Strat with independent pickup volumes issue

[Despised]

I have an LTD ST-213 with a Hot Rails in the bridge and neck, Dragonfire Power Rail Strat RWRP middle SC. I have the 2 Hot Rails wired to a mini DPDT 2-way on/on toggle for outer coil splits, which is then wired to an Alpha B500K concentric pot for what's supposed to be independent volume controls for each pickup. The middle SC is wired to a std mini Alpha B500K volume pot.

The problem I'm having is that while each one DOES work on its own pickup per switch position (1, 3 & 5...). But in positions 2 & 4, turning down either volume pot to dial in either pickup volume acts as a single master volume... The diagrams below are how I have everything wired, with the main diagram being how it's wired (no auto-split in positions 2 & 4, due to the split on the mini toggle...)...

Is this right, or do I have a wire in the wrong spot on the pots? Is there a way to get the volumes truly independent, especially in positions 2 & 4???

 

[Despised]

Diagram 1: shows how the Hot Rails are wired to the mini toggle switch...

Diagram 2: is how the single coil is wired, with the pot output going to the switch...

Diagram 3: is how I wired the hot outputs from each HR off the mini switch to the concentric pot - this diagram basically shows each pot side by side...

Diagram 4 is how I am connecting all the hot wires from the volume pots to the switch. Switch output goes right to the jack

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Despised,

It is not entirely clear to me which of the 4 attachments is #1 vs #3 etc.

if you could make a single diagram of the wiring in your guitar - even a hand-drawn one using pencil and paper - that would help clarify for me, and then I would be better able to help you.

 

[Artie]

Also, what you're showing is not really "independent" volume pots. In the #2 and #4 positions, either wiper shorts the output jack to ground. You'd need to hook up your volume pots so that the input is the wiper. I'll try to find an example tomorrow.

 

[Despised]

Despised,

It is not entirely clear to me which of the 4 attachments is #1 vs #3 etc.

if you could make a single diagram of the wiring in your guitar - even a hand-drawn one using pencil and paper - that would help clarify for me, and then I would be better able to help you.

I will work on one tomorrow to try and simplify it better...

 

[Artie]

Here's a quik-'n-dirty diagram of your problem. You are currently wired as on the left. (I left out the switch, for simplicity.) When any one pot is all the way down, it's wiper, and subsequently, the output jack, is grounded. Which kills everything. If you swap the two non-grounded terminals of the pots, they can operate independently. The only downside is that in positions #2 and #4, both pickups will see the combined load of two pots. But you had that before anyway.

 

[Despised]

Here's a quik-'n-dirty diagram of your problem. You are currently wired as on the left. (I left out the switch, for simplicity.) When any one pot is all the way down, it's wiper, and subsequently, the output jack, is grounded. Which kills everything. If you swap the two non-grounded terminals of the pots, they can operate independently. The only downside is that in positions #2 and #4, both pickups will see the combined load of two pots. But you had that before anyway.

Aaaaaahhh, gotcha!!! That explains it, thank you so much!!

And when you mentioned the combined load of 2 pots in 2 & 4, is that how and why I'm getting a little spot when turned all the way up on one or the other that seems to be a tad weaker signal-wise??? I find I have to turn one pot down to say 9 instead of 10 for the signal to be full strength. It's that the result of the combined load of the 2 pots?

 

[Artie]

I find I have to turn one pot down to say 9 instead of 10 for the signal to be full strength. It's that the result of the combined load of the 2 pots?

Exactly. As you start to turn one down, you also slightly isolate it from the other. Then, as you continue turning, you are actually turning it down. That's why you get that little peak.

 

[Despised]

Exactly. As you start to turn one down, you also slightly isolate it from the other. Then, as you continue turning, you are actually turning it down. That's why you get that little peak.

Now it makes sense, thank you again for that explanation! I figured that was what it was, but wasn't 100% sure.

 

[Artie]

No prob. If you still need a full diagram, either myself or Jack will get to it eventually. I'm still cleaning up a little after Elsa.