Is this what I need:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...=mini+switch&kw=mini+switch&parentPage=search
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...=mini+switch&kw=mini+switch&parentPage=search
So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
- Thread starter thefyn
- Start date
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Actually, no, that is not the one you need. That one is "center off". You need a DPDT "center on" (aka. on/on/on) switch.
This one...
http://www.bestguitarparts.com/guitar-part/74/On-On-On_Mini_Toggle_Switch_DPDT.htm
Actually, no, that is not the one you need. That one is "center off". You need a DPDT "center on" (aka. on/on/on) switch.
This one...
http://www.bestguitarparts.com/guitar-part/74/On-On-On_Mini_Toggle_Switch_DPDT.htm
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Nice catch Erik. I looked at it too, and agreed with Mike. Can I blame Tuesday?
Nice catch Erik. I looked at it too, and agreed with Mike. Can I blame Tuesday?
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Sure, why not....LOL.
Also, he'll need one for each P-Rails if he installs two of them, correct? One DPDT center on won't allow all 3 combos for *both* pickups at the same time, would it?
Nice catch Erik. I looked at it too, and agreed with Mike. Can I blame Tuesday?
Sure, why not....LOL.
Also, he'll need one for each P-Rails if he installs two of them, correct? One DPDT center on won't allow all 3 combos for *both* pickups at the same time, would it?
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
For rails/series/P90 you most definitely want a center-off, not a center-on.
Now, maybe I'm missing something where that's not the desired operation, but for north/series/south operation of a humbucker you want a center-off switch. That also allows you to control two humbuckers with one switch.
For rails/series/P90 you most definitely want a center-off, not a center-on.
Now, maybe I'm missing something where that's not the desired operation, but for north/series/south operation of a humbucker you want a center-off switch. That also allows you to control two humbuckers with one switch.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Yes, stick with Tuesday. I stand corrected. :nervous:
Lookee what I found in the Schematics section of the web site.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2_prails_1v_1t_3w_mini
All that is missing in Artie's diagram is the bare with the green, connecting those two lugs together and then to ground.
Yes, stick with Tuesday. I stand corrected. :nervous:
Lookee what I found in the Schematics section of the web site.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2_prails_1v_1t_3w_mini
All that is missing in Artie's diagram is the bare with the green, connecting those two lugs together and then to ground.
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Fusion1
New member
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Mike you'd still want 2 switches if you wanted more combinations like neck rails in conjuction with bridge P-90 coil. Can you or Artie explain the difference in the on/on/on and on/off/on switch and how each would work in this situation? I still am stumped at why a on/off/on would work here.
Mike you'd still want 2 switches if you wanted more combinations like neck rails in conjuction with bridge P-90 coil. Can you or Artie explain the difference in the on/on/on and on/off/on switch and how each would work in this situation? I still am stumped at why a on/off/on would work here.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
An on-off-on switch works like this:
Notice that in the middle position neither red/white pair is connected to anything. You have normal humbucker operation. Put the switch up and you short red/white to hot. Switch down, and you short red/white to ground. That gives you screw or stud coil respectively.
An on-on-on switch works like this:
Lots of options there, but completely different in that center position.
An on-off-on switch works like this:
Notice that in the middle position neither red/white pair is connected to anything. You have normal humbucker operation. Put the switch up and you short red/white to hot. Switch down, and you short red/white to ground. That gives you screw or stud coil respectively.
An on-on-on switch works like this:
Lots of options there, but completely different in that center position.
Artie
Peaveyologist
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
One pickup is split to the screw coil and one is split to the stud coil. (You never have full humbucker mode.)
Edit: That assumes that you connect two pickups to one switch. Use that same switch for just one humbucker, and you can get series/split/parallel.
One pickup is split to the screw coil and one is split to the stud coil. (You never have full humbucker mode.)
Edit: That assumes that you connect two pickups to one switch. Use that same switch for just one humbucker, and you can get series/split/parallel.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Short answer... it wouldn't work right.
Long answer, depends on if you have both humbuckers wired to the same switch. If yes, then assume the bridge pickup is on the left pole and the neck on the right pole. Using Artie's diagram (hope he doesn't mind):
... from left to right the positions would be be:
1) bridge south, neck south
2) bridge south, neck north
3) bridge north, neck north
So, if you wired a center-on as if it were a center-off you'd never have concurrent operation of both coils of the same humbucker. In other words, it's always split.
So when would you want a center-on switch? Series/split/parallel. The split could be wired to either the north or south coil.
Edit: BTW, when I refer to north and south I am referring to them as stud and screw respectfully, which is how Seymour Duncan humbuckers are built. I should learn to say stud and screw.
Short answer... it wouldn't work right.
Long answer, depends on if you have both humbuckers wired to the same switch. If yes, then assume the bridge pickup is on the left pole and the neck on the right pole. Using Artie's diagram (hope he doesn't mind):
... from left to right the positions would be be:
1) bridge south, neck south
2) bridge south, neck north
3) bridge north, neck north
So, if you wired a center-on as if it were a center-off you'd never have concurrent operation of both coils of the same humbucker. In other words, it's always split.
So when would you want a center-on switch? Series/split/parallel. The split could be wired to either the north or south coil.
Edit: BTW, when I refer to north and south I am referring to them as stud and screw respectfully, which is how Seymour Duncan humbuckers are built. I should learn to say stud and screw.
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frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
You'd also want an on/on/on if you were going to use one switch per pickup (it could also be single pole) and you wanted Rails/Parallel/P90
You'd also want an on/on/on if you were going to use one switch per pickup (it could also be single pole) and you wanted Rails/Parallel/P90
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
I agree, Frank, but with one word of caution: you have to be careful with center-on switches. Single pole center-ons are electrically just like Gibson style toggles where the center position connects both outside lugs. There are two types of DPDT center-ons. The most common one is the one in Artie's post. On a rare occasion you can find a center-on that works like two single pole center-ons on one switch.
I agree, Frank, but with one word of caution: you have to be careful with center-on switches. Single pole center-ons are electrically just like Gibson style toggles where the center position connects both outside lugs. There are two types of DPDT center-ons. The most common one is the one in Artie's post. On a rare occasion you can find a center-on that works like two single pole center-ons on one switch.
Fusion1
New member
Re: So for the P-rails: Is this what I need in Radio Shack?
Frank so in that situation ^ you mentioned, you'd never have a series humbucking setting? I'm going to go for the diagrams you put up online already for the simple rails/series/p-90 switching, which is all I want/need.
Frank so in that situation ^ you mentioned, you'd never have a series humbucking setting? I'm going to go for the diagrams you put up online already for the simple rails/series/p-90 switching, which is all I want/need.
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