Hey friends...I'm hoping someone will be able to help me out here. On my blackout Tele, I am planning on rewiring the 5-way switch so I can have the combo of neck and bridge pickups. I'm going to wire this into the #4 position as I never use the middle/neck combo anyhow. I wanted to run this by you guys here before I pull it open and rewire it. If I'm not mistaken, I need to have a jumper from the #4 position to the #5 position, and one to the #1 position. My question is, is this the correct way to do it? I'll attach a very primitive illustration I made up. Please let me know if this is correct or if not, point me in the right direction. Please excuse my lack of artistic ability...



Thanks in advance for the help.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

So as it happens...It turns out that I'm more ignorant than I already thought I was about the switch and it's wiring configuration. I went ahead and pulled off the control plate and had a look at what I was dealing with. Turns out the switch is much different than I had pictured in my head that it would be. I thought it was just five contact points (as evidenced by my "illustration" above) but it turns out that there are 2 sets of 4 terminals which I'm sure most of you already knew. The 'inside' terminals are wired (starting from neck pos. side) : Yellow - Purple - White - White, and the 'outer' terminals have nothing wired to them. So now I'm really at a loss, and everything I've found online has been worded for someone that already has the basic knowledge of how the switch works. I took a couple pics of the bottom side of the jack while I had it open, so I'll attach those after this post. If I need to take any more pics for someone to be able to tell me what I need to do, let me know and I'll snap a few more. Here's the photos I have already. Basically the same picture from opposite angles. Thanks again for any info guys.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

So here it is, 5am and I have been contemplating my options all night trying to figure out what I can do here. And then it dawns on me...I've been over complicating things way too much. This is as simple as reversing the wiring positions of the neck and middle pickups. Am I correct?
I by no means will have a problem with the positions being reversed. 1 would be bridge only, 2 would be bridge/neck, 3 would be neck only, 4 neck/mid and 5 mid only. If this won't be a problem then I think I have a project once I drag myself out of bed tomorrow...err, today.
Ugh...I need some sleep...catch y'all on the flip side. Once again thanks for any help.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

tim

let me suggest to you a book i bought off amazon.
it title: beginner,intermediate and advanced Hot Rod techniques for guitar.
a wiring guide for the fender strat, by Tim Swike.
first off, its not just for the strat ok. you will like this book. very detailed with pics and info with a nice "where to get it" for parts in the back.
this book has taught me so much bro. its a simple to read and understand guide
to wiring up just about everything you can think of bro. i read the book cover to cover when i got it. i couldnt put it down. everything ive always wondered about with wiring up guitars was answered and explained in detail finally. a 5th grader could use this book and explain what he/she is doing.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Hi Tim,

I think I have the answer but I'm at work at the mo. I'll post it up later tonight (uk time)

Andy

_________________
Pending Greatness

Yes, I believe you are.

Another option would be to keep your existing switching and replace your tone or volume pot for a push/pull pot to engage either the bridge or neck up. This will give you two more pickup combos, Bridge & Neck, and All 3 pups on. 7 pickup combos in all.

Should you wish to maintain the current switch positions but replace position 4 with Bridge and Neck you will need a 5 Way Super Switch.

I can provide wiring diagrams for all of the above should you need them. Just let me know.

Cheers!

Andy

_________________
Pending Greatness

Thanks for the suggestion WCJ...I really do need to pick up a book on the subject before too long. I'll look into that one for sure. I did however find a lot of good reading online that is actually what made me realize I was over-complicating things. Turns out premier guitar is good for more than gear demos.



Andy...I'm not at all concerned with maintaining the current positions, as the bridge and neck pups are the two I mainly use, and I won't have any problems adapting to them being in opposite positions.
The push/pull option is a good one, and I'll probably keep that in mind for any builds I might undertake in the future.
Thanks for offering, but I'm just going to switch the wires, and I believe I can do that without a diagram ... lol. I am certain that in the future I may need to call on the expertise of those on the forums, so if your itching to make one, I can almost guarantee I'll need a diagram from somebody in the future...lol.

Thanks again for the replies and bearing with me on this one guys.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

tim

that book is amazing and cheaply priced.
yeah the net is good but not like this book.
the pros other than the extreme content and close up pics,
you can use it as a bench top manual, take on the road,
to the ahum ahum, library with you lol. you will be hard pressed to find all this info
in a night of intense research, muchless all in one spot. buy the book, if its not worth it to you i'll but it from you as a second copy to leave in the ahum ahum......library.
yes its that damn good. plus, you can mix and match things and ideas from the different setups that you otherwise wouldnt think about unless you had it there before you.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Something like that book is exactly what I need...and I don't think I'll be sending it down the line anytime soon after I pick it up.
There is a wealth of knowledge to be had online, but it took a lot more searching to find a good explanation of the 5way wiring than I expected it would.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

your gonna like this book tim. man there are so many answers to questions you didnt know you were gonna need to ask. i dont know jack about wiring like a lot of these guys on here, niki, ceri, andy, martian, but this book will help you get there in a hurry as far as
how to bro. i like books with no BS and straight to the meat of the subject and this one has it. i got mine off amazon on the cheap. killer reviews with maybe 2 or 3 guys complaining. now that i have the book i can see what they are talking about and
they would complain about a free $100 lotto ticket because they got the silver dust under their nails lol. order it and let me know your thoughts on it. i have to warn you, your gonna start to feel the need to thank me, but you dont have to bro, glad to help out if i can.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Tim
You are correct. If you follow the wire from your middle pup down to the switch and from the neck pup down to the switch and swap them you will have the wiring the way you want it.
If you can't get it sorted out you are just a few miles from me and I would be more than happy to help you get it squared away.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Ive spent the last 9 months trying to get help with my strat wiring. I bought Tims book and emailed him for help, but he said he was too busy. I now have 9 of the 10 working ok, but my only problem is that the blender when in position 5, has no sound at all when the super switch is in position 2,3 and 4. In those positions, it should have a equal blend of the neck and bridge humbuckers. Can anyone help me with which wire is wrong and needs to be moved ????