Wild hair question

[TwoString]

I just brainstormed a small amp and thought of using a Tele control plate as an interesting cosmetic touch on the outside of the head. Any thoughts on using a Tele 3 way or Strat 5 way switch as a tone circuit selector? I thought it was awesome until I remembered how positions 2 and 4 combine poles.

[rock_mumbles]

A Tele or Strat 3, 4 or 5 way switch only combines pickups because that's the way they are wired ... the issue would be it should only be used to switch low voltage components ... cathode caps and resistors would be OK.

What kind of switching are you thinking of doing?

[TwoString]

Tone caps...I would guess in a method similar to how the tone selector works on a DC30.

[rock_mumbles]

OK, I wouldn't exactly call those tone caps ...

You'll have to be careful because you are switching the coupling caps that block the high voltage DC ... if you wire it backwards you'll have about 300V or so on the switch ...

[Milkmansound]

you can always use the switch to control low voltage for relay coils, and then have all of the high voltage stuff switched by relays. That way you can use the fairly wimpy tele selector switch inside of a tube amp without fear of death or worse.

[surfsup]

You'll have to be careful because you are switching the coupling caps that block the high voltage DC ...

Could one put a large value coupling cap off the plate like normal, to pass all frequencies, then after that cap put your real network of smaller caps in series, wired to the tele switch? The large cap would block DC and pass most frequencies and allow safe use of this switch.

[Traynor]

I've used it as the switch to select between caps on a gain channel like a Matchless. Works great.

[xtian]

Wow. That is real estate well used, sir!

[TUBEDUDE]

you can trim the copper on a three way so it doesn't give you that faux 2 & 4 position.