CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

[Greenhornwantingmore]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

I would say that I am educated as, employed as, and evangelical about being what you might call a SJW.

Perhaps we can be friends, anyways.

HERETIC!

*points and emits howling sound from 'Body Snatchers'*

LMFAO!

Good times!

 

[Greenhornwantingmore]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

UPDATE:

Quick though: I just checked the polarity of two new pickups (the same no-name brand I brought for the first wiring job incase I screwed something up). Since the pickups didn't come with a wiring diagram or code I had to figure out the polarity with a voltmeter.

The wires on the first pickups (currently in the guitar) did not sync up in polarity or colors. One pickup the polarity of Green/White was different that Red/Black even after checking several times. So I adjusted my diagram accordingly.

I checked the new unused pickups and the polarity is the same for each Black- Red+ White- Green+

Could the discrepancy of the wires and polarity from before be the culprit?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

Here are the pictures of the wiring as best and clear as I can get them. Upon inspecting I don't see any mis-wiring with regards to the diagram I used. But perhaps someone else can see what I may not be seeing.

Thank you for any advice!

Hey man,

What brand are the pickups?

I'm not convinced they are wired appropriately.

On the coil split, you've got red/white for one of them and green/black for the other. Even if they weren't Duncans, if they are from the same manufacturer, the split wires should be the same for both.

On the pickup series/parallel, you've got (neck?) red going to the top lug when the drawing shows it going to the middle. It also looks like it's wired upside down, so that pulled up would be parallel and down would be series.

On the phase reverse, I don't see anything that looks like the X jumper wires needed to flip the phase.

Looks like you have a killswitch in the guitar that isn't in the drawings, but I can't trace the wires, so I have no idea if that is also contributing to any errant connections.

And by the way, Doc isn't a jerk. He's one of the most knowledgeable people here. If he ever had something negative to say, I would take it as good advice. It will make you better. He's schooled me a time or two before also.

Good luck man.

 

[Greenhornwantingmore]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

Hey man,

What brand are the pickups?

I'm not convinced they are wired appropriately.

On the coil split, you've got red/white for one of them and green/black for the other. Even if they weren't Duncans, if they are from the same manufacturer, the split wires should be the same for both.

On the pickup series/parallel, you've got (neck?) red going to the top lug when the drawing shows it going to the middle. It also looks like it's wired upside down, so that pulled up would be parallel and down would be series.

On the phase reverse, I don't see anything that looks like the X jumper wires needed to flip the phase.

Looks like you have a killswitch in the guitar that isn't in the drawings, but I can't trace the wires, so I have no idea if that is also contributing to any errant connections.

And by the way, Doc isn't a jerk. He's one of the most knowledgeable people here. If he ever had something negative to say, I would take it as good advice. It will make you better. He's schooled me a time or two before also.

Good luck man.

Thanx man,

I don't agree about Doc but I won't dispute your reasons to hold him in esteem. I'm merely of the school of thought there's a right way to give someone a good ribbing (poking fun and then giving constructive advice or encouraging ambition) and a wrong way (ridiculing and leaving it at that). Nevertheless, I'll leave it at that.

The Pickups are Kmise, a no-name brand

https://www.amazon.com/MI0337-Hexbu...&qid=1471053292&sr=8-3&keywords=kmise+pickups

They didn't come with a diagram and there wasn't one on the Amazon page. Since I'm just experimenting with this guitar (though if it goes well I'm going to utilize it as a gig workhorse) I didn't feel the need to drop the dough on pro pickups. Plus they mostly have good reviews.

To your point: I had ordered 2 sets. The first set I used because it came in the mail soonest. I had to use a volt meter and compass to identify the polarity. The pickups in the guitar were identified as

NECK
NORTH: Green+ White-
SOUTH: Red+ Black-

BRIDGE
NORTH: Red+ Black-
SOUTH: Green+ Black-

I had double checked the wiring and polarity. But it always came out the same. So I had to go with those specs and adjust the diagram accordingly.

