P-Rails wiring help (two push-pull pots)

[Gnarlly]

OK, I did a search but could not finding anything related to my questions. I just purchased a set of p-rails to install in my PRS, and wired them up last night. I'm using this schematic with two 500kA push-pull pots and a 3-way toggle switch:
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2_prails_1v_1t_tspp

When I plugged in, the guitar's output was , very very low (a lot less than even a very weak single coil) in all positions, and it seemed to me that the parellel setting was the loudest (both push-pulls pulled out). From what I've read, the series setting should be the loudest. I'm thinking that I wired the pickups incorrectly, and think that I reversed the wiring on the tone push-pull pot. Questions:

1. In the wiring diagram above, are the push-pull pot connections closest to the base of the pot in the diagram (black/black on volume, green/green on tone) also the connections closest to the actual pot, or are the "upper/top" connections in the diagram (volume: connections to other pot, tone: green/green) actually the connections furthest from the actual pot? (I hope this makes sense).

2. Is there a big difference between a .022 tone cap and a .047 tone cap with these pickups? As you can get both single coil and humbucking tones, is one preferred over another (I would probably use single coil tones more often). With the tone control on 10, would both sound the same?

3. Does the ground wiring have to be exactly like the diagram, or can I route all ground wires to one ground "lug?"

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[lyongraulty]

Re: P-Rails wiring help (two push-pull pots)

1. In the wiring diagram above, are the push-pull pot connections closest to the base of the pot in the diagram (black/black on volume, green/green on tone) also the connections closest to the actual pot, or are the "upper/top" connections in the diagram (volume: connections to other pot, tone: green/green) actually the connections furthest from the actual pot? (I hope this makes sense).

2. Is there a big difference between a .022 tone cap and a .047 tone cap with these pickups? As you can get both single coil and humbucking tones, is one preferred over another (I would probably use single coil tones more often). With the tone control on 10, would both sound the same?

3. Does the ground wiring have to be exactly like the diagram, or can I route all ground wires to one ground "lug?"

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

On this view, the top switch is upside down. The two jumpers that only connect to eachother must be on the side furthest from the pot. So it seems your first idea is right - the green-green lugs are clostest to the pot.

I like .47 tone caps with my P-rails but I have an LP and am used to those ones.

You can connect the grounds to common lug. I like to do it that way so I don't risk overheating the pot.

 

[Stratman]

Re: P-Rails wiring help (two push-pull pots)

OK - re-check your wiring, as follows: (I use a 0.033 cap and 500K audio pots)

1) On the volume pot's switch - top two wires are wired to the top two lug connections as independent jumpers and they are wired to the bottom two lug connections on the tone pot's switch.

2) On the volume pot's switch - the RED wires from each pup are connected independent to the middle lug connections of the switch (One for each pup)

3) On the volume pot's switch - the BLACK wires from each pup are connected independent to the bottom lug connections of the switch (One for each pup) and then to the 3-way switch .

4) On the tone pot's switch - the GREEN wires from each pup are connected together to the top lug connections of the switch (One for each pup) and then to the back side of the tone pot, acting as the ground.

5) On the tone pot's switch - the WHITE wires from each pup are connected independent to the middle lug connections of the switch (One for each pup)

6) The rest of the wiring is as illustrated.

You should be able to enjoy this setup.

RECHECK all of your connections.

THEN RECHECK AGAIN with a ohm meter.

 

[Gnarlly]

Re: P-Rails wiring help (two push-pull pots)

OK - re-check your wiring, as follows: (I use a 0.033 cap and 500K audio pots)

1) On the volume pot's switch - top two wires are wired to the top two lug connections as independent jumpers and they are wired to the bottom two lug connections on the tone pot's switch.

This is what I did wrong (and what I was confused about with my question # 1). I wired the top two lug connections on the volume pot to the top two lugs on the tone pot, rather than the bottom two on the tone pot that you have stated.

I had to order some new push-pull pots as I applied too much heat to the pots when doing the ground connections, but with the info you have provided, I should be good to go once I get the new pots.

Thanks for the help!:friday: