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Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 3:39 am
by Philip
Is it possible to wire up a strat with a 5 way pickup selector to end up with some thing like this...


Position 1: Bridge pickup with it's own tone control
Position 2: Bridge and middle pickup with tone rolled off via a cap (tone control itself disengaged)
Position 3: Middle pickup with it's own tone control
Position 4: Middle and neck pickups without tone control
Position 5: Neck pickup without tone control

I'd like a tone control on the bridge pickup for some tone/wah like effects. Having it where the volume usually is would be cool. I use the inbetween setting - bridge and middle pickups with tone rolled off a lot with fuzz, having it there via the selector rather than having to change both the selector and tone control would be groovy ghoulies. :badteeth:

Make sense? achievable or an overly fiddly job? :smashed:

Maybe just simpler to get a Dearmond like tone pedal made. :hihi:

:cheers:

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 7:06 am
by phidias
You cannot do that with a standard 5-way switch, because wiring a tone control in position 3 will also affect positions 2 and 4 when engaged. You need a 5-way 24 pole superswitch and a good custom made schematic, and you are done.

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 8:26 am
by Philip
Ah, I thought it might require more.

Life would be simpler with an Esquire. :hihi:

:cheers:

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:11 pm
by stella_blues
My EJ Strat is wired so the bridge pup has its own tone control, middle pup none and second tone for the neck pup. Works well for me, roll off the spiky highs on the bridge and have full treble in the middle or roll off neck tone when using an Octavia for example and can still switch to full middle/bridge.

I think you’ll need a custom rewire for what you’re after :hmm:

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:43 pm
by rootfifthoctave
Could you sort of get there by having a no-load tone pot for neck+mid that you just left on 10 when using position 4/5? I have a no-load master tone on my strat and tbh it doesn't function much differently from a normal one (it's not a fender pot with a click, it looks like a CTS one that's been made into a no load). Probably doesn't help with positions 1/2 though!

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:43 pm
by Laundromat
Just wire it with a master tone. You've got quick hands, dontcha? :badteeth:
If you put it where the neck tone control is now, you can still reach it with your pinky for fancy wah swells.

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:07 pm
by rootfifthoctave
Laundromat wrote: Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:43 pm Just wire it with a master tone. You've got quick hands, dontcha? :badteeth:
That's what I did, just makes more sense (also have a blend toggle for neck+bridge which is a sound I use a lot!)
Image

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:23 am
by Stu
3-way switch. Unless you're Mark Knopfler.

Re: Stratocaster 5 way selector questions

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:48 am
by Philip
Stu wrote: Sat Jan 26, 2019 12:23 am 3-way switch. Unless you're Mark Knopfler.
:hihi: