"Large" On/Off/On switch

Pickups, magnets, microphones, amps, speakers, cabs, whatever...
Post Reply
Joshua Levin-Epstein
Posts: 243
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:58 am
Location: Massachusetts

"Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Joshua Levin-Epstein »

I'm looking for an On/Off/On switch, single pole will do, to replace a set of volume & tone controls in a Les Paul type guitar. The object is to install a pair of Duncan P-Rails in the guitar, with the ability to choose either coil or the coils in series (as Duncan recommends). In the old days I'd drill a couple of holes and install mini switches, but I've changed my ways. I know I can use push/pull pots, but that would only allow one of the coils to be selected.

I doubt that a switch exists that would replace the long shaft Gibson pots, but I was hoping someone may have run into something that will work for typical pots. Fender used 2 way switches of this size in their "Lead" series guitars of the early '80s.

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks,

Joshua
Brian Dyskin
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:21 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Brian Dyskin »

This [Auction link removed by staff] has 6mm diam hole - is that big enough?
User avatar
Jim McConkey
Posts: 1061
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:00 pm
Location: Way north of Baltimore, MD

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Jim McConkey »

Brian, links to auctions are still not allowed. The switches that you posted were the same size micros Joshua was trying to avoid anyway.
MIMForum Staff - Way North of Baltimore
Celeste Hall
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:24 am
Location: Maryland

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Celeste Hall »

would a rotary switch work? You can get them with up to 12 poles, but with adjustable stops so you can block off unused poles. Up to 4 throws if complex switching is your thing
User avatar
Jim McConkey
Posts: 1061
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:00 pm
Location: Way north of Baltimore, MD

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Jim McConkey »

All Electronics has some larger On-Off-On switches. Just Google them, a lot of parts suppliers have them.
MIMForum Staff - Way North of Baltimore
Brian Dyskin
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:21 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Brian Dyskin »

apologies for the link - won't happen again.
User avatar
Alan Peterson
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:32 pm
Location: Washington DC USA

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Alan Peterson »

I like All Electronics just fine. I just wish they would rethink their shipping methods. Last time I ordered from them it was for a pile of resistors, and shipping came to more than the cost of the parcel. They could have just thrust them into an envelope and sent them on their way.

When ordering from a volume house such as Mouser, All Electronics et al, naturally its best to make it a big order to absorb the shipping cost. But I don't always need a popcorn bucket fulla tantalum caps.
Alan Peterson
Name in Anagram Form: "Resonant Peal"
User avatar
Jim McConkey
Posts: 1061
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 4:00 pm
Location: Way north of Baltimore, MD

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Jim McConkey »

Brian, no problem. We are still discussing the old rules, so feel free to throw in your two cents in the TNG Forum Feedback discussion in the Jam Session. Auction links were never allowed because they are temporary at best, and there is no easy way to tell if someone is directing people to their own auction.
MIMForum Staff - Way North of Baltimore
David King
Posts: 2690
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:01 pm
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by David King »

There are "mini" switches and "micro" switches and then normal sized. Radio Shack carries a variety of all three sizes so you could start there just to see what fits. I like the Carling switches and I know Ernie Ball used the larger ones on some of their guitars and basses.
Digi-key and Mouser probably have the usual compliment. Some will have 1/2" threaded barrel some will have 3/8" dia.
Celeste Hall
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:24 am
Location: Maryland

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Celeste Hall »

NKK is giving away free samples, up to 3 switches

Check out their site to see if they have something you can use
User avatar
David Schwab
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:59 pm
Location: Staten Island, NY
Contact:

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by David Schwab »

There are some large toggle switches made for guitars that are a similar size to the Switchcraft toggles used by Gibson:

http://www.allparts.com/4-Pole-On-On-On ... 62-000.htm
Joshua Levin-Epstein
Posts: 243
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:58 am
Location: Massachusetts

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Joshua Levin-Epstein »

That switch is only suitable for guitars with bolt-in necks. But it might be a way to get the instrument to feel more "alive" (if the weather is accomodating).
JC Whitney
Posts: 208
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:19 am

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by JC Whitney »

Sadly, that almost went right over my head Joshua. Caught it just at the last minute... still chuckling.
Leon Van Bommel
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 2:39 pm

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Leon Van Bommel »

i once thought of doing a Jimmy Page type job on my Epiphone Les Paul. I wasn't a fan of push pull pots and I didn't want to drill for switches. I came to the conclusion that 4 of these may be mountable on the pickguard. You could run the wires through small groves made in the bottom of the pickup ring. I can't remember how high the pickguard sits anymore, 5/8" is my guess and that's a tad low for these switches but you may get away with bending the tabs out 90 degrees and mounting them on top instead of under neath or something. Or epoxy them on their side facing down with just the slider sticking out. Just some ideas anyways. Hope this helps.

http://www.allparts.com/Switchcraft-Bla ... 61-023.htm

I'm allowed links right?
Roger Rosenberger
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:28 pm

Re: "Large" On/Off/On switch

Post by Roger Rosenberger »

Those would be great on a "FrankenTele".
Here are the wiring diagrams.

ImageImage
Post Reply

Return to “Electronics”