A Bernie arrived from Dave's today. Everything about the guitar so far seems perfect except for the switch. The switch works fine in neck and bridge positions, but in the middle position I get nothing from the neck and the bridge volume is intermittent and maybe scratchy at best. Question: Should I send it back, is it an easy fix (I am guessing yes, but it's my first electric and I don't want to screw it up), or should I talk to them about it or do something else? So basically, what's the best course of action. I would have to take the guitar up the road 40 miles if I have to take it to a shop, and that's not going to happen in the next two days. I have basically Thursday to figure this switch problem out as it arrived this evening. I came really close to getting the 594 last week before it sold, but I talked myself out of it because it's my guess that Bernie's are not going to be available much longer at these kind of prices where there will be some version of a 594 out there for the foreseeable future. Also both were used and if the Bernie were a dud I am not out too much where I would be a little more anxious about the 594. Pictures to follow once I get this switch sorted out. TIA, Tom
First of all, you should remove the backplate to check whether the switch has enough free room for proper operation. The Bernie's cavity is quite small, so one of the wires inside may lay across. I had a similar problem with my Bernie. One of those wires inside prevented the guitar's cable contact to the output jack.
Talked to Dave's. They are sending a replacement guitar and a shipping label so I can send this one back. Probably a very easy fix I could do in 10 minutes, but I will let them do their fix first since they want to make it right. Please let me know if there are other options I should consider. Cheers, Tom
Happy New Bernie Day! You'll have to post some pics once you get the replacement! I got mine last night. I gotta get some pics and I'll create a NGD thread too.
I may need a Bernie owner's manual. The middle switch position sort of works. I have to have both volumes up to get sound out for the middle position. If I have the neck volume maxed and the bridge volume all the way down I get nothing. If I then turn up the bridge volume both pickups get louder depending on how much I turn it. In other words the volume for both pickups in the middle switch position is whatever the lowest volume is. Is that how it is supposed to work? I am new at this stuff as I have never had two volumes before, but that doesn't seem right. I just don't know.
What you describe is how most 2 volume 2 hum bucker guitars work. My Tremonti and my Les Paul both operate the same when my pickup selector is in the middle position.
As the others said, this is just how it works. You can use that "feature" as a kill switch. When you are in the middle position the signal travels through both volume pots so either one can kill it all if they are turned to zero. It can be kind of a balancing act to find exactly what you are looking for when you start tweaking them but as long as neither goes to zero you should still have sound.
Called Dave's to explain my ignorance. They took it in stride. Don't know if they cancelled the replacement Bernie in time that they were sending. Probably already on the UPS truck. I probably should keep it as a reminder to myself if it does come.
Checked the shipping number. Bernie #2 has left the building. I think my best course of action would be to not get it out of the box and march over to UPS and pay for a return ride back to Dave's. Of course I could tape it up after I take a peak and it would be nice to have a spare just in case and ... which is why I need to not look and just send it back. Somebody throw some cold reason on me before I start melting down and/or hoarding (more) guitars that I don't need.
You need a spare... What if one needs to go in for repairs or a setup... What if you decide you want to keep one tuned and setup for a half step down or some other alternate tuning? What if one just doesn't feel right that day?
See, I don't have this problem. I wouldn't want two of the exact same guitar. Of course, I would wonder which one sounded better, and would want to keep that one...
C'mon, look at the rest of us. The disease is already taking hold. Just like Lays, you can't stop at one!
