MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

OldFatDog

New member
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle.
The guitar is an Epiphone S310 (I think) with SSHB arrangement. Only 1 of the tabs has no solder on it.

This is a switch I can find no wiring diagrams for.

The question is how to wire this one?

Many thanks for any and all help.

Btw my electrical engineer neighbor said it was well built, better than a newer 5 way I had in my "Damn, destroyed another one pile."
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Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Well, that’s something.

Your electrical engineer neighbor should be able to put a meter on it and tell you where the leads need to go.
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Thanks for the reply. I know how to test for continuity but the center contact is my 1st point of interest, maybe a lead from the volume? . . . BUT if anybody has a diagram or specific leads then that would be very much appreciated!
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Honestly, I've never seen a switch like that.
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Honestly, I've never seen a switch like that.

Ah geez, that doesn't sound good. There is actually somebody on ebay selling them as working for all sorts of period guitars. I msgd them but have recvd no reply.

Alas, I hold out hope.

Unhappy in Savannah
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Well, it might be a fine switch. I just haven't come across one. So I would need a meter to see how it is wired.
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Ok, I will take a shot at this. From my observation, it should be pretty simple. So pick one side, any side as your pickup connection side. The other side will all link together and then go to your volume pot. The ground from your pickups will go to ground and the hots to the respective poles/lugs on the switch. The way I numbered it was from the switch position so lug 1 is the bridge, lug 2 is the middle and lug 3 is the neck, it could be visa Versa ( swap lug 1 & 3 ) if your switch installs the other direction. The switch has 5 positions so position 1 would be lug 1 only and position 2 would link lugs 1 & 2 together. Position 3 would be lug 2 only and so on. This is why one side is all connected together, it will take the inputs and send them to the input of the volume pot. You would then run the tone controls from the #2 & #3 lugs on the pickup side of the switch. I can't tell if the center of the switch has a lug on it or not? If it does, that should be your hot send to the vol. pot, but, it will work the way I have said thus far either way. I am not a Paint shop guru nor a cad drawing expert, so here is a crude recreation of a drawing of how I would wire it and what I believe your switch is wired as. Hope this helps!?!?!

5 Way switch.jpg

Strat wiring with 5 way switch.jpg
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Ok, I will take a shot at this. From my observation, it should be pretty simple. So pick one side, any side as your pickup connection side. The other side will all link together and then go to your volume pot. The ground from your pickups will go to ground and the hots to the respective poles/lugs on the switch. The way I numbered it was from the switch position so lug 1 is the bridge, lug 2 is the middle and lug 3 is the neck, it could be visa Versa ( swap lug 1 & 3 ) if your switch installs the other direction. The switch has 5 positions so position 1 would be lug 1 only and position 2 would link lugs 1 & 2 together. Position 3 would be lug 2 only and so on. This is why one side is all connected together, it will take the inputs and send them to the input of the volume pot. You would then run the tone controls from the #2 & #3 lugs on the pickup side of the switch. I can't tell if the center of the switch has a lug on it or not? If it does, that should be your hot send to the vol. pot, but, it will work the way I have said thus far either way. I am not a Paint shop guru nor a cad drawing expert, so here is a crude recreation of a drawing of how I would wire it and what I believe your switch is wired as. Hope this helps!?!?!

View attachment 100801

View attachment 100802

This makes so much sense to me. Thank you 1000 times for the detailed explanation. I will give this arrangement a try and let you (all) know how it turns out. The center contact lug apparently broke off but definitely was there. The lug surface Is positioned to face the pots. Again thank you for the response!!!
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

This one is really simple, especially if you actually take the time and do what is logical with mechanical switches and look and see what is connected in each setting. The last pic shows clearly how the switch attaches the 3 poles each side to the central common tab.
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

DSC_0018.jpgDSC_0018.jpg

Here is a diagram I started that I would be delighted for you people to complete and submit in a reply. Thanks for the views and responses to date!
 
Re: MIK 5 Way Switch, How to Wire Up?

Ok, so now that we know you do have a center common lug, I would do this:

1. Lug #7 would wire to your volume pot.

2. Lug # 1 to the hot of the bridge pickup

3. Lug # 3 to the hot of the middle pickup

4. Lug # 4 would go to the Tone pot for your middle pickup ( I typically wire that as the bottom pot or the one in the top of your drawing )

5. Lug # 5 would go to the hot of your neck pickup

6. Lug # 2 would go to the tone pot of your neck pickup

Lug # 6 in this case is not used or needed in the typical wiring of a strat.
 
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