I’ve seen a lot of explanations of how to wire it up, but you are the first person I could find who explains how it is constructed. This video made a huge difference in my understanding!
Thinking of the common lug as the output is very helpful. I’ve always just followed the diagram until I created a combo I just can’t find a diagram for. Now I gotta just figure it out! Thanks for the video!
Do not try to take on a 5 way switch in an alleyway at night no-matter how brave you are feeling, it will attack! Seriously though, this is a top 10 detailed audio engineering video for all that play-repair-modify- upgrade Fender Electric Guitars,Thanks. This is " Why" the switch works as well as the "how" . Take it to the next level. BTW, have you given "Roto-sound" strings a go, at one time it was all we could get( ( London, late 70's), I got a set because the shop did'nt have EBalls. Put them on a Telecaster and..."yes" a totally natural un-tainted experience. They felt comfortable and sounded clear and clean. Roto-sound 10- 46/48.
4:41 this was super useful when I accidentally dripped solder into the mechanism and had to figure out where to apply the desoldering braid and which pinchy parts to push back into place, so the switch makes contact again. Luckily it was on the outside/accessible side of the switch, and I was actually able to save my wiring job. :)
is it possible to use the 5 way switch to make a series parallel wiring in a strat? for example, I'd like to have in 5 position midle and neck in series and in the 4 position midle and neck in parallel
Please do a video on 3 way switches-I have a set of your DAFs to put in a Squier Strat w 3 way switch, and a set of your ‘smoothies’ to install on a Squier tele with 3 way switch.
I struggle to understand how the pickup signal goes from the switch on one side over to the tone pot through the common connection and then back to the switch from the tone pot and out to the common output on a single wire connecting the switch to the tone pots. A better understanding of the signal path from guitar to jack.
I understand the 5 way pretty good, its those switches with multiple poles, i think is the term 2 commons on the bottom and 5 blades on left and right, i think some have 3 blades
Great info on the "mystery" of the switch! Is there a way -- without push/pull or toggles -- to blend neck and bridge only? (i.e. no need to blend bridge/mid/neck or to blend bridge with neck position)
Since the LP will be a giveaway axe when the channel hits 50k, have you thought about doing a relic refin? I know they’re more popular on Fender’s, but I think it’d be really sweet on the LP!! Great insights on the strings.
I liked this video a lot. Can you put that on diagrams, so we can have something to look at. It could be awesome. And the idea of effects instead of volume and tone knobs is WOW!
So if you have common, 1, 2, 3, where’s the ground go? Do you connect the output to the common that shares the same side as the pickups and ground the common for the opposite side?
Thanks for another great video! You are right, even though the common tab is not an output, it is easier to explain it the way you did… Imagine if we were talking about single pole single throw or double pole double throw switches! About the strings, when I got my acoustic Taylor guitars back in the late 90s, I purchased a whole bunch of elixir strings and I still have some left after more than 20 years! I was a bit disappointed to learn that the newer strings are not as good as the early ones… I guess I will have to buy a new set to figure this out… However, the only elixir I purchased were for acoustic guitars, I never tried electric ones… Thanks again!
@Dylan - Can you explain/show how to properly wire a Status LED to an old Wah (Original Cry Baby) pedal using a 3PDT switch? It's more complicated than I though, as there is a PCB and Tone pot whose Input and Output wires have to be accounted for. I've already wired in a jack for external AC power. Thanks
Very cool bro! What do you think about a strat with a 10 way switch? As far as strings... I've been using EB super slinky's (9's) for over 30 years on all of my guitars, I just love the feel their very comfortable to me every now and then I try something different but always go back to the EB's. But I don't use them because of their tone?? I get that from my pups, pots, caps and amp! Lol. Thanks for the 5 way video D!
When your playing your strat and the volume will only work all the way up and then your tone pots aint working what is going on checked the wiring all looks like the diagram help this is the second time this has happened
I have gotta say, unless explicitly told due to authentic aging. I will always replace any fender style or Gibson switch. Usually with an ibanez style box switch. Theyre proven. The issue is just look at how super skimpy the metal is...of course its gonna break. Its the thickness of a hair. And also more metal=more ease of conductivity. I think ive replaced 2 ibanez and 1 dean....ive replaced at least 100 gibson and fenders blades. If you never use your switch, you're good to go. If you want the most out of the guitar. Get it replaced its simple quick and easy
The most hilarious part is they'll ask you for diagrams but won't search Google and use one of the thousands of diagrams already available. It's just like the people who, ask a question and wait a month for an answer instead of spending 90 seconds in Google to get the answer for themselves. 👎👎👎
I hope I don’t sound like a dick... But PLEASE tune your guitars. It hurts the ears. However, I do know they’re new strings. Maybe stretch them a few times and tune up again a few times. Or the intonation is bad. BUT, seriously, I really love your channel! Always great info and I don’t think I’ve disagreed once with any of your debunking talks. Right on par! Rant over. 🙂
DylanTalksTone Again, I’m really not trying to be a dweeb, but it’s definitely not sounding in tune. Strobe tuner, or no strobe tuner. But again, I’m a fan of your channel!
