I have a strat H/S/S with a 5 way selector. Recently, no matter what position I put the selector in, the tone does not change. I checked and it is still wired correctly. Is this a bad switch?

Thanks.

What's the tone? I had that problem recently, simply a case of one wire being a little too long and touching other positions.

Try getting a small flathead screwdriver and ensuring that the pathways between the selector points are clear... worked for me.

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'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

Sure is a wiring problem , not swich or pot. Look carefully

I think only the humbucker is on in all switch positions. Hard to tell though, I'm not to familiar with the guitar and I only have a small combo at home right now. I checked carefully and the connection points on the switch are clear. I've checked numerous diagrams and mine seems to be wired correctly. It is kind of a messy wiring job though. Also, the switch has a row of 3 connectors and a row of 4, where as the diagrams all show 2 rows of 4. I ordered a new switch and tone pot anyway, bc the switch is an 'import' kind and the pot is scratchy. I'll really check everything out when I replace that stuff. I'm still at a loss why the switch isn't making a differences though.

You could try one of the Oak 5-way switches on eBay. Like the one from an American standard, but not the Super Switch (8 contact points plays 14, I think).

Rewire using a standard diagram, job done.

_________________
'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."

If you want to be sure if humbucker is on a any switch position , tap lightly with a metal , like screwdriver, on pole piece. You will hear a "pop" in amp speaker.

You say is a kind of messy wiring job . I did'nt not read before that your guitar is modified .

You can use many diagrams but the easyest , and the one you could have is from an Highway One HSS with the standard 5 way switch.

http://support.fender.com/service_diagr ... 1_SISD.pdf

Yeah its not modified but it must have had repair work done before. Stock pu's I'm pretty sure. It's close to 20 years old, and not one of my primary players so I'm not super familiar with it. But I want to really get it back to good working order.

I can just replace the switch with a standard fender 5 way, correct?

Thanks for all of your help so far, that diagram really helps too.

Yes five way Fender switch is the best solution, Follow the diagram and everything should work fine .

Just an update: I hooked up the new 5 way switch and was good to go! Maybe the old switch was bad, or maybe while rewiring it I inadvertently solved the real problem. Either way, I like the new switch and the guitar is back in business. Thanks guys for the help.

Good news, I'm not surprise. Enjoy it.

VladSpoilerOfCarpets, your Meat Loaf signature gif is a hoot..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Cheers I've had it lying around for a few years... thought it was time to use it!

_________________
'01 American Deluxe HSS Strat.
'87 Japan HSS Strat.
'11 Custom Shop FMT HSS Strat.

"Without music, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid."