Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

[afxwinter]

Hi guys, first post here.

I've decided to swap out the EMG 81/60 combo in my LP Custom to an SH-5/SH-1 combo.
I have the pickups and am just waiting on the pots (2x CTS 500ks and 2x Alpha 500k Push/Pulls)
Would this wiring diagram be what I need if I want to be able to split the coils of both pickups?

Also, which single coils for each pickup would sound the best in single coil mode?

The other thing I'm wondering about is the proper orientation for the SH-1. The other one is obvious because of the logo, but there isn't any logo on my '59 neck pickup.

I know these are some noobish questions, but I've never done a pickup install on my own before.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

the 59n does not usually have 4 cond wiring which you need to split the coils. it can be purchased that way so make sure you get the 4 cond option.

the screw coil is usually towards the neck on the neck pup and towards the bridge on the bridge pup

that is the correct diagram

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

+1

In my opinion, there is no great advantage to coil splitting an SH-1 '59n. I would be inclined to keep it straightforward.

On the bridge pickup, rather than coil split, I would wire up the push/pull switch for series/parallel switching of the SH-5's coils. This would give you two output levels whilst retaining hum-cancellation.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

i dont agree with at least part of that. parallel vs split is preference more than anything, some will prefer one over the other. as far as a split or parallel option for the 59n, i think its a nice option to have

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

I've gotten some useable sounds out of a 59bridge split, I use the slug side. Had to track down a 4 conductor 59 those aren't to hard to fined online. You can also specify Label no Label when you special order.

 

[afxwinter]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

I've already got the 4 conductor version of the 59 so I'll definitely be wiring it split coil. I figure more options are better than less.
Now regarding that schematic I put up there, I notice the caps appear to only be wired to the tone pots... does this mean when I roll down the volume it'll start to sound muddier since the cap's not affecting it, or am I wrong and the cap is somehow affecting both pots?
Thanks!

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

You'll have to put a cap across lugs on the volume pot to affect the treble bleed you're talking about. The cap on the tone pot is for the tone pot only.
Here is a link to a YouTube channel. Check it out, it helped me a lot.
This guy explains how capacitance in guitar electronics work very thoroughly.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8AgXWvEbsuZhlqqXR2q5DQ

 

[afxwinter]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

You'll have to put a cap across lugs on the volume pot to affect the treble bleed you're talking about. The cap on the tone pot is for the tone pot only.
Here is a link to a YouTube channel. Check it out, it helped me a lot.
This guy explains how capacitance in guitar electronics work very thoroughly.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8AgXWvEbsuZhlqqXR2q5DQ

Damn... how do I modify the diagram from above to incorporate the cap being attached to both the vol and tone pots?

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

I would try it as diagramed first before doing the treble bleed. There are different ways to wire the tone control that diminish the tone choke that can happen on your volume control. people with more wiring experience might chime in.... I'm not sure if it's "vintage Gibson" or "modern wiring" and there is some debate of what's what. The tone knob can be very interactive with the behavior of the volume knob.

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

It doesn't get attached to both. You need an additional cap to solder on the volume lugs. It's quite simple.
If you're apprehensive about, just assemble the electronics as you would by following the diagram, and if you prefer more tightness as you turn down the volume, you can always add the bleed cap at a later time.
Take a look at that guys YouTube page, but basically it's like this..
...or you could always wire it 50's style which gives you slightly more treble as you lower the volume.
I prefer the 50's wiring to the modern wiring w/the treble bleed, but the treble bleed gives more of a noticeable difference in cleaning up the "mud" with the volume turned down.
FWIW, I've never needed the treble bleed, but it's always fun and beneficial to future endeavors to experiment. Caps are cheap and so are pots.

 

[afxwinter]

Re: Seymour Duncan Convert from EMGs, Could Use Your Help

Thanks so much for the replies! I'm going to go with normal SD wiring I think. I'll go with 50's afterwards if I'm unhappy with the sound a low volumes.
Now... this has been a challenge for me, I've never soldered before, so I did make some mistakes.
I had my stereo output jack and pickup selector both wired wrong (grounds and hots reversed).
I tested the guitar in my Axe-FX and got some sound but it was weak and the middle position didn't work at all.
Could I have damaged anything (Axe-FX included) by testing this with the guitar wired up wrong? I'm a little worried about this.
Thanks guys!