Import 5-Way Switch Wiring

[JVjunky]

I have two MIC Classic Vibe Starts and I want to change the wiring of the 5-way import type switch so that tone control knob 1 (nearest the volume knob) alters the tone of the neck and middle pickups, and tone control knob 2 alters the tone of the bridge pickup.
Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this type of configuration?

 

[Ray Silvertone]

It would help if you posted a picture of the existing wiring and a closeup of the switch, the side with the wires soldered to it. There are a few different box switches used in Squiers.

 

[Syco]

Hope this helps , if not ...my bad .

 

[DougMen]

H

I have two MIC Classic Vibe Starts and I want to change the wiring of the 5-way import type switch so that tone control knob 1 (nearest the volume knob) alters the tone of the neck and middle pickups, and tone control knob 2 alters the tone of the bridge pickup.
Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this type of configuration?

Here's what you want

The three lugs on the bottom of the switch are the opposite of the top side. On the top, the outside one is the bridge, the next one is the middle, and the third one in is the neck. On the bottom three lugs, the outside one is the neck, the one next to it is the middle, and the third one in is the bridge, The two center lugs have to be jumprered together to connect both sides of the switch to each other. Here's another diagram showing the layout of both type of switches, allowing you to wire either one of them any way you want

 

[PablOScar1]

I do not know which switch the CVs have, but @Ray Stankewitz comment is very good advice. We tend to classify switches into "import", "non import" and "super switches" but there are much more types in the "import" category at least.
My '95 Yako Strat had the YKE switch, and a wiring for an "import" switch won't work on it. This two threads were an awesome help to me with the YKE, checked them out in case you have one:

https://www.squier-talk.com/threads/yke-5-way-switch-pinout-in-affinity-strats.3299/

https://www.squier-talk.com/threads/yke-5-way-switch-7-contacts.26100/

 

[Ray Silvertone]

Here's a switch from a Fretwire kit - 7 poles, not 8

The poles L-R are bridge pu, middle pu, neck pu, common to vol pot, bridge tone, middle tone to tone 2, neck tone to tone 1. Tone 1 is closest to vol pot.
As you can tell, typical Strat wiring, no tone for the bridge pu. Different from the one posted by DougMen.

 

[dpang2836]

Yes, many Switch styles and Terminals. Don't forget the "Jumpers"! Welcome back @DougMen ! We were worried.

 

[Kenneth Mountain]

Yes, many Switch styles and Terminals. Don't forget the "Jumpers"! Welcome back @DougMen ! We were worried.

Ditto that @DougMen !

 

[DougMen]

Here's a switch from a Fretwire kit - 7 poles, not 8
View attachment 243166
The poles L-R are bridge pu, middle pu, neck pu, common to vol pot, bridge tone, middle tone to tone 2, neck tone to tone 1. Tone 1 is closest to vol pot.
As you can tell, typical Strat wiring, no tone for the bridge pu. Different from the one posted by DougMen.

The only difference there is that there's only one center output lug, instead of two (one for each side) that are jumpered together to link both sides

 

[Nascar Dog]

I ordered a FLEOR Alnico 5 SSH Prewired Pickguard White Pearl Loaded Pickguard Humbucker Pickup Set from Amazon
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09X18156C

Based on the info provided in this thread, it looks like it already has the mod to give the Bridge pickup its own Tone 2 control.
The Neck pickup has Tone 1 control.
The Middle pickup appears to not have any tone control.
If I jumper the left side Neck and Middle connectors will they then share Tone 1 control?

It's supposed to be delivered tomorrow so I will be able to experiment then.

 

[JVjunky]

This should do it!

 

[Nascar Dog]

Are you saying the little green jumper wire on pin 7 and 8 will link the neck and middle pickup to Tone Control 1?

 

[JVjunky]

Yes, that's my interpretation of the diagram especially for a SSS pickguard. I'm assuming the same would apply to a HSS pickguard

 

[jimk06]

Are you saying the little green jumper wire on pin 7 and 8 will link the neck and middle pickup to Tone Control 1?

View attachment 304393

Yes, exactly-- the little green jumper links the circuit for those two pickups, then the purple wire connects the circuit for both of those pickups to Tone 1.
The yellow wire on pin 6 connects only the bridge pickup to Tone 2.

 

[jimk06]

Are you saying the little green jumper wire on pin 7 and 8 will link the neck and middle pickup to Tone Control 1?

View attachment 304393

If there's currently a jumper between lugs 6 and 7 (how modern strats are typically wired), don't forget to remove it-- otherwise all three pickups will be connected to both tone controls.

 

[DougMen]

Are you saying the little green jumper wire on pin 7 and 8 will link the neck and middle pickup to Tone Control 1?

View attachment 304393

Yep, pin 8 is neck, 7 is middle, and 6 is bridge, so if you moved the jumper from between 7 and 8 to between 7 and 6, then you'd have tone 1 on the neck and tone 2 on the middle and bridge, which is the configuration I prefer.

 

[Nascar Dog]

I installed the kit and by default it sets Tone Control 1 to the Neck and Middle pickups. Tone Control 2 is for the Bridge pickup.
So, no jumper required for it to be the way I wanted it.
Looks good and sounds great.