Suggestions for HHH Hotrails wiring options

R

rmackowsky

New member
Building a partscaster with 3 Wilkinson hotrails. 5 way switch, 3 pots. Looking for suggestions regarding series, parallel, coil split, etc. I already have 2 HH guitars with coil splitting, so was thinking parallel for this one, but being that they are hotrails the coil split may sound different than other guitars so not ruling that out. Never really heard out of phase, so don't know if I want that, but again open to suggestions.

I play mostly with gain, and for this guitar clean is not a priority. So - suggestions? If doing parallel, should I do all three pickups? Just the bridge? Combine parallel/coil split in some way?

I will use whatever pots/switches needed, but don't want to use more than the 3 pot spaces available on my pickguard - it's chrome plated, so drilling more holes might be a problem. I am open to using a 5 way superswitch as well.

Found this page for all kinds of wiring options for HHH guitars: https://guitarnuts2.proboards.com/th...95/hhh-guitars
 
For what it's worth, I have three Hot Rails in a Strat, but its completely conventional 5-way Strat wiring. (And sounds great.) I'll be interested in what you decide on. Let us know how it works out.
 
ArtieToo said:
For what it's worth, I have three Hot Rails in a Strat, but its completely conventional 5-way Strat wiring. (And sounds great.) I'll be interested in what you decide on. Let us know how it works out.
Click to expand...

Thanks - might end up doing that depending on my patience level to finish this project. But I also like to tinker, so it's a balancing act. :D
 
That diagram you linked with the split middle positions looks interesting. I might have to try that.
 
I can think of two simple things
1. master volume & tone pots and 3rd pot as a blender(no load pot).

Or

2. Neck or Bridge on switch via a push-pull pot.

I wouldn't bother with anything else since those are hotrails, a series 2&4 positions might introduce too much mud. If you were wanting a few different clean sounds then a clever super switch wiring might have been worthwhile otherwise.
 
Maybe something like a traditional 5 way, but the middle position is the outside 2 pickups.
 
Hank- said:
I wouldn't bother with anything else since those are hotrails, a series 2&4 positions might introduce too much mud.
Click to expand...

I should clarify . . . my "Hot Rails" are the DD HR-101 versions. I really don't distinguish much between DD's and USA's. But, back on point, my #2 and #4 positions don't have mud at all. It's hard to describe, but they're definitely Strat-like, but with more "girth." Maybe I can do a clip a little later.
 
2&4 positions by default put the pickups in parallel, I was talking about the other option, in series the neck & middle will be fatter but not very usable even for dirt, too much thick & woof, so much that switching to neck or middle would bring back definition. The middle &bridge might fair better but I'd rather just have the neck & bridge active as an additional 6th position.

If it were STKs then there might be some benefits of having the series options thrown in though.
 
So I think what I'd like to do is: Each pickup has it's own individual push/pull pot which allow series/parallel selection.5 way switch would just be wired like standard strat - B/BM/M/MN/N. 1 master volume, 2 tones. Anyone feel like making a wiring diagram? :D
 
That's actually pretty simple. Wire each pup direct to it's own push-pull, like this:

series_parallel.png

Now just connect all the grounds, and connect the three "hot" wires to a standard Strat diagram as if they were the three pickup hot wires. Make sense?
 
ArtieToo said:
That's actually pretty simple. Wire each pup direct to it's own push-pull, like this:



Now just connect all the grounds, and connect the three "hot" wires to a standard Strat diagram as if they were the three pickup hot wires. Make sense?
Click to expand...

Yes, thank you. But how about how it all connects to the switch, tone, etc. 5 way switch, 1 master volume, 2 tone.
 
rmackowsky said:
Yes, but where do the white, red, green ,and black wires from the DPDT graphic you posted go/come from? Sorry, I' am confusing myself now. Also doing tyhis between patients
Click to expand...

Those are the wires from the pickup itself. So, the four wires from the pickup solder direct to the push-pull pot switch section. Then the "grounds", (and bare wire), go to any ground. The three "hot" wires, (which are connected to the same terminal as the pickup black), go to the three terminals of the 5-way switch, where I labeled them on that other diagram.

I'm still on my first cup 'o coffee, and trying to avoid doing a whole diagram from scratch. ;)
 
ArtieToo said:
Those are the wires from the pickup itself. So, the four wires from the pickup solder direct to the push-pull pot switch section. Then the "grounds", (and bare wire), go to any ground. The three "hot" wires, (which are connected to the same terminal as the pickup black), go to the three terminals of the 5-way switch, where I labeled them on that other diagram.

I'm still on my first cup 'o coffee, and trying to avoid doing a whole diagram from scratch. ;)
Click to expand...

Ok - i think I get it now. I didn't see where you edited the diagram at first. Really appreciate you taking the time to work through this with me.:notworthy
 
ArtieToo said:
No prob. But let us know if there's still any confusion, and I, (or someone), can do a diagram from scratch.
Click to expand...

A full diagram would be great if you are so inclined. No worries if not.

How do you guys make the diagrams with the graphics, etc? Is there some sort of software to download?
 
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