Rare 5 way switch Q

phatt · Post by **phatt** » 02 Sep 2022, 10:56

Q, Does anyone know if these 5 way switches are still available, or still exist? I've searched the www but nothing even close to this design. There is no markings on it that I can see so hopefully someone might know about it's origin.

The switch in picture has a very firm/stiff feel and very hard to accidentally flick to another position.
The common units are mainly CRL and Oak Grigsby but they tend to have a much softer feel, some are even sloppy.
I'd like to find another for my spare guitar.
Thanks folks, Phil.

mauman · Post by **mauman** » 05 Sep 2022, 19:03

In addition to the CRL and Oak Grigsby you mentioned (available @ StewMac), Antique Electronic Supply carries Fender OEM 5-way 8-lug switches: https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/s ... trat-5-way and a Fender 24-lug superswitch version: https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/s ... ctor-5-way and an Alpha 8-lug version: https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/s ... -way-black

phatt · Post by **phatt** » 09 Sep 2022, 00:08

Thanks for that but they are the common units,, this one seems to be rare. I was just wondering where they came from and if they are still made. I did find one blurry picture on Ebay in a fender package so maybe these are very early fender parts.
Strange that no one seems to know about these switches. Oh well at least I have one.
Phil.

Cub · Post by **Cub** » 09 Sep 2022, 19:25

Hi Phil, it looks like a Fender switch from the '80s that came with reissue Strats. Just like the originals, the reissues left the factory with a 3 way switch installed. These 5 way switches were bits of case candy, so the owners who wanted to have those in between quacky sounds had the right part to make that happen.

The only difference is that the Fender ones had a number stamped on the side that goes against the pick guard. I could find two switches like that.
https://www.guitarristas.info/anuncios/ ... tch/972848
https://reverb.com/item/7504681-nos-vin ... 49995-6mlr

A rare bird, with prices to match, but there might be a solution. You could try and put a stiffer spring on a regular old CRL switch to tighten up the thing.

phatt · Post by **phatt** » 13 Sep 2022, 10:14

Thanks Cub, https://www.guitarristas.info/anuncios/ ... tch/972848 Yep that is the one.

Next time I have that guitar apart I'll look for the print on the top face.
I just thought it was strange that if it is indeed a Fender part there is little info on the net.

Likely that switch will be hard to source nowadays.

I was just hoping to have my 2 strat guitars with the same switch type as everytime I swap guitars I get caught out as the soft switch unit always goes two jumps instead of one.
Phil.

Cub · Post by **Cub** » 14 Sep 2022, 10:14

You could have a go at replacing the the spring on a CRL or a similar switch. Perhaps even snip off one coil at the time from the original spring to find a stiffness that matches that rare switch.
It's a fiddly job, though, and do wear goggles ! Those bits of snipped off spring can jump anywhere.

It's indeed strange that only Fender used this switch for a while and it has never been seen before or since.