Little '59 Wiring!

[skrattadu]

So I'm currently building an Esquire and I can't find a wiring diagram for what I want to do.
I have a Little 59 and a three way switch, here's what I want it to do:
Position 1: Full output, bypass volume and tone control
Position 2: Full output with volume and tone control
Position 3: Split output with volume and tone control

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[hamerfan]

I highly doubt that you can find a standard diagram for this configuration. You are in the need of a custom layout.
Two caveats: the difference with or without V/T is just a bit more briteness and tiny bit of volume - not worth the hassle imo. With the split (one coil of the humbucker) you get a very thin and brittle sound, you better go for parallel wiring or a partial split (my preference).

 

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!
I agree, the split sound of a Little 59 isn't great. In parallel, it is, and it remains hum-cancelling. It might be easier to wire the bypass to a blower switch, using something like an S1 switch. I agree that it isn't a huge difference, though- they are pretty simple guitars. What are you after here....the most versatile (usable) idea with a Little 59?

 

[Artie]

Also, tell us what kind of 3-way. Lever, toggle, other? They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Oops. I see you said "Esquire", so I assume a Tele-style 3-way.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Straightforward enough with only one pickup and a 3-way blade.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

PS:

1. To avoid chopping or extending your pickup green and bare wires, solder them to lug R-3, the permanently grounded lug on the switch.

2. If you want to leave the south (screw) coil active in P3, simply swap the green and black wires over, but remember the bare wire always goes to ground.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Hey TCW, great job on that diagram.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

^ Thank you.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I agree with Mincer that the parallel sound of the Lil' 59 is much better than the split sound. I think you'd be much happier with your sound if you substituted parallel for split. You can't do that with the switch you have, but you can with this one (it's essentially a 3-way super switch with 4 poles instead of just 1).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NW9YLKL...roduct_details

 

[skrattadu]

I highly doubt that you can find a standard diagram for this configuration. You are in the need of a custom layout.
Two caveats: the difference with or without V/T is just a bit more briteness and tiny bit of volume - not worth the hassle imo. With the split (one coil of the humbucker) you get a very thin and brittle sound, you better go for parallel wiring or a partial split (my preference).

Basically, I want the option to set the volume in position 2 lower than position 1. For playing live, if I'm playing a song like Ramble On, I'd set the volume in position 2 lower to get less overdrive in the verses and then switch it to position 1 for full output in the chorus. It's like what you can do with the neck pickup of Gibson style guitars or a Tele Custom. You can hear Townshend doing that in Live at Leeds a lot too. Figured I'd give it a try! If the split sound is bad, I'll try the parallel thing!

 

[skrattadu]

Straightforward enough with only one pickup and a 3-way blade.

Thanks man!

 

[skrattadu]

Here's the guitar. Fender body, Musikraft neck finished with honey amber transtint dye and danish oil. Gold anodized pickguard. Looks super 1950s and I love it!

 

[GuitarStv]

Well there's your problem . . . someone forgot to install the neck pickup.

 

[Artie]

Here's the guitar. Fender body, Musikraft neck finished with honey amber transtint dye and danish oil. Gold anodized pickguard. Looks super 1950s and I love it!

That's sweet. I like it.

 

[jeremy]

love the look! betcha it sounds good too

 

[Mincer]

i don't know if the volume difference between 1 & 2 will be enough. If you try this, let me know if it is. It might be easier to step on a boost pedal.

 

[jeremy]

dont know how much volume boost there will be, but itll get brighter for sure. i have a volume/tone bypass switch on my turner baritone and its definitely noticeable

 

[skrattadu]

i don't know if the volume difference between 1 & 2 will be enough. If you try this, let me know if it is. It might be easier to step on a boost pedal.

i don't know if the volume difference between 1 & 2 will be enough. If you try this, let me know if it is. It might be easier to step on a boost pedal.

As it is, I'm just turning the volume knob up and down on the fly. My wiring plan would allow me to switch between full bore and half volume on the fly rather than messing with the volume knob, which is much less consistent than flipping a switch.

 

[Mincer]

As it is, I'm just turning the volume knob up and down on the fly. My wiring plan would allow me to switch between full bore and half volume on the fly rather than messing with the volume knob, which is much less consistent than flipping a switch.

Right, I get that. What I am saying is that you get a tone change (it gets brighter) but not as much of a volume change. You can really only try it and see if it works for you.

 

[skrattadu]

Right, I get that. What I am saying is that you get a tone change (it gets brighter) but not as much of a volume change. You can really only try it and see if it works for you.

Yeah, I have a feeling I'm gonna end up trying a bunch of different wiring schemes for this guitar because I'm not sure what the most useful way to wire up a single pickup is. Time to experiment!