Ibanez HH 5 Way Switch With Duncans

[Banner]

Okay, I just did this I used the 'converted' picture with the SD pickups.
And I've got problems. Positions 2 and 4 are dead on the switch, no sound, nothing.
The neck side of the neck pickup is dead. (yes I flipped the magnet, no I haven't cut any wires yet to check the coil).

Could the problems with positions 2 & 4 be due to a bad coil in the neck? Has anyone had this problem before? And if the coil is bad, will SD replace it? Or am I SOL because I flipped the magnet?

Thanks.

 

[Banner]

Okay, I just did this I used the 'converted' picture with the SD pickups.
And I've got problems. Positions 2 and 4 are dead on the switch, no sound, nothing.
The neck side of the neck pickup is dead. (yes I flipped the magnet, no I haven't cut any wires yet to check the coil).

Could the problems with positions 2 & 4 be due to a bad coil in the neck? Has anyone had this problem before? And if the coil is bad, will SD replace it? Or am I SOL because I flipped the magnet?

Thanks.

Okay, I cut the neck pickup loose and checked the wires, both of the coils are showing the resistance, so the neck side of the neck coil isn't bad, it's just not connecting to anything. 2502N is the label on the switch and according to the schematic I've attached, it's correct.
So, anybody got -any- ideas here? Cause I'm fresh out.

 

[Banner]

Okay, I think I figured this out. First, the neck pickup has to by flipped, as well as the magnet. That wasn't mentioned by anyone (at least not clearly).
Next I'm going to check the solder joints on the red / green wires to the neck pickup. Hopefully that'll fix it. I rung out the switch, it's fine. So it the coil.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Okay, I cut the neck pickup loose and checked the wires, both of the coils are showing the resistance, so the neck side of the neck coil isn't bad, it's just not connecting to anything. 2502N is the label on the switch and according to the schematic I've attached, it's correct.
So, anybody got -any- ideas here? Cause I'm fresh out.

Glad to hear that the meter readings indicate that your neck pickup is in good order.

I'm reviewing the drawing that was converted to SD pup wire color codes, checking that it is error-free. Should be able to get back to you about it later tomorrow.

 

[Mincer]

These are the kinds of threads I love here. And this is why people keep coming here. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Alright, so that diagram above that was updated to use SD wiring color codes has a few errors. It was easier for me to start with a fresh drawing. But I will mention quickly that the "converted" drawing's errors above include the Hot connection from the switch going to ground, and the ground connection from the switch going to Hot. Also, that diagram is not designed to accomodate a Neck pickup whose magnet has been flipped, like is the case for your Neck pickup.

I used as my basis, the diagram available on the internet that is a schematic for how the 3PS1SC5 switch works - and it has at the bottom of it a diagram for how to wire to pickups using Seymour Duncan wiring color coses. I added some further explanatory notes into that diagram. That's the first diagram below HOWEVER - you can't use that one because you already flipped the magnet in your Neck pickup, and the original diagram is designed for a Neck pickup where the magnet has not been flipped.

So, you will use the 2nd diagram below, which is a version I created based on the 1st one but properly accomodates a Neck pickup whose magnet has been flipped.

Please review the two diagrams and the notes made in each and let me know if this all makes sense now. And again. you will want to use the 2nd diagram, not the 1st, because the magnet has been flipped in your neck pickup.

 

[Bill Dennis]

Re: Ibanez HH 5 Way Switch With Duncans

This will work. No need to physically flip the magnet or anything. The reason they tell us to is that in position 2 with this particular Ibanez wiring is that it would not be hum cancelling if you chose not to flip the color code on a pickup in position 2. I've seen it first in the fender showmaster so I call it the showmaster wiring. It has a nice ring doesn't it. Or at least more memorable than a TV remote like model.

This is what you'd do. Without that Cortek switch I wish someone told me that it's an impossible wiring 2-3 years ago. I made the mistake of trying this with a basic 5 way import switch with no name import 4 wire pickups assuming I didn't know the color code properly. Then I found the youtube video that is probably print screened from where the man described the pin layout of that switch. I learned a lot about pickups and wiring from that endeavor but regardless this is what you'll want to do.
View attachment 101499

I have been down this path 3 times Installing DImarzio's into Ibanez Guitars using that same schematic if memory serves. You should not need to flip a magnet to get anything hum cancelling if you are using the Ibanez switch. Its not the same as switch commonly found in import guitars. Its modified to do the 2 Hum / 5 position options they offer. I bought them through Reverb:

Ibanez 3PS1SC5 - 5 Way Lever Switch (HH Configuration) Split 5

 

[Bill Dennis]

Okay, I think I figured this out. First, the neck pickup has to by flipped, as well as the magnet. That wasn't mentioned by anyone (at least not clearly).
Next I'm going to check the solder joints on the red / green wires to the neck pickup. Hopefully that'll fix it. I rung out the switch, it's fine. So it the coil.

If your using the ibanez switch, that should not be necessary

 

[Tavilla]

So I just recently rewired my old Jackson using the Ibanez 2502N 5-way switch and the diagram posted. All switch positions work fine and no grounding issues. I am however losing volume on positions 2 and 4. Is this to be expected?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AdrianSD]

The pickups might be out of phase. Grab an ohmmeter and find out what are the 4 wires - North start, North finish, South start, South finish. See this page for colour codes used by the most common pickup makers:
https://guitarelectronics.com/guitar-wiring-resources/humbucker-wire-color-codes/
Or, just flip the magnet in one of them.

 

[Mincer]

It has been a few months since I read this thread, and it does look like a cool diagram I may want to try. If you lose volume on 2 & 4, but not 3, then the pickups are in phase and working properly. When using one humbucker in parallel, it will be less volume (maybe even half) than in series. Also, having 1 coil for each pickup on, in parallel, will be less volume than in series.

Those Ibanez switches are not easy to find!

 

[AdrianSD]

If you lose volume on 2 & 4, but not 3, then the pickups are in phase and working properly.

I stand corrected!

 

[Tavilla]

That makes sense. Is there any way to utilize a 5-way switch with two humbuckers that allow you to get decent sounds from positions 2 and 4 while retaining equal volume?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

To have 5 sounds with equal volume? You can put the parallel coils in series in position 2, and maybe have the outside coils in series in position 4.

 

[Tavilla]

Thanks all. Now that I’ve played with it more, the volume loss is not a deal breaker. Great wiring, sounds awesome for those that want to try it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobbidoo]

Hello. I am total n00b at this. I have read this thread, but please forgive my need for clarification.

I have an Ibanez RG220B. It has the Cortek 5-way switch, H-H pickups, one volume knob, and one tone knob.
I just purchased 2 Seymour Duncan humbuckers... SH-1N and TB-6.

I would like to install these as simply as possible. I know how to solder but don't have any other experience with guitar electronics.

Option 1)
How could I install these pickups directly with the Cortek switch?
I am confused between all the wiring diagrams shared above. And I do not understand what it means to "flip the magnet." (And I don't want to make any pickup modifications.)
In the end, is there a diagram above that would preserve the stock wiring controls without physically modifying the pickups?

Option 2)
If option 1 is not possible, then I guess I would look at buying a new switch so that I don't need to modify the pickups?
It seems like a "super 5 way" switch would be the most flexible option and allow me to use any of the widely available wiring diagrams. I see switches on Amazon called "Fender 5-Position Strat/Tele Super Switch".
Is this the right type of item to buy? Would it fit in my guitar even though it says for strat/tele?

Thanks in advance for the guidance, experts.