The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey Folks,

So I just got a nice old '73 Sho Bud 6139 3 x 4. The coil tap switch is missing. Below I included a picture of the wiring by the jack and the hole where the switch would be. You guys think it be worth getting one of those radio shack toggle switches and trying to wire it back up? Is there a reason someone would take that switch out? It looks like the original pickup is still in the guitar. Does it look like I have the necessary wiring there. Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

-Ian

Sho-Buds are built like tanks. But the Achilies heel of a 'bud are these darn switches. They get smashed easily. I've replaced them several times. The coil tap micro toggle switches can be found at Radio Shack. The neck selector switch from James Morehead.

Note: if I ever have to put my guitar (in the case) on end. I always put it "keyhead down" so the guitar can't slide in the case and possibly smash these micro switches.

Ah - thanks Tom - that makes sense. Here I was thinking the guy who had this before me took it out for some specific reason and most likely it just got smashed off. I'm curious to see what this switch does to the sound. I've read about it but it's hard to imagine. I wonder if anyone has a recording of the difference...

I'll go to 'the shack" today and see if they have one.

Thanks again

-Ian

I also have a '73 6139 with the same problem. I haven't gotten around to replacing the switch yet, but when I do I plan to make a little bracket and install the switch underneath the guitar, like the one on my old GFS S-12, and pop a hole plug in the endplate.

That's a great idea!

-Ian

Don't have my catalogs at hand, but some switch mfgs. make mini switches with lower profile bat handles....maybe 1/4" tall. Check Mouser's site.

Bought my 3&1 S-10, 1974 from Bobbe. At the time, it was a bottom of the line guitar, and didn't have the coil tap switch. Ricky asked me to see how many wires were coming from the pickup. Sure enough, one was taped off. When Ricky worked on the guitar, he hooked up the coil tap, and installed the switch. Shot wan't about to make different pups, but he wasn't above saving a couple bucks by not installing the switch. My guitar is now a 3 and 6, with a coil tap.

Thanks Jerry for the idea for a low profile switch. I actually just stopped off at the radio shack near me.

And John - that's pretty funny about your '74.

So, taking a closer look - there are only 2 wires coming out by the jack. I thought there were supposed to be 3 - does this sound right?

-Ian

Ian, I've got a bushel basket full of the micro switches--save you money. I can get you dialed in on the electronics side of your 'bud, as well as everything else.

As I recall, 3 wires are needed for there to be a coil tap. Beginning of the coil, end of coil, and the tap in the middle of the coil. Guitar is packed away.

Thanks John.

And thanks James! I'll definitely take you up on the help. I got a switch from radio shack last night - not sure if its the right one or not.

-Ian

Here's some usefull goodies-period correct coiltap switch and part number:


Just think single neck if that's what you have-----------



An example of the ground wire under the bracket--strip off a little insulation:



I do have a large stash of new coiltap switches much cheaper. Postage may get your savings though.

Here's a good way to mount the switch under the guitar, so you do not have to drill the endplate.

That's exactly where James put the switch on my Bud - no worries about snapping it off in the case.

Thanks for all the useful info James! I'll take a look tonight and see what's under the hood. I got this switch below - the contacts have a different "rating" - I am not sure what that means. Is that an issue?

That is a very clean way to mount it underneath - love it!

-Ian

Used for a coil tap switch, the ratings are not an issue. There's virtually no "juice" flowing from a guitar pickup. Maybe 1 volt? The switch is just used to connect wires together.

Don't worry about the ratings. These are intended for when you are switching POWER. Guitar signals are so small, you are well under 1/100 of the power rating.

Any reliable switch is fine.

(Sorry John -- we posted at the same time!)

Mike

Mike;
GMTA!
jB

Thanks guys!

-Ian

John:

I didn't recognize 'GMTA' so I did a search...first answer I got was "Give My Turtle Anchovies". Do you own a turtle?

(I did find the RIGHT answer immediately thereafter)

Mike

I'd always heard it as "Give My Turkey Artichokes". Must be a East Coast/West Coast difference. : )

PS: I almost smashed my micro switchs again last night at a gig with my D-10 'bud. Must be very careful dropping it into the case.

So, I don't see a ground wire. Am I missing something? The wires come in through the hole under the pickup and go straight to the jack - and there are 2 extra wires coming off the main bundle.

Maybe I am having grounding issues. What do you guys think? I don't see a ground wire anywhere.

I included clips below.

There is a static or "bad connection" type sound when I press the pedals / levers:

http://greatcityprod.gosimian.com/v2/sp ... lQ/preview

and there is a general hum that goes away when I touch the leg of the steel with my pick:

http://greatcityprod.gosimian.com/v2/sp ... Kg/preview

I think there is a ground wire missing (see pic from my last post). Should I try to add a ground wire to the actual pickup itself or maybe from the exposed coil tap wires?

Thanks again for all the help.

-Ian

It doesn't look like you have anything grounded.... the circuit should look like the one in James's post above. There is a possibility that the pickup on your guitar has been rewound, as most of the older 'Bud pickups that I've seen don't have all the wires in one sheath..... usually just a black and a white wire for non coil tap, and a black,white and a red for coil tapped pickups.
You can loop the black wire back to the raise spring bracket, and then use another piece of wire to the jack.

As a veteran of NYC electrical issues, I'd just go with a BL 705.... original (if you can find one).... and call it a day.

Thanks Mike. Yeah, I'm coming to terms with the fact that it's not grounded. That means it can only get better from here, right?

I'm going to give this pickup a try and get it properly grounded. I do like the sound and I think you are right about the rewound - which is a good thing.

Thanks for your help!

-Ian