Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
OK I can take a saxophone apart (hundreds of pieces) and put it together, but this is my first adventure with a broken guitar.

I have a Parker Maxxfly USA made guitar. The pickup switch is a blade but the switch that selects either the magnetic pickups, piezo pickup or both is a toggle.The mag/piezo toggle fell apart.

From what I can see it looks like two switches with a nylon probe between them attached to the toggle. In the center position both switches seem to be closed with two metal blades touching each other. When the switch is moved to either extreme, it separates the blades on the opposite side, leaving only one side closed.

There are four solder lands on the edge of the switch. The two outside are ground and the two inside go to the pickups, one to the piezo and the other to the mags.

Is this a DPDT on/on/on switch? If not, please correct me.

(I've been googling but since my local guitar store doesn't have a replacement and I have to have it sent to me, I want to make sure I get it right the first time).

The nut that holds it to the guitar, thus I assume the hole is 7/16" - at least by holding it up to a ruler.

What would you recommend for the sturdiest, most reliable replacement?

Thanks:

The guitar, the switch farthest from the neck is the one in question.

Couldn't get the pictures to post (I don't know why) so here are the links'

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/NN08_right.jpg

Switch pictures to follow:

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_001.jpg

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_002.jpg

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_003.jpg

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_004.jpg

Thanks!
Notes

Last edited by Notes Norton; 06/14/19 02:01 PM. Reason: Pictures didn't show up

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Originally Posted By: Notes Norton
OK I can take a saxophone apart (hundreds of pieces) and put it together, but this is my first adventure with a broken guitar.

I have a Parker Maxxfly USA made guitar. The pickup switch is a blade but the switch that selects either the magnetic pickups, piezo pickup or both is a toggle.The mag/piezo toggle fell apart.

From what I can see it looks like two switches with a nylon probe between them attached to the toggle. In the center position both switches seem to be closed with two metal blades touching each other. When the switch is moved to either extreme, it separates the blades on the opposite side, leaving only one side closed.

There are four solder lands on the edge of the switch. The two outside are ground and the two inside go to the pickups, one to the piezo and the other to the mags.

Is this a DPDT on/on/on switch? If not, please correct me.

(I've been googling but since my local guitar store doesn't have a replacement and I have to have it sent to me, I want to make sure I get it right the first time).

The nut that holds it to the guitar, thus I assume the hole is 7/16" - at least by holding it up to a ruler.

What would you recommend for the sturdiest, most reliable replacement?

Thanks:

The guitar, the switch farthest from the neck is the one in question.

Couldn't get the pictures to post (I don't know why) so here are the links'

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/NN08_right.jpg

Switch pictures to follow:

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_001.jpg

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_002.jpg

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_003.jpg

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_004.jpg

Thanks!
Notes

Notes, you're close when you state double-pole double-throw (DPDT) however, that description doesn't fit this switch. The center position of a DPDT switch is OFF. In your case the center position is that both inputs are on. It is a unique switch in that the center position connects both inputs. A standard DPDT switch would be ON/OFF/ON, yours is one/both/two.

You could use a DPDT (with no center Off position) to select one or the other inputs, but not both.

Sorry I can't help more, except to say that a standard DPDT switch will not be the correct replacement.

Someone with guitar experience will chip in for sure.


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Looks like a standard Gibson style pickup switch. Go to amazon and search for Gibson pickup switch.

This one may do the job: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LYFFW9O/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_3DobDbTTFSGXZ

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Thanks to you both for responding.

Video Track, the on/off/on switch is what the kid in Guitar Center sold me (my local Mom and Pop store went out of business a couple of months ago). And that is exactly what I'm getting mags/none/piezo.

Since my main use for the piezo is t blend a little twang with the mags, it doesn't do what I want it to.

Dave, thanks, but the standard LP switch has only three lands, I need 4.

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
OK here is a schematic of the switch (excuse the poor mouse drawing skills).

There are two discreet leaf switches, normally closed, with a toggle in between.

When the toggle is in center position, both switches are closed.

When the toggle is forced to either extreme, it bends the ground leaf opening the circuit by separating the contacts.



Again the picture didn't work, I don't know why, so here is the link"

http://www.nortonmusic.com/pix/Parker_Switch_005.jpg

I need to know what kind of switch this is.

Thanks,
Bob


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Assuming your diagram is correct, it is working the same as a three terminal switch. Those outer two terminals are connected together (via the ground) so are acting as one terminal, which would be the common terminal in a Gibson type pickup switch.

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Notes, are the Red and Blue wires also connected to the pickups?

Presuming the guitar is Mono output, that circuit doesn't make sense to me. I can't follow how the pickups are wired into the circuit. Does the ground connection really go to ground?

Last edited by VideoTrack; 06/15/19 10:22 AM. Reason: Further question.

BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680

Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Notes, are the Red and Blue wires also connected to the pickups?

Presuming the guitar is Mono output, that circuit doesn't make sense to me. I can't follow how the pickups are wired into the circuit. Does the ground connection really go to ground?


The output is mono, but the red and the blue go to the preamp which is inside the guitar, and pickups feed the preamp in different locations on the circuit board.

Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude


Thanks.

Funny, I inquired on the Parker Forum, and nobody posted this link.

But then since Parker ceased production, the forum is only a ghost of it's former self. Most of the regulars are gone, and it's turned into not much more than a trading post.

I have the newer Dragonfly with the Ghost piezo instead of the Fishman, so I'm hoping they hook up the same. I've bookmarked the link and will get to it this afternoon.

I'll let you know if it works.

Thanks again,
Bob


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack

Bob, did any of the switches I searched for and listed above come close to what you are requiring?


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
It looks like the third one might work, I inquired to get the schematics and am waiting for a response.

---------

I figured out why I couldn't see the pictures, Firefox addition https everywhere didn't like that my own domain doesn't have https (it does, but only when you get to the shopping cart).

---------

Dave, if I can't find a direct replacement, I might try the mod listed in the Parker Forum article you posted. Stock worked fine with me, and I'd rather keep it that way.

---------

Once I find a suitable replacement, I'm going to get 3, one for the broken Parker, if the switch is better constructed than the original, I'll go ahead and replace the other Parker, and the last one will live in the guitar case until needed.

The guitar came in a wood/tolex case. I tried to find a flight case for it, but couldn't find one that would work. It's strat shaped but thinner and shorter.

What I think happened, is while setting up equipment, the case tipped over from standing on the edge to the face, and the force of the fall or the guitar moving in the case broke the switch. I found a foam 'donut' that I'm now putting around the switch in the case to cushion it in case that happens again.

Thanks again for all your help.

Bob


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Ok, I was wrong, wrong, wrong.

I got my other Parker back, took it apart and removed the switch. Since the switch was in one piece instead of pieces like the broken one was, I could see what was happening. The schematic I drew piecing the broken switch together the best I could was wrong. In the center toggle position there is no connection, toggling closes one or another. I can only assume that when the connection is closed, the preamp opens that circuit.

So I sent the schematic to Stew-Mac and we'll see what we shall see.



The upper arrow being the toggle not part of the circuit.

Is this on/off/on configuration?

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
That makes more sense smile

I think you said before that the middle position selects both pickups. If that is the case, when the switch is closed (connected to ground) the preamp is not active. So in your above diagram, far left the blue is active, middle both are active, far right the red is active.

You can do it with a three pole on-off-on switch. Connect the center terminal to ground, left terminal to blue, right terminal to red.

This one should work: https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Pedal_Kits_and_Parts/Mini_Toggle_Switches_SPDT.html (#7465)



Last edited by BlueAttitude; 06/25/19 05:21 AM. Reason: more info
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Thanks Dave!

That switch looks sealed which I think is a great idea. I gig in what seems like the corrosion capital of the US.

The old switch came apart and I suppose when I tried to hold it back together, I used too much force, or put something on backwards, or didn't know what it was supposed to look like.

The old switch must have been made on a Friday afternoon or Monday morning, because the identical switch in my other Parker seems sturdy. I'll probably replace it anyway if I get something more reliable.

That'll teach me to loan out my other Parker. I should have loaned him my LTD Faux LP wink Murphy's law rules, as soon as you loan something out, you need it.

So I put two "wrong" switches in, and hopefully the next one with be right.

It seems like I'm going to "Introduction to Guitar Maintenance" school now. wink but that's OK, I like learning new things.

Too bad Parker went out of business, I'd like to get more info on how that preamp works.

Insights and incites by Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,374
Thanks again Dave,

BTW it is the same switch Stew-Mac recommended but your post came a day earlier than their response.

It's on the way. My guitar will be happy again.

Notes


Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Thanks for that update, Notes.
Yes, that circuit would work, but the earlier one had me completely confused. It couldn't work.
(I'm qualified in Industrial Electronics and Electronic Instrumentation)
Grounding the unused pickup is how I had expected the circuit to operate.

It's not quite a standard On/Off/On configuration, as there are two isolated connections. A standard standard On/Off/On would have a common connection (3 wires for a single pole switch).


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
But in effect it does have a common connection because the two outside terminals are connected to ground.

Electrically identical to using a three pole on-off-on switch with the center terminal connected to ground.

(Two years technical school to become an electronic technician, I job I worked at for 15 years before going back to school for software engineering)

Off-Topic
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,313
Yes, good point Dave, however the difference is that it has been externally wired to have a common connection. The switch itself has 4 terminals, allowing isolation between the connections if required.


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Off-Topic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,680
Yes, that’s true. Fortunately not required in this case!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.

Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.

If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!

Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.

Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.

Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano

Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!

Bonjour à tous,

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music

Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:

BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation

Voilà, enjoy!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!

Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!

Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:

https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025.exe
https://nn.pgmusic.com/pgfiles/languagesupport/deutsch2025RB.exe

Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!

Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.

Stay up to date—get the latest update now!

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,298
Posts777,446
Members39,614
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
weedindubai, Claudio Paolini, bjornen71, CATBELLOU, Banjopotamus
39,613 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 148
zedd 120
DC Ron 106
nonchai 104
WaoBand 102
rsdean 86
Today's Birthdays
timbalera, WineRider
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5