Ok Seymour Duncan forum.. To start, I have a guitar with two humbuckers. It has two CTS SPST potentiometers for each humbucker and my plan was to do a simple push pull coil split, and then I got to thinking, and that's probably the real problem here... I have two tone potentiometers of the same value, so four pots all together if you're counting, and a switchcraft 3 way switch exactly like a Les Paul, 335, SG etc etc. I have not wired anything yet but my plan is to have 1. A split coil "mode" for each pickup independently provided by the push pull pots wired to their corresponding pickups (easy) And then I thought hey why not try.. 2. In and out of phase switching via two separate DPDT switches, and the reason that I say two is because I was unsure if one switch could run both humbucker and split coil modes in and out of phase.. or that I needed a separate switch for each mode, not each pickup, I know that you only have to throw one of the pickups out of phase with the 3 way toggle in the middle position to achieve the out of phase sound. This has to be possible but I could not find a diagram. I know you can wire humbuckers and single coil pickups with phase switching but how do you do both in this particular scenario? Would I be correct in saying that you need two switches, one for humbucker phase, another for single coil phase? These are Seymour Duncan pickups with 4 conductor leads. I am, nor do I claim to be an expert when it comes to wiring, but for once I'd like to get out the old Weller soldering iron and tackle this one myself. Personally I like the out of phase sound even though it is nasally and what most would define as weak, it won't be used all the time but it's different, and that's what this particular guitar build is all about. If anyone has a simple explanation or better yet a diagram I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for reading!
Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
- Thread starter Moon_Dog
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
You only need 1 pickup with phase switching.....its only ever with 2 pickups selected that you get the change in tone, and its 'phase in relation to another pickup' that is the key.
So the tones can have the 2 independent coil cut switches (using red/whire wires for duncan pickups) and the OOP switch will use the green/black wires for 1 pickup.
As the pushpull switches are electrically independent of the pot function, simply wire the pots up first as normal vol/tones as their connections are lowest in the cavity and hardest to get to. Then wire the pickups to the toggle sections as per the function you want each one to have and what pickup you want the function to effect. It would be well to use the vol pot of the corresponding pickup for the OOP one....mainly as the output from this switch will go to that pot's hot and ground.
You only need 1 pickup with phase switching.....its only ever with 2 pickups selected that you get the change in tone, and its 'phase in relation to another pickup' that is the key.
So the tones can have the 2 independent coil cut switches (using red/whire wires for duncan pickups) and the OOP switch will use the green/black wires for 1 pickup.
As the pushpull switches are electrically independent of the pot function, simply wire the pots up first as normal vol/tones as their connections are lowest in the cavity and hardest to get to. Then wire the pickups to the toggle sections as per the function you want each one to have and what pickup you want the function to effect. It would be well to use the vol pot of the corresponding pickup for the OOP one....mainly as the output from this switch will go to that pot's hot and ground.
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
OK, simple. You'll need one p/p vol pot for each pup to switch between series and split. And you'll need one p/p tone pot to switch phase. The phase switch work properly whether the vol p/p pot is in series or split mode. Doesn't matter.
Here's a diagram that shows you how to do it.
https://docs.google.com/gview?embed...-content/uploads/2016/05/WD_H_link_ph_ssp.pdf
If that first switch is a on/on/on DPDT switch, you can get series/split/parallel. If it is only a p/p pot you can get series/split.
OK, simple. You'll need one p/p vol pot for each pup to switch between series and split. And you'll need one p/p tone pot to switch phase. The phase switch work properly whether the vol p/p pot is in series or split mode. Doesn't matter.
Here's a diagram that shows you how to do it.
https://docs.google.com/gview?embed...-content/uploads/2016/05/WD_H_link_ph_ssp.pdf
If that first switch is a on/on/on DPDT switch, you can get series/split/parallel. If it is only a p/p pot you can get series/split.
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
No, you only need one switch to control phase.
No, you only need one switch to control phase.
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
That is correct.
No, wire the p/p switch first. It is actually the lowest in the cavity and the hardest to get to, and it has the tiniest lugs. The pots are very easy to get to and wire up. In fact, wire the p/p switch before you put it into the cavity.
That is correct.
No, wire the p/p switch first. It is actually the lowest in the cavity and the hardest to get to, and it has the tiniest lugs. The pots are very easy to get to and wire up. In fact, wire the p/p switch before you put it into the cavity.
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
What p-p pots have you seen???
No one I have ever seen has the switching parts lowest.....its ALWAYS the pot operation lugs that sit closest to the pot shaft and hence the bottom of the cavity.
What p-p pots have you seen???
No one I have ever seen has the switching parts lowest.....its ALWAYS the pot operation lugs that sit closest to the pot shaft and hence the bottom of the cavity.
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
I decided to go with Jimmy Page wiring. This way I can get both pickups in series and out of phase which is a cool setting too. For anyone who finds this page in the future looking for answers, check this diagram out. I always knew Jimmy Page's Les Paul was far from stock but I was unaware he had coil split functions as well as parallel/series and phase switching. https://docs.google.com/gview?embed....com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/JP_wiring.pdf
I decided to go with Jimmy Page wiring. This way I can get both pickups in series and out of phase which is a cool setting too. For anyone who finds this page in the future looking for answers, check this diagram out. I always knew Jimmy Page's Les Paul was far from stock but I was unaware he had coil split functions as well as parallel/series and phase switching. https://docs.google.com/gview?embed....com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/JP_wiring.pdf
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
I answered yes based in his earlier statement, "I say two is because I was unsure if one switch could run both humbucker and split coil modes in and out of phase.. or that I needed a separate switch for each mode," ...assuming the bit I quoted was his own mis-statement. One DPDT switch cannot do coil splits and reverse phase of the pickup. He needs two switches.
