Well, first off, different diagrams will identify the positions in reverse order from each other. Some schematics indicate the neck is position 1 and some indicate the bridge is position 1. You might want to reword your query so as to avoid confusion and argument.

How would you describe the sound of a Strat in each position of the 5-way switch?

Position 1 (Bridge) =
Position 2 (Bridge & Middle) =
Position 3 (Middle) =
Position 4 (Middle & Neck) =
Position 5 (Neck) =

I realize that the answers are very subjective and depend on many factors such as Strat model, pups, guitar settings, amp, amp setttings, what is being played, how it's being played, and where it's being played, so for the sake of some reference point let us assume a Standard Strat, stock pups, volume and tone wide open, playing through a tube tube amp on a clean channel with 12 o'clock EQ and no FX.

How would you describe the sound of a Strat in each position of the 5-way switch?
Position 1 (Bridge) = Bright, but not as bright as Tele pups
Position 2 (Bridge & Middle) = Classic Clapton sound from "Bell Bottom Blues" or Robert Cray's sound in the '80s
Position 3 (Middle) = This one is hard to discribe, so I'll just say that you should listen to "I'm So Glad" from the Cream reunion concert. I'll have to get back to you on this.
Position 4 (Middle & Neck) = Very mellow or creamy sounding.
Position 5 (Neck) = classic SRV sound. Listen to "Pride and Joy." Clean, but with a rich tone.

I hope this helps a bit. The best way to answer this qestion is to listen, which is what I'm going to do as soon as it's late enough to be playing (7:30 AM here).





I was recently asked this question and found it rather difficult to come up with descriptive names for the different tones. It's easy to play and then say "This is what it sounds like" but not so easy to describe the sound. For example, on the bridge pickup, with everything wide open, picking near the bridge, I would describe the tone as "Twangy" but one man's "twang" may be another's "bell".

Position 1 (Bridge) = Bright, but not as bright as Tele pups
Position 2 (Bridge & Middle) = Classic Clapton sound from "Bell Bottom Blues" or Robert Cray's sound in the '80s
Position 3 (Middle) = This one is hard to discribe, so I'll just say that you should listen to "I'm So Glad" from the Cream reunion concert. I'll have to get back to you on this.
Position 4 (Middle & Neck) = Very mellow or creamy sounding.
Position 5 (Neck) = classic SRV sound. Listen to "Pride and Joy." Clean, but with a rich tone.

I hope this helps a bit. The best way to answer this qestion is to listen, which is what I'm going to do as soon as it's late enough to be playing (7:30 AM here).