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Post subject: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down posn.
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:21 am
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This is a weird one. When the topmost switch (some people call it a rhythm/lead switch) is in the "down" position (i.e. the position for which the three pickup switches are active), the amount of volume coming out of the guitar is very low, as in almost silent. And the sound becomes very poor. It sounds like you were playing it through a cheap transistor radio.

Here's the weird part: it doesn't happen all the time. Sometimes you can play for hours before it occurs. Other times, it happens as soon as you take it out of the case. I've tried switching out cables, amps, with and without effects pedals, etc. - nothing exterior to the guitar seems to be causing the problem.

I've had it into the repair shop three times. They swapped out the topmost switch- twice! The first time with a stock switch, and the other time with a Jazzmaster switch that Fender graciously sent out to us directly (Thanks, Josh from Customer Support!)

The guitar is still under warranty, but time's creeping up on us. In a few months, we'll be stuck with a half-functional guitar.

So - is this something common to this guitar? And if so, has anyone found a solution? And if so WHAT WAS IT???


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 1:21 pm
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When the shop put new switch did guitar work well for long time or same as before when you test at home ?

Which Jaguar, vintage or reissue or ....?????

Any mod before ?


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 1:27 pm
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Remove this switch cover and show us some photos of the switch with the 2 pots. This can help.


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 4:21 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
When the shop put new switch did guitar work well for long time or same as before when you test at home ?

Which Jaguar, vintage or reissue or ....?????

Any mod before ?


Thanks for the replies. I'll try to answer as many questions as I can. I'm neither a luthier nor an electronics engineer, so bear with me.

The Guitar:
The guitar is a Mexican Jaguar. Or at least the serial number starts with MX, which is what I'm told is how to definitively identify provenance.

EDIT: My son informs me of the following: It's a "modern player" version.

I purchased it new for my son from a local music shop in PA. I'm regretting the decision to buy locally because if I had purchased it at Guitar Center, I could have gotten a replacement no questions asked. I bought it around the end of November of last year (Christmas present), so it's still under warranty.

No mods, because I didn't want to void the warranty. For the same reason, I am reluctant to remove the switch plate to get a photograph. The owner of the music store/repair facility is not the easiest person to work with, and it's a sure bet that if he knew that a screwdriver had been within 100 yards of the guitar he'd declare the warranty voided.

Repairs to Date:

As I explained earlier, the guitar is actually on it's third switch (one that came with it, the second from the first repair, and the third from the most recent repair). I'm no genius, but my guess is that the switch ain't the problem. I have two more switches because Josh from the Fender customer satisfaction hotline was gracious enough to send me a three-pack. For which I am very grateful, but Einstein's quote about doing things repeatedly and expecting different results seems to apply here.

After the first repair (or second switch, if you prefer), the guitar played well for about 10min and then failed with the switch in down position. After the second repair, it failed right after getting it home. I was unable to take it back to the store for a few days, and (predictably) it worked great while it was there. Keep in mind that even after failing, it could work just fine after being left alone for a while. However, it has never spontaneously started working after failing. There usually has to be a fairly long interval before it resumes normal operation. I've never tried to time it, but by recollection it's probably in the four-to-five hour ballpark (mainly because that's how long it goes between being played). Is that a cool-down period, or did setting it down and picking it up jiggle something (or un-jiggle it) to get it working? I have no idea.

Your guesses are as good as mine.

Warning! Venting Ahead!

I appreciate the tech's problem- how is he to fix something he can't tell is broken? And how can he tell if it's fixed? The tech is understandably not enthused to hear that he might have to play the guitar for a few hours to get it to fail. However "it works now" is not a valid fix. This is a "Gold" level repair facility, by the way. Theoretically, they're the ones you go to when you have a tough problem.

This is my kid's first serious guitar. He outgrew the "rockstar in a box" he got for Christmas six years ago and now at age 16 is an accomplished guitarist/songwriter who has founded two bands (one rock, one punk) and written close to two dozen songs. He is currently composing, recording, mixing and producing a solo album on which he plays every instrument save drums, which he still arranged and recruited a session musician to sit in for. And the music is actually listenable, even for an old fart of 50 like me. The point I'm trying to make (other than bragging on my kid, which I'm waaay to guilty of) is that this guitar is a serious instrument being used by a serious musician who needs it to work- to do his work!

Sorry for the venting. And thanks for the replies. Any guesses, hints, help or prayers are welcome. I'll keep posting to this thread until the problem is resolved.


