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How to Fix a Scratchy Guitar Toggle

Electric guitars typically have two or three pickups that collect the sound from strings. The pickups are positioned at different locations on the guitar's body to yield different tones. A switch is used to select the different pickups and sometimes to select a combination of pickups. Slide switches may be used for this purpose, but most common is a toggle switch. Dust and dirt can build up on the switch contacts, causing a crackle or static in the sound when the switch is moved to different positions. In severe cases, the volume may drop out completely.

Things You'll Need

Electronic spray contact cleaner
Phillips screwdriver
String (for certain guitars)

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a spray can of electronic contact cleaner from an electronics store. It will come with a straw-like tube that fits in the nozzle of the spray to enable you to accurately direct the spray.
- 2
  Remove the strings from the guitar. Unfortunately, the toggle switch's contacts on most guitars are not accessible without exposing the guitar's electronics.
- 3
  Unscrew the guitar's pick guard and carefully lift it up and flip it over. Be mindful of any thin wires that connect parts on the circuit board, the guitar jack and other components. Often, an electric guitar's toggle switch, volume and tone controls will be mounted together.
- 4
  Locate the toggle switch and spray some electronic cleaner onto the contacts. Move the toggle switch back and forth through all its positions a dozen or more times to spread the cleaning fluid and for the switch contacts to wipe off debris.
- 5
  Plug the guitar into an amplifier and move the toggle switch through its positions to see if the problem is solved. If not, repeat the cleaning procedure. Reassemble the pick guard, being careful not to pinch any small wires between the pick guard and the guitar's body.

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