Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hi all ...
Need some thoughts on recent scratchy noises on my 4003.

If I use each pickup individually everything sounds fine. When I select the middle position I'm getting a scratchy noise like a loose wire.

Is this just a case of the selector switch needing cleaned, or should I look at replacing it, or is there potentially another cause ?

those toggle switches do that sometimes ... I have 2 rics at home that do it ... the solution is replace the switch ... you can get one from Mike Parks ...

Thanks Jeff, I was figuring thats what was needed, just didn't want to spoil the 100% original.

CAIG Labs DeOxit D5 is the solution to all your dirty contact problems...

Thanks Rob, I'll give this a try before I look to swapping out the selector switch

Jim, FYI Caig's products work wonders...

I've used it to clean pots that were almost totally frozen, and they end up feeling like new!

It's expensive stuff, but a can will last a long time - it's worth it...

Sometimes just flipping a noisy switch back and forth 10-20 times does the trick.

I've got some prices, and looks like I can get a 5oz can for about $15, which is fine. I'll go the cleaning route first before I swap the switch. I can also use it on the pots on my old B-25.

Yeah, I've got three 70's SVT's, plus a '66 B-15 and a pair of Sound City 200+ heads... and I do work on bandmates and friends gear - I use the stuff all the time.

If you're doing pots you might also want to consider getting some MCL - that's the pot lube. D5 cleans 'em and the MCL lubes 'em up.

The progold is good for tube pins and other high temp applications.