What is the expander switch used on many of the models?

[Craig]

Here's how the expander switch works:

Basically it just ties both the bridge and neck pickup together, meaning that whenever the neck or bridge pickup is selected,
you also get the other. After it's all said and done there's a total of seven different combinations.
So in regular (or non-expanded mode) you have these combinations:

Position 1 - Bridge
Position 2 - Bridge & Middle
Position 3 - Middle
Position 4 - Middle & Neck
Position 5 - Neck

In expanded mode you get:

Position 1 - Bridge & Neck (same as position 5)
Position 2 - Bridge & Middle & Neck (same as position 4)
Position 3 - Middle
Position 4 - Neck & Middle & Bridge (same as position 2)
Position 5 - Neck & Bridge(same as position 1)

Here's a diagram showing the expander settings (from the GbL Gallery-Instrument Manuals and Wiring Schematics Album):


Either a mini-toggle or push/pull volume or push/pull tone knob is used on the S-500, S-500 Deluxe, Comanche,
Will Ray Signature, ASAT Z-3 (after 2003), Legacy Spalted Maple, and ASAT "Classic S" USA models, and the Tribute S-500, Tribute Comanche,
and Tribute Will Ray Signature Tribute Series models.

(Answer contributed by: the Cajun Boy and Craig Dewey)

[Craig]

Recently posted on G&L's facebook page:

Steve Araujo explains the Expander Switch and Johnny Gomez Music does a little playing for us.

Instruments used in the Johnny Gomez Music video :

CLF Research Skyhawk
Tribute Series S•500
Fullerton Deluxe Comanche
Fullerton Deluxe S•500