5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

[BigFeet25]

Hi All,

I am part-way through converting a Strat to HH with 1V and 2T and intended to use the switch I already have. This is a 5-way import style with 8 contacts in a line.

I was thinking of having position 1 as bridge HB, position 3 as bridge and neck HBs in series, position 5 neck HB. So far, so ordinary but what about positions 2 and 4? I was hoping to have the neck and bridge South coils as one option for position 4, and maybe nothing as the other option i.e. a "kill switch" / no output for position 2.

I have struggled to see any wiring diagrams for my import style switch and would like your opinions on whether sticking with the import switch is even a possibility with the above ideas. If someone could steer me to a diagram that would be fantastic. Perhaps you have more interesting ideas for positions 2 and 4 - I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for any and all help!

Cheers,
Big Feet

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Hi All,

I am part-way through converting a Strat to HH with 1V and 2T and intended to use the switch I already have. This is a 5-way import style with 8 contacts in a line.

I was thinking of having position 1 as bridge HB, position 3 as bridge and neck HBs in series, position 5 neck HB. So far, so ordinary but what about positions 2 and 4? I was hoping to have the neck and bridge South coils as one option for position 4, and maybe nothing as the other option i.e. a "kill switch" / no output for position 2.

I have struggled to see any wiring diagrams for my import style switch and would like your opinions on whether sticking with the import switch is even a possibility with the above ideas. If someone could steer me to a diagram that would be fantastic. Perhaps you have more interesting ideas for positions 2 and 4 - I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for any and all help!

Cheers,
Big Feet

Welcome to the forum.

Your switch is *most likely* not functionally any different than the traditional five-way blade type depicted in most wiring diagrams, however please reply with a photo of it to be sure.

If it is just a normal 5 way switch but with the 8 in a row contact configuration, than you could make use of wiring diagrams depicting the normal blade style switch by using this cross-reference chart:



Also, combining neck +bridge humbuckers "in series" for position 3 is not "ordinary" as you called it. Two humbuckers are traditionally combined "in parallel". In series makes for a very thick, almost muddy tone for two humbuckers - some people have that and like it, but it is a minority.

If you make one of the 5 positions a deadspot for killswitch effect purposes, you would want to place it at either position 1 or 5, so that you don't trigger a muted sound every time you pass by it to get to the other positions with sounds on either side of the deadspot that you want to use.

I can respond later with more details, but for now will say that a normal five way switch is limited in the degree it is customizable with regards to coilsplits and options vs a superswitch (and also not utilizing additional switches or push-pulls etc).

 

[BigFeet25]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks Kingswebe,
I am a newbie so hope these images come across OK!
However I can confirm that the switch 4th from left "Import" matches mine exactly.
I agree that the kill-switch idea is probably a non-starter and would actually prefer something tonally different - not just silent! Do you have any diagrams that I can translate using your switch cross-reference information? Anything beyond neck / neck+bridge / bridge will be a bonus. I've struggled to see anything that I can even start with.
Many thanks for your assistance!

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks Kingswebe,
I am a newbie so hope these images come across OK!View attachment 103600
However I can confirm that the switch 4th from left "Import" matches mine exactly.
I agree that the kill-switch idea is probably a non-starter and would actually prefer something tonally different - not just silent! Do you have any diagrams that I can translate using your switch cross-reference information? Anything beyond neck / neck+bridge / bridge will be a bonus. I've struggled to see anything that I can even start with.
Many thanks for your assistance!

Big Feet,

Thanks for posting the pic of the switch. Yes, that functions just like a 5 way non-superswitch but just with its 8 contacts configured in a single row.

So, to elaborate on what I mentioned earlier, a non-superswitch's limits are pushed when doing coilsplits without the aid of additional switches/push-pulls, etc. That is because a non-superswitch has only 2 poles to work with, versus 4 for a superswitch.

For example, the following diagram provides some coilsplits using a 5 way non-superswitch like yours, but it cannot also place those coilsplit positions conveniently in positions 2 and 4, nor anywhere else. Instead, they are possible only slots 4 and 5.



This diagram is a variation on one that can be found on the Seymour Duncan Wiring Diagrams website. This one yields the Neck's outerc coil in Position 5 versus the Seymour Duncan website that yields Bridge outercoil. Out of the two choices, the Neck outer coil is the more popular choice.

** If you use the Seymour Duncan website version, please take note that the Tone Control is wired incorrectly to the Volume Control in that diagram and so will not function correctly if wired like that. To correct for that, reference how the Tone control is wired in my diagram above.

Following is that version of the diagram:



I have been sketching out multiple alternative ways to wire up a non-superswitch 5 way switch, and the problem is that i have not yet found a way to get each splitcoil individually AND still have each full humbucker available individually AND without duplicating one of the positions. Like i said, the limits of a two pole switch.

I have found a diagram online that does have the coilsplits individually and the full himbuckers individually but middle position has the two splitcoils combined together *In Series* instead of In Parallel - which is a reasonable option but not what i would be interested in. I and a member of another guitar wiring forum reviewed it and confirmed it works as advertised. Following is that diagram if case that interests you:

 

[BigFeet25]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks so much for your help which is truly appreciated! I would like to go with the hand-drawn circuit and wondered if it was possible to add a second tone control as I have the pickguard and pots to go with it? If not no problem it can sit there as a dummy!
Many thanks!

