Opinions: 3-way Vs. 5-way

[Reef Ranger]

Hello All,

Quick question for you experienced Strat players . . . I just bought my first ever Strat [an all-original 1983 ('62 Reissue)] that has the 3-way pickup selector switch, and I'm curious about opinions on the 5-way switch.

I play a 'clean', strictly instrumental style for the most part, and the tone of this guitar is absolutely 'unreal'. Moreover, I'm not super-eager to alter it necessarily, but I'm a player, not a collector (i.e., I don't intend to ever resell it), so installing a 5-way is of no real concern to me if it would yield significantly improved options for tone.

What do you guys suggest? For those of you who have played with both (i.e., 3-way and 5-way switches), would it be worth my while to install one? Or is it likely to offer little in the way of added tone(s)?

Thanks Everyone!

[Strat-Talk]

I like a 5-way switch, because I really like positions 2 and 4 a LOT. I can make a three way work to hit those marks pretty often, but I prefer the 5-way to make sure I hit the mark.

My '65 Strat has a 3 way and there's no way I'd change a vintage Strat but I would change a reissue.

[Reef Ranger]

XLNT! Thanks for the response.

I guess its a bit troublesome for me to modify even a reissue (since it cost ~$4500 which is 'major' bank to me), but if positions 2 and 4 on a 5-way are that impressive (or useful), then I won't hesitate.

And I'll be anxious to see what others say as well.

Thanks again
RR

[tazzboy]

I've never been a big fan 5 way switch. Nor the 2 and 4 spots, but that is just me. to each his own.

[StratDen]

I like the versatility of a 5-way's blending. If it's an older original condition Strat with a 3-way, Like Paul, I too would leave it original.

[Reef Ranger]

Originally Posted by StratDen

I like the versatility of a 5-way's blending. If it's an older original condition Strat with a 3-way, Like Paul, I too would leave it original.

Thanks Guys.

In technical terms, I don't really know what qualifies as "older", but this is an immaculate '83 ('62 reissue), and its in "original" condition throughout (i.e., pups, pots, wires, everything)!

The other thing I'm not too sure about is, even if I were to conduct such a modification or replacement, it would probably involve a complete kit, right?

In other words, to switch from a 3-way to a 5-way involves a change of virtually everything under the hood except the pups. It would change-out the switch, the pots, the cap, the jack, the wires, the works! And who knows what effect that all might have? Should that be a concern?

[tazzboy]

No you just have unsolder the wires of the old switch and put them on the new one not much to it.

[Reef Ranger]

Originally Posted by tazzboy

No you just have unsolder the wires of the old switch and put them on the new one not much to it.

For real? The following link would appear to suggest otherwise:

http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/ite...388&id=2113349

Am I misreading this somehow? Is this "blender" kit something different than a standard 3-way to 5-way replacement?

[tazzboy]

Oh I just thought you were going to change pickup selector. That is what I meant

[Strat-Talk]

That's a whole nother thing. That's a blend mod. Not simply adding a 5-way switch.

And, an '83 Strat is not really considered an "older" Strat by most folks. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine guiatar, just not collectible. All you have to do is buy a 5 Way switch, solder it in place of the 3-way and throw the 3-way in the case. That way if you sell the guitar and someone wants the original switch you've still got it.

On a Vintage Strat... 71 and earlier (or there abouts) you don't want to change anything.

I know there are music shops in HI cause I've been to them on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Go and check out a Strat with a 5-way switch and see what you think of the "in between" sounds. Or, heck you can do it yourself with the 3-way switch. Just rock it slowly between one and three until you find the "middle" to get the 2 position sound and the same between 3 and 5 to get the 4 position.

If you're thinking of the Blender circuit, I can't help you there you are on you own with that one.

[Reef Ranger]

Nope, I didn't think that a re-issue would qualify as an "older" collectible, but it doesn't matter much;

Yup, the late, great Kingdom of Hawaii has joined the real world (i.e., there are indeed music stores here);

Nope, been-there, done-that - nothing on the shelf here with a 5-way comes 'close' to resembling the tonal characteristics of this '62 (Corona) re-issue regardless of PUP switch selector. So I'm afraid that no real comparisons can be had there.

However, I'll try that intermediate exercise you suggested and then I'll decide. But I suspect that I'll stay away from any mods on it - it just doesn't sound like it would be worth screwing with it.

Thanks.

[bobthecanadian]

I took the 5-way switch out of my Strat and replaced it with a three-way and a push/pull switch. I use the switch as a middle on/off. Basically, it works like a tele with the added options of in-between sounds of a Strat. I like it. I also think that the blender option is an excellent way to go.

[Floridave]

It is very easy to make that change, and as long as you keep your old switch you shouldn't devalue anything.

I like the 2/4 positions.

[51tele]

I didn't care for the 5 position switch-------I love the 2 and 4 position but I can tweek it a little more front or back with a 3 way---------------------------------besides who wouldn't want a 3 way?

[jhundt]

It is very easy to make that change, and as long as you keep your old switch you shouldn't devalue anything.

I like the 2/4 positions.

Yes - don't be dumb like me. I changed my '68 three-way for a five-way. Why? I was perfectly happy with the 3, and I hate the 5, but it was the 80's and everyone was doing it... Then I used the 3-way in my Tele, where I broke it and replaced it with a cheap imitation!