I think someone robbed your Jeep, I can see it driving away at the 10:40 min mark. =p Sorry, it's like anything you pay for what you get. Strings do matter for the tone just ask Eddie when he was alive, sorry elixir strings are the best period. You can afford a Winnebago yet you don't like Elixir's, you say they feel bad hahaha, bullshit probably they are too expensive for your guitars? Everyone knows Elixir's are the best strings ever made, you need to do some research if you think otherwise!
I’ve seen a lot of explanations of how to wire it up, but you are the first person I could find who explains how it is constructed. This video made a huge difference in my understanding!
Thinking of the common lug as the output is very helpful.
I’ve always just followed the diagram until I created a combo I just can’t find a diagram for. Now I gotta just figure it out!
Thanks for the video!
Do not try to take on a 5 way switch in an alleyway at night no-matter how brave you are feeling, it will attack! Seriously though, this is a top 10 detailed audio engineering video for all that play-repair-modify- upgrade Fender Electric Guitars,Thanks. This is " Why" the switch works as well as the "how" . Take it to the next level. BTW, have you given "Roto-sound" strings a go, at one time it was all we could get( ( London, late 70's), I got a set because the shop did'nt have EBalls. Put them on a Telecaster and..."yes" a totally natural un-tainted experience. They felt comfortable and sounded clear and clean. Roto-sound 10- 46/48.
dude - you are an invaluable asset to the guitar community, thank you for the great work you do!!
Thank you, great video. I always learn something from your videos.
Very good explanation... Thank you!
I have to commend you on ur explanation. Well done. It was really easy to understand the way u broke it down. Thanks. 👍🏿
I've been watching other videos, searching for an answer to my question. Yet, you gave it to me bro. thanks coz it works
4:41 this was super useful when I accidentally dripped solder into the mechanism and had to figure out where to apply the desoldering braid and which pinchy parts to push back into place, so the switch makes contact again. Luckily it was on the outside/accessible side of the switch, and I was actually able to save my wiring job. :)
Very good info on the switching. I never considered the options available on those. Fun fun!
Great explanation.Thank You
is it possible to use the 5 way switch to make a series parallel wiring in a strat? for example, I'd like to have in 5 position midle and neck in series and in the 4 position midle and neck in parallel
Thank you. your video was a big help
Do you know any circuit diagram for wiring the pickups in series using the 5 way switch
Man I remember seeing this video 2 years ago and now I’m back to watch it again Lmao thank you 🙏
So that's why they have two banks.
Thank you, it is very useful!
Is it possible with a strat switch to wire an H H guitar where the 3 middle positions are singles and when combined in the middle parallel?
Good info. Thank you
Can i use that fender 5 way super switch on an ibanez super strat? RGA series?
Please do a video on 3 way switches-I have a set of your DAFs to put in a Squier Strat w 3 way switch, and a set of your ‘smoothies’ to install on a Squier tele with 3 way switch.
This is great. Have you done a Five-Way Super Switch video? I'd love to see it.
I struggle to understand how the pickup signal goes from the switch on one side over to the tone pot through the common connection and then back to the switch from the tone pot and out to the common output on a single wire connecting the switch to the tone pots. A better understanding of the signal path from guitar to jack.
Hi. Can you explain also VLX91 switch used by Ibanez? Thanks
I understand the 5 way pretty good, its those switches with multiple poles, i think is the term 2 commons on the bottom and 5 blades on left and right, i think some have 3 blades
Great info on the "mystery" of the switch! Is there a way -- without push/pull or toggles -- to blend neck and bridge only? (i.e. no need to blend bridge/mid/neck or to blend bridge with neck position)
Just hook them both up to the same tab. Probably most efficient to swap out the 5 way to a 7 way to deal with phase and hum cancellation.
