ITT: How to make your GH3 controller live longer+buttonfix.

**Usagi** · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 227

I don't know if it's already been covered, but I didn't see it around and it's incredibly simple. Although, if you're already having unresponsive button problems, it may be too late. i'll explain later.

The problem is caused by the neck locking mechanism not being tight enough, letting the neck slide back and forth in the small amount of slack in the lock. I used 2 thicknesses of electrical tape to take up that space, and my neck doesn't move a fraction.
It might be too late to apply this if you're having trouble already because jiggling the neck back and forth causes the pins to dent the exposed contacts in the neck until eventually they don't make contact any more. I'm going to experiment with putting a blob of solder on the contacts to get them to spark again and I'll edit the result in.
For now, never rattle the neck around, and the earlier you fix it the better, to prevent damage to the contacts.

**ADAMAZiD** · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:19 am Post subject:

Tried it. Tested it.

Working a damn treat, Thanks alot Usagi

**SomeDude666** · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject:

wow.

Never thought of that. It looks a whole lot better than the rubber band thing people are doing, and you don't have to worry about it snapping

Nice work
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**howlong** · Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 857

very smart and easy fix good idea...my LP never screwed up

good fix though

**Qaszimon** · Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 419 Location: Chicago, IL

My yellow was already screwed apparently, but damn smart idea.

I know for sure that I will use this the second I get a new Les Paul.
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**TheRealGawker** · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I can personally verify that tinning the contacts in the neck makes a huge improvement.

My Kramer had horrible little dents and it seemed like the plunger pins were going to wear right through the contacts into the PCB rendering the whole thing worthless. After reading this thread tonight trying to find a fix for my GREEN button not responding consistently (and discovering the wear and tear on the contacts) I took it upon myself to tin the contacts with regular old radio shack flux core solder.

Anyone having problems ought to do the solder tinning on the contact points if for no other reason than preventative measures since I believe the solder will be harder to wear through than the contacts themselves. Plus the slightly raised level caused by the solder means more pressure from the springs behind the plungers to keep good contact...a winner all around.

Sadly I cannot find my electrical tape to stiffen the neck up yet but as soon as I do I'm going to try to add that to it as well.

To sum up...

TIN YOUR NECK CONTACTS WITH SOLDER! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

**Usagi** · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 227

I'm pretty sure anything similar would work, it doesn't have to be electrical tape. That was just something I had to hand, and it happens to be extra sticky, and squishy enough for the lock to press into.
It looks a bit awkward getting to the contacts in the Les Paul to fix the contacts, I didn't get time to do it yet.

**Usagi** · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 227

Okay, I soldered the contacts, and what a difference. From being unable to keep a single hold note on green, yellow, blue or orange, now all the buttons are 100% responsive.
The only problem I had was that the contacts themselves had some coating on that resisted the solder. If you're going to solder them, scrape off the coating until you get to the metal underneath, and even if your wire is self-fluxing, use some extra flux.

**mikepalermo1** · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 981 Location: Toronto

Wait so If I wanted to tin my Contacts, I would only have to the the ones with the deep impressions in them then do this fix right?
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**Usagi** · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 227

You don't have to tin them all, but I did anyway. Even if there isn't any damage to some of the contacts, tinning them will prevent them getting damaged.

**SomeDude666** · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject:

There should be a link to this in the Guitar Modding 101.

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**Mashishi** · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 5:16 am Post subject:

I looked at my Les Paul tonight b/c I am dropping holds and half the time my G Y and B buttons don't even work. I was going to solder little bits onto the each of the connection spots, but the dots are so tiny and i don't think I can solder onto each spot w/out having the solder touching other solder. That would make all the buttons go off with the press of any button right? Any suggestions from the people who already did this?
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**BriGuy** · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 1894 Location: Boston

My recommendation is to hardwire those all 8 of the neck connections. You can try to add the solder first and if you mess up, go with the hardwiring anyway.
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**franciss** · Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 744

**Gotsmack** · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 1693 Location: Manassas, VA