A question about switches

[solspirit]

I'm wiring a 3 hum guitar for coil tapping and I want to switch between coils. I want them to each be independent so I'll install 3 switches. I ordered DPDT & SPDT switches but I don't think this is right. What switches would you recommend?

[GuitarDoc]

To SPLIT (not "tap") one humbucker, you only need a SPST switch but a SPDT is fine. If you want to split two pups with the same switch you need a DPDT switch (you'd only really need a DPST switch, but I've never seen one, even though I'm sure they must exist).

I always use DPDT mainly because they are so readily available.

[solspirit]

To SPLIT (not "tap") one humbucker, you only need a SPST switch but a SPDT is fine. If you want to split two pups with the same switch you need a DPDT switch (you'd only really need a DPST switch, but I've never seen one, even though I'm sure they must exist).

I always use DPDT mainly because they are so readily available.

Would I still be able to access each coil independently?

[ehdwuld]

three position on off on spdt switches
x3

up = full hum
down = split coil
middle = off

can be done with 3 three postion spdt switches
or 3 three postion dpdt switches
but they must be on off on
not
on on on

[beaubrummels]

To choose which coil of each pickup independently, you'd need 3 SPDT on-on-on switches. Or just get 3 triple-shots.

[solspirit]

Good grief... Am I going to need 7 switches on this thing?

I think I'm going to order 3 of each and experiment. I can't use the triple shots because they're minis.

[GuitarDoc]

I misread your original post. Like Ehd said, you'll need a DPDT on-off-on switch for each pup (you can do it with SPDT but I prefer DPDT). You can split to either coil but you won't be able to get series humbucker. If you want to get the full series affect (both coils on) then you won't be able to split to both of the coils, you'd have to choose which coil you want to split to. Or you could use a DPDT on-on-on switch for each pup and you could get series, split, and parallel in each pup. IMO this is a much better option anyway since there isn't much difference in the sound of one coil versus the other coil in most pups. So it kinda depends on which pups you have and which tonal options you want.

[ArtieToo]

IMO this is a much better option anyway since there isn't much difference in the sound of one coil versus the other coil in most pups.

I agree. The primary reason for splitting to either coil is simply so you can learn the difference for yourself, rather than relying on other peoples opinions of what sounds best. I've never left this as a permanent option in any guitar except one. It's my "test bed" guitar.

[solspirit]

I think I may have been a little over the top wanting to be able to choose coils.

[beaubrummels]

Good grief... Am I going to need 7 switches on this thing?

I think I'm going to order 3 of each and experiment. I can't use the triple shots because they're minis.

Are these Firebird minis? Or Gibson-style screw-coil minis? Or Strat-blade mini humbuckers? Only the latter two can be split, and the value of splitting the Strat type might be questionable.

[solspirit]

Are these Firebird minis? Or Gibson-style screw-coil minis? Or Strat-blade mini humbuckers? Only the latter two can be split, and the value of splitting the Strat type might be questionable.

They're cheapo Wilkinson M series

[solspirit]