Guitar Strum Magnet Losing Strength

[kinnonyee]

Hi,
I received a replacement guitar and the strumming of it is starting to lose its accuracy. Sometimes it registers, and sometimes it doesn't. It's not a "contact" type of guitar, but rather a magnet type, so I'm not sure what I should do. The warranty period is over, so I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on this guitar and ones in the future.

[tinpusher]

I would suggest that you do this mod.
http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34766

this mod will teach you how to replace the existing switches with more reliable rocker switches. I have done this to all of my guitars and, frankly, I love it.

There is also an instructional video for this mod. It can be found here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-j6QmPGS_Q

[chr1s]

I don't believe the new magnet type stummers work that way tinpusher.

The old guitars did for sure.

[Frederf]

Hi,
I received a replacement guitar and the strumming of it is starting to lose its accuracy. Sometimes it registers, and sometimes it doesn't. It's not a "contact" type of guitar, but rather a magnet type, so I'm not sure what I should do. The warranty period is over, so I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on this guitar and ones in the future.

As far as I know the magnetic strum sensors work on the idea that a magnet moved in line with a coil of wire will create a current. If this is the case then remember that the strength of the signal out of the sensor will depend on three things:

1. The strength of the magnet

You might increase the magnet strength by adding another magnet inside the guitar behind the original one pointed in the same direction, say a neodymium button.

2. How close the magnet is to the coil

You might want to open your guitar and see if all the sensor parts are where they should be and even see if moving the magnet and coil closer together helps.

3. How fast the magnet moves when close to the coil

This is more a question of technique. The more sharply and suddenly you strum the greater the electrical impulse will be in the sensor. A weak or slow strum will generate a weaker impulse.

[njerald]

As far as I know the magnetic strum sensors work on the idea that a magnet moved in line with a coil of wire will create a current.

Actually, the magnetic strum sensors use reed switches (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_switch).

[Frederf]

Well feed me nails and call me Rusty. Correct post #4 by replacing "coil" with "reed switch" and disregard point no. 3.

[tinpusher]

Ive replaced the reed switches in my rb2 strat with the rocker switches, per the instructions in the mod for which I provided a URL and a video.
They work GREAT.

[ABlaze]

A switch is still a switch, no matter how the contact is made. The reed switches have two wires going into it. These same wires could be connected to a mechanical switch (such as rocker switches) and as long as you can close the connection, the strummer will, well, strum. The trick is how to install mechanical switches in place of the reed switches. I am guessing the referenced instructions and video will tell you that.

[esquehill]

Another approach is to buy the strumfix kit from bytearts dot com;
I have 4 guitars with them... they work great, and seem to be
durable.

[pkennedy49009]

Thanks for info guys - so does anyone know where one might find the correct reed switch and/or appropriate sensitivity magnet? Both seem like pretty cheap/easy DIY fixes - maybe easier than the referenced rocker switch remod?Thanks!

PK