Separate Neck and Bridge Volume Not Separate

[SilentRob187]

I wired my pickups exactly as shown on the "1Phat Cat, 1 Humbucker, 2 Volumes, 1 Tone, 3-Way Toggle Diagram" (https://www.seymourduncan.com/wirin...neck-pc,bridge-h,2-volume,1-tone,3-way-toggle) but the neck volume and bridge volume control both pickups in the middle position. I was hoping that the wiring would allow me to control them separately so that I could use the middle position to blend in one or the other.

The only difference is that I have a 3-Way Switch, but since it works as it should, I am thinking it is not the issue. Any thoughts on why the two volumes work for both pickups in the middle position would be appreciated!

 

[Artie]

Re: Separate Neck and Bridge Volume Not Separate

That's completely normal for that diagram. It's the classic LP syndrome. It's difficult to make a passive mixer, which is what you're trying to do. Visualize the bridge volume on zero. That shorts the middle lug, (wiper) to ground. Trace it out with your finger and you can see that the output jack is now shorted to ground also.

The only way around this is by doing what is referred to as the "50's wiring". Simply reverse the two wires on the pot that aren't the ground wires. In other words, the pup hot and the output to the switch wire.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Separate Neck and Bridge Volume Not Separate

^ FYI Its actually called independent wiring. 50's is the attachment of the tone circuit to the volume.

OP - be aware that there are always compromises with passive wiring. Every time you fiddle with the location of joins on the volume pot you change how the pickups + volumes and tones interact.

 

[Artie]

Re: Separate Neck and Bridge Volume Not Separate

50's is the attachment of the tone circuit to the volume.

I thought about that right after I posted.

OP - be aware that there are always compromises with passive wiring. Every time you fiddle with the location of joins on the volume pot you change how the pickups + volumes and tones interact.

Yup. As you roll the volume down, you increase the "loading" on the pup. It's all a compromise.