I've pulled out the other set of pickups (same manufacturer) and I'm running through the he identification process. Still need to identify polarity but the wiring seems to be consistent with Jackson pickups leads and grounds. So if they both turn out to be the same polarity it would seem the pickups I used in the guitar are incorrectly wired and slipped through the QC process. So it's likely that contributed to some of the problems.

And the kill switch is just attached to the Jack. One wire on each post of the Jack input.

Will update once I discern new pickups polarities.

Thanks for the patience and replies.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

I simply have a problem with the likes of GuitarDoc implying others should not try to learn anything.

Maybe you didn't actually read my post, but are only reacting emotionally to what you assume I implied. I never said you shouldn't try! I actually encouraged you to try, but to do something simpler for your first guitar wiring project, namely: "You might consider keeping the wiring as: three way pickup selector, master volume, and master tone." I even tried to analyse the problem with your wiring and tell you my observations of what was wrong..."There are problems with your wiring. Obviously the tone pots are wired backwards as well as other problems which cause them to affect your volume. You've probably wired the p/p switches incorrectly or there is at least one short somewhere."

Had his comments been followed by a suggestion I don't think I or anyone else would have taken them as personal.

Any comments that you took as personal jabs actually WERE followed by, AND preceded by suggestions. I've been building guitars for over 50 years and even I wouldn't want to tackle this complicated wiring. I made a simple comment..."This is not easy wiring for a professional luthier, but next to impossible for a beginner". Is this something that you interpreted as being a personal attack?!

Others have commented that I may need to take a step back.

And I said it a little differently..." you have bitten off way more than you can chew". That was merely a reality check. No personal attack. No judgement other than on your obvious ability (inability) to do what you are wanting to do. You were like a high school student after taking his first biology class wanting to jump right in and do brain surgery. Certainly, learn how to do all of this. But start at the beginning and take it a step at a time. And try to learn WHAT you are doing and WHY while you are doing more simple projects so you'll be able to understand how to do the big projects later on. You know, learning is NOT having someone else work out your problems for you, but helping you learn AT your ability level, and pushing the limits a little bit. It wouldn't be fair to you to try to teach you to drive by putting you behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler with a 10 speed and just telling you how to drive it around town.

It obviously was personal. I don't care. But I would never expect someone to take personal criticism/attacks lying down. I'd encourage them to stand up for themselves. And I stood up for myself.

Man, you came out swinging with your gloves on! You've got a bone to pick with someone and it's obviously been developing for quite a while. And now you've decided to take it out on me. Your attitude and name calling are certainly not appreciated. Accept a little responsibility for yourself before looking for someone else to blame for your inadequacies.

I never called you a derogatory name, but you on the other hand called me a "snide snob", "snide jerk", you refer to me as being "malicious" and "flippant", etc. I really wonder where the finger should be pointed!

In your post #13 you described your pups in your guitar as...
"BRIDGE
NORTH: Red+ Black-
SOUTH: Green+ Black-"
Are you sure there are two black wires from this pup? I haven't seen a pup with two black wires.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

Thank you convert and everyone else who's at least offering advice and direction so I can learn more.

You're welcome for all the advice and direction I offered. Sorry you didn't like it. Perhaps someone else on this forum will be willing to help you further. I'm done. (I only like to help those that appreciate it).

 

[The Convert]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

You're welcome for all the advice and direction I offered. Sorry you didn't like it. Perhaps someone else on this forum will be willing to help you further. I'm done. (I only like to help those that appreciate it).

Hey Doc-

It's clear that we're all rubbing each other the wrong way on this one. I know I'm as guilty as anyone of taking things too personally and then making things worse by responding with a a point-by-point explanation of why, which almost always is received as a dressing-down, regardless of how I intend it.

For my interest, I'd wish you'd come back to the conversation. You have a lot to share and, even if you feel that the OP may not appreciate your advice, I try to remember that 3x as many people who come here looking for help aren't even members. We have no obligation, per se, but I do try to keep in mind that the information appears authoritative on these forums--especially to beginners who can make the biggest mistakes--so when I get an opportunity to share a strength, I do try to be sure it's clearly offered.

