Wiring Diagram for Fender Strat 5 Way Switch

Guitarists of all levels can benefit from a wiring diagram for Fender Strat’s 5-way switch. In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at the essential components and how to wire them together correctly. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced player, a wiring diagram can help you understand how electric guitar wiring works and avoid costly mistakes.

The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitars ever produced. Its five-way switch has become standard on guitars and basses, allowing players to select the pickups they’d like to use and how those pickups should be combined. If you’re just beginning to explore the world of electric guitar, understanding how the 5 way switch works can be confusing. Let’s look at the components of a 5-way switch and how to wire them together correctly.

The Components of a Fender Strat 5 Way Switch

At its core, a 5-way switch consists of two components: a DPDT switch and a double pole single throw switch (DPST). The DPDT switch is essentially five ordinary SPST switches in one. Each switch offers two possible positions – on and off. This, in combination with the DPST switch, gives us five points of contact that, when connected, provide the five possible combinations of pickups.

Different Settings for the Fender Strat 5 Way Switch

The combinations available on a Fender Strat’s 5-way switch are quite versatile and give the player multiple sounds to work with. Here’s a list of the 5 different settings of a Strat’s 5-way switch:

Neck Pickup Only: This selection routes only the neck pickup directly to your amp.

Neck+Bridge Pickups: At this setting, both the neck and bridge pickups are routed to your amp, delivering a fuller sound.

Middle Pickup Only: Here, only the middle pickup is routed to your amp and delivers a twangy sound.

Middle+Bridge Pickups: These two pickups are combined to generate an even fuller sound with bright edges.

Bridge Pickup Only: With this setting, only the bridge pickup is routed to the amp providing a brighter cutting sound.

Wiring a Fender Strat's 5-Way Switch

Now let’s take a look at how to wire these components together. To do this, you will need three sets of cables: one wire for ground, one common and one to each of the switch’s terminals. To start, first connect the common wire to the switch’s output lug. From here, simply connect the other two wires accordingly.

The last step is to connect the terminals to the switch itself. Begin by linking the ground wire to the “GND” terminal, followed by the common wire to the “COM” terminal. Now link the first wire to the “1” terminal, the second wire to the “2” terminal, the third wire to the “4” terminal and the fourth wire to the “5” terminal. Finally, connect the last wire to the “3” terminal.

You have now finished wiring your Fender Strat’s 5-way switch and can try out the different sounds it can produce. Be sure to take your time and be careful while connecting the components together; incorrect wiring can cause damage to the guitar or physical injury. With these helpful tips, your Fender Strat’s 5-way switch will be up and running in no time.

Stratocaster Five Way Switch How It Works