P-Rail Setup?

S

Spidouz

New member
Hi guys,

I was wondering if I could use a 3 way toggle switch (Up/Center/Down) and a push-pull (Up/Down) to get the 4 positions of a P-Rail Pickup?

For instance:

Up: P90
Center w/ Push-Pull Down: P90+Rail in Series
Center w/ Push-Pull Up: P90+Rail in Parallel
Down: Rail

If yes, what would be the wiring setup?

If not, can I use the "Free-way" 3x3 toggle switch?
http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/i-0040/i-0040.pdf

(for instance, position 1 & 4 for P90, Position 3 & 6 for Rail, Position 2 for P90+Rail in Series and Position 5 for P90+Rail in Parallel)

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Phil
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

The problem with this setup, there's only 1 "split" position... where it's more interesting to get both P90 or Rail "split" position.
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Pretty simple:

With the push-pull down, you have a choice of series, or split to either coil. Pull the push-pull up to go straight to parallel, overriding whatever the split switch is.

Edit: Note that half the DPDT on-off-on is available to do the "other" pickup. You just add one more push-pull. ;)
 
Last edited:
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Thank you ArtieToo,

In fact, that's pretty much what I'd like (having both single coil and series with the regular 3 way switch) and use the push-pull to go in parallel...

However, I don't really understand the wiring :( :( All wiring diagrams are still a little bit confusing for me... that's perhaps why I'm asking questions maybe so stupid.

So now I have a choice of getting to learn wiring or hiring someone to do my freaking complex system I do want...

I'll need "Wiring for dummies" book for Christmas :)

Thanks again, I'll keep and save your diagram and look at it again when I'll understand all that a lil' bit better :)

Phil
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

No prob Phil. I'll do a diagram-for-dummies for you.

(You aren't a dummy.) :0

Btw, are you just going to have 1 vol and 1 tone?
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Oh, no worries... I do assume to be a newbie/dummy in regard Pickups and guitar wiring.

My setup will be pretty complex in the end, so I try to see it step by step, and integrate them together when I do understand them well.

To get you an idea, I will get 1 volume, but I will include a Varitone (with 1 tone, a 10 positions capacitors switch, a 10 positions resistors switch and 1 inductor controlled on/off by the tone push-poll), and in the other hand I will also have a blender for the Piezo and a blender for the Bridge-Neck. It will be a 7 PUs Axe (Piezo + HSSH) with a 3-way toggle for each PU, two push-pull (to force parallel on the Humbuckers), and finally one push-pull to switch Parallel/Series between PU. PU choices will be done by a 5 way blade switch.

Now you should start to think: "Ohhh... ok, it's indeed complex system for a dummy like him" (LOL)

That's why I do search and look step by step, to really understand by myself (the best I can). In the end, it will be easy to use, even logical... but right now, the wiring is a bit blurry :)

Then my last concern: is there any blender pot with center detent with push-pull (that could be used for 3 different circuits?). For instance, using 1 push-pull to force Parallel/Series wiring between PU, whatever the PU (Bridge+Middle, Neck+Middle, Bridge+Neck)?

Confusing? I agree... that's the reasons of some much questions.

But it's become better and better every day ;)

Phil
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Oh yeah, it does make way more sense now! :D

It will definitely help me to integrate it in my project :)

Thanks a lot,
Phil
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Cool. I'm going to pretend I didn't see your post #8.




j/k . . . . . . I may tinker with all that if I get the time. Its quite an ambitious project. :scratchch
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Hi,

Long time since the last post and before to dive in a very complex system, I might go with a simpler solution to start with the little new PRS SE 245, a SingleCut HH.

So I'm planning to install two P-Rails and I would like to have two 4-way selector switch (Telecaster Blade switch type) to select each position between: Rail/Serial/Parallel/P90 for each PU. (I don't like the Triple Shot and would prefer a dedicated switch for PU configuration)

I would still use the regular 3way toggle switch for the Neck/Neck+Bridge/Bridge PU selection... and I will keep only one Master Tone and one Master Volume since the two other pots will be used for the Varitone 6 Capacitors switch and 6 Bass Cut switch.

The main problem now is the wiring for the Rail/Serial/Parallel/P90 of the P-Rail with the 4-way blade switch? Is it possible? If yes, how should I wire it?

Thanks in advance,
Phil
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Yes, it is possible. I have suggested the solution in your other P-Rails thread. (Fender Baja Tele circuit, minus the S-1 phase reversal switch, basically!)

NOTE - To get the coil permutations in your preferred order, it will be necessary to rearrange the pickup output connections on the four-position lever selector switch. I am too lazy to bother to draw this out for you.
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Thanks a lot, that's indeed something doable (I don't know why I was thinking it could be way more complicated).

I'm gonna have a look on the diagram and figure out the right wiring for my wished setup: it's just an easy way to remember Serial is just a step away of Single Coil Rail... And Parallel is a step away of P90... S/S and P/P.

Thanks a lot for the tip

Phil
 
Re: P-Rail Setup?

Hey, just in case someone is looking the same thing than me later, I found a Wiring Diagram for Neck / Serial / Parallel / Bridge for a Telecaster 4-way blade switch.

So, technically, it could be used the same way for Rail / Serial / Parallel / P90

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Assets/pdf/Acme_Guitar_Works_Diagram_Tele_4-Way_Alternate.pdf

Now, I need to include two of them for each PU, go through the push-pulls and a mini-toggle for: PU Serial/Parallel, PU Out Of Phase and a Master Treble Bleed Capacitor On/Bypass on the Master Volume pot.

I found this wiring that could help for the Serial/Parallel and Out Of Phase switches:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6704/hermeticoshhx29sdcr7.jpg

Then I will need to integrate the Tone and Volume and the Varitone stuff... Step by Step, it's coming :)

Phil
 
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