Inside info

I'm in the midst of reviving my Fender ST-72 which is suffering from electronics deterioration. Yes, we do take meticulous care of our guitars, we practise exterior maintenance but the internal components are deteriorating. Because they are not as conveniently accessible as the extenal counterparts, they receive less cleaning & would eventually give way. The above 5-way switch was the default model in the ST-72; it's the VLX53. These are also equipped in the Japanese Ibanez selections so what's the catch here? Answer: They are from the same Fujigen factory. My VLX53 had to go because the contacts were ineffective despite countless spraying of contact cleaners on many occasions.

This is how the ST-72 looks like under the pickguard; unlike the American Standard, the Japanese cavities cater for an all single coils affair. The cavities are also much deeper compared to some American makes which is a good thing for those of us who purchased switches with extended measurements; fitting is not an issue. Do note the finished cavity surfaces as well; the workmanship here is impressive to say the least.