Vintage 3-way wiring for strat

[old_picker]

Searched for an hour today for the original pre 1977 3-way strat wiring diagram and failed.
What I found didnt spec 3-way switch or list the positions and what pickups were selected in each position
I'm a duffer with switches and cant figure it out.

Has anyone got a link to the original 3-way switch pre '77 diagram?

thanks all

 

[Tuxedo Poly]

Strat 3 way switch wiring is the same as 5 way.
The AV '54 service manual shows both.

https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10002/011-0002A_SISD.pdf

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Couldn't find it??? Just look up " vintage " Stratocaster wiring diagram. I have it in Dan Erlewine"s book.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

 

[andy__d]

The 3 way switch had just one pickup active for each position. The 5 way switch simply “formalized” the trick of positioning the three way switch to the “in between” settings, so that you could get 2 pickups active at the same time (which was a bit tricky, you had to position it just right to make it stay in place).

 

[sjtalon]

A strat 5 way switch is a 3 way, with 5 stops.

 

[old_picker]

ahhh so that explains why all the diagrams I found showed the same wiring.
Thank you all so much. A few lights just went on in this old brain

 

[E5RSY]

Does anyone still sell a 3-way switch?

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Yes, a Tele 3-way is virtually the same switch.

 

[E5RSY]

Yes, a Tele 3-way is virtually the same switch.

Interesting. Makes sense. My '57 came from Fender with a 3-way and a 5-way. I had them install the 5-way before I left the store in '91. The 3 is still in there with the case candy, I think. I'll have to give it a look for comparison to the Tele switch.

 

[2HBStrat]

Yes, a Tele 3-way is virtually the same switch.

Yes, it's exactly the same switch. Available from Fender and just about everybody.