Selector Switch Repair or Replacement: Spectrum S

This is a bit of a nuisance item but it's one of those things on my Mats "Fix It" list, ya know?

A few years ago I was lucky enough to find a white Spectrum S in really good shape, and cheap! I had a few minor issues with a jammed knob which I chronicled here: Spectrum Knob Removal
You'll find some current pix here: Pix

Here's the problem which I think I mentioned in one of the previous posts. During the detailing and cleanup I was working on the pots with the usual liberal amounts of contact cleaner to loosen things up. All well and good. But I was getting a lot of static-like crackling from the selector switch when moving positions (some corrosion on the contact plates). I doused the thing several times with cleaner, but couldn't get rid of the problem. So...I figured I try pulling some emery paper between the plates to scrape it off (it's all I had at the time).

Well, something went horribly wrong and I managed to bend the outside plate and pull it out of position, away from the centre contact.
Of course this wrecked the spring-like tension on the plate and I had to try and bend it back into place with limited success; I couldn't duplicate the original tension. Oh it works alright, but the throw to the bridge pup is "soft" and doesn't have that solid comfortable click anymore.

More of pain, is that it still crackles!! Arrrggh! I've been kicking myself ever since. I've left it alone for quite awhile but she's out on rotation in the music room right now, so it's on my mind to have another go a it. Does anyone have any advice about how to tackle this? Or, I suppose this could be replaced altogether, but I'm guessing the toggle shaft and tip might be another propriety design?

I'd appreciate any ideas. Cheers!

Ditch it, bro - and replace it with a new one. The little squared off plastic tip is a Matt thing, so don't lose it....

Starter for 10...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/3-way_Pickup_Switches/Straight_Toggle_Switch.html

I agree with corsair...have the switch replaced (but keep all the original parts whether they work or not). I recently had the selector switch replaced on one of my Dimension IVs. It was cracking and popping too, each time I moved it, like yours does. I had a local (reputable) music store do it for me due to my soldering skills are a...heavy. They only charged $20, re-installed the original tip, and the guitar now has it's original killer strong output the way Matsumoku had intended. Hope this helps you with your decision.

I agree with replacing the switch too. if you arent playing it because something isn't working and the fix is a couple of bucks then swap it out and get playing.

Thanks for the responses boyz...
I'm kinda leaning towards replacement but I haven't seriously looked around yet. That StewMac switch is probably the current design standard but it is quite different from the Spectrum's, eh? Modern switches have a knifing action between the contacts versus pushing the contact blades together; nothing there to bend.

I wonder though how smooth the shifting action is compared to the original? I tend to flick the switch with the pinky on my strumming hand rather than grip the tip. I wouldn't want to experience any additional resistance.

Barry wrote:Thanks for the responses boyz...
I'm kinda leaning towards replacement but I haven't seriously looked around yet. That StewMac switch is probably the current design standard but it is quite different from the Spectrum's, eh? Modern switches have a knifing action between the contacts versus pushing the contact blades together; nothing there to bend.

I wonder though how smooth the shifting action is compared to the original? I tend to flick the switch with the pinky on my strumming hand rather than grip the tip. I wouldn't want to experience any additional resistance.

I happen to have one of them right here. I'm getting my 350MA in a few hours and the switch tip is broken on it so I had already ordered the switch and will be replacing tonight. Not sure what the original switches like, this one feels a little stiff, but seems like it will be good. When the switch is in one position it pushes out one of the semi circles in the pic, neutral in the mid, and pushes the other semi circle when in the 3rd position.

sarcaster wrote:...Not sure what the original switches like, this one feels a little stiff...

Thanks sarc, I kinda had a feeling it might be. Of course it might just be a leverage thing, and you may find it easier to move once it's mounted. The original Westone is shmo-o-o-oth operating because it kind of "springs" into position. I'm very spoiled by it after all these years.

Shop around, you can get switches that are identical to the original Westone ones though most have a rounded plastic tip. Wropng country I know, but you can see the type here -
http://www.axesrus.com/axeElectronicsSwitches.htm

Cheers for that David. That should help narrow down the search over 'ere!