2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

[Nobulusprime]

Hi

Ok so first up hands up I'm a novice and I need help (many would agree)!

I've got a project guitar I'm working on and I'd like some advice/wiring diagrams. I have 2 x 4 wire alnico ii SD humbuckers a 3 way switch, a volume and a tone both push pull and 500k.

I've been looking at the difference between parallel wiring and split coil wiring and I get that parallel gives you a single coil (ish) sound with no hum.

I've got 2 questions:

1) is there a way of wiring with 2 pull push controls and the 3 way to have; standard (series) humbuckers, split coil (single coil) and Parallel options for each pick up with the 3 way giving you the standard bridge, neck&bridge and neck configuration based on the three options. If this is possible is there a diagram anywhere?

2) I've heard that the single coil option is a bit of a mismatch for a 500k pot and ends up sounding thin (it should be used with a 250k). Someone mentioned putting in a 270k resistor but I'm not sure where... Or is an alternative using a 22 uf cap as I've seen in a few diagrams or is that doing a different job?

If someone could help I'd be over the moon!

Thanks for taking the time!

Sean

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry it took me so long to answer you. Here's the wiring diagram that you want:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2_prails_1v_1t_tspp

This diagram show the P-Rails pups, but it is the same for any two-coil humbucker pup. This will give you series, split to screw coil, split to slug coil, and parallel.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

Also,

Use 500k p/p pots. yes the single coil sounds will be a bit bright, but that gives the split mode a more unique sound.

The cap value is a matter of preference. I prefer .022uf or .015uf, but some may prefer .047uf or .010uf. With your tone controls fully up, you won't really hear a difference between the different value caps. The difference is when you roll off the tone pot...the higher value caps will shunt more of the upper tones to ground thus the .047uf cap will give you a much darker tone (as the tone pot is rolled down) than the .022uf. The .022uf will be darker than the .015uf, and the .015uf will be slightly darker than the .010uf.

But remember that these tonal differences are only evident as you roll down the tone pot not when it is wide open.

 

[IanF]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry it took me so long to answer you. Here's the wiring diagram that you want:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2_prails_1v_1t_tspp

This diagram show the P-Rails pups, but it is the same for any two-coil humbucker pup. This will give you series, split to screw coil, split to slug coil, and parallel.

Greetings,

I had a similar question, but figured I'd search before posting (noob here, but not a forum noob).

I think this wiring diagram essentially covers it, but is there any dramitic difference when using individual volume/tone pots? Basically, instead of running the black wire from the Vol p/p switch to the 3-way and then the Vol term, go p/p to Vol term and then 3-way?

Otherwise, these are great wiring diagrams. Thanks!

Ian

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

Greetings,

I had a similar question, but figured I'd search before posting (noob here, but not a forum noob).

I think this wiring diagram essentially covers it, but is there any dramitic difference when using individual volume/tone pots? Basically, instead of running the black wire from the Vol p/p switch to the 3-way and then the Vol term, go p/p to Vol term and then 3-way?

Otherwise, these are great wiring diagrams. Thanks!

Ian

If you run the black wire to the vol lug first (before the 3-way), then you might as well take the 3-way switch out of your guitar...it won't do anything, because you have shorted both pups together at the vol pot.

 

[Gerr]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

Wouldn't the Duncan Triple-Shot ring system do what you need?

 

[IanF]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

If you run the black wire to the vol lug first (before the 3-way), then you might as well take the 3-way switch out of your guitar...it won't do anything, because you have shorted both pups together at the vol pot.

I don't think I described it right.

Since the guitar is Les Paul, each pick-up will get its own set of push-pull pots, rather than how the diagram is showing it, so I was ignoring the other set of switch wiring going to the Vol pot.

Essentially:

Bridge Pick-up -> push-pull switches (as shown) -> Vol/Tone \
__________________________________________________ -> 3-way -> output.
Neck Pick-up -> push-pull switches (as shown) -> Vol/Tone /

Wouldn't the Duncan Triple-Shot ring system do what you need?

Technically: Yes - but on the fly switching would be cumbersome compared to push-pull pots. The guitar is currently set-up with EMG 89's and it is fun to be able to slap the Vol pot and go from the single-coil to the humbucker in the middle of a solo. Of course, if I was Jeff Beck, I might have a different view.

 

[Demanic]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

If you used the Triple Shots, you could wire up one push/pull to act as a phase switch and the other push/pull to act as a series/parallel when the three way is in the middle position, could you not? All while having the series/parallel/split for each individual pickup. Can't get much more versatile than that.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

I don't think I described it right.

Since the guitar is Les Paul, each pick-up will get its own set of push-pull pots, rather than how the diagram is showing it, so I was ignoring the other set of switch wiring going to the Vol pot.

Essentially:

Bridge Pick-up -> push-pull switches (as shown) -> Vol/Tone \
__________________________________________________ -> 3-way -> output.
Neck Pick-up -> push-pull switches (as shown) -> Vol/Tone /

Oh, I see. I thought you were still referring to the original post of 1 vol, 1 tone.

The answer is of course, absolutely. In fact if you are going to have two separate vol pots you HAVE to go to the vol before the 3-way.

 

[IanF]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

If you used the Triple Shots, you could wire up one push/pull to act as a phase switch and the other push/pull to act as a series/parallel when the three way is in the middle position, could you not? All while having the series/parallel/split for each individual pickup. Can't get much more versatile than that.

Perhaps, but the coil splitting feature is what I want most out of the P-Rails rather than the phase/parallel settings. As-is, with 4 settings per pick-up, the guitar will have far more tonal capabilities than my meager talent can use.

GuitarDoc: Thanks! Now my dealer just has to get back so I can order them.

 

[AnthonyAlfano]

Re: 2 Humbuckers 3 way switch, 1 volume, 1 tone both push pull - possibilities help!

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry it took me so long to answer you. Here's the wiring diagram that you want:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2_prails_1v_1t_tspp

This diagram show the P-Rails pups, but it is the same for any two-coil humbucker pup. This will give you series, split to screw coil, split to slug coil, and parallel.

Hi! I have a PRS and this is the set up I need, but your link does not go to the page. I used this schematic:

https://guitarelectronics.com/2-hum...tch-1-volume-1-tone-coil-tap-series-parallel/

But it is not switching correctly. Please help! Thanks!