Minor Vela surgery day

[Aahzz]

So, since my Vela is a 2019, it doesn't have the new US electronics. The 3-way switches they had been using are, in fact, crap - I've had issues with them on all 4 of the Velas I've owned. The other 3 would go a good while before starting to get staticky, and not reliably engaging the neck pickup, but a good squirt of contact cleaner would take care of it for a month or 2. My current Vela, however, was requiring at least a squirt a week, if it even made it that long.

I went to my local GC, because they actually have a good tech there - Frank does nice work, and I trust him with electronics. Unfortunately, they were out of switches. So, I ordered one from Amazon. Amazon shipped quickly as always, but I received a saxophone mouthpiece with a barcode that said it was a switchcraft switch. It went back to Amazon, and I ordered a switch from GC online, which took a little longer, but hey, it arrived ant it is, in fact, a switch.

Stopped back into GC today and Frank installed it while I waited, because he's awesome like that. Came home, put on new strings, and behold! I can reliably switch to my neck pickup .

Since every post should have a pic of a guitar:

 

[Broseph]

I do the same with all my imports. I can’t stand the cheap selectors.

 

[Bogner]

It's Amazing How Enjoyable A Working Guitar Can Be.

I Have A Few I Need To Finish Tinkering With.

 

[d^rren]

Will straight Switchcraft toggle fit, or do you need to use the 90-degree type like they put in SGs and Firebirds.

 

[Russ73]

I just finished rockin my satin vela!! Loud with the fellas....

 

[Birdsofprey]

^ As long as it’s a shorty. Not like the ones used in a LP.

 

[Moondog Wily]

Nothing like a Vela success story to brighten your day! Glad you got it sussed out!! Glad you are back in the Vela house ;~))

 

[Aahzz]

Will straight Switchcraft toggle fit, or do you need to use the 90-degree type like they put in SGs and Firebirds.

The short straight toggle works.

 

[bodia]

Nice, and I 100% dig the sticker.

 

[JasonE]

Congrats on the new switch. I would probably have ordered all PRS US components and swapped it all out while it was apart. You are welcome for the idea being planted in your head now.

 

[Black Dog]

Good to hear it's working. I swapped out the wiring harness on my DGT SE for CTS pots and a Switchcraft toggle switch and output jack.

 

[Aahzz]

Congrats on the new switch. I would probably have ordered all PRS US components and swapped it all out while it was apart. You are welcome for the idea being planted in your head now.

I had that idea already, but the pots work fine for me, so I don't see a reason - they've got good taper and they're not noisy. I have considered, and still might at some point, replacing the push/pull tone knob with a regular pot and adding a mini toggle for the coil tap.

 

[Tom Bradovich]

Great looking Vela, Aahzz, glad you got the toggle sorted and that the pots are behaving themselves.

I chuckled when I read that Amazon sent you a saxophone mouthpiece instead of the Switchcraft. Reminded me of when I ordered a pack of printer ink cartridges. Upon opening the box, all I discovered within were the air pillows used for cushioning. Sometimes you wonder, who's minding the store?

 

[aamefford]

^ As long as it’s a shorty.

My wife says that’s not an issue for me…

 

[Bogner]

The short straight toggle works.

For A Second I Thought This Was Some Type Of An Ad For Something Else...LOL.

 

[Birdsofprey]

My wife says that’s not an issue for me…

Didn’t want to call out any fellow members! I said member……

 

[aphantomvaper]

Great work Ahazz! I've been considering taking out the switch and doing the pickup blend pot mod.