Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Got my new 330/12 BBR today, and tried it out. Then I switched to my 1989 230 and the pickup switch wasn't working. Took the switch out of the guitar and looks like the switch is bad and will have to be replaced. RIC gets $25 for a C & K 7211 DPDT on/on/on switch that I did a brief search online for and found for about $7.50. Talk about a price markup!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has had to replace their switches in their 230/250/220 series guitars? I think one of the bass models besides the 2030/2050 uses that switch too...maybe the 4004?

I'm thinking of just drilling out the switch hole a little bit and going with a gibson style toggle switch, and getting rid of the circuit board and using individual pots. Wanted to see what others think of that idea. Anyone?

I would if you think it is an improvement. I have never been one to not mod a guitar or amp to get it to where I want it. The down side may be whether its saleable or having a loss in value down the road.

Greg, with all due respect, you (like me) are an incorrigible tinkerer.

If you aren't afraid of a value loss (this type of thing is definitely irreversible...) then, OK, go ahead. But suppose for some weird reason 230s, riding the coattails of other models, become sought-after as well. Yours would stand out like a sore thumb.

Buy the darned correct swtich, buddy.

And, satisfy that itch by starting another guitar project.

Yes I am a tinkerer for sure Paul, and thank you very much.

I'm not worried about the value loss at all as I don't plan to ever sell the guitar. Even if I was going to sell it, most players would probably feel it is an improvement since the volume and tone for each pickup would then correspond to the switch location instead of being backwards in relation to each other. They also wouldn't be so stiff to turn which has always annoyed me.

I was thinking that while I would have to drill a hole to make the larger switch fit, I could always use a spacer if need be to put the board and switch back in without much of a cosmetic difference. The guitar needs to be refinished anyway since it was originally red and the previous owner had it refinished black, without getting rid of the red first. There is so much paint on it that it is cracking (the paint not the guitar wood!) so one of these days I will refinish it. So it already isn't original anymore although currently it is reversible. Thanks for the suggestions!

I've actually decided to get one correct switch so I can fix the board, and then I'll get a similar switch that will fit in the same hole that is more suited for point to point wiring. Then I'll get some pots and caps and the one resistor in the circuit and wire it up like a normal guitar. Should sound and work the same, but have better action on the pots, and if I ever decide to sell it I can put the board back in. And no holes drilled. See I do listen to your advice Paul.....it just takes me a couple days to see the wisdom!

Oooh...and that was post 666! Must be because that guitar is black and evil.