P-Rails - Humbucker series sounds thin (out of phase?)

[jpixelated]

Hello all,

First post. I own some P-rails and I've installed in my old Squier Supersonic (1996 Japanese Vista series). I rewired the guitar with some on-off-on mini toggles to get P90, Rail and Series Humbucker. I've also added a tone knob so now the guitar is a two volume one master tone guitar with a mini-toggle for each pickup and a master 3 way pick up selector.

After failing to get this working many times because I'm a novice I finally have things working except for one issue. Neck pickup is fine when series humbucker is on. But the bridge is complete hollow and thin sound. I actually replaced stuff in my guitar thinking I had an issue somewhere else - again I'm learning. And now I suspect it might an issue with the internal wiring of the Bridge pickup. It took ages to find something but I came across this post. The OP swapped the RED and GREEN wires and it seemed to resolve the issue.

P-Rails wiring issues - Seymour Duncan User Group Forums​

My question is do you think I need to this internally in the pickup or can I simply do this at the mini-toggle switch.

Currently following the Duncan guides I've connected the 4 Conductor wires to the mini-toggle like this:

______
| lug 1 | - Black
|--------|
| lug 2 | - Red/White
|--------|
​| lug 3 | - Green/Bare
|_____|

Based on that previous post, do you think it's OK if I switch the Green and Red wires at the toggle switch?

Thanks a million and Happy New Year.

JP

​

 

[GuitarDoc]

So, in series humbucker mode it sounds weak and hollow?
How does it sound in the two split modes?
If the split modes sound fine then it probably has the green and red wires reversed. Yes, switch them at the toggle and see if that fixes it.

 

[jpixelated]

So, in series humbucker mode it sounds weak and hollow?
How does it sound in the two split modes?
If the split modes sound fine then it probably has the green and red wires reversed. Yes, switch them at the toggle and see if that fixes it.

Hi,

Thanks a million for the reply and so sorry for the delay - between Christmas and a flu, I've been out of action.

To answer your question, when split both P90 and Rail sound fine, matching that of the Neck pickup splits.

I finally have the guitar on the bench today and will switch the wires at the mini-toggle switch. I'll let you know how it goes. I have bought a few pedals and I'm eager to get my amp setup and get playing. I have had an electric setup since I owned and old Digitech Artist 2120 years ago and now I own my first tube amp (Orange TH30). I really can't wait to make some noise.

BR,
JP

 

[GuitarDoc]

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[jpixelated]

Hello,

I'm happy to say that switch the red and green wires resolved my issues. I can now have fun with P90, Rail and Series Humbucker sounds. I have a master tone pot installed to which is not working - I believe I might have damaged the pot, it's not the cap since I replaced that and I've tested it. But for now I can live without the tone pot.

Thanks for your input,

BR,
JP

 

[Mincer]

How do you like the different sounds of the P-Rail? Which one is your favorite?