Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

[ratherdashing]

Okay, here's the challenge: you have a Les Paul with two four-conductor humbuckers, a switch (what kind is up to you), and four knobs (push-pull is up to you). Describe to me the most inventive wiring scheme you can come up with given those limits. Bonus points if you attach a diagram, and super bonus points if it actually works

Have at 'er!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

I like standard LP 50's style wiring with a twist: use a pair of push-pull pots for splitting each pickup individually.

I know its not terribly original, but it works great live.

 

[Artie]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

I like Benjy's idea, but I might expand it to have twin dial-a-splits, with master volume/master tone. Maybe.

Artie

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

This is my favorite.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

Hmmmm.... 2 P/P volumes + 2 P/P tones + 36 way rotary switch = You tell me if that´s enough variance for you before I start trying to think of combos :laugh2:

 

[68 lost souls]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

5 way switch, neck, neck bridge series, neck bridge out of phase, neck bridge parrelel, bridge. Vol and tone for each push pull to select either coil or full hum. i.e. vol up, tone down - inner coil, vol down,t one up - outer coil, both down full, both up kill.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

Holy crap Robert S. ... where did you steal that one from? I'll be sure to go get an electrical engineering degree before I attempt that one.

Artie, I like yours ... I was kind of leaning towards that one myself. Is there a way you could work in a parallel mod to that one using push-pulls perhaps?

Thanks all!

 

[Artie]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

Is there a way you could work in a parallel mod to that one using push-pulls perhaps?

Do mean to make one pup parallel rather than series?

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

That's the Gibson Jimmy Page schematic. I agree, great tones, very versatile. At some point you've got to ask yourself, how many variations is TOO MANY? The JP is over 20 and they go from full, thick humbucker to jangly thin out of phase. I wanted to do taps and series parallel (for each pickup) but are they different enough to justify? Are you going to find use for all these combos? 85% of the time I'm only using the taps. Phase for thin sounds and series for big unique sounds.

BTW, if you go over it slowly the JP schematic is not that bad. Although for the non-techical people a diagram (like the SD ones) would be nice.

Rather Dashing, I just saw your post. You can combine the two splits into on pot and use the leftover one for a series/parallel on one 'bucker, but I think the ability to use one or both taps individually outweighs the series/parallel.

I encourage anyone with a 2 hum, 4 pot guitar to do this mod if they want more tones.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

Do mean to make one pup parallel rather than series?

Yes, exactly. I know you can use an ON-ON-ON DPDT to go series/parallel/split, but is there a way to add that parallel mod in there with the spin as well?

 

[Artie]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

Just add the push/pull pot as shown. Do the same for both pups. (I only drew one.)

Also, I drew the pp sideways. The left side would be the "bottom", or "in" position of the switch.
Down gives you dial-a-split. Up gives you parallel.

Artie

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Two Humbuckers Wiring Free-For-All

Awesome! I think we have a winner. Artie, you are my personal Jesus - thanks!