Weird question; using 5-way 'Strat' switch as tone control

JumboFriendly · #1 10-13-2011, 10:19 AM

So I'm working on a project, and the bass will incorporate a strat-style 5-way switch. I was wondering if there was any way I could wire this up to replace the tone knob. Obviously, it'd require a different value capacitor to be wired to each individual setting of the switch, but is that something that could even be done? I might not have quite as much control as being able to dial in an in-between setting, but I think it's a neat idea, and would like to get some thoughts on if it would even work, and if so, how I'd go about trying it. Can someone help by suggesting what value capacitors to put where? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

heliotropic · #2 10-13-2011, 10:23 AM

This is pretty much the idea behind varitone controls, if you look up guides for them that should get you in the right direction: How To Wire A Guitar Varitone | Guitar Wiring How To's

**line6man** · #3 10-13-2011, 11:32 AM

If you wanted to replace a tone control, you would use a different value resistor for each of the throws.

Keep in mind that the values are going to be weird.
Position 1= R₁
Position 2= 1/([1/R₁]+[1/R₂])
Position 3= R₂
Position 4= 1/([1/R₂]+[1/R₃])
Position 5= R₃

JumboFriendly · #4 10-13-2011, 12:15 PM

So, although it might take a bit of work, it looks like it can be done, and has been done before (although in a bit of a different manner)? I'd really like to try to make this work. I'm at work at the moment, so I can't spend too much time searching for the Varitone control, but that does look promising. I appreciate it, guys. If anyone wants to give me some more info about what value caps I might want to look into ordering I would certainly appreciate that, too!

SGD Lutherie · #5 10-13-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

If you wanted to replace a tone control, you would use a different value resistor for each of the throws.

Keep in mind that the values are going to be weird.
Position 1= R₁
Position 2= 1/([1/R₁]+[1/R₂])
Position 3= R₂
Position 4= 1/([1/R₂]+[1/R₃])
Position 5= R₃

You can get 5-way switches with 5 separate throws.

5 Way Oak Grigsby 2 Pole Switch | Allparts.com

Much cooler than the usual kind!