Interactive Blade Switch

How Do Blade Switches Work?

For an in-depth look at how blade switches work, check out this great article by Fralin Pickups; however, the basic idea is that a blade switch uses a moving "wiper" to connect different terminals in each position, with the 0 terminal on each side always being connected. Each side of the switch is entirely independent, with its own set of terminals that do not interact with the other side.

3-Way Blade Switch: In a Telecaster-style guitar, the 3-way switch features a wiper blade that connects one set of terminals at a time. With some clever wiring, this setup allows Telecasters to select either the bridge or neck pickup individually, or both in parallel. The positions and connected terminals are as follows:

• Position 1 (Bridge): Terminals A1 and B1 are selected
• Position 2 (Bridge & Neck): Terminals A2 and B2 are selected
• Position 3 (Neck): Terminals A3 and B3 are selected

5-Way Blade Switch: Common in Strat-style guitars, the 5-way switch has a wider wiper blade, enabling it to connect multiple terminals at once in certain positions. This design facilitates the “in-between” tones, such as combining the bridge/middle or middle/neck pickups in positions 2 and 4. The positions and connected terminals are as follows:

• Position 1 (Bridge): Terminals A1 and B1 are selected
• Position 2 (Bridge and Middle): Terminals A1, A2, B1 and B2 are selected
• Position 3 (Middle): A2 and B2 are selected
• Position 4 (Middle and Neck): A2, A3, B2 and B3 are selected
• Position 5 (Neck): A3 and B3 are selected