adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Regarding routing required to fit in a 6 position Freeway switch: no, not that i am aware of. Could you elaborate more on what you read or heard that suggested that?

It's the 5 position switch that I wrote I thought would require routing

Regarding the pickup combinations you listed at the end of your last post: you could get all of those with the existing 3 way switch and 2 switches that are currently stock in the DC727 if they were rewired. Are you interested in doing that or you definitely want to use the Freeway instead? BTW, I am not sure if the Freeway could support all that you identified... either another forum member might be able to confirm or you could email the Freeway folks and ask.

Now that you mention it, using the existing switches probably makes the most sense. And come to think of it, I really have no use for both HB's in parallel, so would this work?

3-way switch: Bridge HB full / inner coils of Bridge and Neck in parallel / Neck HB full

2-way switch (a): Bridge HB full / Bridge outer coil only

2-way switch (b): Neck HB full / Neck outer coil only

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Now that you mention it, using the existing switches probably makes the most sense. And come to think of it, I really have no use for both HB's in parallel, so would this work?

3-way switch: Bridge HB full / inner coils of Bridge and Neck in parallel / Neck HB full

2-way switch (a): Bridge HB full / Bridge outer coil only

2-way switch (b): Neck HB full / Neck outer coil only

Oops, yes i reread your earlier post and see now that you were talking about a 5 way switch, not the 6 way. And yes, to fit a 5 way switch into a guitar that has a 3 way toggle switch would require some cutting.



Regarding the pickup combinations you last requested:
A 3 way toggle switch is limited in its capabilities, and so does not support autosplitting of both humbuckers in Position 2 like you requested above.

Here is how to get very close to what you requested with the 3 way toggle and the 2 switches you have:

Scenario A:

1 switch *per humbucker* to turn coilsplitting on or off. With this scenario you only get 1 choice per humbucker of which coil is active during coilsplit mode.

Scenario B (my recommendation):

Switch #1 turns coilspliting on or off *for both*humbuckers. Switch #2 changes whether the active coils in coilsplit mode are the two inner coils or the two outer coils. Switch #2 has no effect when Switch #1 is not in coilsplit mode.

Another thing i want to point out: *unless* one of the two humbuckers is Reverse Wired & Reverse Polarity (RWRP) , then the two "like" coils of each pickup (i.e. the two inners and the two outers) will have the same magnetic polarity. When the two are combined in Position 2, they will not be hum-canceling because of this (hum-canceling requires two coils of opposite magnetic polarity and opposite wind direction). The easiest solution to this is to split to the inner coil on one of the pickups and the outer on the other pickup. You would still be able to achieve "both inner coils" and "both outer coils" by physically rotating one of the pickups in its humbucker mounting ring 180°. You just need to be ok with the aesthetic factor that that pickup (if it has no cover) looks like it is installed backwards.

I can find online or draw a diagram for whichever way you want to proceed, just let me know.

 

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Oops, yes i reread your earlier post and see now that you were talking about a 5 way switch, not the 6 way. And yes, to fit a 5 way switch into a guitar that has a 3 way toggle switch would require some cutting.



Regarding the pickup combinations you last requested:
A 3 way toggle switch is limited in its capabilities, and so does not support autosplitting of both humbuckers in Position 2 like you requested above.

Here is how to get very close to what you requested with the 3 way toggle and the 2 switches you have:

Scenario A:

1 switch *per humbucker* to turn coilsplitting on or off. With this scenario you only get 1 choice per humbucker of which coil is active during coilsplit mode.

Scenario B (my recommendation):

Switch #1 turns coilspliting on or off *for both*humbuckers. Switch #2 changes whether the active coils in coilsplit mode are the two inner coils or the two outer coils. Switch #2 has no effect when Switch #1 is not in coilsplit mode.

Another thing i want to point out: *unless* one of the two humbuckers is Reverse Wired & Reverse Polarity (RWRP) , then the two "like" coils of each pickup (i.e. the two inners and the two outers) will have the same magnetic polarity. When the two are combined in Position 2, they will not be hum-canceling because of this (hum-canceling requires two coils of opposite magnetic polarity and opposite sind direction). The easiest solution to this is to split to the inner coil on one of the pickups and the outer on the other pickup. You would still be able to achieve "both inner coils" and "both outer coils" by physically rotating one of the pickups in its humbucker mounting ring 180°. You just need to be ok with the aesthetic factor that that pickup (if it has no cover) looks like it is installed backwards.

