Help locating Squier Affinity 5 way switch

[CraigW]

Can someone point me in the direction of a replacement 5 way switch for a Squire Affinity Strat ??

I used a Strat kit from StewMac only to find the actual reason 2 different switches are utilized. It won't fit cavity due to narrow body.

I'm going to leave the pots and cap in place & just change out the 5 way so it should be simple.

I just don't want to get the wrong switch (again)

Thank You,

[Jazz P Bass]

Did you try Fender Support?

[CraigW]

I have been to both the Squire & Fender sites and saw no provisions to order parts, The best I can tell is the part # is 0055412000 Switch, 5 Way Shallow Box Style.

Did a lot of searching and came up with little.

[David Schwab]

They have some of the box style here:

Guitar Parts Resource* ::* Lever Switches

Here's another compact style:

5-Way Lever Switch

And some more here:

Switches by GPDUSA.COM

I'm not sure if they are the right size, but you can compare the original to these.

[CraigW]

Thank You,

I ordered 2 different 5 ways from GPD, one looks like the original switch that was in the 3rd party pickguard that is on guitar currently. I also ordered the sealed 5 way switch. If they are the same dimensions I will give the sealed one to my friend for his HSS Squire, he may need one in the future.

[slimeMD]

Tell me something, because I'm the owner of Squier Affinity Strat by Fender for 7 years, and there's something wrong with this pickup switch. One guy who seems to be kinda into this stuff, told me that this is very common thing, taht after few years those switches stop working properly.

I mean on the bridge and neck positions (so outtermost) the guitar switches off. Why is it so? Do I have to buy new switch or can I do somenthing with the old one?

[CraigW]

If you slightly move the switch (staying in the current selection) while it is producing no sound in either of those 2 positions does it try to work or make any sound when moving ??

The reason I replaced this switch was due to intermittent no sound in the (front) neck only position.

[slimeMD]

It works exactly like You said! Slightly moves helps, but I can let I going that way. It's annoying. Why it happens like this? What can I do? I heard it's quite common...

[CraigW]

You may be able to clean with contact cleaner... which in this day and age can be hard to locate and some cc will melt plastics. The switches sell for $5 retail so you can't expect much & they get used a lot.

These switches are only about 1" deep.

[slimeMD]

Thanks a lot (specialy for the plastic-melting note - it's inportant). So I have two options. I suppose using CC won't help much? What You think? It's better to change whole switch. But switches are different depending on model of the guitar. Mine is Squier Strat by Fender Affinity Series, so it looks like this:

Does anybody knows the symbol of this one?
Why does it happens like this? Is there a way to buy even more expensive one, but stay working properly longer?

[tribaltattoos]

GFS has alot of parts for overseas made tele and strat copies that will work with the squier brand their website is Home

[CraigW]

What is the depth of that switch shown ??

The guitar i'm working with has a 3rd party pickguard and the switch does not look like that, it uses the "box type" switch. It also looks like a box switch on the service info from Fender.

That looks similar to a standard strat switch.

[David Schwab]

Originally Posted by slimeMD

Mine is Squier Strat by Fender Affinity Series, so it looks like this:

Does anybody knows the symbol of this one?
Why does it happens like this? Is there a way to buy even more expensive one, but stay working properly longer?

That looks like an older Schaller Megaswitch, like they sell at Stew-Mac. Stew-Mac now shows them with a square circuit board, but the older ones look just like that.

The ones I have from the 90's say Schaller on them, so that may be an OEM model, or an Asian copy.

But any switch should work in this case. That's not an unusual size. Sometimes you have to install them with the circuit board on one side or the other.

[CraigW]

Make sure to measure your switch and use the mounting depth information. The box switches that I recieved were both 1 1/8" to the flat folded terminals. Pay close attention to your lead dress and solder connections. Even into the 1 3/8" cavity it was still a tight fit.

The specs for StewMacs switches are 1 3/8"

[slimeMD]

So I can order no matter what kind of switch until it is short enought to fit? AAnd 5 positons of course. Am I right?

[CraigW]

Some of the special switches can be configured differently, others are fixed configuration. (N N/M M M/B B) like the box switches and the standard 5 way strat switch. The depth is critical on the Squires.

[axpro]

I have never come across a switch being too big to fit in an affinity strat.

the only time i have hit that problem is with the bullet model.

hmmmmm

[CraigW]

Originally Posted by axpro

I have never come across a switch being too big to fit in an affinity strat.

the only time i have hit that problem is with the bullet model.

hmmmmm

What I find strange is the picture that was posted shows the non box style switch (1/2 circle type) and the Squire Affinity service data and the aftermarket pickguard assembly that was on it, use a box switch ( I never saw what was in the guitar originally) I don't know the depth of the switch in the picture. I also wondered why 2 styles of switches were used. My friend (who can play guitar) mentioned that the body was thinner on these models.

[slimeMD]

I have never ever customized it. I'm the first owner. Maybe the difference is - if it was crafted in China or the USA? Unfortunatelly mine is crafted in China

[CraigW]

Originally Posted by slimeMD

I have never ever customized it. I'm the first owner. Maybe the difference is - if it was crafted in China or the USA? Unfortunatelly mine is crafted in China

What is the depth of your switch ?? To the tips of the lugs ?

Your solder lugs are standing straight as well.

Maybe a mini version of the standard strat switch ??