Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

[master of tacos]

Hey folks, so I have a Carvin DC135. Here are the electronics:

HSS pickups
1 vol 1 tone
3 mini toggle switches to turn on/off each pickup

Now, I want to add in options to install a coil splitter for the bridge humbucker, a phase switch for the middle pickup and a series/parallel switch. I'm looking to change the volume and tone knobs into push/pull knobs, but the only problem is, I only got TWO.

Sooo, does anyone have any suggestions on how I can set up the wiring/switches so I can get all three of the mentioned mods without drilling into the guitar and adding more switches?

 

[jtougas]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

You're wanting the Humbucker to be series/parallel and split?

Use the first half of this, and use one push/pull to turn the Humbucker on and off, and the other to phase the middle pickup.

 

[master of tacos]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

I was looking to get the two single coils in series at the flick of a switch.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

Give me a while (at least until tomorrow afternoon PST), and I can probably get something for you. I am assuming you do not wish to drill any holes for extra switches.

 

[master of tacos]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

You assume correctly! Also, I'd rather leave the mini toggle switches as on/off and not replace them with on/on/on or on/off/on, which would make changing pickups in the middle of a song more of a pain than it already is. I know this doesn't leave room for a lot of options, but if there are any creative minds out there that can somehow find a way to get those 3 mods using 2 push-pull knobs or what not, that would be awesome! Figured it was worth a shot.

Thanks for taking the time!

 

[jtougas]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

Can't be done. You're asking two switches (the push/pull pots) to do three different things. You can split the Humbucker with one switch, and swap the middle phase with the other. Or you can swap the phase with one, and swap series/parallel with the other.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

I already have a rough sketch in front of me, and despite your last post, I HIGHLY advise for one on/on/on DPDT switch for the middle pickup, which will allow you to have on/bypasses(off)/out-of-phase all in one switch. That makes your entire idea possible with just three mini-toggles and two push-pulls. Without the single on/on/on switch, you'd either need another switch or choose an option to discard between the phase option, split option, or series/parallel options.

I personally have a 3-pickup telecaster with the on/bypassed/out-of-phase setup and I LOVE it. It is way more convenient than having 3 separate phase switches - quicker changes with less parts + space. Just something to consider. Your call though.

The exact materials I have listed are:

- Two DPDT On/On toggle switches
- One DPDT On/On/On
- Two Push Pull Potentiometers (I'd personally go with 500K on this project)

*To avoid any confusion, I'm referring to the parts themselves when I say "On/On'. The function of the parts will be "On/Off", but "On/On" switches are required for the circuit. Just in case you weren't aware - I've made that very mistake before.

 

[master of tacos]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

That sounds like a good idea. I'll probably end up giving that a shot and seeing how it goes; worst thing that could happen is I don't like it and just replace the new switch with the original on/off.

I appreciate it, mate!

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

Here you go, this should work.

Tell me if you need anything clarified or if you want to make any changes.

 

[master of tacos]

Re: Looking to mod my guitar. Need some wiring advice.

Yes...yesssss...this should do nicely

*evil smile*

God bless you, sir. I think this is probably the best wiring plan I or anyone else will think of.