Why a 5way switch on an H-H guitar

[shredhed]

I just got a Model 3a. No pics yet. I just got home with it. So I'm going over it and it's got a 5 way blade switch. I found an old add and it shows that's what it came with.
Can anyone give me the layout of the switch?


Thanks, bob

[dg]

The 3A, the Model 5, and the 750XL all had the special 5-way switch. It allows for coil splitting, and can be wired a bunch of ways, but I'm pretty sure the standard way was:

Position 1 - neck pickup
2 - outer coils of both pickups
3 - both pickups (all coils)
4 - inner coils of both pickups
5 - bridge pickup

That's how my 750 is wired anyway. You can double-check by listening as you hold a screwdriver or allen wrench tip near the pole pieces (or lightly tap if necessary) in each of the switch positions.

[shredhed]

I figured it was some kind of coil splitting. I had looked at it again after I posted the question and all 4 wires from each pickup went to the switch. Cool!

Thanks. I've never had a guitar wired that way. It will be some cool tones that I can't get from my other 80's guitars or my Strat.

Edit: 3 of the 4 wires go to the switch

[straycat]

Take a small screw driver and tap on the pole pieces of the pickups you will figure it out.

[shredhed]

I haven't did my usually "strip it down and clean everything " yet. But here it is. I'd rate it at a 9/10

I got it for $199 with case