Jay Turser Guitar Repair

January 2020

Here is some info on a Jay Turser Strat clone we worked on in January.

Jay Turser Strat clone - Pickguard removed

When this guitar came into the shop, it was showing some signs of corrosion - not really bad on the guitar surface, (pickguard screws and other hardware, etc) but indications that it had lived in some dampness at some point. The main symptoms were that the volume and tone controls were not working. The guitar would actually play through an amp, but the volume and tone controls did not change the volume or tone at all. The 5-way switch did seem to be working. One other complaint was that the action was a bit high. This looked like it could be tweaked, as the bridge had some adjustment left, and the neck had a slight bow, which, hopefully, could be corrected with the truss rod.

Initially, we were hopeful that just cleaning the pots and switch with contact cleaner might do the trick, but it became obvious once we removed the pickguard that at least the pots would need to be replaced, and that it would probably be a good idea to replace the switch as well.

Corrosion on tone pot

Corrosion on volume pot

Corrosion on volume pot - particularly bad on the wiper contact

Corrosion on switch

We decided to go with standard size CTS pots, as these are better quality than the cheap metric pots currently installed. The CTS pots are better, and not really that much more expensive than the metric versions. We will have to enlarge the holes in the pickguard a bit for these, but that is not a big deal. We ordered a set of CTS pots, a replacement capacitor for the tone controls, and a replacement standard strat 5-way switch.

Once the parts got here, we protected the body with a rag, disconnectted the pickguard from the pickups and output jack, and removed the old pots and switch.

Disconnecting Pickguard from Pickups and Output Jack

Old Parts Removed from Pickguard

After reaming the pot holes to 3/8", we installed the new pots and selector switch, and wired them up in a standard Strat configuration (which is how the old parts were wired).

New Parts Mounted to Pickguard

Wired, with new tone capacitor

Once the pickguard was rewired, we reconnected it to the pickups and output jack, and installed it back on the guitar.

Pickguard Mounted Back on Guitar

While attempting to adjust the neck, string height and intonation, we discovered that the bridge was missing one of the saddle adjustment screws. Luckly, the spring was still there, and we found a screw that fits (it was a bit longer, so we used it for the high E saddle.

Missing Bridge Adjustment Screw

Replaced Bridge Adjustment Screw

We were able to straighten the neck with the truss rod a bit, and get the intonation pretty close, but we were unable to lower the action much, as it caused some string buzzing on the lower frets. It looks like the nut slots are a bit deep for the weight of the strings currently installed and would probably need to be replaced in order to fix this issue. Also, the frets could use some leveling. This is luthier level work, and not something we are comfortable tackling. However, the volume and tone pots, and the selector switch, are all working correctly, the bridge is fixed, and the quitar is functional again.

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