I can find online or draw a diagram for whichever way you want to proceed, just let me know.

I love this recommendation, and it seems like I'd be able to get everything and more. Thanks! Now, it all depends on when I can get my hands on this guitar. I'll post when I do. Very excited.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

I love this recommendation, and it seems like I'd be able to get everything and more. Thanks! Now, it all depends on when I can get my hands on this guitar. I'll post when I do. Very excited.

Cool. I am subscribed to this thread, so I will get an alert whenever you post again to say you got the guitar.

In the meantime, I can start looking around for a diagram -or creating one if none exists. I just need to know how many volume controls are on the guitar, how many tone controls, and if those switches are push-pull pots or outright double throw switches (?)

[Edit: for now, i will assume neither of the pickups are RWRP. You said they were Seymour Duncan humbuckers, right?

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Cool. I am subscribed to this thread, so I will get an alert whenever you post again to say you got the guitar.

In the meantime, I can start looking around for a diagram -or creating one if none exists. I just need to know how many volume controls are on the guitar, how many tone controls, and if those switches are push-pull pots or outright double throw switches (?)

[Edit: for now, i will assume neither of the pickups are RWRP. You said they were Seymour Duncan humbuckers, right?

So this is a diagram I created - based on a Prails diagram I found in the Seymour Duncan website. I updated it so that in both splitcoil modes, one inner coil is active and one outer is active - to provide hum-canceling in Position 2.

We can tweak this further, it's just a place to start from. Final version will be based on how many volume controls, tone controls, etc. your Carvin DC200 has.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

So this is a diagram I created - based on a Prails diagram I found in the Seymour Duncan website. I updated it so that in both splitcoil modes, one inner coil is active and one outer is active - to provide hum-canceling in Position 2.

We can tweak this further, it's just a place to start from. Final version will be based on how many volume controls, tone controls, etc. your Carvin DC200 has.

View attachment 104187

Eric,

I just spotted that the original diagram has an error where splitcoil mode is active in the Bridge push-pull down position instead of the up position. Remind me to corrext for that when we resume on this project.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Mincer,

Just an FYI for that upcoming review of the wiring diagrams on the site - this one has a few issues.

- The splitcoil mode is advertised as being active in the up position of the bridge push-pull, but it is wired so that splitcoil mode is active in the down position.

- The hot wire from each pickup (black) is wired to the wrong volume control (bridge pup is wired to the Neck volume control, and vice versa).

- the Neck volume push-pull control is described as the "tone" push-pull in a few spots in the labeling.

- the label at the very top that is intended to state that the Neck push-pull is active only when the Bridge push-pull is up, is missing "Bridge" specifier. It just says "volume push-pull". Both push-pulls are volume controls, so the specifier is needed.

 

[chadd]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

It seems like one of the freeway switches would be a lot more efficient than multiple switches and push-pull pots.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

It seems like one of the freeway switches would be a lot more efficient than multiple switches and push-pull pots.

The OP wants each pickup available as a full humbucker, split to inner coil, and split to outer coil. Even with Freeway, one switch would still be required.

Add to the mix, that the guitar he plans to mod, already has two switches installed.

 

[Mincer]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Mincer,

Just an FYI for that upcoming review of the wiring diagrams on the site - this one has a few issues.

- The splitcoil mode is advertised as being active in the up position of the bridge push-pull, but it is wired so that splitcoil mode is active in the down position.

- The hot wire from each pickup (black) is wired to the wrong volume control (bridge pup is wired to the Neck volume control, and vice versa).

- the Neck volume push-pull control is described as the "tone" push-pull in a few spots in the labeling.

- the label at the very top that is intended to state that the Neck push-pull is active only when the Bridge push-pull is up, is missing "Bridge" specifier. It just says "volume push-pull". Both push-pulls are volume controls, so the specifier is needed.

View attachment 104192

I will make a sticky thread today for this. Thank you for looking it over.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

I will make a sticky thread today for this. Thank you for looking it over.

Thanks

 

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Note: The Carvin actually has to separate two-way switches, not push-pull knobs:

 

[Mincer]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

I think the Megaswitch, model P does the PRS rotary thing .

