How do I wire dual output jacks, and switch between mono summed and stereo?

[WholeLotta]

Hello friends, I am trying to figure out how to wire dual output jacks on my guitar, with the option to switch between stereo and mono summed configurations.

Switch Mode 1 (stereo):
- Pickup A goes to Output jack A
- Pickup B goes to Output jack B

Switch Mode 2 (mono summed):
- Pickups A and B go to Output jack A

First of all, do I need a switch to accomplish this? Or is there a way for it to automatically switch somehow, depending on if I plug one cable or two in?

I found this brief explanation below on a different website, which seems to suggest that it can be switched automatically somehow, although maybe they mis-spoke.

(From another forum) "Two output jacks. Plugging a mono cable into master jack (only), allows both signals to be summed together. If you also plug into "2nd channel" jack the signals will be separate. One of them will be sent down the second cable. Obviously requires TWO mono cables for stereo sound."

Anyways, I would greatly appreciate some help on how to accomplish this!

 

[beaubrummels]

I would just use a standard stereo jack in the guitar and make a custom cable that is TRS to TR for mono operation and TRS to TRS with a simple breakout box, or TRS to dual TR for stereo operation.

If you really want to run separate cables out of the guitar, I would look at Rickenbacker schematics that have Rick-O-Sound stereo. They use a special Switchcraft jack for one of the outputs that shunts the unused jack to ground (or something like that.)

 

[WholeLotta]

I would just use a standard stereo jack in the guitar and make a custom cable that is TRS to TR for mono operation and TRS to TRS with a simple breakout box, or TRS to dual TR for stereo operation.

If you really want to run separate cables out of the guitar, I would look at Rickenbacker schematics that have Rick-O-Sound stereo. They use a special Switchcraft jack for one of the outputs that shunts the unused jack to ground (or something like that.)

thank you for the suggestion! I have considered using stereo output jack and splitter/combiner cables, BUT, the reason I don't want to go that route is that I want the flexibility of being able to use normal mono guitar patch cables with my guitar, and not need a special cable that may or may not be available in every situation.

I will check out the Rickenbacker schematics you mentioned, thank you!

Edit: I think for now, until I figure out how to wire it internally, I will use 2 mono output jacks, and then 2 mono cables for when I want to play in stereo, or a dual-mono to mono Y-cable for when I want to sum to mono.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Simple push pull should do it.

Pickup A is permanently wired in parallel to both the mono jack and to the first hot on the stereo jack.

In push pickup B goes to the second hot on the stereo jack.

In pull it goes parallel to the mono jack in parallel with pickup A.

 

[WholeLotta]

Simple push pull should do it.

Pickup A is permanently wired in parallel to both the mono jack and to the first hot on the stereo jack.

In push pickup B goes to the second hot on the stereo jack.

In pull it goes parallel to the mono jack in parallel with pickup A.

Thank you for the reply! In your scenario, would I be able to just use 2 x mono jacks instead of one mono and one stereo? Because, in the "Push" mode, I want to have Pickup A on Mono Output A, and Pickup B on Mono Output B. I would prefer not to use a stereo jack/stereo cable/splitter box. I'm ok with having 2 mono cables coming out of my guitar in stereo mode. I hope I'm making sense haha.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Absolutely.

Here's the diagram for a single jack that will work in mono and stereo, but if you used two jacks, one for the bridge and one for the neck, it should work just as well. The only caveat on the diagram below is that if you plug in a mono jack whilst the thing is set to stereo you could end up with no neck signal at all.

 

[WholeLotta]

awesome! Thank you so much! Looks like I have a lot of options.