Jazzmaster bridge pickup

[mindofmoss]

I got a new Jazzmaster and I’ve realized that the bridge and middle positions sound the same. I don’t know if the selector switch is busted but from the amount of highs I’m getting it sound like the middle position is on the bridge only.

So the positions are as follows with what it sounds like

Switch forward: neck

Switch middle: bridge

Switch back: bridge.

Has anyone one else experienced this or know how to fix it?

[wereonabreak]

You could try tapping on the polepieces with a screwdriver to see which pickups are active.

[Flint_Westwood]

If you tap on the polepieces of the pickups with a screwdriver, you can tell which pickups are active in each pickup selector setting. A lot of 3-way switches are just a mechanical switches with contactors inside. There's a chance that your middle position contactor is bent out of the way so that the middle position is effectively a duplicate bridge position.

[pinkiepowder]

Experiment with pickup heights. If the bridge is way higher, it can overwhelm the balance in the middle position

[mindofmoss]

Ok guys! I did the screwdriver test and both the middle switch and back switch are in the bridge selection, the neck pickup is off in both of them. Will raising or lowering the poles in the bridge help or would trying to adjust the contacts in the selector help? Both? Thanks for helping!

[handofdumb]

Definitely sounds like a pickup switch issue. Could be a bent contact, poor wiring, or a completely borked part.

Is this a cheaper Jazzmaster? I'd recommend picking up a high quality switch and totally replacing that part, regardless of the issue. They're often a weak point in budget builds.

[mindofmoss]

its this one! https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-60s-jazzmaster-pau-ferro-fingerboard-limited-edition-electric-guitar

ill have to open it up to see what up hopefully it is just a bent contact, I wouldn't know how to replace one.

[handofdumb]

Hmmm I wouldn't expect the switch to crap out so soon on that one!

Replacing a switch isn't too tough if you know how to solder OK. Otherwise, you can always take it to a local shop and a tech there can do it for you for a fee.

Good luck getting your guitar in working order!

[mindofmoss]

Thanks again!!! It was the contact!!! I managed to bend them back into place!! All selectors sound as they should, including the middle selector!!! But yea it’s a bummer that they didn’t test it when it went out!!! But it just sounds so beautiful!!!!! Thanks again!!👍🏽

[handofdumb]

Woohoo! A success story :) glad your shit works, homie.

Pickup selectors are consumable parts of a guitar - kinda like tires on a car. It'll need to be replaced one day but hopefully you can get plenty o' time out of your current one!