Gibson ES-135 neck pickup issue...

  • Thread starter Thread starter pikingrin
  • Start date Start date
pikingrin

pikingrin

what is this?
Okay, so it just started happening not more than 10 minutes ago. I'm playing through the neck pickup, I switch to the middle position to use both pickups, I switch back to the neck pickup and no volume. It's not completely silent, but all of the sudden it sounds as though someone has taken my amp and hidden it underneath a pile of clothes on the other side of the house. I tried working with the pickup selector switch some more, but nothing. I tried working the volume and tone knobs for the neck pickup, but nothing. All I can tell is that now, when I have it on the neck pickup, for some reason, it seems as though the volume knob for the bridge pickup somehow affects the overall volume (or lack of) for the neck pickup. Also, when I have the selector swith in the middle position, with both volume knobs completely down to 0, there is some weird kind of static, when I touch any of the parts that are not wood there is a pop from the amp. What the hell is going on here??? This is my blue baby, I gotta get her working again!!!

Help is appreciated!!!
 
First make sure that your cable is working - bad cables can do strange things when they have intermittent shorts. but otherwise....
The fact that you hear popping when you touch metal confirms that your ground is still attached to the bridge, so that's good, but
sounds like it's the switch to me. Can you solder? Does your 335 have a back plate to access electronics? If it doesn't, you'll have to proceed very carefully.
My '78 335 does not have a plate...

JD
 
Holy crap, that's what I was afraid of. Damn switches... :D I can solder pretty well, but there seems to be no practical way to get to it. I don't have a back plate on there other than the one behind the volume and tone pots. :confused:
 
Sorry to say that it looks like surgery through the "F" holes time...and its never a pretty thing either~ :( :( :mad:
 
Just go slow and don't pull on anything too hard and you'll be fine. Undo the collar around the switch and then gently pull it out (through the f hole). Desolder the wires or cut them close to the switch contacts if you have enough slack in the wires. Solder in the new switch using the correct solder and with good technique (there are a dozen or so websites explaining solder technique). Another person holding the switch while you solder will be helpful because you'll be very close to the face of your precious baby. If you're uncomfortable doing this, take it to someone who knows what he's doing. It will not be an expensive repair.
 
guttapercha said:
Just go slow and don't pull on anything too hard and you'll be fine. Undo the collar around the switch and then gently pull it out (through the f hole). Desolder the wires or cut them close to the switch contacts if you have enough slack in the wires. Solder in the new switch using the correct solder and with good technique (there are a dozen or so websites explaining solder technique). Another person holding the switch while you solder will be helpful because you'll be very close to the face of your precious baby. If you're uncomfortable doing this, take it to someone who knows what he's doing. It will not be an expensive repair.
Click to expand...

Here's a tip: When you loosen the collar and before you pull the switch out through the F hole to replace it, tie a piece of string or flexible wire to the old switch and pull it through with the switch, leaving the other end hanging out through the switch hole. When you replace the switch, move the string to the new switch and use it to pull the new switch back into position.
 
ggunn said:
Here's a tip: When you loosen the collar and before you pull the switch out through the F hole to replace it, tie a piece of string or flexible wire to the old switch and pull it through with the switch, leaving the other end hanging out through the switch hole. When you replace the switch, move the string to the new switch and use it to pull the new switch back into position.
Click to expand...

Great advice ggun! I did the same when I cleaned the volume & tone pots on my Epi Sheraton recently, it would have been really tricky otherwise..... :mad:
 
Anfontan said:
Great advice ggun! I did the same when I cleaned the volume & tone pots on my Epi Sheraton recently, it would have been really tricky otherwise..... :mad:
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Indeed! My 335's still on the orig switch, so it's only a matter of time before I'm in the same boat. I've probably replaced 2 strat switches in the past 10 years though. What's up with those cheap things?
 
Anfontan said:
Sorry to say that it looks like surgery through the "F" holes time.../QUOTE]

Is that covered by insurance, and does it hurt as bad as it sounds???? :eek:
Click to expand...
 
It could just be dirty. Remove the switch, and use some x-fine sandpaper on the contacts. Be careful not to bend them or they won't touch when their supposed to. A tiny amount of lube will help keep them working smoothly. (We're talking just a film of lube). I've seen buffing compound, paint dust, corrosion, all sorts of gunk stop the contacts from working. Especially the neck pick-up, because it gets used less and the contacts are open most of the time.

Use the (string, or insulted wire ) trick, you'll definitely be glad you did. Also when it's time to snug the ring for the switch, put a piece of cloth over the ring first, it will help keep you from stripping the teeth or scratching the surface of the guitar. I actually have the wrench that is used on those things and it is a godsend!
 
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