Epi LP 3 way doesn’t work in middle posiiton

[Dan18]

When in middle position, only the bridge pickup works. The neck pickup works fine when switched to neck position. The 3 way switch looks like everything is solid. This is a pic of the other switches. Only thing I see disconnected is the small grey wire at bottom which is resting on my black screwdriver head. Assume the red wires tapes together are ok. Can’t find another end of that grey one but it comes off a solder joint with that thick blue wire. Think this is a wire problem based on symptoms vs some other component?

 

[Davey Rock]

Ran into a similar problem when I put new electronics in my epi. Only the neck would work, but man it was so bright and single coil like that it didn't even bother me. Somewhere down the road I replaced the parts again, and got it right. Of course it came with instructions, but usually after two trys you get the hang of it. The middle position being off sounds like the switch to the pots are wrong. If you can show the whole layout of control cavity and toggle cavity I might be able to help. If you feel comfortable enough to remove the toggle switch, I might be able to see it better, but only if you want to.

 

[BadPenguin]

That looks like it's the output wire from the pot. Then there is the bare red wire next to it. Something ain't quite right there.

2 Humbuckers/3-Way Toggle Switch/2 Volumes/2 Tones

Basic Gibson style guitar wiring diagram with 2 humbuckers, 3-way Toggle switch, two volumes and two tone controls. Typical for Les Paul, SG, 335, and many other Gibsons. <strong>Click diagram image to open/view full size version.</strong> </strong> Ready to get started? Don't forget the <a...

guitarelectronics.com

 

[Dan18]

Yeah I think I’ll take it in to my excellent Luthier. Shouldn’t be hard to fix but I don’t have the solder, wiring diagram or desire to have it catch fire in my hands.

 

[ARandall]

This problem is the switch itself. By definition if each pickup is working perfectly well when individually selected it cannot be the pots.

The switch works by separating contacts (metal 'leaves') by moving them apart....in effect you 'deselect' the non wanted pickup rather than selecting the wanted pickup. In the middle they are both active, however the metal leaves sit in a fractionally different position to where they would do if the pickup is 'selected'. So your neck pickup is actually in the 'deselected' position mechanically in the middle. You need to bend the appropriate part so it makes contact in the middle switch position.

 

[Dan18]

Sounds easy. I can attempt that. Thx.

 

[Oddball667]

Having same issue im my Gibson , i think my switch is just old though , tried cleaning it and may just be time to replace it .

 

[ARandall]

^ I have a switch from a 1954 p90 intact harness set I bought that is still working perfectly well.......just old is not necessarily a thing. Metal/steel has the wonderful property of being able to be bent within a certain range almost infinite times without permanent fatigue.

 

[Oddball667]

Guess ill pull it and look closer

 

[ARandall]

Yeah.....if its a switchcraft toggle then you can make adjustments as your first port of call.

 

[warprider]

Did it work previously?

Did you do anything to it?

Arandell is spot on correct. This "should be" simple. A good luthier will take care of it if you cant.

 

[geddy]

Use a meter to check continuity to the jack from each vol pot with the switch in different positions.

 

[ryanhostetler]

When in middle position, only the bridge pickup works. The neck pickup works fine when switched to neck position. The 3 way switch looks like everything is solid. This is a pic of the other switches. Only thing I see disconnected is the small grey wire at bottom which is resting on my black screwdriver head. Assume the red wires tapes together are ok. Can’t find another end of that grey one but it comes off a solder joint with that thick blue wire. Think this is a wire problem based on symptoms vs some other component?

View attachment 497012

Did you get word on what exactly was causing this issue and/or what the fix was? I'm having essentially the exact same issue.