Error in........assuming?

[johnny]

Help---Knowledge needed. My 3 pickup Tele-5 way switch--apart for transformation--to a 2 pickup Tele, with the Tele mod (aka) series-parallel. Simple? 3mnths waiting for new pups-i assumed the present switch(5pos) was certainly capable of 4.---a couple of diagrams i had obtained---had 1 difference- i just noted. The switch i hold in my hand--has 4 lugs on each side, the diagrams show 5 lugs each side. i did lift the ground from the front pup...added another wire. already soldered some ----and realized~~~~~~ im not as smart as i thought i was. Could you guys help me out. Johnny

[newey]

Johnny-

Hello and Welcome!

Your existing switch probably resembles either the "import" style switch or the more traditional style. Diagrams for both can be found here:

Offshore Lever Switches

A standard 5-way switch, from the outside, looks exactly the same as a 3-way. Like yours, it has 2 poles, with 4 lugs on each pole. One lug is the "common" lug on each side, the others are numbered "1-2-3". These actually correspond to positions 1-3-5 on the switch, if it is a 5-way.

Positions 2 and 4 on a 5-way switch are not independently wireable. These are the so-called "notch" positions; Pos. 2 simply connects 1 and 3, and Pos 4 connects 3 and 5.

Now, we don't know what diagrams you were looking at. But if the switches used show more than 4 lugs per side, those diagrams are calling for some other type of switch.

However, the only switch I know of that has 5 lugs per side is the Baja Tele 4-way switch. Is that the mod you are contemplating?

Best is for you to post a picture of the diagram you want to implement, then we can see exactly what is called for therein.

Second best is for you to post a complete description of what you want the switch to accomplish. If the goal is series/parallel using your existing switch, however, you're going to be somewhat limited, and you will likely have either a dead or redundant position.

[johnny]

Newey--thanx for response! Icant post pics. My tele is a 2009 MIM Fender Blackout Tele. I find no numbered lugs. on the switch. it originally did : pos#1neck~#2neck&middle~#3middle~#4middle&bridge~#5bridge.***With my 2pickup -this is what i want Pos#1neck ~#2neck&bridge (parallel) ~#3bridge~#4bridge&neck(series). To me pos1 switch is all the way foward. Pickup arrangement i listed ;does not have to be in that exact order. A redundant spot, is not a concern at this time, but i will obtain the correct switch. ASAP. hope this helps, i apologize--i had no idea it was this complex. Johnny

[newey]

I find no numbered lugs. on the switch.

That's because they're not there. The numbers are just used to correspond to the diagrams, one must still orient the switch to the diagram.

it originally did : pos#1neck~#2neck&middle~#3middle~#4middle&bridge~#5bridge.

That's a std. Strat switch, as discussed above.

this is what i want Pos#1neck ~#2neck&bridge (parallel) ~#3bridge~#4bridge&neck(series).

That's the Baja Tele 4-way switch. The actual Baja Tele also has an S-1 switch on the volume pot, to which the 4-way is wired. But the 4-way tele switch is enough itself to do what you want. If you buy a new switch, we can walk you through the wiring of it, it's not that tough to do.

[johnny]

~~~i have no idea where that smilin face came from? The wire diagrams were from a pickup manufacturer were illustrated on a switch with 5 lugs---listed for Telecaster with 4-way switch. I never looked at mine ---i assumed it had 5-lugs? Till i pulled it apart and looked --I do want to use my present switch- 4 lugs- for the 2 pickup confiuration i listed. Thanks

[lpf3]

Johnny-

Here's the switch you likely want. In my Tele, with this switch the positions are:

1- N + B Series
2- N
3- N + B Parallel
4- B

Somewhere I found a diagram that would change it around a bit; giving you :

1- N
2- N + B
3- N * B
4- B

I'm sure you can easily get that setup around here.....

Hope this helps.

-lpf3

[newey]

I recently drew up a Baja Tele switch scheme for 3 pickups- the 4-way switch however only controlled the neck and bridge pickups, the mid pup was controlled separately. Thus, you could use this scheme, just eliminating the middle pup and its wiring.

This is a schematic, but I can do a wiring diagram if needed.

guitarnuts2.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wiring&action=display&thread=5032

Using your existing 5-way switch you will be quite limited, but there are some options to get series.

[johnny]

Newey--yes please show me a diagram, my skill level at reading schematics~is very questionable!! I dont want to end up making more assumptions!! Thanks again for the help. ~~~~~lpf3..thats exactly the switch i need..i waited 3 months for the 2 pickups!!!!if i had known-i certainly would have had one here. There is a Fender dealer close by--2 weeks to get it. At this point---i dont wanna wait. Johnny