Recent build with a purchased prewired loom on a 4 way switching Tele (off the bay) and 4 way was noisy and selecting the bridge was hit or miss. Changed to a new Oak Grisby and this one is noisy too. The pickup select is working but still noisy. Neither of the pots are noisy and all grounds seem to be good. I've now finished a build on a strat and wired this one myself. This switch is noisy and selecting the bridge pickup is also unreliable. I've given both plates and arms a good wet clean with switch cleaner but still has issues.
Considering how simple these switches are I am surprised if it is a common issue but thought I would ask if is? I've bought a Kaish 3 way as it looks better constructed.
Comments
However, first check if the lever is touching the end of the slot. Many slots are fractionally to short (or the throw of the switch is fractionally too long), which stops the lever moving forward enough and the switch wiper doesn't quite make proper connection with the contacts, hence bridge or neck selection is a bit flakey (of course, only relevant at the end positions of whichever switch you are using).
If this is the fault, either file the slot in the pickguard or control plate so it is fractionally longer at each end, or mark the lever of the switch and file a small notch into the lever itself. Be careful not to get any filings/ crap into the switch mechanism or elsewhere.
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/89942/caspercaster#latest
What kind of noise? Snap, Crackle or Pop?
Back in July in a question about this type of switch @ICBM spoke about some switches being "make before break", i.e. they make contact with the next connection before breaking connection with the last, and "break before make", i.e. they completely break the connection before connecting with the next contacts.
You can get known good stuff for not much more money, I think. Granted- Amazon is very easy to buy from and you can put the order in with other stuff to get free postage etc..
The US military adopted those brands because they had been rigorously tested for reliability and, then, proven their durability under combat conditions.
Anything that can remain operational at high altitude, in high humidity or at sea might manage to withstand the abuse meted out by a touring musician.
Break-before-make switches are inherently noisier than make-before-break, as already said. Whether this is why Leo Fender chose the MBB 3-way for the Tele and original Strat or whether it was a happy accident, I don’t know - but without it, the Strat in-between sounds may not have been discovered (or not as easily, at least).
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein