SH14 doesn't split - problem with push pull potentiometer

[DanielOakfield]

Hello everybody, I've been reading you for a while and was hoping you could help me troubleshoot my setup!

My build is on a Fernandes Ravelle, upgraded with two zebras, the splittable one is an SH14, they have been in the guitar for more than a decade now but the SH14 was just installed as a normal HB. As a holiday project, I decided to do surgery, bought a push-pull potentiometer, found an official SD diagram (2H_3G_1V_1TppSPL) that would fit my configuration, and did my best; I have some experience, however, I have never installed a push-pull before and I might have done something wrong here as I had to adapt a few things, only one of my HBs is splittable and the capacitor is installed in a different position.

Result: everything works fine except the push-pull, the tone knob works as a tone knob correctly, but activating the push-pull doesn't change the sound at all - 3 ways switch works fine, the volume knob too, and no short issues sorts - it seems that my wiring is not making the push-pull potentiometer working as a push-pull. I tested the connection with a multimeter they are fine, I also did the classic touch test on the pickup poles with the head of a screwdriver to check what was active and what was not, and I can confirm when the SH14 is selected both coils are active, no matter if the push-pull is pushed or pulled.

I am lost here, any help would be much appreciated.


Attached is an mp3, the first part is non-split, second is split - yes they sound the same to me.
Also attached is the current -non-working- diagram.

 

[hamerfan]

Show a clear pic of the push pull pot. I am quite sure that the problem lies in the wiring on the pot.

 

[Mincer]

Usually we can get you up and running with this quickly. Most likely there is a wiring issue with the pot, although there has been cases where the issue lies in a p/p that is defective. Post some pics of that switch!

 

[DanielOakfield]

Sorry my bad, I uploaded originally the wrong diagram, here's the current one as well as the photo of the push-pull I am using.

 

[Artie]

It would be better to have a photo of the actual wiring in the guitar. In the mean time, gently tap on the poles of each coil to determine if you're actually stuck in humbucker mode or split mode. Stuck in split is the more likely scenario.

 

[DanielOakfield]

I tapped the poles as mentioned in my post, and they are active in both positions—that's what I don't understand. I am stuck in humbucker mode! I will post photos once I manage to open it again. In the meantime, I would like if anyone more knowledgeable than me could confirm if my diagram is correct and whether it should be working fine. I may be making an error with the wiring I did!

 

[DanielOakfield]

So problem solved... I double-checked and the only issue was one soldering got lost while installing the potentiometer back in the guitar...
Thank you everyone for the support!!!

 

[jeremy]

glad you got it sorted! weve all done similar things before

 

[Mincer]

I know I have done that exact thing before. It was a PITA, as it was under a pickguard. How do you like the split sound?

 

[jeremy]

same, nothing worse than putting a fresh set of strings on just to have to pull em off when something doesnt work. i like the c5 split, its not a strat tone, but live it works well

 

[Mincer]

I use a split C5 in a Music Man guitar. It works well with a split Jazz, too.

 

[DanielOakfield]

My build is quite custom, and many of you might not like it, but I have the SH14 pickup in the neck position, set higher than usual—and I absolutely love it!
Not only has the range of useful tones increased, but they are also diverse and practical. Before I installed the push-pull system, I had two decent sounds. However, my Ravelle always sounded overly rich in bass, requiring a lot of EQ adjustments to cut through in mixes. Now, it feels more straightforward, and there's less need for editing—at least for cleaner sounds.

The split SH14 at the neck position sounds just right, and when paired in parallel with the bridge humbucker, it produces the best-balanced tone for my picking style.

I'm not yet sure how the neck pickup I moved on the bridge will perform with distortion, but I’m confident I can figure it out fairly easily.

 

[Mincer]

Well, I think rules can and should be broken, so if it sounds great to you, that is awesome. You'd never get to that result if you listened to the internet.