Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I just picked up a 2005 650 Dakota which has a bad pickup selector switch. The RIC boutique is closed right now so I'm wondering if anyone remembers if these switches are available from RIC and, even better, what the price is?

The switch, itself, should be the same as that on most other Rick instruments, but IIRC, the handle/bat matches the rest of the hardware, not black plastic. That may or may not be available.

The bat should be available; IIRC, before the change-over to the new boutique, there was more than one bat listed. According to the guitar overview at the RIC site (http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/650.pdf), the part number is 03594 (Chrome).

The toggle switch should be the standard one which, according to Mike park's Rickenbacker Page web site (as well as the RIC site), is part number 08834.

Thanks for the replies. My 650's handle/bat (03594) is fine and can be removed and re-used. It is just the switch (08834) that I need to replace, and it looks like the Rickenbacker Page has them in stock for $25... very cool!

What is the problem with the switch? Most of the time these can be taken care of without having to replace it.

jps wrote:What is the problem with the switch? Most of the time these can be taken care of without having to replace it.

Excellent point. If you're getting static or no sound in one position this can very often be fixed with a little judicious bending of the metal strips. Tell us your symptoms and we can be more precise.

I have a wiring harness from one of my Rickenbackers that has a bad selector switch which can't be fixed (I've tried!), so it does happen.

It can't hurt to play with a pair of needle nose pliers at adjusting those metal contact tabs. Sometimes you can fix intermittency by getting more pressure from the tab. Also you can clean the contact points with a little steel wool or Scotchbrite and that can improve the functioning. What have you got to lose?

doctorwho wrote:I have a wiring harness from one of my Rickenbackers that has a bad selector switch which can't be fixed (I've tried!), so it does happen.

What couldn't be fixed on it?

jps wrote:What is the problem with the switch? Most of the time these can be taken care of without having to replace it.

The switch will not stay in either the front or back pickup position - it always returns to the middle position. I had a similar problem with the switch on my 4003 and was able to fix that by bending the tabs. But on the 650 the switch post has apparently become damaged and does not seat tightly in the switch - it has a lot of movement up/down (as opposed to the normal front/mid/back movement) and I cannot get the post to lock onto the switch tabs.

jps wrote:

doctorwho wrote:I have a wiring harness from one of my Rickenbackers that has a bad selector switch which can't be fixed (I've tried!), so it does happen.

What couldn't be fixed on it?

I can't remember off the top of my head, but if I think of it (or find the switch which I may still have) I'll let you know.

So, the ball/pins have lots of wear! 2005?

jps wrote:So, the ball/pins have lots of wear! 2005?

Exactly.