Wiring diagrams needed.

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Unsprung

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I've decided that my next guitar purchase will be a Fender Standard Strat HH, which I plan to use as a surf guitar by swapping TV Jones HiloTrons in place of the humbuckers. I'll also be upgrading other relevant parts - bridge and tuning machines - to Fender American parts, but I can't decide between upgrading the switching to 4-way or 5-way, from 3-way (since it only has 2 p'ups). If I upgrade to 4-way switching, I'll at least have series and parallel switching...the same as the same upgrade done to a Telecaster.

What other switching possibilities are there to be had, other than series and parallel switching, if I go with a 5-way switch? Where might I find some good wiring diagrams that'll help me in making this decision?

Matt
 
Unsprung said:
I've decided that my next guitar purchase will be a Fender Standard Strat HH, which I plan to use as a surf guitar by swapping TV Jones HiloTrons in place of the humbuckers. I'll also be upgrading other relevant parts - bridge and tuning machines - to Fender American parts, but I can't decide between upgrading the switching to 4-way or 5-way, from 3-way (since it only has 2 p'ups). If I upgrade to 4-way switching, I'll at least have series and parallel switching...the same as the same upgrade done to a Telecaster.

What other switching possibilities are there to be had, other than series and parallel switching, if I go with a 5-way switch? Where might I find some good wiring diagrams that'll help me in making this decision?

Matt


I'm pretty sure that they only come with a 2-conductor wire (the TV Jones site doesn't say, and Stew-Mac only sells them 2-conductor), so you can do any coil tapping options. Depending on the switch you get, you can still get 5 different sounds if you want. Maybe (1) neck pickup only, (2) both, in parallel, (3) Both in series, (4) both, out of phase [series or parallel as you see fit], and (5) bridge only. If you get a Super Switch, then you can get all of those possibilities, you just have to work out the wiring (not too hard, if you understand what is going on with guitar wiring).


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Light said:
Maybe (1) neck pickup only, (2) both, in parallel, (3) Both in series, (4) both, out of phase [series or parallel as you see fit], and (5) bridge only.
I like your suggestion, Light. A 4-way switch would give me both series and parallel switching, but the out of phase possibility is why I've decided to go with a 5-way switch. More likely, I'll go with parallel out of phase, since I'm looking to do surf guitar with it, and parallel is a fatter sound than series.

Thanks!

Matt
 
Unsprung said:
I like your suggestion, Light. A 4-way switch would give me both series and parallel switching, but the out of phase possibility is why I've decided to go with a 5-way switch. More likely, I'll go with parallel out of phase, since I'm looking to do surf guitar with it, and parallel is a fatter sound than series.

Thanks!

Matt


Well, if you want to post a wiring diagram, I'll be happy to take a look and check it for mistakes, if you need.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Actually, I was looking for a diagram that'll show me where all the wires go, for the series, parallel and parallel out of phase switching. Perhaps when I order the 5-way switch, it'll have a good diagram with it. The 4-way switches I've got for my Teles are clear enough.

Matt
 
Unsprung said:
Actually, I was looking for a diagram that'll show me where all the wires go, for the series, parallel and parallel out of phase switching. Perhaps when I order the 5-way switch, it'll have a good diagram with it. The 4-way switches I've got for my Teles are clear enough.

Matt



Stew-Macs website has an instructions page for the Super Switch which should explain it all for you. It doesn't have any diagrams, but what you are looking for is a bit unusual. Read the instructions, give it a try, and if you have any questions, I'll try to help you out. Hey, think of it this way, you get to learn a new skill this way too.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
gcapel said:
Seamor Duncan has schematics on there web site.



Not for what he wants to do.


Believe me, I'm the first person to point that out most of the time.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
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