[Kelsey]

I'm not clear as to whether you've tried balancing the 3-way switch in the "in-between" positions to see whether you like those 2 additional tones in your guitar. I tend not to use them much and prefer the solid feel of a 3-way switch as it snaps in place. Nevertheless, only one of my Strats has a 3-way switch. I changed from 3-way to 5-way on one Strat and the others came stock with 5-ways. But overall I would be just as happy with 3-ways in most of them. It also depends on whether the middle pickup is RWRP to give you hum-canceling tones in the notch positions -- that can be helpful in reducing noise in some environments.

[aznrambo481]

with a 5-way, you can have everything in the 3-way, plus more. The 2 and 4 positions are quite different than the other three positions, which I like.

[Old Cane]

I must be way older than I thought. YOU DO NOT NEED A 5-WAY TO GET THE "2 & 4" POSITIONS. Hendrix, Clapton, Blackmore, etc, never had a 5-way. Why would you? I think they are a waste of time. You can hit that spot every time after you play a strat for a day. If anybody tells you difffenent they don't know what they are talking about.

[Old Cane]

Originally Posted by Kelsey

I'm not clear as to whether you've tried balancing the 3-way switch in the "in-between" positions to see whether you like those 2 additional tones in your guitar. I tend not to use them much and prefer the solid feel of a 3-way switch as it snaps in place. Nevertheless, only one of my Strats has a 3-way switch. I changed from 3-way to 5-way on one Strat and the others came stock with 5-ways. But overall I would be just as happy with 3-ways in most of them. It also depends on whether the middle pickup is RWRP to give you hum-canceling tones in the notch positions -- that can be helpful in reducing noise in some environments.

Ooops. I missed this one. I guess I could have just said DITTO.

[thaus]

I also am a fan of the 2 and 4 positions but in this case I would leave the guitar as stock. I love my 2 strats with the blend wiring since it gives an incredible versatility to the guitar tone.

[jmasin]

Simple, 5 ways is better than 3

J/K, but look at it this way, unless it is a "vintage" that you don't want to modify, putting in a 5-way has zero negative effect. If you don't want to use 2 & 4 don't, but having it allows you to do so and you may like it. The old guys weren't wedging the 3-ways in between terminals for no reason, many of them liked the 2 & 4 positions.

Cheers!

[Doug Ferguson]

I've changed several of mine from 5-way to 3-way since i like the 3-way best -- don't have to contend with accidentally knocking into positions 3 or 4, which I seldom use anyway. I've also found that the old school way of "jamming" a 3-way between positions works just fine, and, to my ears, produces a better "in between" tone than a 5-way. I've discussed this with others, and several agree that that's also their experience, although electronically all else is equal. So a 5-way doesn't buy you much unless you use positions 3 and 4 a lot.

[jmasin]

Doug,

Nothin' personal bro, I swear it, but how in the world does a 3-way with two terminals bridged sound any different than a 5-way with two terminals bridged?

I can't make that work in my mind.

Again, nothin' personal.

Cheers.

[Doug Ferguson]

Originally Posted by jmasin

Doug,

Nothin' personal bro, I swear it, but how in the world does a 3-way with two terminals bridged sound any different than a 5-way with two terminals bridged?

I can't make that work in my mind.

Again, nothin' personal.

Cheers.

Hey, I couldn't agree more. There's absolutely nothing that should make a difference, which is what surprised me when I heard a difference. Just to make sure, I A/B'd a 3-way with a 5-way, and the jammed 3-way sounded fuller, louder, and less tinny than the 5-way. Not an "Oh, wow!" difference, mind you, just a noticable difference. I brought this up on the TDPRI several months ago, and others reported hearing the same thing with their 3-way's. It got a nice little discussion going, too, as you can imagine. But at least I was assured that my ears weren't going crazy -- other parts of me, yes, but not the ears.

[Old Cane]

It's probably all in our minds but that's where music lives anyway. I know and I've argured this for 25 years, since those things got popular. To me (and nice to know others also) it just seems to sound better. There is no scientific or logical explanation. It just seems to be for me and a select group of others. It just seems to me that I'm one of those guys that figures Leo used a 3-way (probably because that's all there was or it was a nickel cheaper than a 5-way) so that's the way it ought to be. Plus, this is how I learned. There were no 5-ways that I knew of. That's still something "new" in my world.

Now, let's get back to this "round earth" nonsense.


Sorry, but if I don't make fun of myself I'll end up making fun of you.

[jcwu]

Originally Posted by Doug Ferguson

I've changed several of mine from 5-way to 3-way since i like the 3-way best -- don't have to contend with accidentally knocking into positions 3 or 4, which I seldom use anyway. I've also found that the old school way of "jamming" a 3-way between positions works just fine, and, to my ears, produces a better "in between" tone than a 5-way. I've discussed this with others, and several agree that that's also their experience, although electronically all else is equal. So a 5-way doesn't buy you much unless you use positions 3 and 4 a lot.

Used to have a 3-way on my '75 strat. I liked the 2 and 4 position, and found myself knocking it out of those positions too easily. So I went 5-way.

Back then, when I made the change, I don't think my ears were experienced enough to hear the difference. Heck, probably even now, I probably won't pick up the difference. Not that it's not there, just that my ears aren't too picky.

[worldoftone]

If it has a 3-way I use it. If it has a 5-way, I use it.



- WOT