thanks in advance. And yes, I started noticing this issue just hours after posting about having no problems with my guitar on someone's IBJL thread... I'll knock on wood next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carverman Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Noticed something interesting with the switchcraft pickup switch on my IBJL Casino today -- I am sometimes getting a buzzing noise when it is in the middle position -- it's just rattling enough to vibrate when i play low strings. Kind of annoying. Also' date=' today the switch started making a little bit of a metallic "ping" sound (this is unplugged, not an electric noise) when I move the switch down (bridge pickup). It hasn't done this before. Is this something I should worry about? Any ideas what I should do? [b']I thought these switchcraft jacks were supposed to be top-notch?[/b]Thanks in advance. Are you talking about the 3-way switch or the jack? I would bet that neither one is genuine Switchcraft.. probably some asian knockoff. Switchcraft 3-ways have better leaf springs to provide tension. In the mid position the switch is "at rest' with both sets of leaf springs closed so that both pickups are connected to the jack. If the actuator is loose a bit..it can vibrate from the bass strings. As far as stopping it from vibrating...it's not that easy, as the switch would have to come out and you would need to adjust the contacts to be closer to the actuator. Better to just replace it at that point with a Switchcraft..if you find it annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted January 5, 2010 Author Share Posted January 5, 2010 Are you talking about the 3-way switch or the jack? I would bet that neither one is genuine Switchcraft..probably some asian knockoff. I'm talking about the 3-way pickup selector switch. And according to Epiphone, it's a Switchcraft piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Did you get it new? If so, can you take it back where you got it and tell them to fix it? If you got it online, email them and tell them about the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carverman Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Oh yes..the famous Epiphone lifetime warranty "guaranteed against defects in workmanship" etc......hmmm..maybe you could try that..take it back where you bought it and they will send it in to Epiphone at your shipping expense to and from and possibly repair it..and you can wait a month or more to get it back.. yada..yada..yada. I've nothing against Epiphone or their warranty..but if this was my guitar.. I'd be ordering a genuine switchcraft 3-way from an online store..like guitarpartsresource ( some other), ripping out that "switchcraft" 3-way, and replacing it with a switch that actually comes from Switchcraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strumbone Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Oh yes..the famous Epiphone lifetime warranty "guaranteed against defects inworkmanship" etc......hmmm..maybe you could try that..take it back where you bought it and they will send it in to Epiphone at your shipping expense to and from and possibly repair it..and you can wait a month or more to get it back.. yada..yada..yada. I've nothing against Epiphone or their warranty..but if this was my guitar.. I'd be ordering a genuine switchcraft 3-way from an online store..like guitarpartsresource ( some other)' date=' ripping out that "switchcraft" 3-way, and replacing it with a switch that actually comes from Switchcraft. [/quote'] ^^+1^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 ^^+1^^ ^^+2^^ Probably save yourself a lot of time and heartache. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks for the advice everyone, I've taken it in to a local shop for a quick swap of the selector switch. Hopefully that will be the end of my slight annoyance on an otherwise awesome guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carverman Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Thanks for the advice everyone' date=' I've taken it in to a local shop for a quick swap of the selector switch. Hopefully that will be the end of my slight annoyance on an otherwise awesome guitar.[/quote'] It should solve your problem. Most of the asian 3-ways start developing problems sooner or later. I can't remember ever having a problem with a genuine Switchcraft. They are so much rugged and have better contacts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 It should solve your problem. Most of the asian 3-ways start developing problemssooner or later. I can't remember ever having a problem with a genuine Switchcraft. They are so much rugged and have better contacts. The silly thing is that it supposedly was a genuine Switchcraft in the first place according to Epiphone's specs. Oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strumbone Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 The silly thing is that it supposedly was a genuine Switchcraft in the first place according to Epiphone's specs. Oh well. I was under the impression that Epi's were generally well constructed and finished, but the electronics (pups, switch, jack, and pots) were cheap throwaways that usually get upgraded. Switchcraft jacks and switches, are considered the best, and this quality is reflected in their price. Are you sure Epiphone states switchcraft in the specs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ataylor Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 I was under the impression that Epi's were generally well constructed and finished' date=' but the electronics (pups, switch, jack, and pots) were cheap throwaways that usually get upgraded. Switchcraft jacks and switches, are considered the best, and this quality is reflected in their price. Are you sure Epiphone states switchcraft in the specs?[/quote'] According to their initial press release, yes: http://epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=1635 -- scroll down for the specs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strumbone Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Yes sir, you are correct...Switchcraft listed in the description, as well as the specs at the bottom. It's very unusual for one of these to go bad...maybe a suspect solder connection? I wish Epi used quality parts in the Sherri's...I'm replacing all of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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