Tom Curry Guitars

Volume Fender

January 20th, 2010

Volume Fender

Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS NOT RESPONDING?

Today I bought a new Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS Guitar and I am having problems with it. When I plug it into the amp (Fender Frontman 25R) with a Live Wire cable it does not make any sound when I play. It works sometimes after adjusting the cable a lot. Please help!

(The amp is on and the volume is on on both)

Hi! I have had this issue on several Fender Stratocasters that I have purchased new, and the problem most often turned out to be the output jack. Simply remove the screws holding the output jack retainer (dress plate) to the guitar body, and pull the jack assembly out far enough to check both the wiring and the jack itself. In most cases, all that is needed is to wipe a cotton swab dipped in alcohol across the contact surfaces, and then bend the sheet metal tang in slightly to make firmer contact with the plug tip. These jacks do get out-of-kilter even when brand-new, and need maintenance just like everything else on a guitar. If the wiring is broken or loose, it will need re-soldering. Make sure there is no foreign matter inside the jack that is preventing good electrical contact with the plug tip and ring. Let me know if I can help further. Best regards, Dana