Help?

[Gams]

I've got a BC Rich USA STIII with active EMG hum single single pups with three individual on/off switched for each pickup. I can't find any wiring diagrams anywhere for this configuration, but that's another story. All I'm really wondering, is there anything neat that I can do with those on/off switches? I'm more curious than anything. I just wanted to see if I could spice up one of my ol' friends.

Thanks!

-Gams

 

[AlexR]

Re: Help?

What do you want to do, remove them.....change the function of the switches?? Might be easier if you give us an idea of what the guitar seems to be 'lacking' or what your hopes are.

 

[Gams]

Re: Help?

Not really that it's missing anything, and I don't want to remove them. I was just curious if i could use those on/offs for something other than that. Like, if anyone had a cool idea or something creative they've done with them in the past. Jusst want to hear some ideas.

 

[Gams]

Re: Help?

I guess to answer your question, I'd possibly be looking to change the function of the switches. lol

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Help?

OK, here's my idea.


You'll need 2 4PDT On-On-On 3 position switches like this:
http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/982597-switch-toggle-4pdt-3-way-s-lug-7411syzqe.html

But, since I can't find any of those in stock, the closest I can find is this:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=sGAEpiMZZMvudeGI7i40XIOzddihj/vziHd7HzbdbKs=

The picture on the Mouser listing isn't accurate. The difference between that part number & the DigiKey one is that the Mouser one has a flat toggle.

Then, you'll need 1 DPDT On-On-On 3 position toggle switch like this:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=sGAEpiMZZMvudeGI7i40XABojijUD1VHn2xG5HTHxbA=

Then, you wire the switches so they function as 3 throw switches to get the option of having a pickup:

1. On in Parallel
2. Off
3. On in Series

If only 1 pickup is turned on, it doesn't matter which way the toggle is fllipped.

If 2 or 3 pups are turned on in parallel, they will be on in parallel.
If 2 or 3 pups are turned on in series, they will be on in series.


The limitation is that you can't combine series & parallel. If you turn on a pickup in parallel mode, it will "override" any pickup on in series mode. That actually can be used to your advantage once you understand how it all works. For example, you could switch from Neck only to Middle & Bridge in series with 1 toggle flip (the Neck pup to on in parallel).

I have not tested this & have draw it up rather quickly going into a holiday weekend, so I may have missed something.

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Help?

Here's the schematic of what I drew up:

 

[Phostenix]

Re: Help?

And here's a drawing that explains the wiring of the DPDT switches to get SP3T switches: