Help needed for a grand old lady.

[Vin_79_Sabre]

Hey I'm wondering if any techo's out there can please advise me on some sound issues I'm having with my beloved 79 Sabre.

I've had had her for about 8 glorious years but since recently upgrading my rig (Aguilar AG500SC and SWRGoliathIII. The sound is freakin awesome) - I'm noticing 2 things:

1- It has a slight distortion which can create serious dirt when the second switch (series paralell??) is switched towards the neck and I give it a hard slap.
2- an earth hum issue with hands removed from the strings (and the rest).

I never really paid much attention before now because the amps I've played through have never been so clear- but now I'm figuring I wouldn't mind giving the old girl a bit of electronic TLC to clear out any gunk that might have accumulated over the last 30 odd years. or maybe replace any parts that might have deteriorated.

So does anyone know which components might deteriorate like this over time?

BTW I live a long way from a trusted technician and would rather research and repair myself if possible. (I'm no stranger to a soldering iron and multimeter).

Cheers

 

[Caca de Kick]

The 2nd switch is a phase in/out switch. I haven't run across anyone who likes the out of phase position toward the neck, that sound sucks.

Slight buzzing on a Sabre when letting go of the strings is also normal.

 

[bdgotoh]

Have you put in a fresh battery? The distortion sometimes happens as the battery dies.

 

[Vin_79_Sabre]

The 2nd switch is a phase in/out switch....that sound sucks.

lol. yeah so does the "bright" switch- but I've actually found them more useful with the new rig. In fact I used to just have it set to the Stingray (bridge) pickup permanently. I only just recently realised how much that neck pickup fills out the sound.

Have you put in a fresh battery?

I checked it- but yeah- probably should try a brand spankin new one.