Service manual

Sinclair Community College | ETD 110 Guitar Service Manual
36
………….Common Electronics Problems and Repairs:
If your guitar is constantly cutting out, it’s a very
common symptom of a simple wiring issue, usually caused by a faulty
solder joint in the electronics. The most common reason for this is
the output jack becoming loose in its socket and rotating, causing
the connections inside to break off. This is why it’s very important to
make sure your output jack is always tight. Fortunately, loose wiring
connections are simple to fix, the trouble is finding them.
1. Plug your guitar in and toggle all the switches and knobs. If your
guitar still plays fine, the connection problem is internal.
2. For non-Stratocaster style guitars, remove the cavity covers on
the back of the guitar. Strum the strings and move the wires that are
soldered to the switches, pots, and output jack. You will probably
find your loose connection when the guitar cuts out again. For
Stratocaster style guitars, you will need to remove the pickguard and
manually check each connection point to make sure the solders are
solid.
3. Re-solder the loose wire and screw the cavity covers or pickguard
back on.
Guitar
crackling is a very common issue but rarely has to do with wiring.
Typically, if your guitar crackles when adjusting the volume and/or
tone knobs, it’s because the pots are dirty. To clean the pots, simply
remove the knob and spray some electronic contact cleaner into the
pot around the shaft and wipe off excess before replacing the knob.
If crackling persists, you may have to replace your pots.