Possible to wire Gretsch tone switch as pickup switch?

[chrisv313]

Long story short, a local tech sold me a switchcraft Gretsch tone switch instead of a three-way pickup toggle switch. I didn't realize there was a difference until I wired it up, and both up and down positions send to the bridge pickup, and the middle does nothing.


So... since this thing has bent prongs and is covered in solder now, they will not let me return it - but is there a way to wire this as a normal 2-pickup selector switch? It's for a Les Paul-style guitar, a 1979 Hagstrom Super Swede.


Has two lugs on one side, a ground lug and two more on the other. Here is a link to the part-->

www.amazon.ca/Gretsch-922-1006-000-Tone-Selector-Switch/dp/B003B0JKZM#customerReviews


I am not a seasoned tech, just a bit of a DIY-er so I mainly just copy whatever was already in the guitar 😅 if anyone could help me out if would be deeply appreciated!

[newey]

chrisv313-

Hello and Welcome to G-Nutz2!

Hard to tell from the photos which lugs are which, but with an open-frame switch like this, you should be able to visually see the operation as you manipulate the switch. Or you can check it with a multimeter or a continuity tester. one of the center lugs will be the common lug and should connect both outer lugs in the center position.

[mikecg]

Hello Chris,

Bad news I'm afraid - from what I can see on your Amazon link - you have been sold a rather expensive single pole, 2 way, centre-off, switch.

If I were you, I would put it in my spares box, or maybe sell it on fleabay, and buy a proper LP toggle from stewmac.com, if you are in the USA, or Allparts UK, if you are in the UK. These LP toggles come in a variety of styles, and thread sizes. If the original is missing or damaged, check on the fixing hole size - I am guessing that it will be a metric size as the guitar was made in Sweden. Next, you should check how much clearance you have below the 'soundboard' - if it is 'tight' you may need a right-angle type like this: 

www.allparts.uk.com/products/toggle-switch-right-angle

www.stewmac.com/electronics/components-and-parts/switches/switchcraft-right-angle-toggle-switch

Or if you have more room you can fit a standard LP toggle like this:

www.allparts.uk.com/products/toggle-switch-short-straight-economy?_pos=4&_sid=3b979db80&_ss=r

www.stewmac.com/electronics/components-and-parts/switches/metric-toggle-switch/


Good luck!

[newey]

mikecg-

Good call on the switch. However, the ones you link to are all short ones, if his Hagstrom is as thick a body as an LP, he may need the taller type.

chrisv313-

LP type guitars will sometimes need the longer type, looks like this one.

www.guitarpartsfactory.us/EP-0017-001-Straight-3-way-Toggle-Switch-Black-Tip-for-Guitar

The link is to an English measured one, I didn't see a metric one. But, point is, check carefully before you order.

[sumgai]

newey forgot to mention that he meant "the bushing of the switch is short". Whereas he's correct in that Les Pauls, and correct copies, require a long bushing because the switch is mounted directly to the wood. A short bushing switch is all that's needed for most pickguards, seeing as how they're usually plastic or thin wood.

Just for comparison, chrisv313's link to an Amazon component has the long bushing.  And it comes to me that I should also mention, you may see "tall bushing" instead of long bushing, depending on the seller.  

Hope that clears up any confusion....

---

chris,

If that local tech values his standing in the guitar user community, he'll make you whole, regardless of the switch's condition. He's the one that listened to your description of what you wanted/needed, and in turn sold you the incorrect part - it's his error to fix, not yours.  If he still shines you on, remind him that you have access to the internet, and you know exactly where to go to spread the word that he's not an honest tech. There's more than one "joetheguitartechsucks.com" website out there. 

HTH




sumgai