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| Les Paul 3-Way Switch http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=38139 |
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| Author: | klooker [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
I'm finishing up my Les Paul & it's time to wire it up. I bought the Switchcraft 3-way switch. As you can see, the threaded section of the switch will only allow for about 1/8" of material. Attachment: Switchcraft1.jpg I'm concerned about boring the cavity deeper so that the top is only 1/8" thick at the switch. It seems like there would be a lot of Les Pauls with broken tops around the switch? Am I worrying too much or should I get a different switch. Thanks, Kevin Looker |
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| Author: | Sandywood [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
I'd use one with a 5/16" threaded shaft. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/3-way_Pickup_Switches/Straight_Toggle_Switch.html Found one on sale; http://www.guitarfetish.com/USA-Style-Les-Paul-Toggle-Switch-Chrome_p_778.html |
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| Author: | nyazzip [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
aren't Pauls bored all the way through? thats why they have the "mini pickguard" around the switch, i thought.... |
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| Author: | klooker [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
nyazzip wrote: aren't Pauls bored all the way through? thats why they have the "mini pickguard" around the switch, i thought.... They very well may be, I've never taken a real one apart. I'm working from the Stew Mac drawing which only shows a 1/2" dia through hole - the size of the threads. Kevin Looker |
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| Author: | Sandywood [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
nyazzip wrote: aren't Pauls bored all the way through? thats why they have the "mini pickguard" around the switch, i thought.... Output jacks are too. |
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| Author: | EddieLee [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
I did not find the S-M drawing, but I took the back plate off my 70s LP. Here is what it looks like to me. The big bore goes down to the shoulder of the switch. Then a smaller bore (1/2?) goes down a little further. At the bottom of the small bore I can still see wood. I am sure the plastic "washer" on the outside adds strength but I do not think it is there to cover the hole. Hope that helps, ELB |
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| Author: | B. Howard [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 12:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
The plastic washer is held on by the nut, it has no real functional purpose other than marking the switch positions. We used to take them off all the time. The proper switch for this has 5/16 of threads. The wood is a bit thin at the top of the cavity. |
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| Author: | klooker [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 2:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
Thanks for all the replies & effort. So I went to one of the real guitar repair shops in my area, J. Thomas Davis. There I learned that I need a knurled nut that has and extended section which essentially lengthens the threads. The one on the left is what came with my switch, the one on the right is the one I need. Attachment: Nuts.jpg Of course, they didn't have one to sell me so I headed off to GC. It must have been time to pay my Gibson tax, $25 for the whole switch, nobody has just the nut. The Gibson packaged switch & the original one I bought are identical & made by Switchcraft. They must have changed it because the threads are about 3/16" in length as opposed to 5/16". Attachment: SwitchDim.jpg One more note, the switch I originally bought came in an Allparts kit that I found on Ebay (switch, pots, wiring, caps & jack). This kit had the wrong type of nut in it that caused all of the confusion. Kevin Looker |
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| Author: | dzsmith [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
Kevin, I am anxiuosly waiting for the unveiling! I bet it's going to be a beauty! I'll want to know how close the sound of your '59 pickups are to a stock LP. DZ |
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| Author: | Chameleon [ Fri Nov 02, 2012 9:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
$25 for a switch is burglary. But hey you did make the mistake of buying guitar parts from GC. |
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| Author: | JasonMoe [ Sat Nov 03, 2012 2:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
I built a Byrldland kind of copy with P-90's last year. And an Aspen/maple top. I had a 3 way in the floentine cutaway. It was fine when I put it together. For an electric archtop, it was a very wired pickup. Most problems are with bad solder joints and poor grounds. |
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| Author: | Brett L Faust [ Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Les Paul 3-Way Switch |
Take a very close look at your switch with the nut closer to the end of your threads. Make sure to do a test switching to determine that the paddle on the switch will click into a locked position at the end of travel. Something to check before deciding on dimensions. Good luck, have fun. |
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