Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

[Stratomaniac]

Howdy guys and gals.

I'm building a monster strat and can't figure out the correct wiring nor can I find a diagram suitable to modify.

Here's the deal:
Neck and bridge - SD 'Hot Rodded' humbuckers
Middle - mini rail bucker (cheapy)
3 push/pull coil split/tap volumes and a master tone (added) all 500k
Import five-way switch (can be changed to US style)


I found a SD diagram for two humbuckers with split coils and one tone, but it was with a 3-way switch, of course. I added one more pick up into the diagram and adjusted the switch wiring for a 5-way switch, but it didn't work. (see image). My goal is to create a strat with a multitude of sound options.

I'm not a hack and have built quite a few guitars over the years. However, I am not an expert either and this is definitely those complicated wiring job I've attempted.

Any input is most welcome.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

Can you post some more close pics of your wiring? And that is one cool looking guitar!

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

I can't tell a thing from your photo of your wiring, but I assume there is a mistake in how you wired the 5 way switch. The diagram you posted is correct how to wire each pup to the p/p pot. Use the following diagram for wiring the 5 way: https://docs.google.com/gview?embed...om/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/3S_5W_1V_1T.pdf

Now, a slight modification...in your diagram, the wires that come off of the vol pot to the toggle switch, wire to the 5 way Strat switch instead, as in the diagram I just posted. However, the wire coming off of the 5 way needs to go directly to the tone pot (just eliminate the vol pot from my diagram) and to the "tip" lug of the output jack.

If you have wired everything else according to the diagrams, your guitar should work perfectly. Don't forget to ground the backs of all the pots together.

 

[Stratomaniac]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

Thank you for your replies.

@GuitarDoc - I'll check that out later today. Your advice seems spot on. I had concerns about where that extra tone wire from the 5-way switch should go. There is power to the pots, so that circuit is ok, but there is no output. The problem must be in the tone loop. The earth circuit seems to be correct also because there is no hum or screeching when I plug it in. I'll check it out and get back to you

@Mincer - I'll get some more detailed photos later today. I'm glad you like the look of it. It's finished in satin clear lacquer. I would like to have been able to finish it in nitro, but spraying nitro on my 6x4 balcony in central Tokyo is probably not a good idea. It's just a cheaper bass-wood body and the neck is a Selder (another cheap brand), but it has nice rounded edge frets and the thinner 60's shape. I bought the body and neck at the local secondhand store on the junk rack for less than 40 bucks total. However, with the right set up and electrics it will play and sound like a much more expensive guitar. I bought another junker with black grover machine heads for it. Including the pick ups it cost me less than 250 bucks to build, plus time, lots of time! Now, if I can get the wiring sorted it will play as good as it looks.


Thanks again

 

[Stratomaniac]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

I'm back! I tried to take photos of the wiring, but they seemed pretty pointless in the rat's nest of wiring. As a result, I drew a diagram of ho I wired it. I'm confident the pots are wired correctly, as per the diagram above. However, as the GuitarDoc stated, there must be problem in the tone circuit and 5-way switch wiring. I've numbered the points in question (1-4) and hopefully a genius can help me find my mistake. Please excuse the crudeness of my diagram. It looks like it was done by a 4 year old. :-(

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

You have the common lugs, which should be your output, grounded. You need to run the wire from the 4th lug down on the switch to the tone pot and use any other lug below that to ground the switch.

 

[Stratomaniac]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

Awesome! Thanks for that. I was sure it was something minor. So, if I swap the two tone wires over on the switch it should be ok? I just used what was in the old standard strat wiring and combined it with the SD diagram. I'll give it a go in an hour or so and let you know.

I'll be keeping that image too. Thanks a lot!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

No prob. You only need 1 wire from your common, the 4th lug down, to the tone. You don't need to jump any lugs together. Use one of the remaining lugs to ground the switch.

 

[Stratomaniac]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

Hey! It's sorted! I just swapped the tone wires over. Awesome! It's all working perfectly. Now to string it up, set it up and break a few strings.

Thanks again to all for your help. I'm not gonna hit and run. I'll hang around and see if I can help somebody and learn a few more tricks.


Thank you!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

Oh cool! Stick around, there is lots of great info and people here.

 

[Stratomaniac]

Re: Humbucker wiring help for monster strat

Thanks Mincer. I'll get my tax check on Monday and have decided to to replace the 'el cheapo' center pick up with a SD rail bucker.It's only another hundred bucks (roll eyes). I reckon it will make all the difference though. The cheapo doesn't have much guts to it.

Anyway, I'll keep this thread open and update the images when I get it all together and see if I can figure out how to upload some audio from Garage Band. It doesn't look too difficult though.

A big Thanks again to all.