noisy pickup switch on my Rickenbacker

[zipflint]

Yep, the switch is noisy. It's not a huge deal since I don't find myself using the pickup switch in the middle of songs, but it kinda bugs me. It *looks* like I could just unscrew the.....uhh....washer-type thing that holds the switch, but I'm terrified of screwing something up.

There are a few places here in Spartanburg, SC that I could take it to, but I'm betting this is a simple fix and don't want to pay through the nose just because of my own ignorance.

[aquateen]

you'd have to take the pickguard off to get at the wiring. take it to a repair shop if you're not comfortable with that. it shouldn't be too expensive. the selector switch itself is $25 or so if it needs to be replaced.

[craig.p]

As aquateen said, unscrew the pickguard and flip it around so you can see the guts. Put the switch in its middle position, then run a diamond-dust nail file (not a serrated-metal one and not one of those cheap sandpaper-coated/disposable ones) back and forth between each pair of mating contacts, but no more than 4-5 times. There are two pairs of contacts -- one pair for each pickup. Don't pinch the contacts together when you do this; rely solely on the switch blades' regular spring tension. This will be a good opportunity to check for crud/corrosion elsewhere. You'll probably find some. You can clean it up with 91% alcohol (not 70% rubbing alcohol) on a Q-tip, but don't let the alcohol get onto any plastic parts or onto the bass's finish. Also check for any solder joints or anything else that might have come loose, even the pancaked switch components (though I've never seen that happen). Hope this helps.

[zipflint]

Thanks heaps for the instructions! That doesn't sound too hard. I'll probably give it a shot.

[carlos840]

I did the same thing with really fine sandpaper and it works fine...
Put a bit of contact cleaner on it afterwards and it should be fixed...