Freeway Switch 5B5-01

[Synapsys]

Hi everyone,

Since I suck at wiring, I'm hoping someone shines some light if the new pickups (Full Shred in the bridge position / Vintage Rails neck in the middle position / Cool Rails neck in the neck position) I'm installing on a 90's Jackson DK2 can be wired as follows:

Wiring 1 - Switch in the UP position:
-1- Bridge (Series)
-2- Bridge (Series) and Middle
-3- Middle
-4- Middle and Neck
-5- Neck

Wiring 2 - Switch in the DOWN position:
-1- Bridge (Series)
-2- no pickup selection
-3- Bridge (Series) and Neck
-4- no pickup selection
-5- Neck

I've been looking at the schematics Freeway provides, and with the position in the DOWN position (I'd rather have it on the UP position) it can do the above Wiring 1, but I want the bridge humbocker in series, not split.

The schematic for the othe position is not what I need/want. I'l leave the schematic below, if some of the Wiring Guru forumites can help, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SeanK]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

If one of the kind souls on the forum isn't able to reach out or help with this, I'd recommend taking a look at GuitarElectronics.com and their custom drawn wiring diagrams!

 

[Artie]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

The problem, so to speak, is that these company's make these oddball switches, and then don't provide technical drawings so that we can see how they are internally configured. What's odd, is FreeWay does provide that info for their 3-way switch, but not the 5-way. I know because when I first saw this question, I searched their site for that info. In some cases, (like the BMP-1 thread), I don't mind buying the device in question if there's a chance I'd actually use it. But I'll never use one of these.

These switches are really designed to be used just the way they suggest. Like the "Mega" series of switches from Schaller. Sorry. I wish I could be of more help.

 

[devastone]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

I've never seen one of those before, but it looks like they are laid out pretty specifically, which isn't surprising with everything it has going on. I would try contacting the manufacturer, they will know more about it than anyone here.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

Thank you guys! I've sent the switch to my tech, and after doing some reverse engineering on it, it seems not to be a some kind of "do it all switch". Close, but no cigar.

So I'm going with the Freeway schematic above, the only difference the bridge humbucker wired in series in position 1, instead of split.

I guess 10 positions will be an interesting experience, especially with a push/pull pot for series/parallel on the Cool Rails. Just to give one more flavour, just not as many as Baskin Robbins...

Cheers to all and thank you again for your help. Will post a NGD on the Guitars section once I get it back from my tech, since the guitar is now heavily modded, so SD forumites may joke in all its (back to the 80's) glory!

 

[Artie]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

Cool, but don't give up yet. I emailed the Freeway people asking if they had a schematic for that switch. We'll see if they get back to me. On the other hand, if your tech already figured it out, then that's cool too.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

Thanks, ArtieToo. Unfortunately the company never replied when I asked them what I wanted. My tech told me position 8 on the schematic only allowed for bridge and neck in series, which is way too much. Still, I will have a myrad of sounds at my disposal, some of the combinations I've never tried before.

 

[Artie]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

Hmmm. Well, the good folks at Freeway did get back to me, and did provide a switch schematic. However, they also asked me not to share this info with anyone else, so out of respect for their intellectual property, I won't. (Please don't ask me. Not even in a PM.)

But now I can use this info to see if your switch positions are possible. Or maybe, in some other order. On a side note: anyone who purchases one of these, and has a modicum of DMM skill, could easily figure it out for themselves. I think I'm going to buy one to play with.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

No worries, ArtieToo. I'm a lawyer, so respect for IP is something I believe shoud be protected at all cost.

BTW, did Freeway ask any payment for the schematic? Although I never got a response, they did answer my tech, who also asked them any pointers for the wiring, but asked for $25 for the switch schematic, and any wiring other than the,ones provided on the website could be provided with an upcharge. The only info Freeway provided was that the switch does not allow for every wiring possibility. Since the switch is not cheap, we decided not to go any further. I understand the company's stance on this but still it would have been nice to have met a paying costumer's needs. But no hard feelings towards Freeway, strategic marketing is a valid point for any company.

Thanks for all the trouble! You rule! If you ever need anything from Portugal, Europe, please don't hesitate to ask me!

The reverse engineering my tech did on the switch showed what I intended is not possible

 

[Artie]

Re: Freeway Switch 5B5-01

That's interesting. No, they didn't ask for anything. Who knows. Maybe it's was just a different person who answered the email. :dunno:

I'm going to look at the possibilities anyway, just 'cause that's what I do.