Strat three-way vs five-way switch

[Todd]

I had an old '50s strat w a 3-way switch and standard single coil pups. I can understand why the 5-way switch for single coil, but when I changed to classic-staks I wonder if a three way would not be more convenient and w better tone too-like wired individually. The 5-way is a pain when selecting "on the fly". Is a 3-way even available?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

Sure it’s available. Teles use a 3 way.

With a 3 way on a Strat you’ll lose your middle pickup combined with either the bridge or neck pickup tones.

You won’t miss those? I would.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

If you miss em that much you could take the spring out of the switch so that it would still be easy to get the in between sounds on a 3-way switch.

 

[evan47]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

Back in the day we only had the standard 3-way switch but still managed to get the in between sounds with careful use.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

yep but since 5ways are available, if you want those tones why wouldnt you use the 5way?

 

[justFred]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

3 way with S1 as volume switch does it all.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

Or you could do the Dick Dale wiring. Master volume, no tone, 3-way switch, and toggle switch that bypasses the pickup selector switch to have neck and middle in parallel.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

A 3 way switch for me would be useless. I need a 5 way switch for Strat...I even need one for 2 humbuckers. The Classic Stacks sound great when combined together in the 2 & 4 positions, btw.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

You could always do the Lawrence/Hendrix wiring.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

I never use neck/middle combo, so switched to tele 4-way. It's easier to use quickly and allows more wiring options too.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

You could always do the Lawrence/Hendrix wiring.

View attachment 85661

I take that that is basically Tele wiring with a blend for the middle pickup?

 

[Todd]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

If you miss em that much you could take the spring out of the switch so that it would still be easy to get the in between sounds on a 3-way switch.

Yeah, I was thinking of trying this.

 

[Todd]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

yep but since 5ways are available, if you want those tones why wouldnt you use the 5way?

I am playing with the idea of finding some way to make switching more quickly convenient. I even thought of a BLUETOOTH FOOTSWITCH instead of the spade switch on the guitar--But that's a different story.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

I am playing with the idea of finding some way to make switching more quickly convenient. I even thought of a BLUETOOTH FOOTSWITCH instead of the spade switch on the guitar--But that's a different story.

5 way superswitch would give you 5 positions you can set up exactly to your personal preferences.

Tele-4 way allows same and is quicker and easier to use , but isn't as versatile. (2 poles per position instead of 4)

 

[Todd]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

5 way superswitch would give you 5 positions you can set up exactly to your personal preferences.

Tele-4 way allows same and is quicker and easier to use , but isn't as versatile. (2 poles per position instead of 4)

What is a 5-way 'super switch'?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

A switch with more complex connections and many more poles.

 

[Todd]

Re: Strat three-way vs five-way switch

I take that that is basically Tele wiring with a blend for the middle pickup?

Didn't Hendrix play single coils? I never sat down and compared single vs. classic stak plus, so I can't say if there would be any noticeable loss of tone presence when putting two hummers together vs. singles. I guess this is a subjective question, though.