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Note: The Carvin actually has to separate two-way switches, not push-pull knobs:

View attachment 104230

Ok, that doesn't actually impact the wiring in the last diagram i provided. It just means that the two switches are not in actuality physically connected to the two pots as they are depicted in that drawing. Let me know if you can work with that or me issuing a modded drawing would be needed.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

I think the Megaswitch, model P does the PRS rotary thing .

Yes, the Megaswitch P Model does support the "classic" 5 pickup combinations of a PRS Rotary.

But the OP wants each humbucker available as splitcoil alone (in addition to two of them combined). The classic PRS Rotary scheme only offers the splitcoils in the "two combined" configuration, not standalone.



Also, the Megaswitch P is a blade style switch. The OP wrote earlier that since his guitar has a toggle-style switch, he would like to avoid having to cut/route the guitar to fit a blade-style switch.

⁸

A rotary style superswitch would be a no-cut/no-route required alternative, but it (nor any superswitch) has enough poles to do all that the OP requested. Even with a superswitch, one additional switch would still be required. Also, the OP would have to let us know if he is ok with the different physical mannerism that is required to operate a rotary switch vs a toggle and blade. Some guitarists depise rotary style switches for that reason alone.

 

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

I'm realizing I'm not certain whether the inner coil configuration I'm after is in parallel, or in series. The configuration I want is from the stock Ibanez Petrucci JPM 100 I used to have. Here is the wiring diagram.

Is this series or parallel for the inner coils?



nb- I believe I may ultimately want to position the neck HB with the screw coil facing the neck and the slug coil facing the bridge. I believe this would force me to put my Dimarzio Evolution pickup with the hotter coil facing the neck, which is how I have it configured in another guitar now.

Btw, thanks for the fantastic info!

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

I'm realizing I'm not certain whether the inner coil configuration I'm after is in parallel, or in series. The configuration I want is from the stock Ibanez Petrucci JPM 100 I used to have. Here is the wiring diagram.

Is this series or parallel for the inner coils?

View attachment 104554

nb- I believe I may ultimately want to position the neck HB with the screw coil facing the neck and the slug coil facing the bridge. I believe this would force me to put my Dimarzio Evolution pickup with the hotter coil facing the neck, which is how I have it configured in another guitar now.

Btw, thanks for the fantastic info!

That switch activates the two inner coils in Parallel in the middle position.

I can't recall if you ever specified what two pickups you will be using in this project? I see from your comment above that one will be a Dmz Evolution. Would that be in the bridge or neck? And what is the make-model of the other pickup?

 

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

That switch activates the two inner coils in Parallel in the middle position.

I can't recall if you ever specified what two pickups you will be using in this project? I see from your comment above that one will be a Dmz Evolution. Would that be in the bridge or neck? And what is the make-model of the other pickup?

Thanks for confirming the inner coils are parallel.

Yes- I'm very happy with the sound of my Dmz Evolution in the bridge position, with the hotter coil facing the neck.


I'm actually not set on a neck PU yet. Ideally, it would be something that maintains both clarity and sweetness in a high-gain application (using a Mesa Mark III). I'm OK with something that's not forgiving, if it has really nice tone. Also, I'd like something that can at least evoke a "strat style" sound when I split the neck PU and activate the coil closest to the neck (I would describe the sound I'm looking for as "warm and bell-like"). If all of this exists in a neck PU that comes to mind, I'm happy to get suggestions! Also, something with a bit higher output to match up against the Evo would be a plus, but I'm already anticipating having to adjust the height of the PU's if I need to compensate for a large discrepancy in outputs.

One pickup that I've looked into and am intrigued by is the Seymour Duncan Sentient for the neck.

 

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

Eric,

I just spotted that the original diagram has an error where splitcoil mode is active in the Bridge push-pull down position instead of the up position. Remind me to corrext for that when we resume on this project.

Just wanted to follow up with this post you made. I'm actually going to drop my guitar off to someone to wire it for me on Friday. This diagram will be extremely helpful so that there's no confusion of him knowing what I want. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[ericcomposer72]

Re: adding 5-way selector to H-H PRS? Is this config possible?

One other note- my guitar only has 1 tone knob and 1 volume knob