Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Taylor Acoustic & Electric Guitars => Topic started by: Razzmatazz on February 17, 2021, 08:49:53 AM
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Hello all,
I noticed since a while that there is a problem with my T5's five way switch. When switching position there is sometimes no signal anymore.
I can reproduce it anytime by moving the switch a little bit away from me (when holding the guitar to play on), perhaps only 1mm.
to reproduce I do this on purpose, but sometimes simply after switching position the selector is not 100% in the right spot hence no sound.
Is this normal or is this the switch wearing off and in need of replacement?
I also have a noisy volume pot. I plan to attack that issue with some (we call this 'contactspray' over here), lubricant to clean electrics, pots etc.
Is that a good idea ?
would I cause any harm by taking on the switch with the same spray? Any risk involved?
Thanks for your advice.
Kr
razz
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Contact cleaner should absolutely quiet down that scratchy pot; no issues whatsoever. FWIW, I have used "DeOxit" brand for as long as I can recall without harm to components or finishes. Different contact cleaners do different things, such as leave a lubed surface, no film at all, or some are intentionally more caustic, but the typical off the shelf contact cleaner will do the trick.
For the switch, however, that sounds more like a mechanical failure since you are able to reproduce it consistently. Contact cleaner does only what the name says: clean dirty, oxidized contacts. Your switch loses signal altogether: that's not dirt or corrosion, that's a failing switch. Have at it :)
Edward
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Razz, my 2012 T5 Classic has a noisy volume pot too, but no issue with the five-way pickup switch. I have tried contact cleaners and "exercising" the pot and that helps temporarily, but the scratchiness in the volume pot eventually comes back. (My T5 is used almost exclusively as a practice instrument and is rarely plugged in). I don't have any audible issue with the tone pots, just the volume knob.
I'm a handy guy so figuring it would be easy to swap out a $15 pot, I called Taylor to acquire the necessary part. However, I discovered that their modular manufacturing approach does not allow for swapping out individual parts. You have to buy a whole new circuit board and they quoted me $114 plus shipping for the part, plus referred me to a local Taylor tech for installation. They strongly hinted that the board was not "user replaceable". I have no idea what a replacement five-way switch would cost - maybe it is the same board? A little disappointing to say the least. :( At least the customer service guy was helpful, despite it not being what I wanted to hear.
I actually tried selling my T5 last year but the scratchy pot killed two potential deals. Now it will probably just get donated in "as-is" condition to Guitars for Vets (along with the part number and explanation) rather than sinking more money and effort into a guitar that I no longer want to keep around.