The Alpha Switch Guide
How the Alpha Switch works, how to read its lugs, and which lugs connect in each of the five positions.
What the Alpha Switch is
The Alpha is a metric lever switch, found in many import guitars. It's fully enclosed, so dust can't get to the contacts, and all eight lugs sit in one straight row.
It works just like a CRL or Oak Grigsby. Only the lug layout and the mounting size are different.
- Type
- Enclosed lever switch
- Poles
- 2 (A and B)
- Positions
- 5-way
- Lugs
- 8, in one row
- Sizing
- Metric mounting
Reading the lugs
The switch has two poles, A and B. Each pole is its own switch with four lugs: one common lug and three position lugs.
- Common lugs (A0 and B0) are the outputs of each pole. Whatever the lever selects comes out here.
- Position lugs (1, 2 and 3) are the inputs. Your pickups or tone controls connect to these.
- One straight row. The lugs run A1, A2, A3, A0, B0, B1, B2, B3, so both common lugs sit side by side in the middle.
How the five positions work
As you move the lever, each common lug connects to a different position lug. In positions 2 and 4 the contact touches two lugs at once, which is how you get the in-between sounds. Both poles always switch together.
| Position | Pole A | Pole B | Strat example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A0 to A1 | B0 to B1 | Bridge |
| 2 | A0 to A1 + A2 | B0 to B1 + B2 | Bridge + middle |
| 3 | A0 to A2 | B0 to B2 | Middle |
| 4 | A0 to A2 + A3 | B0 to B2 + B3 | Middle + neck |
| 5 | A0 to A3 | B0 to B3 | Neck |
Strat example assumes the bridge pickup on lug 1, middle on lug 2 and neck on lug 3. Some diagrams flip this; the switch works the same either way.
A 3-way lever switch uses the same lugs, but only has three positions: lug 1, lug 2 and lug 3. There are no in-between positions.
How it's wired in a Strat
- Pickups to pole AThe bridge, middle and neck pickup hot wires go to A1, A2 and A3.
- A0 to the volume potThe common lug sends the selected pickups to the volume pot's input lug.
- Pole B for the tone controlsMany Strat layouts use pole B to choose which tone pot works in each position. Link the pole A and B lugs you need, and run B0 to the tone circuit.
Want a diagram for your exact setup? Request a custom diagram and we'll draw it for you.
Install tips
- Find the commons first. Use a multimeter on continuity. Move the lever and check which lugs connect to A0 and B0 in each position.
- Mark your lugs. A dot of marker on A0 and B0 saves mistakes once the switch is in the cavity.
- Check the mounting. The Alpha uses metric mounting. It won't drop straight into a pickguard made for a US-size switch.
- Be quick with the iron. Tin each lug and wire first, then make each joint fast so you don't overheat the contacts.
- Test before you close up. Plug in and tap each pickup with a screwdriver in every position.
Rather not solder? Choose our pre-wired solderless kits, or let us do it with our wiring services.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a 3-way and a 5-way lever switch?
They have the same lugs. A 5-way adds two in-between positions where the common lug touches two position lugs at once. On a Strat that gives you the bridge + middle and middle + neck sounds.
Which lugs are the commons?
A0 and B0. They're the outputs of pole A and pole B. Whatever the lever selects comes out of these lugs.
Why does the switch have two poles?
So it can switch two things at once. On a Strat, pole A picks the pickups and pole B usually picks which tone control is active.
How do I test the switch?
Set a multimeter to continuity. Touch one probe to A0, move the lever, and check which lugs beep in each position. Repeat for B0.
Is the Alpha switch a drop-in for a CRL or Oak Grigsby?
Not directly. The wiring logic is the same, but the Alpha uses metric mounting and has all its lugs in one row. You may need to adjust the mounting holes and re-plan your wire runs.
Get the right diagram for your switch
Tell us your switch, pickups and controls, and we'll draw a wiring diagram made for your guitar.
Request a diagramAsk us a questionMore switches: see our switch guide, or request a custom diagram.