Dying switches.

[Gex]

I have a 1987 RG550 and a 1992 RG550

(if things go right, I should have another 1990 RG550 on sunday! but thats another story, nevermind)

The switches are dying on both of them. They make crackly noises, I loose output all the time.

So, I think its time to get some new ones in there.

Will standard Fender 5 way switches work? (are the mounting screws the same width?)

What is a really good brand of switch that I can put in there and have it never crap out on me again (for a very long time)?

[ibanezcollector]

stewart macdonald sells some nice mega switches if your going to do wiring options

[elcid]

I've always used the fender 5 way switches in my Ibanezes (S540 LTD and RG3120) withough any issues

[lyconxero]

If you're going to change the switch anyway then maybe it's time to try out some new pickup wiring options. Dimarzio makes a multi-pole switch which is capable of all sorts of interesting ideas.

[guitardevil2005]

Originally Posted by elcid

I've always used the fender 5 way switches in my Ibanezes (S540 LTD and RG3120) withough any issues

me to

[Gex]

Hey, I dug up this thread again.

How often do switches actually go BAD? I've been looking over some pictures on my computer, (as sort of a hobby, I save pictures on my computer of RG's and JEMS) and all of them seem to have the stock switch, or what appears to be the stock switch.

I got some CRL switches which are very nice, but the screws are too fat. I dont wanna carve up my pickguard for a sloppy retrofit, I want a DIRECT replacement.

So. . .is there a good switch that is good quality like the CRL (with the round design rather than the black plastic import box switches) but the screws are to import size specs? (does what I'm saying make ANY sense?)


Is it possible that my switches are simply dirty? or possibly sloppily soldered? Has anyone had a similar problem, I'm trying to figure out how to fix this without running in circles.

[Lefty Robb]

I think the older ibanez 5-ways were far better than they are today.

I don't think its a matter of how often they go bad, but rather how often are you switching it and how hard you switch. I'm sure Vai has his changed all the time.