Question for Hans. Mars X170T coil tap switch

[matsickma]

Hi Hans,

I have a Mars Music X170T with the extra 2-way switch on the treble bout. I have been having trouble with this switch not holding in place and crackling. I pulled the pickups and switch out yesterday and was suprised by the wiring on the PUPs and switch. The HB must be the "Fender" models but the guitar is a Westerly.

I need to replace the switch but can't seem to identify it. It is a Switchcraft but I can't find a model number on it.

Any idea on the type of switch this is and where I can get a new one?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[hansmoust]

Hi Hans,

I have a Mars Music X170T with the extra 2-way switch on the treble bout. I have been having trouble with this switch not holding in place and crackling. I pulled the pickups and switch out yesterday and was suprised by the wiring on the PUPs and switch. The HB must be the "Fender" models but the guitar is a Westerly.

I need to replace the switch but can't seem to identify it. It is a Switchcraft but I can't find a model number on it.

Any idea on the type of switch this is and where I can get a new one?

Thanks,

Mike

Hello Mike,

Yes, those should be the Fender designed humbuckers.

Re. the switch:
Are you sure it's a Switchcraft? Does it say Switchcraft on the switch?
I do not know what the part number is for that particular Switchcraft switch and where you can buy it in the US. However, there might be another solution. Just send me a PM.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Default]

Awhile back, Stew-Mac had a blurb about a switch problem and a vintage LP. During the years, the stock pin had bent from use and the switch would flop or get stuck in one position.The tech drifted out the pin that holds the toggle handle and replaced it with a section of brad. If you elect to try this, make the new pin short enough for the nut to tighten past the pin. If the replacement pin is too long, the nut can't thread past it.

 

[matsickma]

Hi Hans and Default,

After seeing the pickup wiring on the Mars Music X170T I realized my guitar's alternate switching was not working as it was designed. The coil tap switch on my guitar only influenced the bridge pickup. After seeing the wiring I realized that was incorrect. The 2-way switch on the Mars Music model is not a simple switch as shown by Default. Instead it is a Switchcraft (name is on the switch) "stacked switch". On the Switchcraft website under "Stacked Switches" is a generic diagram that is similar to mine.

I decided the easies way to trouble shoot the switch was to route the switch and cables under the HB pickup ring, raise the bridge and then evaluate the settings with the switch exposed. What I discovered is that the switch got out of allignment and various contacts were not making a firm connection. This explained the lack of functionality and the arcing across the switch. I carefully adjusted the multi conductors on the stacked switch back into allignment. The guitar was reassembled and everything seems to be functioning properly.

I am very happy with the results. I'll explain my results. The Mars Music X170T uses a pair of Fender "Guild" humbuckers. These pickups look like standard Guild from the front. On the back they have the Guild name stamped into the bottom housing. The unusual feature of the Fender/Guild HB is that that have terminals for each of the two bobbins on the humbucker. Thus it is easy to access the bobbins to do a coil tap. An additional feature of the Fender/Guild HB is that both ears of the HB have a 3-hole mounting. Thus these pups can be mounted on a standard Guild 2+1 mounting ring or a standard 1+1 ring. The pickup sound similar to Guild HB but I detect a little change in tone that is a little less bright and they seem to distort/growl a little bit more that a true Guild. (These tone differences are subtle and others may have a different audible experiance.) Overall i like the Fender/Guild HB.

Now in the standard wiring the guitar is a N, N+B, B HB arrangement. Switching in the coil tap you now get N, N+B and B SC arrangement. This configuration is very bright with presence. The Bridge PUP is a little weak but nice and sharp. It blends perfectly in the N+B combination. However the Neck SC tone is outstanding. Has a bit of a Franz tone to it. I like it very much. Full and sharp.

Now I just got to hope the switch doesn't fail.

M

 

[danerectal]

I am very happy with the results. I'll explain my results. The Mars Music X170T uses a pair of Fender "Guild" humbuckers. These pickups look like standard Guild from the front. On the back they have the Guild name stamped into the bottom housing. The unusual feature of the Fender/Guild HB is that that have terminals for each of the two bobbins on the humbucker. Thus it is easy to access the bobbins to do a coil tap. An additional feature of the Fender/Guild HB is that both ears of the HB have a 3-hole mounting. Thus these pups can be mounted on a standard Guild 2+1 mounting ring or a standard 1+1 ring. The pickup sound similar to Guild HB but I detect a little change in tone that is a little less bright and they seem to distort/growl a little bit more that a true Guild. (These tone differences are subtle and others may have a different audible experiance.) Overall i like the Fender/Guild HB.

I've noticed the same growly character. Dreamlander and I put a pair in his 90s S-100 and when compared to one of mine with 70s HB-1s, there is a noticeable difference. I wonder if the Fender models use a different magnet than the HB-1s. They sound similar, but not quite the same. I guess I never got to hear an HB-1 in the 70s though... :roll: