Hi everyone,

Does anybody know if its possible to change a 3 way switch to a 5 way switch on my fender strat? Sort of upgrading the tone. Do I also have to change the pickups or not anymore.
thanks.

Hi BigJay!

Thanks for your reply. First, I really dont know what strat I have. I m here from Manila Philippines and I bought this strat here 10 years ago. Tragedy happened to it. One time during the rainy season, a little flood crept into the house, while it was on the floor the strat in its hardcase, took in water!!! And I only found out about it when i opened the case after 4 months have passed. The strat wood body had cracks good thing the fret board was undamaged. So you see Im tyring rebuilding my strat back to its prestine condition. the tone control was damged but the pick ups were not, (I hope, havent tested them yet!).
So dont I know what kind of Strat is mine. Are there any indications, markers as to what Strat I have?
Anyway how do I wire in for a 5 way switch. I noticed the pickups for 5 way switch has 3 wires in each. My pick up have 2 wires for each. only.

Thanks.

Go the the Seymour Duncan web site. There is a schematic of a Strat with 3 single coils and a 5-way switch wired normally.

http://www.fender.com/support/diagrams/ ... 02CPg2.pdf

or follow this one

No problem at all. 2 wire single coil pickups are the norm rather than the exception. And a 5 way switch gives you extra sounds - neck + middle and bridge + middle - the so called 'quacky' ones (some of my all time favourite strat sounds actually).

I understand that some new high end Fender Vintage Strat re-issues retain the 3 way switch for reasons of authenticity (originally designed - the Strat had a 3 way switch) but usally throw in a 5 way switch too for customers to fit if they want to.

And who wouldn't want to? The 5 way set up is one of the great things about strats.

So sorry to hear about the damage to your guitar - that's a real bummer.

Ha - beat me to it!

Hi mrmetalgear, welcome to the Forum.

Your existing pickups will be fine (if they still work). You will need to buy a five-way switch and then wire it up the way you see in the diagram maxoom posted.

I expect you can buy a five-way switch in Manila, but if you have trouble then these people ship worldwide and their service is very good. You need to buy the switch # 3192 on this page:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics ... witch.html

Good luck - C

the 3-way switch and the 5-way switch are wired exactly the same. The difference is mechanical, not electrical.

_________________
James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

Gentlemen,

first of all I'd like to express my deepest gratitude for giving me valuable information to help me rebuild my strat.. Thank you.
There is one more info that I need. when I had the body refurbished the craftsman here took out the 2 anchor pins for the bridge pin down screws ( i hope Im using the correct terminologies). I do still have the pin down screws (where the bridge pivots) but the female part (where the pin down screws come in) which is pressed IN to the wood body is gone. Now the bridge cant be installed! Where in the world could I get those two screws??

thank you once again.

ps. from your signatures alone, reading the different strats you own, im sure you gentlemen are all proficient in playing your strat!s!!! How I wish I was too.

http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm

I found some here.
Scroll down towards the middle of the page in the trem section.

Fender American Tremolo pivot screw inserts - set of 2 $6.95

Fender part # 0028958000

If you are handy with soldering, you might like this switch and try some custom wiring on your Strat :

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics ... ns#details

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Another choice :

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics ... Model.html

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I know it's moot....but it would sure be interesting to know what he started out with... Shame the guitar was damaged.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"