Interesting problem with Silo Special

[Rockhopper]

Hi all just wondering if anyone here has come across something similar as I am not sure what to do or look at next.

The problem is that all of the switch positions, bar one, works perfectly. I have 'noise' from the position that gives 'coils 3+4'.

The 'noise' is strange. Originally I thought it was tube noise from my amp (Sounds incredibly similar). So obviously I checked this by
a) Changing amps (Tried 2 others)
b) Also tried in a different place with 2 amps (Thinking it could have been electrical interference/noise.)

Still no luck. I have checked the wiring all seems ok (obviously not as there is an issue). I have also tried my other Silo special and silo in equivalent positions and they are fine.

So any ideas?

 

[jamminjim]

Have you tried cleaning the switch contacts?

 

[Rockhopper]

Thanks for the reply. I have used contact cleaner on the switch contacts.

 

[DrKev]

You mean the neck/middle position? That should be very quiet indeed.

Do the two SSs have the same pickups and do they sound pretty much the same?

 

[Rockhopper]

Same layout. HSS on both but the one with the problem is about 12 years older.... and they do sound pretty much the same. This is why it has completely befuddled me!

Also it is the neck/middle position. On Middle only perfect on neck only perfect. Might just swap out the switch as it is the only thing I can think of that it could be.

 

[beej]

Can you define 'strange'? There's always going to be a bit of noise when using combination of single coils, but it shouldn't be that far off from the other positions.

 

[Rockhopper]

It sounds like 'tube' noise.... slight popping sound I suppose very intermittent. I initially thought it was the tubes in the amp.

I have also tried 'pushing' on the battery compartment as I had an issue once where if the Battery box was 'pushed' it made a noise. However it is not this.

 

[beej]

What happens if you pull the battery out?

 

[Rockhopper]

Y'know..... I changed the battery but I haven't just left it out.. (currently smacking myself in the head for not trying this!)

 

[Rockhopper]

Ok Tried the battery out option and that setting is now quiet. Must be something shorting or creating noise on that middle/neck position.

 

[beej]

Yeah, I had a feeling. The Silent Circuit (used to remove the hum) is only active in the neck position. In the other positions, it's grounded by one set of poles on the lever. It could be that the lever isn't properly grounding it in that position.

If you look at the control cavity, the yellow wire from the SC connects to a few of the switch poles- I'd check to make sure the connection looks good at all of them, and inspect how well the switch is making contact. Could be something is a little bent, or a bit of corrosion (contact cleaner would take care of that).

Give it a looksee ... drop the customer service guys a line if you can't make any headway with it, or you're not comfortable poking around in there.

 

[DrKev]

If you look at the control cavity, the yellow wire from the SC connects to a few of the switch poles- I'd check to make sure the connection looks good at all of them, and inspect how well the switch is making contact. Could be something is a little bent, or a bit of corrosion (contact cleaner would take care of that).

Yes, my exact thoughts too. It's either the physical contact of the switch itself in position 4 or possibly just that one solder joint corresponding to position 4.

If you want a schematic, you should Contact customer service with the serial number of your guitar and they'll send you the correct schematic. There was a revision at some point in time and I can't tell you which schematic is correct or your older Silo Special, or even how different they are.

 

[Rockhopper]

Thanks. I will check it out this evening if time allows. Cheers for the advice.