Last edited by tillerman35 on Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 5:01 pm
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tillerman35 wrote:
The owner of the music store/repair facility is not the easiest person to work with, and it's a sure bet that if he knew that a screwdriver had been within 100 yards of the guitar he'd declare the warranty voided.

.


Thing I understand is the tech is not a qualified luthier or tech for sure . Look to be a kind of guy who earn ( I would say ; not learn ) how to fix guitar with not serious school study .

He had to take the time to test guitar after the job. This is a part of his job .

IMO problem is the switch , a simple spray of good contact cleaner might be fix it . Do you know what I mean ? Can you do that ?

Are you sure he put some new switches 2 times ? Have you some proof ? You see old switches ? Might be a bunch of defectife switches ?

IMO sure he can't know you had opened the switch plate to show us some photos . But if you can't do nothing on this guitar because you are afraid of to void the warranty , how can we help you ?


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 7:29 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
tillerman35 wrote:
The owner of the music store/repair facility is not the easiest person to work with, and it's a sure bet that if he knew that a screwdriver had been within 100 yards of the guitar he'd declare the warranty voided.

.


Thing I understand is the tech is not a qualified luthier or tech for sure . Look to be a kind of guy who earn ( I would say ; not learn ) how to fix guitar with not serious school study .

He had to take the time to test guitar after the job. This is a part of his job .

IMO problem is the switch , a simple spray of good contact cleaner might be fix it . Do you know what I mean ? Can you do that ?

Are you sure he put some new switches 2 times ? Have you some proof ? You see old switches ? Might be a bunch of defectife switches ?

IMO sure he can't know you had opened the switch plate to show us some photos . But if you can't do nothing on this guitar because you are afraid of to void the warranty , how can we help you ?


I'm pretty sure they at least opened the plate. My son is weird about taking the plastic wrap off of stuff, and there used to be bits of it stuck under the screws. Those bits are gone now, so they must have come off during repair or inspection.

The plate itself was easy to take off. I didn't mess with anything inside, though. Here are some photos (sorry for the huge size):

With the plate off (two different angles):
Image
Image
With the plate on (showing the switch in the "failed" position):
Image


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:59 am
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Thank's for the picture but I forgot to specify you must take a picture of solder / wires under the switch . Most of the time we can see if it is a original Fender solder or new solder made by a tech .
With new solder chance the switch is new .

If needed later , can you spray good contact cleaner WITH lubricant from outside of the switch without remove plate ? Spray on switch ( on the side of the black plastic part ) and slide switch ( to clean and lubricate ) at least ten time.


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 5:59 am
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First off, you say it is a Modern Player, but isn't that one of the few Jaguars that does NOT have a switch plate with three switches on the lower horn? I would suspect you maybe have a "Classic Player?"

Second, if you have been through three switches, and it only drops out when in the "lead" position, I would be looking elsewhere... such as:

the switch closest to the main volume control, the volume control, or the tone control. All of these are only active when the switch on the upper horn is in the "lead" position. And if this only happens sometimes, I would suspect a poor solder joint.

Your repair guy has been overwhelmed by all the glitz and replace what "he" thought was the problem without actually placing the "defective" switch on a meter to check it. After the first switch replacement, it should have dawned on him to look at other components. And it is usually a problem with solder.

Just my opinion.

Art


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 5:54 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Thank's for the picture but I forgot to specify you must take a picture of solder / wires under the switch . Most of the time we can see if it is a original Fender solder or new solder made by a tech .
With new solder chance the switch is new .

If needed later , can you spray good contact cleaner WITH lubricant from outside of the switch without remove plate ? Spray on switch ( on the side of the black plastic part ) and slide switch ( to clean and lubricate ) at least ten time.


I haven't done the contact cleaner thing yet (any recommendations about brand, or is this something I can find at my local Radio Shack?)

Here is a picture of the underbelly of the switch:
Image


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:10 am
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As I said earlier, that switch is most likely (98%) NOT the problem. Please look at the main Volume, Main Tone controls. or the Jackplate.

Art


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Post subject: Re: HELP! Jaguar cutting out when "mode" switch is in down p
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 2:38 am
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Switch look to be a new one ( ? ) I can see wire insulation melted like somebody ( not a Fender ) make new solder on the wire and switch lug .

Read what Art1 write , this make sense. Too bad your "tech " look to be unqualified. Do more test s by yourself to be sure where is the problem if it is not the switch .


Funny I suscribe to this post and never receive your ( this new ) answer. This happen sometimes here.


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