Loss of gain on pickups

[hi13ts]

I've been experiencing this problem with both my Fender Bass and my Les Paul, but with the LP, it only happens when I switch from the bridge pickup to the neck pickup. When I switch from the bridge pickup to the neck pickup, sometimes it sounds as the though the pickup "de-activates" or hasn't been fully turned on. It has a lack of gain, but it still produces sound. The remedy has been to switch back to the bridge pickup and then switch back to the neck pickup. Or sometimes I just need to strum loudly and hit the strings to the pickup. I don't really know what's the problem, but I doubt it's the amp or the effects pedals. My other Les Pauls and Strats haven't had this problem, so I'm guessing it's the guitar that's experiencing the problem. Any information or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[RichCI]

Since it's happening with two different instruments, I'd try a different cable to make sure the one you're using isn't shorting out; while not likely, it could still happen when switching pickups perhaps the cable gets jiggled a bit in the motion while switching. Might as well rule out the easy stuff first before grabbing a soldering iron.

[MikeRom]

Easist thing to try is the guitar cord but also try eliminating everything but the guitar from the signal chain. If the probelm still exists and you're using a different cord there may be an issue with the guitar. Faulty switch maybe or bad solder joint some where.

[GavinGuitar]

When you mentioned that flicking the pickup selector back and forth again works, it sounds like maybe there isn't good contact when in the bridge position. I haven't had the problem with my Gibson, but was actually somewhat recurring on an older Epiphone. I would just have to open the pickup selector cavity on the back and make sure the metal was making clean contact in all positions.

 

Since you said it happens with another instrument and that strumming loudly sometimes fixes it, that doesn't fit with the above, though...

[HeadCase]

My Studio had this problem you're describing. It turned out to be the pick up

selector switch. I was gonna replace it but all I needed to do was bend the metal contacts a little.

Good luck!

[GavinGuitar]

Headcase, that's the same solution that I ended up using. No soldering necessary - a pretty risk free repair.

[hi13ts]

Thanks for the replies, I'll go get a luthier to check it up.

[Explorer]

From your description, my first look would be at the guitar cable sounds like there is an internal short. Second I would check your selector switches, with the cover off test your switch and make sure the contacts touch. Easy fix is to use pliers to bring the contacts back together. Or it could be a solder joint that fell apart from vibrations, which happens on rare cases. Its not worth taking to a luthier. He is going to charge you a bench fee of $35, plus parts $15+markup for something you could easily fix yourself. There are a lot of great resources out there for DIY work. Granted I still take my guitars to the shop for advanced set up such as fret dress, nut grooves and usually truss rod adjustments.