The Electra Forums

I picked up my old Electra bass (In great shape after sitting around in storage for about 20 years.) I've totally forgotten what the switches do! The last switch is for the EQ, that much I've figured out. My toggle switch seems to have the usual two settings but actually moves into three positions. (With the first one being dead). Is that the way it always was or is there a problem with the wiring in my toggle?! Wish I saved the owner's instructions too!

X640s, such as these:



The first switch (the big one) is your pickup selector, 3 position: Neck/Both/Bridge, if one of the positions isn't working after a long vacation, the switch probably just needs to be cleaned. It is possible one of your pickups died, but it is more likely the switch. Flick the bajesus out of it for 20 seconds and listen to see if the pickup starts crackling through. You can get electronic cleaner at Radio Shack.

The first microswitch is the Parallel/Series switch, it should work in all three positions of the Pickup selector, should make your pickups a touch louder and boomier. The 2nd micro is for the phase, will only sound different in the center 'Both' position, and will sound thin and have frequency cancellation going on when out of phase. Last micro is the Active EQ on/off as you mentioned.

Good luck and tell us if just a good cleaning gets you back in business, oh and Welcome Aboard, Mike.



P.S. I'm thinking about selling the one on the right (with the better looking stain job), if anyones interested, drop me a line!

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

HUGELY helpful! Thanks!!! I'll run out and get some cleaner and see if that helps. The X640 on the right is the exact same one I have!!

I did like you suggested, flicking the toggle switch, and the first position clicked in! Sometimes it would crackle and go out a little. I'm hoping that just means that once I use the cleaner it should be ok.

Thats good info but how do the switches relate to the knobs? The middle one does some interesting things but I really don't understand whats going on. Also middle toggle down with the bridge pick up selected is dead on mine. I know its out of phase but should it kill the output. Do I have an issue?
Thanks