You have good information and we need it. Not just me and not the OP, but everyone who spends their 80 bucks and looks sideways at a diagram that doesn't seem to make sense.

And we're all different. For example, I had 4 years of electronics in HS (83-87) before college and an engineering career (and later a career change). But from that beginning, wiring is a pretty simple thing for me, but vendor-specific behaviors are what I really need sometimes. Conversely, through play, others may really have a sense of components, but lack even an understanding of Ohm's Law.

I think we can all get better and benefit from our sharing. I think, for me (when i don't have the greatest optimism of web culture and those who participate), it takes extra effort to stay involved, but I often feel better when I do. Not always...heh...but often.

Regardless of what you choose to do, I'm glad to have met you. Stay cool.

 

[Brandenburg]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

ouch looking at the pics.. troubleshooting is going to be a tad of a nightmare.. too much lead on the wires IMO.. only leads I dont really cut if i can avoid it are the 'pup leads.. but everything else should have just a small amount of slack. Wires dont need to be all that long. at best, it will be annoying if you have to troubleshoot or make changes. at worst, it might allow noise to find its way into the signal..I speak from experience here.

break out the mag. reading glasses and a pencil or screwdriver.. on that note I ALWAYS use 2.5x reading glasses when I solder...i.e. old eyes

 

[Greenhornwantingmore]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

You're welcome for all the advice and direction I offered. Sorry you didn't like it. Perhaps someone else on this forum will be willing to help you further. I'm done. (I only like to help those that appreciate it).

I never took your assessment as personal. But claiming a tin can of bees sounds better than the guitars tone which was obviously effected by 1) room acoustics 2) that the video was made on an iPad 3) the pedal settings were originally set for more dynamic single coils and (admittedly my fault) not changed for the humbuckers 4) (though I failed to initially mention it) I have a nickel allergy and must resort to stainless steel strings so their brightness unfortunately mildly effects the tone - framing your opinion in that manner is most certainly a personal jab. And you're a child for failing to admit it and try to backtrack your snobbery.

Starting simpler was a good suggestion. Had you only made that comment you wouldn't have been stood up to for your snobbery and conceited attitude. Had you simply made that suggestion I wouldn't have cared, because it would have been reasonable advice. But writing out a diatribe just shows what an egotist you are.

Glad you're done. You "expertise" and "advice" are not wanted.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

I never took your assessment as personal. But claiming a tin can of bees sounds better than the guitars tone which was obviously effected by 1) room acoustics 2) that the video was made on an iPad 3) the pedal settings were originally set for more dynamic single coils and (admittedly my fault) not changed for the humbuckers 4) (though I failed to initially mention it) I have a nickel allergy and must resort to stainless steel strings so their brightness unfortunately mildly effects the tone - framing your opinion in that manner is most certainly a personal jab. And you're a child for failing to admit it and try to backtrack your snobbery.

Starting simpler was a good suggestion. Had you only made that comment you wouldn't have been stood up to for your snobbery and conceited attitude. Had you simply made that suggestion I wouldn't have cared, because it would have been reasonable advice. But writing out a diatribe just shows what an egotist you are.

Glad you're done. You "expertise" and "advice" are not wanted.

You've got to be kidding me! Are you serious?! What a hypocrite when you accuse me of "backtracking"!! You show me anywhere in your original post (that I responded to) where you mentioned the slightest bit about room acoustics, ss strings, recording device, or pedal settings. And you've got the gall to accuse me of being a snob and conceited?!! You'd better do some self-evaluating my dear sir. Your dogmatic, self-centered, narcissistic attitude is going to bite you in the butt some day (if it hasn't already). Call me what you may, but I know better...it's only yourself that you are hurting by such unfounded comments and attitude.

 

[The Convert]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

If the OP has the info he needs, maybe it's best to end this here. Is discretion yet the better part of valor?

 

[dotsdad]

Re: CUSTOM Guitar Wiring Modification HELP!?!

. When I would shake the can those bees got mad and started buzzing around inside that can. That noise sounded a bunch better than your tone from your guitar....I think a reality check is in order.

:haha:
OMG. How do you really feel, Doc?