ShortScale.org

I'm having some difficulties with my 72 Tele custom…
It's been out of action in it's case for a couple of years, but I've recently started using it again on a regular basis…
However, when I first plug it in to my amp, the humbucker works fine, but the single coil is totally silent, then after a minute or so it makes crackly noises until it finally comes to life after a couple of minutes and starts working normally…

I know next to nothing about electronics other than 'do not put your tongue on an exposed wire '… but I'm assuming it's some kind of loose connection…
Does it sound like something that can be easily identified and fixed? Even for the electronically challenged like myself?

There is a guitar tech who lives just around the corner from me who could probably fix it in seconds.
However, he's been guitar tech to all the Manc band luminaries since the 60s and therefore charges a fortune, so I'd only want to use him as a last resort (altho he does tell loads of entertaining stories)….

I figure a good way to check would be to turn all the volume/tone pots?

The source of the problem, provided it has something to do with a pot, will most likely be the most crackly one.

Its kind of odd that it "warms up" after a few minutes, especially since the pickup sends a signal to the pots/jack constantly [well, depending on magnetic vibrations] so it being plugged in shouldn't have anything to do with it. I suppose, ironically, it could be a cold solder joint
The pickup might be shorting out, but assuming its been taken care of thats unlikely but thats sort of the worst case scenario. In which case the pickup will need work and WORST case rewound/repaired.

You could get you a solder gun and poke around as pots and jacks are easy to work on even for most beginners. A decent iron could set you back $30 or more/less which is probably what the tech would charge.
I'd have him take a look at it at least, he is just down the road and old blokes with stories are always good times.

Cheers for the info...
I'll have a prod with the soldering iron on the connections, I do need to get in some practise in with it, so nows as good a time as any to get started...