Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

[P-Ride]

I have a couple of superswitches that I'm deciding how to wire up with a couple of double humbucker guitars, with the desire for some versatile switching options. Of course, they're four wire.

I have spied Schaller Megaswitches.

Pros and cons?

I get the impression that each one has a specific configuration, so i would have to buy a couple and switch between them to change options?

They also seem slimmer, so could be a better option for my Tele HH?

Any downsides? More, or less options?

I'm struggling to find ways to mix push-pull with Superswitches for extra options; do Megaswitches play ball any better?

Thoughts appreciated on which path to go down.

Thanks

 

[tone4days]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

the deciding factor for me was physical size - they didnt fit in the cavity of my ibanez 540s ... so i had to use push/pull potss and a 3 way mini toggle to get everything i wanted

in your case, make sure they'll fit then decide what you want - this will lead you to which to use ... the super switch is most versatile, but might be more than you need

i like the p type megaswitch in my other HH guitar ... very simple ... just do the mag flip/reverse wire as needed to get the inners and outers as humcancelling - those two positions are very useful, especially clean

good luck

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

The deluxe 5-ways (both super and mega) are designed to give you extra wiring options that ordinarily would be taken care of using extra switches, without the extra switches themselves. So combining them with extra switches gets pretty complicated. But it's usually doable.

I'm a fan of PRS wiring myself, and the Megaswitch P is configured specifically for that. The Megaswitch E is nominally for HSS but offers a couple of options for HH guitars too. My understanding is that the Superswitch is more versatile though, and allows a wider variety of configurations the the Megas.

The Freeway switches might be worth considering too, both versions are very flexible. They're 6-way toggle switches so they'll sometimes fit where a blade switch might not. These have a fairly shallow profile, but could be too wide for a traditional Tele control cavity. I've considered using one to take better advantage of the three humbuckers in my SG Custom.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

The megaswitches can only do a certain switching configuration. The Super Switch gives more options. I've never wired a MegaSwitch, but they have to be easier than a Super Switch. If the Mega is available for your need, I'd go with that, otherwise post what combos you want and maybe someone here has a schematic all drawn up.

You are doing HH?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I use a Super Switch when I can fit one in, and a MegaSwitch if it is wired exactly like I want- I use a model E on an HSS so all positions are humbucking.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I use the Megaswitch on one of my Strats to give me the neck & bridge pickups combined when set to the middle position.

So I get: Neck, Neck & Middle, Neck & Bridge, Middle & Bridge, and Bridge. I don't miss having the middle pickup all by itself since I rarely used that setting.

Only drawback to the Schaller Megaswitch is that it seems to wear out after just a few years, whereas a standard 5 way switch seems to last year and year after year.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I have a few MegaSwitches going on 15+ years, so I don't have any problems with that. I do like them in Strats for the same reason you do- to get the neck & bridge together in position 3. I never use the middle alone.

 

[BizzE B]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I have a few MegaSwitches going on 15+ years, so I don't have any problems with that. I do like them in Strats for the same reason you do- to get the neck & bridge together in position 3. I never use the middle alone.

Can you give me a simple wire diagram to make this happen for the HH megaswitch please...

Position 1: Bridge full
Position 2: Bridge Split
Position 3: Bridge full, and Neck full
Position 4: Neck Split
Position 5: Neck full

This would be very helpful...
I have most of the start wires on pole 123 and 8... I'm not exactly sure how to make this work right. I've tried several ways to do this including use of 6 and 7 with no avail just outta phasing was happening. You would be a hero if you could help.
Thanks

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

To get that, I would just use a regular 3-way and add a p/p pot for splits. That way you could also get bridge (split) + neck (split). And it would be simpler to use.

 

[Artie]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

Can you give me a simple wire diagram to make this happen for the HH megaswitch please...

This is exactly the "problem" with the Megaswitches. They're great switches . . . as long as you wire them exactly as they were designed for. But as soon as you want to vary from the program, they get . . . weird. I hate making diagrams for Megaswitches.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

Welcome to the forum!
From what I can tell from this page, there isn't a single Megaswitch that can do that. You can do it with a Super Switch, or what GuitarDoc said above.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

Im pretty sure that I have a Schaller Megaswitch here in a box somewhere. If you want it pm me your address and I'll send it out to ya. I actually think I have a bunch of assorted 5-way strat switches including a Swictchcraft or maybe its a CTS (I cant remember) that I'll never use for anything.

 

[agt]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

Can you give me a simple wire diagram to make this happen for the HH megaswitch please...

Position 1: Bridge full
Position 2: Bridge Split
Position 3: Bridge full, and Neck full
Position 4: Neck Split
Position 5: Neck full

This would be very helpful...
I have most of the start wires on pole 123 and 8... I'm not exactly sure how to make this work right. I've tried several ways to do this including use of 6 and 7 with no avail just outta phasing was happening. You would be a hero if you could help.
Thanks

A Megaswitch E Plus or E+ (not the same as the Megaswitch E) should do this. They are hard to find in the US. I ordered mine from Schaller. Mine is wired for HSH, but if the middle S is not connected, it should provide the selections you listed.

https://schaller.info/en/megaswitch-e-plus - See HSH5

Also Megaswitch M.

https://schaller.info/en/hh - See HH5

 

[DonP]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I buy my Megaswitch E from StewMac. It is very easy to wire up the way it supposed to be used with HH.

 

[Timberwolf]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I initially got myself a Megaswitch M for an HH guitar where I wanted the following options:
1. neck series
2. neck parallel
3. neck and bridge series
4. neck and bridge parallel
5. bridge parallel
6. bridge series

Ended up with a 3-way switch, push/pull pots and a mini toggle switch for out of phase (thanks again to ArtieToo for help on that one).

So the Megaswitch M is now in one of the strats with an SSS4 wiring:
https://schaller.info/en/megaswitch-m

For two humbuckers, HH6 and HH8 look kinda interesting.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

I initially got myself a Megaswitch M for an HH guitar where I wanted the following options:
1. neck series
2. neck parallel
3. neck and bridge series
4. neck and bridge parallel
5. bridge parallel
6. bridge series

Ended up with a 3-way switch, push/pull pots and a mini toggle switch for out of phase (thanks again to ArtieToo for help on that one).

So the Megaswitch M is now in one of the strats with an SSS4 wiring:
https://schaller.info/en/megaswitch-m

For two humbuckers, HH6 and HH8 look kinda interesting.

How are you getting 6 switch positions?

 

[Timberwolf]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

How are you getting 6 switch positions?

Separate push/pull pots for both pickups (neck/volume, bridge/tone). So there it's an 8-sound thing:
7. neck series and bridge parallel
8. neck parallel and bridge series
Then there is a mini toggle switch for out of phase:
9. neck series and bridge parallel & out of phase
10. neck parallel and bridge series & out of phase

A Megaswitch, as cool as it is, still a 5-sound option only, and I realized I was better off with a simple 3-way switch and push/pull pots.
But in an SSS strat it enabled me to get these, previously unavailable, options:



Again, I could have gotten something similar by "push/pull-izing" the volume pot: https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/the-seven-sound-stratocaster-1
But since I had the megaswitch lying around, it was a no-brainer

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Schaller Megaswitch vs 5 way Superswitch?

Your post was confusing. It appeared that you were listing the pup combinations at each switch position rather that just listing the tonal option available.