Changing the wiring on an Everything Axe pickguard

[brihill18]

I had posted awhile ago about an everything axe loaded pickguard noting that the middle three middle positions of the 5 way switch had a lower volume than the bridge or neck positions. Someone commented that this is because the middle position Duckbucker was wired as a single coil. If I rewired it it would bring the volume up but would lose some of the quackiness. I wanted to try that but this has the Liberator solderless volume control. I'm lost trying to figure the wiring out. Do I just get rid of the solderless thing and use the wiring diagram for three humbuckers, 5 way selector, 1 volume, 2 tone?
Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Changing the wiring on an Everything Axe pickguard

The Duckbucker isn't wired split, otherwise you wouldn't hear 3 strings. It is in parallel, which makes it quiet, but gives it that quacky snap that a single coil has. What you are experiencing is normal for that set- the middle pickup is pretty quiet.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Changing the wiring on an Everything Axe pickguard

Yes, you could do that and it would bring the volume up. It would be wiring the duckbucker in series like the other 2 pups.

 

[brihill18]

Re: Changing the wiring on an Everything Axe pickguard

The Duckbucker isn't wired split, otherwise you wouldn't hear 3 strings. It is in parallel, which makes it quiet, but gives it that quacky snap that a single coil has. What you are experiencing is normal for that set- the middle pickup is pretty quiet.

It is quiet. I played for a while with that and would stay on the middle pickup for a session, and then next time bounce between the neck and bridge, while adjusting the volume accordingly. I can't do it on the fly, I get all screwed up.
If I can figure out the wiring I'll try it the other way. That solderless thing makes it easy to change but hard to see. The eye's aren't what they used to be. Thanks

Was thinking last night and I realized what you meant about not hearing 3 strings. Not sure why but it has to do with the 3X3 poles on opposite sides of the humbucker. I have an old set of Lace Sensor pickups, mabye I'll try one of those.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Changing the wiring on an Everything Axe pickguard

I don’t much care for the duck bucker in series, it doesn't sound like a humbucker because it still only sees each string once.

If I remember correctly the Everything Axe only comes with a standard 5-way, so I'd say your best bet is to buy a Cool Rails or Jb Jr. for the middle using the liberator the replacement should be fairly straightforward if you just follow the wires on the middle pickup.

 

[brihill18]

Re: Changing the wiring on an Everything Axe pickguard

I don’t much care for the duck bucker in series, it doesn't sound like a humbucker because it still only sees each string once.

If I remember correctly the Everything Axe only comes with a standard 5-way, so I'd say your best bet is to buy a Cool Rails or Jb Jr. for the middle using the liberator the replacement should be fairly straightforward if you just follow the wires on the middle pickup.

Thanks for the advice. I tried the lace sensor but that is still like a single coil I guess. Not quite as quiet but still you need to play with volume to get it in line with the others. Also, it gave the bridge pickup this weird squeal to it. Different but not really melodic.
I think I will switch back for now and maybe try a replacement for that middle position in the future. Or, get better at adjusting the volume knob on the fly.