[davegardner0]

A friend dropped off an RGA121 for me to refret and do some general fixing. The pickup switch is really mangled, loose, and crackly so I'm thinking it needs to be replaced. However I have read in the past that Ibanez 5-way switches are not the standard kind, which is how they achieve this functionality:

1-neck series
2-neck parallel
3-neck in series, bridge in series, pickups in parallel
4-1 coil from each pickup in parallel
5-bridge series
(I can't post an image or link to the pickup switch functionality for some reason)

So I'm wondering, where can I get a replacement switch? And if possible, are there any switch options out there that are more mechanically durable than the stock switch? It reminds me of the type that would come in a MIM fender or a squier, not like a mechanical CRL or Switchcraft switch which I prefer to use.

 

[sepulchrave]

It's called a superswitch, do a search on the bay and you'll find dozens, don't bother with the US stuff, it's not metric and won't fit properly.

 

[LonePhantom]

Ibanez had switches made by Cortek for this specific function, they, re not the super switches. The model is 3PS1SC5 from memory

 

[davegardner0]

Ibanez had switches made by Cortek for this specific function, they, re not the super switches. The model is 3PS1SC5 from memory

I think this is just what I need. I noticed the actual switch inside the guitar says "2502N", is that the same thing? A quick internet search seems to suggest yes but I'm unsure.

 

[davegardner0]

Looks like the Stew-Mac Oak-Grigsby super switch will fit. I found a wiring diagram for it on youtube as well (can't post links?) so I'm going to go with that. Thanks for the help!

 

[sepulchrave]

Looks like the Stew-Mac Oak-Grigsby super switch will fit. I found a wiring diagram for it on youtube as well (can't post links?) so I'm going to go with that. Thanks for the help!

The mounting hole centres won't match, they're not metric. I did mention this earlier.

 

[LonePhantom]

I think this is just what I need. I noticed the actual switch inside the guitar says "2502N", is that the same thing? A quick internet search seems to suggest yes but I'm unsure.

Yes that's it from memory

 

[davegardner0]

Looks like the Stew-Mac Oak-Grigsby super switch will fit. I found a wiring diagram for it on youtube as well (can't post links?) so I'm going to go with that. Thanks for the help!

The mounting hole centres won't match, they're not metric. I did mention this earlier.

I don't think that's true. I just double checked my measurement, the mounting holes centers are exactly 1 5/8" apart, which is exactly what Stew Mac says the switch is. I ordered it so we'll see when it arrives.

 

[davegardner0]

The mounting hole centres won't match, they're not metric. I did mention this earlier.

Ok I received the Stew-Mac switch and I can confirm it fits perfectly into the RGA121. The mounting holes definitely line up and the switch (barely) fits into the control cavity depth-wise.

 

[davegardner0]

I wired this up over the weekend using the Stew-Mac superswitch. Lots of connections on the switch! But it works well and now the guitar has a much better switching feel IMO.




Wiring Diagram I came up with (switch needs to be turned 180 degrees in the guitar fyi)