Post by ChrisK on Nov 13, 2006 0:28:02 GMT -5
EDITED 20080922 to add two traditional 3/5-way lever wiring diagrams (the first is standard wiring and the second shows the S-None series/parallel scheme).
EDITED 20080430 to add wiring guide to "E" switch version.
EDITED 20080425 for drawing errors. Phase switch to MegaSwitch wiring incorrect.
EDITED 20061215 for drawing. A switch logic error was found in the Mega Switch E design. The Mega Switch S design was added.
I'd suspected for some time that a switching scheme comparable (more or less) to the Fender S-1 could be easily implemented. While I hadn't thought about it much, it had remained in the back of my mind. While "revisiting" the Schaller Mega Switch E (Stew Mac) for use with just two pickups, it came to me.
I'd been wanting to build a guitar around a set of Rio Grande Dual Calibrated Strat pickups that I'd picked up, and wanted to use a wiring scheme that was flexible but easier to wire than most of my relatively demented schemes.
The Mega Switch E alone realizes the following combinations, all but #3 are the same as the Fender ones:
1. Bridge
2. Bridge + Middle
3. Bridge + Neck
4. Neck + Middle
5. Neck
I personally prefer the B + N rather than the middle in position #3 since it is more Tele-like.
With the addition of only a DPDT switch (the S-1 is a 4PDT switch), the following additional combinations are realized, exactly as my Fender Am Dlx SSS Strat does:
1. Middle * Bridge
2. Middle * (Bridge + "Special Cap")
3. Middle * (Bridge + Neck)
4. Middle * (Neck + "Special Cap")
5. Middle * Neck
Fender uses a 0.03 uF "special cap" methinks, but one should use whatever is special to them.
I haven't thought of a use for the other section on the Mega Switch yet, but.....
Note that with a DPDT on the volume pot for mode selection, the other two tone pots could be phase switches for the neck and bridge (or any two) pickups. If only one phase switch is of interest, the other push-pull pot could be used for all modes OR middle only selection. Q.E.D.
Pre 20080425 drawing
Posted 20080425
Pre 20080430 drawing
Posted 20080430
For those that want to use the traditional Strat 5-way switch, here's a design that uses the Schaller Mega Switch equivalent.
The Mega Switch S alone realizes the following combinations:
1. Bridge
2. Bridge + Middle
3. Middle
4. Neck + Middle
5. Neck
With the addition of only a DPDT switch (the S-1 is a 4PDT switch), the following additional combinations are realized, almost like my Fender Am Dlx SSS Strat does:
1. Middle * Bridge
2. Middle * (Bridge + "Special Cap")
3. Middle * "Special Cap" [different]
4. Middle * (Neck + "Special Cap")
5. Middle * Neck
Fender uses a 0.03 uF "special cap" methinks, but one should use whatever is special to them.
Pre 20070625 drawing
Posted 20080425
20080922 Here are some wiring diagrams for the traditional 3/5-way lever design
(Relatively) normal Strat wiring;
The addition of the S-None switch (it does aboot the same thing as an S-1 AmDlx Strat, but only uses two poles, so it can't be as techno'whizzy).
EDITED 20080430 to add wiring guide to "E" switch version.
EDITED 20080425 for drawing errors. Phase switch to MegaSwitch wiring incorrect.
EDITED 20061215 for drawing. A switch logic error was found in the Mega Switch E design. The Mega Switch S design was added.
I'd suspected for some time that a switching scheme comparable (more or less) to the Fender S-1 could be easily implemented. While I hadn't thought about it much, it had remained in the back of my mind. While "revisiting" the Schaller Mega Switch E (Stew Mac) for use with just two pickups, it came to me.
I'd been wanting to build a guitar around a set of Rio Grande Dual Calibrated Strat pickups that I'd picked up, and wanted to use a wiring scheme that was flexible but easier to wire than most of my relatively demented schemes.
The Mega Switch E alone realizes the following combinations, all but #3 are the same as the Fender ones:
1. Bridge
2. Bridge + Middle
3. Bridge + Neck
4. Neck + Middle
5. Neck
I personally prefer the B + N rather than the middle in position #3 since it is more Tele-like.
With the addition of only a DPDT switch (the S-1 is a 4PDT switch), the following additional combinations are realized, exactly as my Fender Am Dlx SSS Strat does:
1. Middle * Bridge
2. Middle * (Bridge + "Special Cap")
3. Middle * (Bridge + Neck)
4. Middle * (Neck + "Special Cap")
5. Middle * Neck
Fender uses a 0.03 uF "special cap" methinks, but one should use whatever is special to them.
I haven't thought of a use for the other section on the Mega Switch yet, but.....
Note that with a DPDT on the volume pot for mode selection, the other two tone pots could be phase switches for the neck and bridge (or any two) pickups. If only one phase switch is of interest, the other push-pull pot could be used for all modes OR middle only selection. Q.E.D.
Pre 20080425 drawing
Posted 20080425
Pre 20080430 drawing
Posted 20080430
For those that want to use the traditional Strat 5-way switch, here's a design that uses the Schaller Mega Switch equivalent.
The Mega Switch S alone realizes the following combinations:
1. Bridge
2. Bridge + Middle
3. Middle
4. Neck + Middle
5. Neck
With the addition of only a DPDT switch (the S-1 is a 4PDT switch), the following additional combinations are realized, almost like my Fender Am Dlx SSS Strat does:
1. Middle * Bridge
2. Middle * (Bridge + "Special Cap")
3. Middle * "Special Cap" [different]
4. Middle * (Neck + "Special Cap")
5. Middle * Neck
Fender uses a 0.03 uF "special cap" methinks, but one should use whatever is special to them.
Pre 20070625 drawing
Posted 20080425
20080922 Here are some wiring diagrams for the traditional 3/5-way lever design
(Relatively) normal Strat wiring;
The addition of the S-None switch (it does aboot the same thing as an S-1 AmDlx Strat, but only uses two poles, so it can't be as techno'whizzy).