Pickup blend wiring

C

Col. Funk

New member
Im wanting to do some wiring to my les paul, basically the whole thing is being overhauled, as part of it id like a pot that functions as a blend between the two pickups, only when the switch (standard LP 3-way) is in the middle position, alternately, i think with stock wiring, one of the volumes (neck i think) acts as a blend in the middle position but as the volume normally with the other vol. knob (bridge) acting as master volume in the middle position. This second scenario, with the pot i install acting as neck volume normally and as a blend in the middle poition, might actually be preferable to the first, as it means the pot can do something all the time. Anyway, i cant figure out how to do either, but if anyone knows or has a schematic, please help..
G
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

Hey Col Funk; this sounds like an interesting project. I think what you need is a "blend pot". Not the kind that Lindy Fralin uses, but the kind that Stew-Mac sells.

I'll try and draw you up a few "scenarios" tomorrow. There's several different ways to approach this. ;)

Artie
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

intersesting.. thanks. It should turn out pretty cool in the end, theres no changes to the number of knobs but im hooking up a big varitone circut and general switching goodies. Maybe itll go on the wall of fame when its done, what with its zebra duncans at the heart of it and all.
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

Hey Col. Funk; I've been thinking about this and "doodling" up some stuff, and here's my thoughts so far:

There's a couple of limitations with using the standard LP 3-way - as opposed to the "Alco" style 3-way. The Alco-style has two modes of operation. It can be completely "open" in the middle, and then "short" to either side. Or, it can be completely "shorted" in the middle position, and "open" to either side.

The LP style 3-way is limited to being only "shorted" in the middle, then "opening" to either side. Unfortunately, we need the other type of operation to do what your first plan was. There are Alco style switches that you can get, that look similar to the LP style from the top, but they won't be exact.

So, lets look at what we can do with the LP switch, starting from the simplest.

You could convert, or replace, one of the volume controls with the "Lindy Fralin" style of blend pot. (This is dirt simple.) Make the other volume control a master volume. So now you'ld have this:

pos. 1. Neck (blend in any amount of bridge.)
pos. 2. Neck and bridge on full. (Controlled by master volume, of course.)
pos. 3. Bridge (blend in any amount of neck)

All of these positions would be controlled by the master volume. Thats the easiest, and probably the most logical. Simple wiring changes also.

The next method would entail replacing the LP 3-way with an Alco-style 3-way, and installing the "Stew-Mac" style blend control. This is more like the balance control on a home stereo - with two independent wafers.

With this setup, you'ld have:

1. Neck alone. (with master volume)
2. Neck and bridge (with the ability to fade back and forth between them)
3. Bridge alone (with master volume)

Let me know if either of these is along the lines of what you would like to have, and we can go from there. And remember, method one is much easier. ;)

Artie
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

Sorry to hijack but I would love to know this wiring diagram.

"The next method would entail replacing the LP 3-way with an Alco-style 3-way, and installing the "Stew-Mac" style blend control. This is more like the balance control on a home stereo - with two independent wafers.

With this setup, you'ld have:

1. Neck alone. (with master volume)
2. Neck and bridge (with the ability to fade back and forth between them)
3. Bridge alone (with master volume)"
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

I'll see if I can prod my old brain into remembering what I was talking about two years ago. :D

Give me . . . a little time. ;)

Artie
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

Thanks so much for the reply, Artie. You seem to be the one and only when it comes to this blending thing. I'll keep checking in! Take your time.

--Mike
 
Re: Pickup blend wiring

Geez, I just mentioned the very same scenario on another forum earlier today!:eek13:

Now that I know Artie's on the case, there's that much more incentive to try to make it happen!:bowdown:

On the Guitarnuts 2 site, there's a template of a "complex Les Paul switch" which, from my primitive doodlings, I believe should work for this blender application:

http://guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=schem&action=display&thread=1158705194

I was told that Stew Mac actually has a switch like this available, but they use the wrong picture on line so it doesn't look like it would work...but I was told by a local guru or two that it would. Anyway, I'd be interested in Artie's take on things before diving in, as my subject of experimentation is a semi hollow body with no cavity access but the f-holes...and for those who've tried before, you know that they don't call them "f-holes" for nothing!
 
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