Stiff Selector Switch

thegummy · November 2019

I bought a 3 way CRL Tele switch with spring action after it being recommended on here.

The switch is very strong and it takes a lot of pressure to change. That's good for stopping accidental switches while strumming which does happen on my other Strat but it's just a bit too hard, really have to put pressure on it which takes longer (still talking milliseconds).

Is there any way to alter the action and loosen it up?

ICBM · November 2019

It’s likely to be a combination of the spring strength and friction - try a little oil on the mechanical ‘notch’ part first. You can weaken the spring if you’re careful but it’s a no-going-back operation if you get it wrong and end up with it too loose, so I would only try that as a last resort.

Funkfingers · November 2019

Sounds as if something is physically impairing the movement of the lever.

Was the switch equally stiff before anything was soldered to it? Is it possible that a conductor wire has become lodged against the switch.

normula1 · November 2019

The 3 way CRL I recently bought is pretty stiff too, especially compared to a typical 5 way, so it could be par for the course.

ICBM · November 2019

normula1 said:

The 3 way CRL I recently bought is pretty stiff too, especially compared to a typical 5 way, so it could be par for the course.

3-ways are always stiffer than 5-ways if they're the same basic design, because the notches in between the positions are smaller on the 5-way.

thegummy · November 2019

ICBM said:

normula1 said:

The 3 way CRL I recently bought is pretty stiff too, especially compared to a typical 5 way, so it could be par for the course.

3-ways are always stiffer than 5-ways if they're the same basic design, because the notches in between the positions are smaller on the 5-way.

It definitely seems to just be the way it is rather than anything wrong with it or soldered to it.

But at the same time it's a lot more extra stiffness than I'd think just the extra difference would cause.

How would I go about loosening the spring?

ICBM · November 2019

thegummy said:

How would I go about loosening the spring?

By stretching it carefully. *Very* carefully...

thegummy · November 2019

ICBM said:

thegummy said:

How would I go about loosening the spring?

By stretching it carefully. *Very* carefully...

I foresee myself breaking it lol.

Andyjr1515 · November 2019

Before risking stretching it, are you able to just unlatch the spring and try the switch? If it's still stiff then it's not going to be the spring that's the problem

jaymenon · September 2023

ICBM said:

It’s likely to be a combination of the spring strength and friction - try a little oil on the mechanical ‘notch’ part first. You can weaken the spring if you’re careful but it’s a no-going-back operation if you get it wrong and end up with it too loose, so I would only try that as a last resort.

Would that (red arrow) be the area to lubricate please? And would WD-40 silicone spray work? Or is it better to use some oil on a toothpick?

Funkfingers · September 2023

I would use grease. Apply in modest quantity between the wheel and the ridges in the metal plate. Operate the lever to distribute the grease along the ridges.

The wheel and ridges switches never feel as positive as the CRL sprung type.

ICBM · September 2023

There's more friction in a twin-wafer switch too, which doesn't help.

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Stiff Selector Switch

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