Free-Way 6 Way Switch - Wiring Help Needed

DoronEsh

DoronEsh

New member
Calling all wiring gurus. Need some help here. It should be an easy one.

I've been thinking about getting a Free-Way 6 way switch for my SG3, to replace the chickenhead knob. It's not like the knob isn't working OK. IT IS. It's just that the 6 way switch seems cool, that's all.

The wiring scheme that comes with the switch says "swap wiper and output terminations to Vol. Pots for Master Vol. wiring". Please see original 2V2T scheme, and my own 1V1T scheme. Am I getting it right?

THX

DoDo
 
Re: Free-Way 6 Way Switch - Wiring Help Needed

I can't see what's going on in your diagrams, the pictures are too fuzzy. Can you upload them in higher res?

Also, take note that to go from a rotary switch to the 6-way "free-way" switch, you'll have to enlarge the mounting hole.
 
Re: Free-Way 6 Way Switch - Wiring Help Needed

No, you did not get it right.

In a standard four knob setup in a Gibson, the neck and bridge pickups each have their own volume and tone. The wiring, in a nutshell, goes pickup -> vol + tone -> switch -> jack, just like in the first diagram you posted.

When you have one volume and one tone, they are shared between all pickups, like a Fender. That means the wiring is basically pickup -> switch -> vol + tone -> jack. This is how your guitar is wired right now, and how it should be wired with the new switch.

You need to connect the pickups directly to the switch, then run the output of that to your volume and tone. You do not need to really do anything other than replace the existing switch you have. It would probably help you to find a diagram for the SG-3 and go from there instead of using the diagram with four knobs that has nothing to do with your guitar.
 
Re: Free-Way 6 Way Switch - Wiring Help Needed

I just looked up the Sg3 and it says that it already has a 6way switch. Are you talking about the new SG3 with the gold covered humbuckers or the old Faded series SG with uncovered humbuckers? Either way I looked into those switches for myself before, but they seem like they could get a bit confusing on stage. Regardless, if you want to put that switch on your guitar go for it. The diagrams are hard to read but after looking at the PDF on Stewmac I can tell you yours are over done. If you want the pickup combinations listed on your diagram I could draw you a new one.
 
Re: Free-Way 6 Way Switch - Wiring Help Needed

THX for your replies, guys.

RD: I hope your reply will help me. Taking it from the current state of things looks like a very logical and simple approach. I hope it works that way.

Sabbath: As for the cavity, I hope I won't have to enlarge it. I checked the switch size as it was listed on Stew-Mac and it seems to fit into the SG cavity, albeit diagonally, without any farther routing. It will operate sort of sideways, rather like my BluesHawk selector, and not up-down as a LP selector.

Nalo: I have a Faded with uncovered pups. A diagram would be most welcome, thanks.

DoDo
 
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