I answered yes based in his earlier statement, "I say two is because I was unsure if one switch could run both humbucker and split coil modes in and out of phase.. or that I needed a separate switch for each mode," ...assuming the bit I quoted was his own mis-statement. One DPDT switch cannot do coil splits and reverse phase of the pickup. He needs two switches.
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
I probably should clear that up. I had two dpdt switches and at the time and only two push pull pots. I had planned on doing the coil splitting with the pots and the phase switching with the switches. Hence, one switch for each mode, humbuckers, and single coil to be switched in and out of phase, or so I thought. Granted I am new to this and it took some reading in to. At that time I hadn't planned on doing series or parallel switching. But after reading into it I decided the easiest least invasive way to go about this and have the functions that I originally wanted, plus the series and parallel which I hadn't planned on. But after watching a few videos and reading a few threads convinced it was a great idea especially when being out of phase and in series. The Jimmy Page or Schecter wiring would knock everything out and all I needed were two more push pull pots. This saved me from drilling for one or two more switches and routing the cavity more. Hope this helped clarify what was my confusion at the time.
I probably should clear that up. I had two dpdt switches and at the time and only two push pull pots. I had planned on doing the coil splitting with the pots and the phase switching with the switches. Hence, one switch for each mode, humbuckers, and single coil to be switched in and out of phase, or so I thought. Granted I am new to this and it took some reading in to. At that time I hadn't planned on doing series or parallel switching. But after reading into it I decided the easiest least invasive way to go about this and have the functions that I originally wanted, plus the series and parallel which I hadn't planned on. But after watching a few videos and reading a few threads convinced it was a great idea especially when being out of phase and in series. The Jimmy Page or Schecter wiring would knock everything out and all I needed were two more push pull pots. This saved me from drilling for one or two more switches and routing the cavity more. Hope this helped clarify what was my confusion at the time.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Split coil/phase switching LP diagram
Ok, that didn't make it much clearer for me. I think your use of the term 'mode' and other wording is throwing me off. (For example, a push-pull IS a DPDT, so saying you have 2 DPDT and 2 push-pulls is confusing.)
But let me put it this way and see if it answers the question.
1) To split to single coil on one individual pickup, you need at minimum 1 SPDT. Meaning, you could split both pickups with one DPDT, using one side for one pickup and the other side for the other pickup. The down side is you are splitting both pickups simultaneously all the time.
2) If you want to split to single coil independently for each pickup, then you will need to use one switch per pickup.
3) To flip the phase of the pickups when used together, you need one DPDT switch. You will use up all 6 lugs on that switch (so that switch will flip the phase and do nothing else.) From the OP, it sounds like you already understand this part.
4) To add series/parallel of the individual pickup coils, you need to use 2 DPDT OR replace your 2 DPDT on-on toggle switches with 2 on-on-on switches (with 1 on-on-on DPDT, you can do series/split/parallel for one pickup).
So, I believe you currently have 4 DPDT on-on switches; 2 are toggle switches and 2 are push-pull pots. To have independent coil splits and phase switching between the two pickups, you will use 3 of those DPDT (your choice which are toggle and which are push-pull), leaving one DPDT unused.
To add parallel coils of the individual pickups, you'll either need to add 1 more DPDT (since you'll use 3 out of the 4 you have) OR replace your two toggle DPDT on-on switches with 2 DPDT on-on-on versions.
Ok, that didn't make it much clearer for me. I think your use of the term 'mode' and other wording is throwing me off. (For example, a push-pull IS a DPDT, so saying you have 2 DPDT and 2 push-pulls is confusing.)
But let me put it this way and see if it answers the question.
1) To split to single coil on one individual pickup, you need at minimum 1 SPDT. Meaning, you could split both pickups with one DPDT, using one side for one pickup and the other side for the other pickup. The down side is you are splitting both pickups simultaneously all the time.
2) If you want to split to single coil independently for each pickup, then you will need to use one switch per pickup.
3) To flip the phase of the pickups when used together, you need one DPDT switch. You will use up all 6 lugs on that switch (so that switch will flip the phase and do nothing else.) From the OP, it sounds like you already understand this part.
4) To add series/parallel of the individual pickup coils, you need to use 2 DPDT OR replace your 2 DPDT on-on toggle switches with 2 on-on-on switches (with 1 on-on-on DPDT, you can do series/split/parallel for one pickup).
So, I believe you currently have 4 DPDT on-on switches; 2 are toggle switches and 2 are push-pull pots. To have independent coil splits and phase switching between the two pickups, you will use 3 of those DPDT (your choice which are toggle and which are push-pull), leaving one DPDT unused.
To add parallel coils of the individual pickups, you'll either need to add 1 more DPDT (since you'll use 3 out of the 4 you have) OR replace your two toggle DPDT on-on switches with 2 DPDT on-on-on versions.
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