Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

[ExplorersRock]

Hey fellas,

I have a strat wired up standard with SSS pickups. Only thing that's different s a push-pull switch for reversing the phase of the missle pickup. But going out of phase really drops the volume substantially. I'd like to wire it so either I can have the pickups be in-series when I I put them out of phase, or wire up a second push-pull to make them go in series. I imagine the latter is easier and more likely. If this is doable, does anyone know how? Thanks for your help.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Anything is doable! [emoji1303]

I’ll play around with some ideas when I get home from work. I’ll bet I can come up with something for you.

Just to clarify, you would only want the pickups in series when the middle p’up was out of phase, correct? Also, would you be opposed to adding a mini switch of some type if it were needed?

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Anything is doable! [emoji1303]

I’ll play around with some ideas when I get home from work. I’ll bet I can come up with something for you.

Just to clarify, you would only want the pickups in series when the middle p’up was out of phase, correct? Also, would you be opposed to adding a mini switch of some type if it were needed?

That's correct. When the middle pickup is on phase , the parallel is fine. But when out of phase, I'd like to be able to use the neck SC with it, or the bridge SC with it in series to boost the volume.

I'm definitely not opposed to adding a second push-pull, mini toggle, what have you... Hell, if I need to add two for individual pickups to be in series with the middle, the hats fine too!

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Success!

Well, sort of anyway.

I wasn’t able to do it with a push/pull... it was one pole short even with a 5-way Super Switch. Instead, I used a 2-way 4PDT (a 3PDT would work too) to both reverse the phase of the center pickup AND put it in series with the neck in position 4 or the bridge in position 2.

Anyway, without further ado...

Enjoy!

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Sweet, thanks! Pardon my lack of familiarity, but what is a 4DPDT switch? Never seen one before? Can I just nab one at AllParts?

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Sweet, thanks! Pardon my lack of familiarity, but what is a 4DPDT switch? Never seen one before? Can I just nab one at AllParts?

Yes and no...

Here's a link to one at AllParts, but they appear to be out of stock right now: https://www.allparts.com/EP-4370-010-4-Pole-On-On-Switch_p_1412.html

I use GuitarElectronics pretty often... they're fast, cheaper, and have stock! https://guitarelectronics.com/2-way-4-pole-on-on-mini-toggle-switch/

The 4PDT is essentially two DPDTs stuck together... pretty handy sometimes.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Yes and no...

Here's a link to one at AllParts, but they appear to be out of stock right now: https://www.allparts.com/EP-4370-010-4-Pole-On-On-Switch_p_1412.html

I use GuitarElectronics pretty often... they're fast, cheaper, and have stock! https://guitarelectronics.com/2-way-4-pole-on-on-mini-toggle-switch/

The 4PDT is essentially two DPDTs stuck together... pretty handy sometimes.

So I wired it up. No dice. The middle pickup is not working unless I put it out of phase, so the standard wiring isn't working.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

So I wired it up. No dice. The middle pickup is not working unless I put it out of phase, so the standard wiring isn't working.

Give me about an hour and I can double-check for you. Can you send a picture?

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Give me about an hour and I can double-check for you. Can you send a picture?

I appreciate the help. No pic, I already started yanking things. It was a flipping mess anyways.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Okay... I see the problem in the diagram. I'll get to work trying to fix it for ya! While I'm at it, I'll change the tone control from the center to the bridge like you mentioned in your PM.

This may take a little bit, but I have a couple of hours to myself right now so I should be able to stay on it!

Sorry man... I'll get it figured out!

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Well, what I thought was a problem wasn't... I have gone over it several times and it SHOULD work. Those little 4PDT switches can be a PIA to solder... do you have something touching something it shouldn't be? Also, is it ONLY the center pickup that doesn't work in the "standard" setting? Is it not working only in position 3 or in positions 2 and 4 as well?

I can re-post a new diagram for you with the adjusted tone control anyway - I'll get to work on colorizing it right now - but at the moment I can't see a reason why the rest of the diagram wouldn't work.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

It's just the middle pickup not working in 2, 3, or 4 when standard. If the wiring is right, I can think of two possible answers. One: I F'd up in the soldering somewhere. Two: I friend my super switch or the middle tone pot.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Do you have a multimeter? If so, set the guitar to a position that isn't working and start following the signal path piece by piece until you find the connection that isn't working right. Check each on against ground as well to see if something is sending it to ground too early. Disconnect the tone pot altogether to see if that's the problem... it should work fine without a tone pot. Not likely to fry the Super Switch unless you REALLY fried it (like you'd definitely see melted parts).

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

I do have a multimeter. Here's what I discovered. While I pulled the pickguard off the guitar I left the wires in place.

There is no sound when I'm in third position, in-phase, in-parallel. In 2 and 4, the respective bridge and neck pickups are putting out sound. And when in out-of-phase and in-series, everything works great. So at least that narrows down the possible problems. Going to check this connections and redo them.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

After some tinkering, I pulled everything off. Gonna start over. Let me know if you have that wiring with the bridge using the 2nd tone instead of the middle pickup

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

After some tinkering, I pulled everything off. Gonna start over. Let me know if you have that wiring with the bridge using the 2nd tone instead of the middle pickup

Lol... perfect timing! I was just coming back on to upload it!

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Lol... perfect timing! I was just coming back on to upload it!

Cool diagram, I might have to use that some day except with a .018 for the neck and a .033 for the bridge. An S1 switch is also a good option if you don't toggle switches taking up extra space.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Cool diagram, I might have to use that some day except with a .018 for the neck and a .033 for the bridge. An S1 switch is also a good option if you don't toggle switches taking up extra space.

Damn! I forgot about the S-1... that would’ve worked too.

I really wish you could get better looking knobs for them though. They’re all fine and dandy (although pricey) if you’re doing a Strat (plastic) or a Tele (chrome) and want that look, but if you’re using speed knobs (my favorites) or anything else you’re just screwed!

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

EUREEKA! Finally got it working! Man, I put one ground in the wrong spot and that caused an issue. Fixed, and WORKING!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Strat SSS Wiring Question:. Is This Doable?

Does it sound like you were expecting?