1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

Dayeeeve

Dayeeeve

New member
Howdy,
I'm having a bit of a wiring issue, I installed a PATB2 in the bridge and a Quarter pound into the neck position of a guitar, while it is working it isn't quite doing what I want it to. I searched through the forums and diagrams on the net but couldn't find what I needed :yell:

My switching plan was to have it go: Bridge, Bridge/neck, Neck
and when the coil split engaged to go: split bridge, split bridge and neck (hum cancelling), neck.

However it just doesn't seem to be going like that, there is no hum cancelling in the middle position and in fact I get hum cancelling in the neck split position! Also I get a ground buzz when in the neck position on the switch, but only in the neck position!

The quarter pound is a RW/RP model (I used to use it in the middle position of another guitar).

I am willing to rewire the whole thing I just wanted to get a bit of help and/or a diagram to follow.

The components to the guitar are:

PATB2 bridge
Quarter pound RW/RP neck
Volume
Tone w/push/pull
3 way toggle switch.
 
Re: 1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

You might find that the RW/RP is in fact the same polarity as the split coil of the PATB.....hence the no hum cancelling.
 
Re: 1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

I realised after rewiring the whole thing that there seems to be an issue with the 3 way. any diagrams would still be helpful!
 
Re: 1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

Dayeeeve said:
My switching plan was to have it go: Bridge, Bridge/neck, Neck
and when the coil split engaged to go: split bridge, split bridge and neck (hum cancelling), neck.

However it just doesn't seem to be going like that, there is no hum cancelling in the middle position and in fact I get hum cancelling in the neck split position! Also I get a ground buzz when in the neck position on the switch, but only in the neck position!

The quarter pound is a RW/RP model (I used to use it in the middle position of another guitar).
Click to expand...

A couple questions:

You say you get hum cancelling in the "neck split position". You've got a Quarter Pound in the neck which is a single coil pup. Did you mean to say "BRIDGE split position"?

The hum only happens when your switch is in the neck position? No hum in the middle or bridge positions?
Check your wiring and make sure all of your components are grounded together with good solder joints. Also, since the neck pup is a single coil pup, you will get more hum from that pup (even the bridge when split will have less hum than the neck).

If you are not getting hum cancelling in the middle position, try splitting to the other bridge pup coil.

What problems are you having with your 3-way switch? Just follow this diagram (ignore the red and white wires of the neck pup). Make sure the switch has a good ground connection as well.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2h_1v_1t_3w_1pp
 
Re: 1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

Yeah I meant that when I have the coil split engaged and am in the middle position of the 3 way it should be: Bridge pickup split with neck single coil, resulting in hum cancelling.

I made sure that I was splitting the correct coil on the bridge pickup (as the neck pup is RW/RP).

I found that when I rewired the guitar starting from scratch that the switch seemed to be a bit funny. I wire in just the bridge pickup and when I switched through the positions on the 3 way switch I would still get faint signal from the pickup even when I was in the neck position and the same when I just wired in the neck pickup. Also that in the middle position I would just get the bridge pickup.
Now the 3 way switch has decided not to work in the middle position at all!

I've ordered a new 3 way and a mini toggle. I never use the tone pot anyway!

I've rewired plenty of guitars but I just seem to be going into circles with this one!!
 
Re: 1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

A bad switch can certainly drive you crazy. Hope the new switch fixes your problem. Good luck.
 
Re: 1 hum 1 single 3 way switch w/split help.

GuitarDoc said:
A bad switch can certainly drive you crazy. Hope the new switch fixes your problem. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Indeed, thank you for your advice! Although now my soldering iron has decided to give up the ghost too! I have a feeling that this guitar is just not meant to be!
 
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