HHH (2 conductor), swap rotary for 3 toggle?

[xardoz]

First, thanks to everyone for all the help last time, I got my buddy's guitar straightened out and he's happy, which was the goal.

I just bought a new Gretsch CVT III g5103, their bolt-on neck Corvette. It's pretty nice for the price, but the wiring leaves me flat.

It's got three 2-conductor mini-humbuckers, 1 vol., 1 tone and a 3-way toggle. The toggle allows you to choose any one of the three pickups, which I'm not caring for.

I'd like to select any of the three by themselves, but also in as many combos as possible:

• All three
  
• Bridge + Middle
  
• Neck + Middle
  
• Neck + Bridge

The kicker is that I want to do as few mods to the body as possible, so I'd rather not put in a blade-type superswitch, and I'd rather not have to drill any more holes for additional knobs and switches, if possible.

I know it may not be possible, but can this be done with just a rotary switch replacing the toggle? If not, what are my best options?

Thanks!

[xardoz]

Google is my friend:
deaf-eddie.net/tdpri-drawings/prs-strat-v2.jpg [/img]

[JohnH]

Hi Xardoz

Id suggest that your easiest practical option is to get a 4pole rotary with 6 positions. (You only need 3poles, and would like 7 positions, but good luck finding that!)

You would have 6 settings and id suggest that the all three option could be dropped without too much grief.

Such switches made by Alpha are not too expensive and are quite well made. They can be had at Mouser or elsewhere.check the shaft length if it is mounting though the body fsce rather than a pickguard.

Rotary switches, particularly larger ones are quite firm to turn so are best with a reasonably large knob. Also, can be somewhat tricky for changes quickly mid song.

John

[xardoz]

Thanks, John. I found a diagram from Deaf Eddie.net for Strats that uses a 6 throw switch, which should work. I tried to hot link the picture in my last post, but i think my phone doesnt like that. Here's the URL, tho: deaf-eddie.net/tdpri-drawings/prs-strat-v2.jpg

[JohnH]

Great..the DE diagram is fine.

I just realised that if you didnt want the all three as i suggested above, it can be done with a 2pole 6 way, which is just one layer snd readily available

[xardoz]

UPDATE: The Gretsch body is just too thin for the 2-pole rotary switch I bought, so I'm sticking with stock wiring for now.