free-way switch for pj

[Matthijs]

I've just bought a "free-way" switch that's meant for Les Paul guitars to try in my PJ Yamaha BB 1200. I was looking for a 5 way switch that would fit in a pot hole. This switch is a special 6 way switch with 3 settings in 2 rows, kind of like a gearshift.

What I'm trying to solve here is: I find I more or less use 5 settings with my vol/vol controls. Either one or both pickup's fully on or one fully on with the other at about 80% percent at a sweet spot loading the other pickup. That last setting asks for some fine tuning that can be difficult to do on the fly. So I was thinking about a 5 way switch with trimpots to control the exact 80% setting. And next to the switch a single vol and tone setup.

The freeway is quite complicated. They didn't provide a switching diagram, only several wiring schematics for a 3 pickup les paul. After some puzzelling I found out how it works and I will start soldering tomorrow or the day after.

Am I the first to try out this gizmo?

[ctmullins]

I'm considering one as well - subbed!

[Matthijs]

Still waiting for the trimpots and a pack of resistors I ordered. I think I will add a series/paralel switch. I can't think of a way to incorporate that in the freeway switch too.

[Matthijs]

I've installed the switch and so far I like it. I wired it to be a standard 3 way switch for the two pickups in one row (positions 4 to 6) and in the other row (positions 1 to 3) it switches between a pre-set of full p with a bit of j and a setting the other way around. Both settings in a perfect sweet spot of blending, loading and phase cancellation. The middle position is a 100% blend of both pickups so position 2 and 5 are the same.

I mounted the trimpots for the extra settings on the back of the switch. In hindsight I could have gone for smaller value pots. These are 100k, 50 k would have been enough.

The extra switch is where the old on/off switch for the pre I had in there for the last 10 years. As my amps and cabs have improved over the years, I found out I started to prefer passive.
Because I had the space left, I turned it into a series/parallel switch for the P pickup. Not sure if it will get some use, but it covers the hole.

Pics:



first impression is its ver fast and easy to use. I'm eager to find out if my assumption is right and this will cover all my switchin needs.

[ctmullins]

Hey Matthijs - how's the switch holding up? Still like it?