I have a 50th anniversary strat with samarium cobalt pickups and S1 Switch. The S1 switch kills volume and lows on all pickups. The 5 way switch neck position sounds the same as neck and middle setting. The middle pickup volume is way down compared to the neck and bridge. The bridge setting sounds the same as the bridge and middle position. Could the S1 switch be bad and cause this, or the middle pickup be bad and cause it. Has anyone else had this problem before?

Hi greggydawg,

Your description is too vague, not enough info. Did you buy it new? If so there is a warranty, return it for repair. Did it work fine and then just suddenly start acting this way, or has it done it since you got it? Are your pickups set to the right height, guitar setup correctly, etc?

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How is the middle pickup when the S1 switch is not depressed. If it is low in level here as well it could be the pickup or a solder connection. If it is okay when the switch is not down then there is a chance it is the switch or a connection. Hope this helps.

Thanks for responding Shimmilou. It was bought used. Have had it over 4 years now. It was working fine and then started doing this. The middle pickup in the middle 5 way position is weak sounding now no matter whether the S1 is engaged or not. When you select the middle pickup with either bridge or neck pickups, it sounds the same as if you were just selecting only the bridge or only the neck pickup, no difference between 1 or 1 and 2, or 5 or 4 and 5. The S1 engaged kills the volume and tone of all three pickups no matter what position you have the 5 way in. I've read online that there are problems with the shaft of the S1 switch that can cause problems. But, I didn't see these specific symptoms. I didn't think Fender would guarantee electronics beyond a year.

Thanks hobbyist, I posted just as you were posting. The middle pickup is weak all the time. I guess I could throw another pickup in and test it. But, don't the samarium pickups have 3 leads and standard strat pickups have 2? How would I wire a standard pickup in to test it?

Clarification, the S1 switch does not "Kill" the entire volume, it significantly reduces the volume, seems like about 50-75% of the volume of the pickups without the S1 engaged. It also seems to reduce the lows of all pickups.

Possibly high resistance in the pickup. I've come across some scns like this.
You could try another pickup if you are unable to meter the resistance of the scn, just ignore the green wire it connects to an ground plate on the scn. You can get some funny combos using the S1 with scns and a regular pickup depending on the polarity and winding of the temporary replacement.
From memory the scns have a different magnetic polarity to most of the others but this could be verified with a magnet or compass.
Just check the new pickup in the normal mid position i.e. S1 up and 5 way to mid.
If the level is okay with the replacement compared to when you switch from the 5 way to neck and bridge it could point to a dud middle scn.
......Thinking further since the scns are soldered at the base of the pickup you could just temporarily unsolder and swap the mid and neck. This is easy and you don't have to disturb the wiring to the pots and switch.
If the problem then transfers to the neck when just the 5 way is used it is the pickup:D