What's the difference between these switches?

[solspirit]

Is this just an enclosed Fender 5 way super switch for twice the price?

https://www.stewmac.com/electronics...free-way-5-way-10-position-pickup-switch.html

 

[PFDarkside]

No, the Freeway gives you 10 positions, the Superswitch gives you 5 positions. Also, the Freeway has predefined options for each position depending on your pickup configuration, the Superswitch allows you to define exactly how you want each position to function. On the other hand, the Freeway seems to have all the options I’d want and might be slightly easier to wire than a Superswitch.

 

[solspirit]

No, the Freeway gives you 10 positions, the Superswitch gives you 5 positions. Also, the Freeway has predefined options for each position depending on your pickup configuration, the Superswitch allows you to define exactly how you want each position to function. On the other hand, the Freeway seems to have all the options I’d want and might be slightly easier to wire than a Superswitch.

I think I might go with the freeway, hopefully it will eliminate the need for a series/parallel switch and I can use that other switch I have for coil tapping.
EDIT:. or vise versa.

 

[idsnowdog]

These are all of the combinations possible with a freeway switch.

 

[solspirit]

These are all of the combinations possible with a freeway switch.

Can I use it with 3 humbuckers?

 

[idsnowdog]

I would think so.

 

[solspirit]

I would think so.

Yes, I just found a video about it. It's a pricey switch but it looks like good quality and easy to install.

 

[ehdwuld]

Seems like the ad copy would have give it away

Having trouble with reading comprehension?

You may have covid
It's one of the symptoms

 

[solspirit]

Lmao.. awful assumptive aren't you?
I didn't even look at it, I learned about it because someone on another site was talking about and just shared the link.

 

[solspirit]

Seems like the ad copy would have give it away

Having trouble with reading comprehension?

You may have covid
It's one of the symptoms

Maybe you should lighten up a bit.

 

[ehdwuld]

:naughty:

 

[solspirit]

Seems like the ad copy would have give it away

Having trouble with reading comprehension?

You may have covid
It's one of the symptoms

If you think this is funny you've got the humor of an adolescent.

 

[Mincer]

Can we not? Let's stick to the OP, and make sure you employ the ignore function.

 

[Artie]

I've got half a mind to buy one of those, just to see how it works. But I hate to drop $50 on something I'd probably never use. Ever since I've seen those, there's something I don't understand. Let's say you shift the handle to the right, and go all the way back. Then you shift to the left, and go all the way forward. If, in that position, you shift back to the right, you now have the handle all the way forward while the switching part is all the way back. I don't get how that could work.

Does the switch have a "middle" position, like a gear shift, so you can move to the other position without moving the contacts?

 

[Mincer]

Generally, the Freeway is a more fragile switch. There have been reports on this forum of the switch failing, more than once. And it is expensive. I don't understand the point of having so many switching options without eventually hard-wiring your 5 favorite.

 

[solspirit]

Man I don't know, I want to be able to switch between series and parallel and coil tap each pickup individually. Could I do this with 4 dpdt or spdt switches?

 

[Mincer]

Man I don't know, I want to be able to switch between series and parallel and coil tap each pickup individually. Could I do this with 4 dpdt or spdt switches?

Well, I think it is a worthwhile experiment. But most sounds will take a few moves to get to. I think once you figure out what you like (there will be several sounds you don't like), just hardwire them to a super switch.

 

[PFDarkside]

Well, I think it is a worthwhile experiment. But most sounds will take a few moves to get to. I think once you figure out what you like (there will be several sounds you don't like), just hardwire them to a super switch.

Not only that but for me I expect 1 and 5 to be “big” sounds, 2 and 4 to be “clucky” sounds and 3 to be a grab bag. When I first got a Strat with S1 I was I pumped with all the options available. Now I generally leave it in the S1 “up” position which gives a fairly standard set of 5 tones. I half think the Passing Lane switch was added so when you are in some odd tone and say “&$@%# I just need a bridge HB!” you press it and boom, there you are.

 

[beaubrummels]

The only real use for dozens of switching options I've found is when I'm frequently playing through someone else's backline and I need to get my tone out of someone else's rig.