Since the LP will be a giveaway axe when the channel hits 50k, have you thought about doing a relic refin? I know they’re more popular on Fender’s, but I think it’d be really sweet on the LP!! Great insights on the strings.
Cool vids with Texas Toast... Can you add "EFFECTS" on a guitar instead of tone knob?
I liked this video a lot. Can you put that on diagrams, so we can have something to look at. It could be awesome. And the idea of effects instead of volume and tone knobs is WOW!
So if you have common, 1, 2, 3, where’s the ground go? Do you connect the output to the common that shares the same side as the pickups and ground the common for the opposite side?
Ground never reaches the switch. Ground is at the other side of the pickup and goes directly to the output jack.
good tutorial.
Can you do the same type of video for a 5 way super/mega switch?
Commenting for the algorithm. All hail the algorithm!
Thanks for another great video! You are right, even though the common tab is not an output, it is easier to explain it the way you did… Imagine if we were talking about single pole single throw or double pole double throw switches! About the strings, when I got my acoustic Taylor guitars back in the late 90s, I purchased a whole bunch of elixir strings and I still have some left after more than 20 years! I was a bit disappointed to learn that the newer strings are not as good as the early ones… I guess I will have to buy a new set to figure this out… However, the only elixir I purchased were for acoustic guitars, I never tried electric ones… Thanks again!
@Dylan - Can you explain/show how to properly wire a Status LED to an old Wah (Original Cry Baby) pedal using a 3PDT switch? It's more complicated than I though, as there is a PCB and Tone pot whose Input and Output wires have to be accounted for. I've already wired in a jack for external AC power. Thanks
Very cool bro! What do you think about a strat with a 10 way switch? As far as strings... I've been using EB super slinky's (9's) for over 30 years on all of my guitars, I just love the feel their very comfortable to me every now and then I try something different but always go back to the EB's. But I don't use them because of their tone?? I get that from my pups, pots, caps and amp! Lol. Thanks for the 5 way video D!
Can you make a video where you cover this topic by actually connecting wires to the 5 switch as you go??
Al go rhythm. We need a Jag switch for that.
Good.
When your playing your strat and the volume will only work all the way up and then your tone pots aint working what is going on checked the wiring all looks like the diagram help this is the second time this has happened
WHY MUST YOU MAKE IT PREMIERE I REALLY WANT TO WATCH NOW ÁAAAAAAAA
Tried elixir years ago. Not a fan of them either. So far I'd say the 1st sounded best.
Bill Frost Which Elixirs? Optiwebs on an electric are awesome, Nanowebs for acoustic. Which brand are you using now?
Worked late... Missed the premiere...
Go to 4:18 to see how it works.
set 2 sounded the best to me... just my opinion
I have gotta say, unless explicitly told due to authentic aging. I will always replace any fender style or Gibson switch. Usually with an ibanez style box switch. Theyre proven. The issue is just look at how super skimpy the metal is...of course its gonna break. Its the thickness of a hair. And also more metal=more ease of conductivity. I think ive replaced 2 ibanez and 1 dean....ive replaced at least 100 gibson and fenders blades. If you never use your switch, you're good to go. If you want the most out of the guitar. Get it replaced its simple quick and easy
A switch is a switch is a switch,
The most hilarious part is they'll ask you for diagrams but won't search Google and use one of the thousands of diagrams already available.
It's just like the people who, ask a question and wait a month for an answer instead of spending 90 seconds in Google to get the answer for themselves. 👎👎👎
I hope I don’t sound like a dick... But PLEASE tune your guitars. It hurts the ears. However, I do know they’re new strings. Maybe stretch them a few times and tune up again a few times. Or the intonation is bad. BUT, seriously, I really love your channel! Always great info and I don’t think I’ve disagreed once with any of your debunking talks. Right on par! Rant over. 🙂
We tune before every take using a strobe... I laugh when people complain about this.
DylanTalksTone Again, I’m really not trying to be a dweeb, but it’s definitely not sounding in tune. Strobe tuner, or no strobe tuner. But again, I’m a fan of your channel!
I think someone robbed your Jeep, I can see it driving away at the 10:40 min mark. =p Sorry, it's like anything you pay for what you get. Strings do matter for the tone just ask Eddie when he was alive, sorry elixir strings are the best period. You can afford a Winnebago yet you don't like Elixir's, you say they feel bad hahaha, bullshit probably they are too expensive for your guitars? Everyone knows Elixir's are the best strings ever made, you need to do some research if you think otherwise!