How to wire a 5-position switch (4-step guide)
Wiring a 5 way switch can be tricky, but by the end of this guide, you should be able to do it without a hitch.
There are two popular versions of the switch: the 5-way Fenders switch and the 5-way Import switch. Most manufacturers include a Fender switch on guitars because it is common, while an Import switch is rare and limited to some guitars such as the Ibanez. Both switches, however, work in the same way: connections are passed from one section to another, and then mechanically connected inside the node.
I have used both a 5-way Fender switch and an Import switch on my guitars over the years. So, I have designed a lot of wiring diagrams for different brands of guitars. In this tutorial, I will be looking at one of my 5 way switch wiring diagrams to teach you how to wire a 5 way switch.
Let's start.
In general, the process of connecting a 5-position switch requires patience and accuracy.
- First, if your guitar has a switch, remove it and locate the five pins.
- Then run a multimeter over the wires to check the connections.
- Then make a pretty wiring diagram or get it off the internet.
- Now follow the wiring diagram exactly to connect the tips and pins.
- Finally, double check the connection and test your device.
We'll cover it in detail in our guide below.
Two Common Types of 5 Position Switches
Some guitars and basses use a 5 way switch. You may find yourself in a situation where you have to replace the existing switch on your guitar; this guide will help you with that. But before that, let's look at two examples of typical 5-position switches below:
Type 1: 5 Position Fenders Switch
This type of switch, viewed from below, has two rows of four contacts on a circular switch body. This is the most common type of 5 position switch. Since this is a common type of switch, it is found on more guitars than the Import switch. Other instruments using this type of switch include the bass, ukulele, and violin. The pickup switches are used to adjust the volume.
Type 2: Import switch
The imported type switch has one row of 8 pins. This is a rare type of 5 way switch and is therefore limited to guitar brands such as Ibanez.
Another type of 5-way switch is the rotary 5-way switch, but this is not used on guitars.
Switching Basics
How the 5 Position Switch Works
Two switches can be found on several guitars. It is also extremely important to know how a switch works on a typical guitar in order to connect it properly.
Both the Fenders switch and the Import switch have identical functions and mechanisms. The main difference lies in their physical location.
In a typical 5 position switch, the connections are transferred from one part to another and they are mechanically connected in the assembly. The switch has a lever system that connects and opens the contacts.
Technically a 5 position selector switch is not a 5 position switch but a 3 position switch or 2 pole 3 position switch. A 5 position switch makes similar connections twice and then switches them. For example, if there are 3 pickups, as on Start, the switch connects the 3 pickups twice. If the switch is wired normally, it will connect the 3 pickups as follows:
- Bridge Pickup Switch - Bridge
- 5-position selector switch one step above the bridge and middle pickup - bridge.
- Switch in the middle pickup - Middle
- A switch that is one step higher than the Neck pickup and the Middle pickup.
- The switch is directed towards the pickup Neck – Neck
However, this is not the only way to connect a 5 position switch.
The history of the creation of the 5-position switch
The first version of the Fender Stratocaster had 2-pole, 3-position switches that were designed to only work with neck, middle, or bridge pickups.
Thus, when the switch was moved to a new position, the previous contact was made before the new contact was broken. Over time, people realized that if you put the switch between three positions, you can get the following contacts: neck and middle, or bridge and bridge pickups connected at the same time. So people started putting a three position switch between the three positions.
Later, in the 60s, people began to fill in the marks in the three-position switch discharge technique to achieve this in an intermediate position. This position became known as the "notch". And in 3s, Fender applied this shifting technique to their standard derailleur, which eventually became known as the 70-position derailleur. (5)
How to wire a 5 position switch
Remember that the two switch types, Fender and Import, differ only in the physical shape of their pins. Their working mechanisms or circuits are strikingly identical.
Step 1 Define the pins manually - bridge, middle and neck.
Possible pin labels for 5-position switches are 1, 3, and 5; with 2 and 4 in intermediate positions. Alternatively, the pins may be labeled B, M, and N. The letters stand for bridge, mid, and neck, respectively.
Step 2: Pin identification with a multimeter
If you want to be sure which pin is which, use a multimeter. However, you can make your predictions in the first step and check the pins with a multimeter. In practice, the multimeter test is the best way you need to use to mark pins. Run the multimeter over five positions to mark the switch contacts.
Step 3: Wiring Diagram or Schematic
You need to have a plausible wiring diagram to know the engagement of the tips or pins. Also note that the four outer lugs are shared, connect them to the volume control.
Follow the diagram below to connect the pins:
In position 1, turn on only the bridge pickup. It will also affect a ton of pot.
In position 2, turn on the bridge pickup again and the same tunnel (in the first position).
In position 3, turn on the neck pickup and tunnel pot.
In position 4, take the middle sensor and connect it to the two pins in the middle position. Then set the jumpers to the fourth position. Thus, you will have a combination of Middle and Neck pickups in the fourth position.
In position 5, engage the Neck, Middle and Bridge pickups.
Step 4: Double Check Your Wiring
Finally, check the wiring and place the switch on his rightful device, which is often the guitar. Please note: if the body of the guitar makes strange sounds during contact, you can replace it with a new one. (2)
Take a look at some of our articles below.
- How to connect a pressure switch for 220 wells
- How to connect the traction circuit switch circuit
- How to connect a fuel pump to a toggle switch
Recommendations
(1) 70s - https://www.history.com/topics/1970s
(2) guitar – https://www.britannica.com/art/guitar
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