HH wiring question: one pickup is 4-wire the other single conductor

[Tone Meister]

What are the wiring options when we have say a 4-conductor bridge pickup, but the neck is single conductor? Best to simply wire it with a 3-way, or can we get creative with the bridge pickup on a super switch? No mini toggle switch suggestions please.

BRIDGE = A5 PAF style 8.18K
NECK = A2 PAF style 7.71K

Keep it simple or experiment? At present there is no particular guitar for these to live. Both are great pickups and my mind was wandering ...

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: HH wiring question: one pickup is 4-wire the other single conductor

You can do plenty of stuff with a super switch.

Here's what I might shoot for:

Position 5: neck
Position 4: neck+split bridge
Position 3: neck+bridge
Position 2:split bridge
Position 1: bridge

I haven't thought about how to wire that up, but it's probably what I would shoot for with that setup.

If you have no desire for those positions 2 or 4, then just go with a 3-way switch and simple wiring.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HH wiring question: one pickup is 4-wire the other single conductor

You can do plenty of stuff with a super switch.

Here's what I might shoot for:

Position 5: neck
Position 4: neck+split bridge
Position 3: neck+bridge
Position 2:split bridge
Position 1: bridge

I haven't thought about how to wire that up, but it's probably what I would shoot for with that setup.

If you have no desire for those positions 2 or 4, then just go with a 3-way switch and simple wiring.

Nice, exactly the info I was seeking. How does that position 4 (neck+split bridge) avoid hum?

To continue with your excellent original idea, here is what I would like to do with this setup:

Position 5: neck
Position 4: neck+split bridge
Position 3: neck+bridge
Position 2: bridge parallel
Position 1: bridge

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: HH wiring question: one pickup is 4-wire the other single conductor

Nice, exactly the info I was seeking. How does that position 4 (neck+split bridge) avoid hum?

To continue with your excellent original idea, here is what I would like to do with this setup:

Position 5: neck
Position 4: neck+split bridge
Position 3: neck+bridge
Position 2: bridge parallel
Position 1: bridge

Hello,

You will get some hum in position 4. But it will be less than you will get with a single coil pickup alone. People have been playing single coil pickups for a very long time without hum being a deal killer. I don't think a little hum in position 4 will keep you from making good music with the guitar.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HH wiring question: one pickup is 4-wire the other single conductor

Hello,

You will get some hum in position 4. But it will be less than you will get with a single coil pickup alone. People have been playing single coil pickups for a very long time without hum being a deal killer. I don't think a little hum in position 4 will keep you from making good music with the guitar.

Agreed completely, and as a Strat player a little hum is manageable. It's just that the humbucker+split is not a configuration I've ever used, so I had no idea what to expect. I know just enough pickup tech to ask silly questions. You may have noticed some of my other threads which may paint me as inexperienced. I'm definitely inexperienced with the minute details about pickups and the various configurations available today, which is exactly why I'm here asking these basic questions. Thank you for your answers.

I'm an experienced player whose guitars have not changed in many years. I've always had what I needed on hand and never had the time nor the inclination to experiment with some of the configurations that now interest me, including the pickup mods that are prevalent here.

Started playing in 1969 and first pro gig was in 1978. In all that time, I've discovered that I'm mainly a Strat guy, so the allure of building various pickguards (HH, HSS, HSH) for added versatility is my main project at present while between gigs. I do appreciate the wealth of excellent knowledge available here and the folks who are so readily willing to share it.

 

[Tone Meister]

Re: HH wiring question: one pickup is 4-wire the other single conductor

Anyone have an idea how to wire something like this?