Wiring an import 5 way switch

[Franknfilms]

I'm attempting my first strat wiring. I have to say, I'm quite surprised how easy this is going to be compared to an LP, which usually makes my head hurt. I have this import 5 way switch, which is just a straight line of 8 lugs. This wiring diagram, however has the lugs staggered in different directions. Can i just solder in the same order does this switch require a different diagram.

Thanks!

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

Also, since I know very little about strats, how exactly will these 2 tone knobs work when I wire it this way? I'm guessing 1 tone for bridge and 1 tone for middle? Does anyone have another recommendation for wiring strats? I thought about wiring like my schecter (2 vol, 1 tone) but that is not easy to do with a 5 way switch so I'll probably just stick with the typical strat wiring.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

Thanks for all the details! I definitely think there is much value in having one tone for middle/neck and one for bridge. Hopefully that is what happens when I wire it up. I'll leave enough slack in case I have to flip the switch.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

I never understood why more people didn't opt for the mini toggles, one for each pickup. The design is simple and allows any combination of any pickups including the elusive Bridge/Neck and all three together.

Because things like switching from the Neck pup by itself to the Bridge pup by itself require turning one switch off and another one on. It's much easier, especially live, to flip the 5-way from one position to another than it is to accurately flip individual mini toggles off & on.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

Thanks for all the details! I definitely think there is much value in having one tone for middle/neck and one for bridge. .

This should get you what you want:

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

I like a setup I call the 9-Way Strat. It looks like this:

Then, if you put the pickups Half Out-of-Phase on a Strat, positions 2 & 4 get fatter and less quacky. It's a nice option, I think.

That looks like this:

I've got a bunch of wacky stuff in my library of wiring diagrams. It's still under construction, but you can see it here:

https://sites.google.com/site/phostenixwiringdiagrams/home


.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

This should get you what you want:

That was an excellent diagram, thanks! I would love to have one of these with a humbucker in the bridge. I turns out I"m getting a GFS lil killer, which is similar to a duncan rails. If you can find the import 5-way diagram with a S-S-H that would really help.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

That was an excellent diagram, thanks! I would love to have one of these with a humbucker in the bridge. I turns out I"m getting a GFS lil killer, which is similar to a duncan rails. If you can find the import 5-way diagram with a S-S-H that would really help.

I don't find these diagrams, I make them.

Are you going to split the coils on the bridge humbucker? If not, it would wire exactly the same as the single coil.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

I don't find these diagrams, I make them.

Are you going to split the coils on the bridge humbucker? If not, it would wire exactly the same as the single coil.

Nice work! I love those diagrams. Good question about splitting the bridge. I really don't want to by a push/pull but I've already gone this far so I might as well. If you happen to have a diagram for the push/pull I'd love to use it if I end up going that route.

If I decide not to get a push/pull I'm guessing I would just connect the series wires of the humbucker, leaving me with 2 wires that I can wire just like strat pickup?

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

If I decide not to get a push/pull I'm guessing I would just connect the series wires of the humbucker, leaving me with 2 wires that I can wire just like strat pickup?

Yep.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

If you happen to have a diagram for the push/pull I'd love to use it if I end up going that route.

Here it is. You can tie the splits (Red & White) together and just use one side of the DPDT switch on the push-pull pot, but those solder terminals are usually very small & it's hard to get multiple wires into them. So, I show it using both sides so you only have to put one wire in any hole.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

Thanks so much for your help Phostenix. I have decided on a final plan for the wiring. I have this mini switch laying around so I figured why not do master volume, master tone, and mini switch for the bridge humbucker (GFS Lil Killer). If you can hook a brotha up with a wiring diagram just one mo time , I'd sure appreciate it. :notworthy:

Also, I have this random green capacitor. It used to be attached to a 25k pot in an emg equipped guitar. Can I use it for the master tone knob?

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

FYI- the volume knob is a 250k, I put some washers on it because the shaft was too long (ugghhh, story of my life). The tone knob is actually a 500k because that is what I have laying around. I figure what the hell, I'll just turn it down halfway. Do actives typically use capacitors that bleed more treble than actives? If so, that might work in my favor, on account of the 500k tone pot and all.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

Tell me more about that toggle switch you've got. Is it a SPDT or a DPDT?

Does that cap have numbers on it like 223K or 473K?

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

No numbers on the cap unfortunately. We'll have to just assume that it is within a certain range that is typically used for actives, although I don't know what that range is. Is it possible that it is something unacceptable? Kind of like how 25k pots would be unacceptable with passives?

The switch is a SPDT. I bought a 2 pack and used one of them on an MXR Classic OD pedal to toggle between the two modes.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

This link is somewhat helpful for figuring out how to use a SPDT for a coil split.
http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/sw3.php

I am still not sure how to put the whole thing together. If anyone has any links to wiring diagrams please help. Thanks!

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

According to this thread, I will run the white and red wires from the bridge pickup to the mini switch middle lug. Then I will ground either of the side lugs. That takes care of the mini switch for splitting. Now I just need to figure out how to make the master volume and tone work. All of the info is right in my face, I just need a little hand holding as you can see.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

This should do it:

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

That should do it, thanks!

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Wiring an import 5 way switch

I did the wiring today. I'm still waiting on a few mounting screws in the mail for the switch and the bridge pickup before i can test it. The capacitor ended being a .01 uf. It is this exact one