I have a 1997 Fender California series Strat. It's an HSS configuration. I use so much gain when I play, I just recently discovered that in positions 4, 3, 2, and 1, the tone pot has no effect. The tone control does work in the position 1 bridge position only. I've checked all the wiring and re-soldered in case there was a cold solder joint. I'm thinking the switch is bad? I guess I could try jumping the switch?

Any ideas or tips on how I can pin this down.

Thanks for checking in!!

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Robert Moog - "Hey... where do all these patch cables go?"

Have you tried the other tone pot? Sometimes one of the pots is only in the circuit in one selector switch position, and the other one works in some or all of the other positions. BTW, the Bridge is position 1, and the neck is position 5.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Hi and thanks for your reply. I was thinking the same thing last night. Peops tell me that I do not have the courage of my convictions... I guess they're right. Thanks again.

Oh, right... neck is #5.

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Robert Moog - "Hey... where do all these patch cables go?"

thats my understanding too...

I always liked California Strats, they are a great deal cost wise, and some have the old bent saddles and very 60ish setup, the two I have played in stores had excellent necks too.
Rare to see them.

I think Wiki is weak on the California Stratocasters, I have read only the bodies were done at mexico plant and it was a higher end idea to try this. Probably why the quality is so good on that series. Very short lived run....excellent players guitar.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Model Name: California Stratocaster®
Model Number: 010-1400-(Color#) and 010-1402-(Color#)
Series: California Series
Body: Alder (Made in US, Painted in Mexico, Assembled in US)
Neck: Maple (Made in US, Painted in Mexico)
Fingerboard: Rosewood pn# 010-1400-(Color#), and Maple pn# 010-1402-(Color#), (9.5" Radius/241 mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver Frets
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.6875" (43 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender/Gotoh Vintage Style Tuning Machines
Bridge: U.S. Vintage Tremolo and Hardware
Pickguard: 3-Ply White/Black/White
Pickups: Tex-Mex Trio (Calibrated, Overwound, Single Coils)
Pickup Switching: 5 Position Selector Switch
Controls: Master Volume, Tone (Neck), Tone (Mid)
U.S. Made Electronic Components
Colors: (306) Black,
(309) Candy Apple Red,
(332) Brown Sunburst,..Add $50.00,
(340) Fiesta Red,
(341) Vintage White,
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250L's (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel pn#073-0250-003
Unique Features: Tinted Satin Finish Neck
Transition Fender Decal
Truss Rod Adjusts at Headstock
Source: U.S./Mexico
Accessories: Deluxe Fender Gig Bag
U.S. MSRP: $799.99
NOTICE: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1997
DISCONTINUED: 1/1999
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS:
WRENCH SIZES: Truss Rod Wrench #038467 (3/16" Hex)
Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench #018531(.050" Hex 1.5mm)

Best Regards,

Jeff Krause

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
Consumer Relations Department
8860 E. Chaparral Rd. Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
480-596-7195
consumerrelations@fender.com

Any chance of getting a pdf service diagram for that series? I wasn't sure how the tone pots were configured, and no diagram listed on the Fender site.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Contact Fender Consumer Relations. The doc is called "California Fat Strat 010-1500"

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Robert Moog - "Hey... where do all these patch cables go?"