5-way switch translation here

[DrNewcenstein]

For those who want to adapt the standard 5-way Fender-style 3-pickup connections to either a 4-pole SuperSwitch or one of those import switches (the one with the plastic back), see if this does it for you:

Note each one only shows the switch going out to the Volume. Adding other pots would follow standard diagrams found here.


I'll expand on this later to show things like auto-splits and whatnot.

Also note this is just one way to use the SuperSwitch for this setup. You can also wire each pickup to its own pole and have them converge in various freaky ways at #4, then to the output.

 

[Strat4hire]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

Thankyou for sharing this. Question, I'm wanting to do an Yngwie style 5way switch. Without using a 5way super switch or toggle switch just using a cts 5way switch my pots are 250k and have a .023k capacitor

Looking to do
position 1 Bridge Stock
position 2 Bridge &Neck Yngwie style
position 3 Middle Stock
position 4 Middle &neck Stock
position 5 neck Stock

It's basically standard wiring except for Position 2.

Here's a picture of my Fender Strat.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

Can't be done on that color, sorry.




The main problem is that positions 2 and 4 on a standard 5-way are automatic bridges between 1 and 3 and 3 and 5, so position 2 will always be a bridge between the bridge and middle pickups, and 4 will always be a bridge between the middle and neck.

I found a PDF of the Yngwie sig Strat that shows it uses a 3-way blade and does only Bridge, Middle, and Neck. Of course, it may be old info.

 

[Strat4hire]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

I found this diagram and Seymour duncan facebook posted this link too. http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=switch_f_bp Can, I bypass the push/pull switch that's wired to the volume pot and completely unhook the tone pot wires but keep the 250k tone pots in their place. After this on the 5 way switch I'll have three empty spots can I add a jumper wire for bridge & neck?

 

[Stratman]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

The purple wire in all of your illustrations should not be connected to the pot's middle lug; otherwise the volume pot doesn't work for volume control...
Connect it to the outer lug, as shown in SD wiring diagrams.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

Oops. Was looking at the Tone controls when I did that. :lol: Fail

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

Ok, fixed the other diagram. Purple wires should now be in the right spot.

I found this diagram and Seymour duncan facebook posted this link too. http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=switch_f_bp Can, I bypass the push/pull switch that's wired to the volume pot and completely unhook the tone pot wires but keep the 250k tone pots in their place. After this on the 5 way switch I'll have three empty spots can I add a jumper wire for bridge & neck?

Again, we have to look at how a switch is constructed:

The switch has 2 independent halves - A and B - each with its own set of contacts that are exclusive to each half - the Position contacts (1, 2 and 3), and a Common, which is always connected to the Position contacts. Again, the plate attached to the lever makes automatic bridges between contacts 1 and 2 (bridge and middle) for position 2, and contacts 2 and 3 (middle and neck) for position 4. These bridges cannot be cut without major, delicate surgery.

Joining these two halves by their Commons is what allows you to have separate Tone controls for the Middle and Neck.

By separating the two halves of the switch, you open up more complex options for switching while reducing your control options. You can have 2 Volumes and 1 Master Tone, or 3 Volumes, or 1V1T with a "dud" pot just to plug a hole.

I'm just not seeing any way to get Bridge+Neck in position 2 without the Middle and without using accessory switching, simply because of the physical construction of the standard 5-way. You could go with a Volume dedicated to the Neck pickup and keep it at 0, then when in Bridge position you could just roll it up when you wanted it.

If you separate the 2 halves of the switch and run one pickup to the common on Side B, then you get that pickup in all positions. This could work, except you'd have to send the middle pickup to ground with Side B when in position 2, but it would remain grounded through 3 and 4 as well.

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: 5-way switch translation here

Thankyou for sharing this. Question, I'm wanting to do an Yngwie style 5way switch. Without using a 5way super switch or toggle switch just using a cts 5way switch my pots are 250k and have a .023k capacitor

Looking to do
position 1 Bridge Stock
position 2 Bridge &Neck Yngwie style
position 3 Middle Stock
position 4 Middle &neck Stock
position 5 neck Stock

It's basically standard wiring except for Position 2.

Here's a picture of my Fender Strat.

Not exactly what you're looking for, but it comes close. Or different than normal wiring. I can write it up for you, with a normal 5 way Strat lever switch:
1-bridge
2- bridge/neck parallel
3- middle/neck series
4- neck/mid parallel
5-neck

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: 5-way switch translation here



Sorry for the ugly drawing, and the omition of tone and jack.
This is just an idea for Strat4hire, it is not verified.

 

[Stratman]

Re: 5-way switch translation here



Seven way wiring...