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks so much for your help which is truly appreciated! I would like to go with the hand-drawn circuit and wondered if it was possible to add a second tone control as I have the pickguard and pots to go with it? If not no problem it can sit there as a dummy!
Many thanks!

I could do that, but have you considered as maybe more useful, instead having a 2nd volume ctl? That would give each pickup its own volume ctl. I am a two humbucker guitar user and i like being able to dial in the amount of neck humbucker volume present in Both Humbuckers (Position 2) mode to something less than 100% volume. Another benefit: in Position 4 - being able to get just the Bridge splitcoil sound by itself by turning the Neck Volume ctl down to zero.

Or, having that 3rd control function as a Master Bass Cut control? Read this article and watch the video demo linked within it.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/tonefiend/guitar/two-band-ptb-tone-control-useful-easy-cheap-awesome/

I can update the diagram for any of these, just let me know.

 

[BigFeet25]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks Kingswebe,
I think the two volume approach would be my preference as I like the idea of that extra flexibility. If you could kindly amend your diagram accordingly I would be most grateful!
Thanks so much!

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks Kingswebe,
I think the two volume approach would be my preference as I like the idea of that extra flexibility. If you could kindly amend your diagram accordingly I would be most grateful!
Thanks so much!

I am conferring with a friend about my idea for the two volume controls -checking to make sure my idea will work. Will keep you posted.

 

[BigFeet25]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Kingswebe no problem I’m in your hands here. I have plenty to do with the bodywork while you are helping me out!
I’m removing the old sunburst and applying poly by hand to the body - first time for this too!

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Kingswebe no problem I’m in your hands here. I have plenty to do with the bodywork while you are helping me out!
I’m removing the old sunburst and applying poly by hand to the body - first time for this too!

Ok, great - and thanks for your patience. I actually *two* other wiring guru friends who have happily been brainstorming with me the possibilities on this. I should have an answer by the end of the day.

 

[Artie]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Thanks Kingswebe,
I am a newbie so hope these images come across OK!View attachment 103600

That switch looks higher quality than most import switches I see. What is that? Or, where did you find that?

Thanks.

 

[Wound_Up]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Yea, that's not your average import switch, that's for sure. Why does it look like there's 2 extra lugs below those 8 at the top? You can barely see them peaking out in between the other lugs.

 

[BigFeet25]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Great thanks Kingswebe!

 

[BigFeet25]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Hi ArtieToo - this switch feels good and positive but not yet installed so can't comment fully yet! I sourced it from Axetec in Colchester here in the UK. Their part reference is SW006-NA-BLK (black knob) and cost me £5.90. To see their site please go to www.axetec.co.uk

Cheers

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Great thanks Kingswebe!

BTW, i just got positive confirmation from one of my friends that the Two Tone Controls option will indeed work, so we have that as a contingency plan. Still waiting to hear back from them about their review of my proposed method for incorporating Two Volume Controls. But should hear back sometine today.

 

[Artie]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Yea, that's not your average import switch, that's for sure. Why does it look like there's 2 extra lugs below those 8 at the top? You can barely see them peaking out in between the other lugs.

Those are the "chassis" ground. They help to prevent hum & buzzing when you touch the switch. Even the cheapies have those.

Hi ArtieToo - this switch feels good and positive but not yet installed so can't comment fully yet! I sourced it from Axetec in Colchester here in the UK. Their part reference is SW006-NA-BLK (black knob) and cost me £5.90. To see their site please go to www.axetec.co.uk

Cheers

Cool. Thanks. But being UK, there will probably be extra costs to the US. But I'll check 'em out anyway.

Edit: Ouch! That's what I was afraid of: $7 for the switch. $25 for shipping.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Yea, that's not your average import switch, that's for sure. Why does it look like there's 2 extra lugs below those 8 at the top? You can barely see them peaking out in between the other lugs.

I *believe* those are just optional lugs for grounding the switch assembly itself, to reduce risk of hum.

https://www.amazon.com/KAISH-Guitar...ic/dp/B07K66SL8T#immersive-view_1583421506094

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Those are the "chassis" ground. They help to prevent hum & buzzing when you touch the switch. Even the cheapies have those.

View attachment 103628



Cool. Thanks. But being UK, there will probably be extra costs to the US. But I'll check 'em out anyway.

Edit: Ouch! That's what I was afraid of: $7 for the switch. $25 for shipping.

Available on Amazon for $9 and Free Shipping with Prime Membership.


https://www.amazon.com/KAISH-Guitar...ic/dp/B07K66SL8T#immersive-view_1583421506094

 

[Artie]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Sweet. Thanks Kingswebe. And yes, I'm Prime.

Edit: I hate getting old. I ordered one of these from Amazon a few weeks ago, and forgot about it. :blackeye:

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: 5-way Import Switch HH Wiring / Switching Options

Sweet. Thanks Kingswebe. And yes, I'm Prime.

Edit: I hate getting old. I ordered one of these from Amazon a few weeks ago, and forgot about it. :blackeye:

View attachment 103630

Haha. I had a similar Getting Older moment a couple weeks ago: i recalled that i had ordered some pots and had forgotten all about them. Had to search through my inventory to confirm that i actually never received the shipment. Contacted the seller and seller confirmed they also forgot to ship the order out. Dohh! Haha