Any guitar guys/gals here? Question about what may be wrong

[Q]

I have an electric guitar I bought about 6 years ago when I was younger. I haven't played it since, mainly because it is not working properly. Now, I don't know really any guitar lingo, so I'll describe what is wrong.

It's a Jay Turser JT-200 I think (Les Paul copy), the treble/rhythm switch only works on treble, and one or two of the 4 volume knobs is messed up (feels off and sound is in and out).

I'm interested in fixing it up to at least work, since then I can at least play around with it, or eventually sell it if need be. Any general directions for what I need to fix? I don't even know how to start on Google. Thanks!

 

[Lifted]

Where was the guitar stored? The problem is likely corrosion.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Could be loose/weak solder joints on the switch/pots. I had a similar problem recently with a '73 Gibson SG and had to resolder a couple of the connections. There should be a plastic plate on the rear of the guitar body. Remove it and check to see that all of the connections are solid.

 

[A Casual Fitz]

You mean you weren't older six years ago?

 

[Q]

Where was the guitar stored? The problem is likely corrosion.

It has been in an air conditioned room the whole time, so I doubt it is that.

Could be loose/weak solder joints on the switch/pots. I had a similar problem recently with a '73 Gibson SG and had to resolder a couple of the connections. There should be a plastic plate on the rear of the guitar body. Remove it and check to see that all of the connections are solid.

I'll take a look at it tomorrow, thanks.

EDIT: Just looked, all the soldering looks fine. One of the knobs is extremely loose though, and that could / is a cause of something, but the treble/rhythm switch looked fine, but it doesn't work.
I imagine taking it in anywhere + getting stuff replaced will cost more than guitar is worth, so not sure what I'll do.

 

[lxskllr]

The treble/rhythm switch is for the pickups. It sounds like the neck pickup is dead for some reason; I'm guessing a broken wire. It's a 3way switch. Bridge, bridge+neck, and neck pickup. Two of the knobs are for volume; 1 for neck pickup, the other for bridge, and the tone pots are setup the same way.

 

[silverpig]

The switch could be fine but it's either a problem with the pickup or the rhythm volume pot.

On my Epiphone LP, if I turn the rhythm volume all the way down, then the guitar only plays sound when the switch is in the treble position. I don't think it makes a sound with the switch in the middle position, and it definitely doesn't make a sound if the switch is in the rhythm position (because the rhythm volume is all the way down of course).

So either it's a dead pickup, or the volume pot is fried/broken. Because you said the pot is loose, that would be where I'd start.

 

[dwell]

Just remove the back panels and spray some contact cleaner on the switches and pot solder points.