Using new 3way guitar switch for 5way switch ?

[roger]

Hi everyone,
First post, my Squier California series strat SSS has standard 5way selector switch like this

neck to bridge 54321
I usually use only the 2 and 4 position due its hum cancelling but the thing is switching the selector was difficult co'z sometimes during play i usually land on the 5 or in the 1 position
Any thought i could rewire the existing selector to be 45312 so that it would make 4 and 2 on both end and to make it more easy to switch between.
If not possible, can I opt to buy or easy for me to have a 3way selector switch and use this to replace the existing 5way with new configuration like 432
4 for neck+middle, 3 for middle, 2 for middle+bridge

Would really appreciate a schem or a picture and instructions on how to wire or rewire this thing

Thanks and Kind regards,
Roger

[pete12345]

Unfortunately, you can't just rewire this particular switch. It's really a 3-way switch selecting neck, middle or bridge. The extra positions are basically 'in between' selections that allow two sets of contacts to be on at once.

I use a 3-way switch to control the neck and bridge pickups only, like on a telecaster. The middle is then switched on or off with a separate switch. If you don't want to alter the appearance of your guitar you could use a push-pull switch on the volume pot.

[roger]

Jan 21, 2009 6:20:53 GMT -5 pete12345 said:

Unfortunately, you can't just rewire this particular switch. It's really a 3-way switch selecting neck, middle or bridge. The extra positions are basically 'in between' selections that allow two sets of contacts to be on at once.

I use a 3-way switch to control the neck and bridge pickups only, like on a telecaster. The middle is then switched on or off with a separate switch. If you don't want to alter the appearance of your guitar you could use a push-pull switch on the volume pot.

Thanks pete for the prompt reply. What i usually use is 4position neck+middle and 2postion middle+bridge and i might sometimes need to use just only the middle. I may sacrifice the 5pos neck and the 1pos bridge which were both noisy and in the end result is 432 position rewiring configurationis just perfertly i need. Is it possible to rewire the existing 5way to this configuration sir? or do i really need to buy a 3way selector switch to do it .

Thanks pete,
Roger

[ashcatlt]

Sure you can, why not? All of the selections you've requested include the middle pickup, so wire it so's that middle pickup is always on. In standard strat wiring the hot output from the middle pickup hits the switch at the second lug on one side. Move that to either of the poles on the switch (they're usually jumpered together) and you're done. You'll get 44322.

Does that help?

[roger]

Jan 21, 2009 14:03:08 GMT -5 ashcatlt said:

Sure you can, why not? All of the selections you've requested include the middle pickup, so wire it so's that middle pickup is always on. In standard strat wiring the hot output from the middle pickup hits the switch at the second lug on one side. Move that to either of the poles on the switch (they're usually jumpered together) and you're done. You'll get 44322.

Does that help?

Hey ashcatlt i remember you do you remember me, I put two small rubber stopper on the both edge of the selector in the pickguard so help me not to land in both 1pos and 5pos and i'm sure there is a way by rewiring it but i don't know how I could try if you can give me the schem and i really appreciate that my friend
[e-mail]
Thanks in advance,
Roger

[ashcatlt]

Hey roger! Yep, I remember you. In fact, this is pretty much the same question that brought you over here to begin with, no?

Looks like you've changed your criteria a little here. I think you wanted the bridge always on before. So a couple questions.

1) Is 44322 not acceptable?
2) How many tone controls do you want? Strat style with 2 tones, or is one master okay?

You could do this with a tele switch as well, then you wouldn't have 2 redundant positions. The wiring will be the same either way, since the switches are the same.

[roger]

Jan 22, 2009 14:33:58 GMT -5 ashcatlt said:

Hey roger! Yep, I remember you. In fact, this is pretty much the same question that brought you over here to begin with, no?

Looks like you've changed your criteria a little here. I think you wanted the bridge always on before. So a couple questions.

1) Is 44322 not acceptable?
2) How many tone controls do you want? Strat style with 2 tones, or is one master okay?



You could do this with a tele switch as well, then you wouldn't have 2 redundant positions. The wiring will be the same either way, since the switches are the same.

Yes ashcatlt, i may find time this comming month to finally sheild my strat that's why i'm contemplating to rewire it also.
44322 is acceptable. Tone, which way would be easier to mod is fine
Can you send it here my friend and take your time and many thanks
[e-mail]

[ashcatlt]

It's not much of a mod, really.

It's as easy as finding the wire that's coming from the middle pickup to the switch. Snip it off close to the switch. Solder it to either of the "common" terminals on the switch. According to this that's going to be one of the middle two.

Now you've got 44322, with the tone pots active in the positions they had been before:
Neck
Neck+Middle (in parallel and interacting)
Middle
Middle
No Tone

I'll explain it again if you'd like, but I think you can get it with me drawing a picture.

[roger]

Jan 23, 2009 1:52:12 GMT -5 ashcatlt said:

It's not much of a mod, really.

It's as easy as finding the wire that's coming from the middle pickup to the switch. Snip it off close to the switch. Solder it to either of the "common" terminals on the switch. According to this that's going to be one of the middle two.

Now you've got 44322, with the tone pots active in the positions they had been before:
Neck
Neck+Middle (in parallel and interacting)
Middle
Middle
No Tone

I'll explain it again if you'd like, but I think you can get it with me drawing a picture.

Sorry for being such a noob, can you provide me later a picture drawn and many thanks my friend

Roger

[ashcatlt]

Darn! Should've proofread better. That was supposed to read "without me drawing a picture."

You're moving exactly ONE wire over exactly TWO spaces on the switch. Change nothing else and it'll work. (at least if you've got it wired like standard to begin with) I think it would serve you better if you draw the picture and let us verify that you got it correct.