Pick up selector switch


Grambo
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Grambo
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04/18/2010 3:09 am
I bought a second hand squire stratocaster

I didn't pay a lot for it as it needed a respray and it had a broken pick up selecter switch
I didn't take a lot of notice when I bought the new switch, but when I came to wire it - there were no seperate terminals for the two tone controls - so the only way I could wire it was to have both the tone controls active all the time - which is not right
It matters not as I only use it for recording, but I was annoyed
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 1
Razbo
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Razbo
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04/18/2010 1:59 pm
The Squier I had used a circuit board type of switch. I had wanted to replace it with a Fender 5-way but the body was too thin to fit. The tone controls hooked up and operated like normal, though (with respect to the different config of terminals). Yours has something different?
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 2
Grambo
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Grambo
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04/18/2010 9:47 pm
Yes it was basic and crude and inexpensive

I should have known
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 3
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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04/30/2010 12:45 am
Originally Posted by: Grambo... there were no seperate terminals for the two tone controls - so the only way I could wire it was to have both the tone controls active all the time - which is not right ...


I'm confused about this. For one thing, I don't know how the controls on your guitar are laid out. With separate Volume & Tone controls for each pickup, like on a Les Paul, each pickup is connected to its Volume pot; the output of the Volume pot is connected to the Tone pot, and from there to the pickup selector. The output of the pickup selector goes to the jack.

If each pickup has a Tone control, but there is only one (Master) Volume control, the pups will be connected to their Tone pots and the pickup selector switch. The output of the selector switch goes to the Master Volume pot. There would not be a special terminal on the switch for the Tone pots, because each of them is always connected to their associated pickup. They will only interact with each other when both pickups are selected.
Lordathestrings
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# 4
Grambo
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Grambo
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05/01/2010 7:35 pm
Hi LATS - long time no see
What i mean is: if you look at the grey schematic on this link

There are seperate terminals off the selector switch for each Tone pot

http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/stockstrat.php

On the switch I bought ther'e aint none
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 5
Razbo
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Razbo
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05/01/2010 7:43 pm
Originally Posted by: GramboHi LATS - long time no see
What i mean is: if you look at the grey schematic on this link

There are seperate terminals off the selector switch for each Tone pot

http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/stockstrat.php

On the switch I bought ther'e aint none


Can you post a pic or link to what you have?
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.
# 6
Grambo
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Grambo
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05/01/2010 8:06 pm
Hi Razbo
I can't find a link as all the pictures of switches are fenders - and proper
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 7
Lordathestrings
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Lordathestrings
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05/01/2010 8:36 pm
The switch in the schematic you linked to is called a 2P3T. This stands for 2-pole, 3-throw. In switch terminology, a 'throw' is a position. The newer 5-position version would be a 2P5T. They're like two identical switches linked together in one package.

I'm guessing that the switch you bought only has one 3-position switch, leaving no place for separate Tone Control selection.

I see two options here:

  • Keep the new switch, and use just one of the Tone pots as a Master Tone Control, wired between the connection to the Volume pot and ground.

  • Get a switch like the original.



When I had a Strat, I was always bashing my knuckles on the knob next to the bridge, so when I took it in for a setup, I also had the luthier remove that pot, rewire for Master Tone & Volume, with the pots in the remaining two positions. I liked that much better than the stock configuration, because it let me apply some tone control to the bridge pickup.

Your axe; your choice.
Lordathestrings
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# 8
Grambo
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Grambo
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05/01/2010 8:37 pm
Nice one, many thanks
if you always take the lazy route
The Devil knows your every move ![COLOR=RoyalBlue]
# 9

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