Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

[JB_From_Hell]

My Warwick bass has a volume, tone, and blend knob. The pickups are two DiMarzio Model J split-coil humbuckers.

I think I already know the answer, but can I use a single push/pull knob to switch each of the pickups between series and parallel? I’m assuming each pickup needs it’s own switch, but if I could do it with one, that would be sweet.

 

[Artie]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

Unfortunately, no. One pickup requires all of the lugs of a push-pull. Well, 5 actually, but same result.

Edit: Although, a Fender S1 switch would do both with one push. They are available from several retailers. I have a couple just waiting for a project.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

Thanks, Artie. I hadn't thought of the S-1.

Currently, my Warwick's pickups are wired like normal humbuckers, master volume, blend, master tone.

I'm trying to decide between replacing the volume & tone with push/pulls for individual series/parallel, or replacing all three knobs with push/pulls, so each pickup has its own volume and S/P, plus the tone knob will switch between the pickups combined in series or parallel.

I think I need to complicate matters by investigating what an S-1 will do for two 4-conductor J pickups.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

If you went with the S-1 as a volume pot you could replace the tone with a dual concentric to give you a separate tone control for each pickup, keeping the blend knob. Don't know if it'd be worth the trouble but I could see that being useful.

I actually rewired my Jazz Bass with a pickup switch.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

That might not be bad, or I may run just the bridge pickup to the tone knob.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

I found this in my drawer:

https://www.banzaimusic.com/Miyama-4PDT-on-on-Toggle.html

I wanna do a both series - both paralel switch using this, whenever I have the time.

There is no 4pdt push pulls no? The guitar wanna do this on is a LP, so this toggle would require some planning (using a small L bar to be mounted on the pickguard and some other work)... So I wish there'd be a Bourns or CTS quality pushpull with 4pdt... But that's a dream no?

Maybe the ideal way is to use 2 push pulls and be done with it... :scratchch Still... I like simplicity and I'd be using this guitar with only both series or both paralel... The in-between stuff gets confusing.

B

 

[Artie]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

There is no 4pdt push pulls no?

No, but it's a project I've been thinking about for a long time. I actually started it by dissembling a push-pull. But I keep too many irons in the fire.
I have already made a 4PDT LP style switch. So it's all do-able. Just got to fire up the ole Dremel.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

Nice!

I thought about doing it with 2 5v dc relays. But putting a battery inside the cavity is a turnoff for me.

B

 

[Artie]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

I thought about doing it with 2 5v dc relays. But putting a battery inside the cavity is a turnoff for me.

The problem isn't the batteries per se. People having been putting 9-volts in guitars for decades. The problem is that even tiny relays draw huge amounts of current. Even small 5-volt relays would draw around 100ma. That's 1000x what a full set of active pups draw. (Typically <1ma.) The answer are the super small Teledyne latching relays that only require a quick pulse to latch. Trouble is, these things are made for the military/aerospace industry and are very expensive. Typically in the $150 range each. I have a few that I got military surplus, but they don't show up very often.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

I'm pretty sure you could do it with a PRS style 5-way rotary switch.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Two pickups series/parallel with a single switch?

The problem isn't the batteries per se. People having been putting 9-volts in guitars for decades. The problem is that even tiny relays draw huge amounts of current. Even small 5-volt relays would draw around 100ma. That's 1000x what a full set of active pups draw. (Typically <1ma.) The answer are the super small Teledyne latching relays that only require a quick pulse to latch. Trouble is, these things are made for the military/aerospace industry and are very expensive. Typically in the $150 range each. I have a few that I got military surplus, but they don't show up very often.

View attachment 103477

Cool... I have not thought about the consumption.

:yourock:

B