Volume + Tone Knob problems ON/OFF only???

[Spare-Flair]

I've just bought a used Aria Pro II Mad Axe guitar.

I know this isn't a common guitar but anyway, I am having some serious issues with it, the previous owner replaced the stock humbucker and it seems to have lots of noise everywhere unless the selector is in position 2 (between neck and middle pickups) where it's pretty silent. The biggest issue is that there's a wierd thing where the volume and tone controls don't really seem to do anything, there is no gradual increase in volume or tone as you turn them. It's all the same level until you hit one point and then there's an audible static pop and it goes silent or to the new tone. So basically the knobs are on-off only and not gradual. Has anybody heard of anything like this before? I'm not experienced in guitar repairs or electronics, can this be fixed?


The previous owner installed a Kent Armstrong HDSE-1 humbucker versus the stock humbucker.

[krissovo]

I would just re-wire the whole thing and ensure that it is sheilded. Sounds a bit of a mess inside.

Initial checks and actions if I was you is lift the scratch guard and check all connections connected and well (bright and well soldiered) I would imagine maybe a ground has come loose somewhere, I would also spray all the pots with an electrical connector cleaning spray.

[ownagesbot]

I had a similar problem when one of my wires came loose.

A rewire with shielding should pretty much rid the hum.

Dont be put off by "rewire" get yourself a diagram and your sorted. Soldering isn't hard.
Assuming you havent soldered before, just read a quick tips & hints thing off the inet, have a couple of test goes and you should be able to do a clean job (just take your time)

Just make sure you follow the diagram Dont go wiring the volumes to the tones :P

[Spare-Flair]

Originally Posted by ownagesbot

I had a similar problem when one of my wires came loose.

A rewire with shielding should pretty much rid the hum.

Dont be put off by "rewire" get yourself a diagram and your sorted. Soldering isn't hard.
Assuming you havent soldered before, just read a quick tips & hints thing off the inet, have a couple of test goes and you should be able to do a clean job (just take your time)

Just make sure you follow the diagram Dont go wiring the volumes to the tones :P

I can solder (I just keep forgetting to use flux properly). The biggest issue is that I can't find a wiring diagram, this is a pretty obscure older guitar with different electronics. The tone knob is also a push-pull coil tap for splitting the humbucker.