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Post subject: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:04 am
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Would it be possible to install another 3 position blade on my Strat and have it wired so that, for example...

Position 1. Off
Position 2. Neck and Middle Pickups (Hum canceling)
Position 3. Middle and Bridge Pickups (Hum canceling)

Then rewire the original 3 position blade so that...

Position 1. Neck Pickup
Position 2. Middle Pickup
Position 3. Bridge Pickup

I would have to wire it so when I turned on the "hum canceling" blade it would "override" the single coil blade. Is this possible?


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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:28 am
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Hi Beowolverine93: all of that is exactly what we get from a five-way selector switch. I'm trying to understand a reason for using two three-way switches instead?

If you feel you prefer a traditional spec three-way switch on a Strat then a simpler way of getting the "in between" sounds (bridge+middle and middle+neck) would be to install a micro-switch for the middle pickup, so's you could choose to have it on in conjunction with either of the outer pickups. That would give you your hum cancelling sounds at the flick of a single, small switch.

But it feels a bit like re-inventing the wheel.

(And also assuming you don't like jamming a three-way switch between positions, like they did back in the day.)

...All in all, five-way switches are nice! :)

Perhaps I'm missing something...?

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:03 am
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No. It would not be possible. Even with true 4-pole superswitches I don't think you have enough switch poles to control the pickups that way. The situation is complicated by having to switch not only pickup signals but also changing the output from one switch to another. And you'd have to cut another switch slot into your guitar. And probably rout the control cavity too. And even if it worked it would be more complicated to use than a single 5-way switch.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:31 am
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I'm not too good in the 'how to' department with stuff like this, but it seems toggle switches would work well for what you want to do. That way you can just switch on/off the pickups you want and then perhaps have a separate toggle that 'turns on.off' the hum canceling?

My Hohner GT3 (Steinberger copy) has toggle switches, they are pretty cool. You can do that Eddie Van Halen trick where you turn the pickup on and off really fast and repeatedly.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:18 am
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Yeah I have to agree with Ceri here, I really cannot see the reasoning behind having to cut holes, complicate wiring and add another switch that does exactly the same function as just putting in a simple 5 way switch.


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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:38 pm
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I don't quite understand the OP's desired "off" function.

If he wants the ability to cut off the guitar's output, an extra small toggle could be added for that.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:25 am
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if you were to remove the blade switch and go to 3 toggles you could accomplish what you want and more for example neck and bridge pickup or all on which isnt avalable with any one switch.


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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:36 pm
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I lied, it's actually really straightforward. But I still say it's a bad idea.

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You could do that with a 3-way lever switch and an on/on/on mini toggle to see if you like the functionality before you start carving big holes. I suspect you'll need to do some body cavity work* to get a second lever switch to fit.

*Not the sort of body cavity work they do at airport customs checks, that's entirely different.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:44 pm
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When you say "off" I assume you mean "humbucking combinations off" and not "guitar off entirely".

Although if you do want your guitar off you can just connect the unused terminal of switch 1 to ground.

I suspect I've spent more time thinking about this than anyone will ever spend implementing it but hey, good luck and let me know if you use it.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:04 pm
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i wasthinking the mini toggles . ive already done this and it works great and i can make any combination i please.


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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:08 pm
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The problem with three on/off mini toggles is the possibility of turning the guitar completely off between changes.

I've installed the Dan Armstrong superstrat wiring in a couple of guitars in the past, 3 switches, 18 sounds, nothing comes close for versatility but it's a bit confusing until you get used to it.

http://dominocs.com/AshBassGuitar/index ... strat.html

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:11 pm
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yeah this is the same idea. i see your point but it hasnt been a problem yet for me.


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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 4:05 pm
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I have toggle switches on a guitar I've had since I was 15 years old and never accidentally turned all the pickups off.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 4:51 pm
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strings10927 wrote:
I have toggle switches on a guitar I've had since I was 15 years old and never accidentally turned all the pickups off.


Well golly gosh.

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Post subject: Re: Installing a 2nd 3 position blade
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:18 pm
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just sayin' :wink:

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