V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

[Artie]

For anyone who hasn't seen me talk about this before, "V3rd" is simply my designation for "virtual 3rd hybrid humbucker", such as you get when you wire the neck screw coil in series with the bridge stud coil of a dual-humbucker guitar to get a new sound. Its a virtual 3rd hybrid humbucker. I like this sound better than simply both 'buckers on in parallel.

Anyway, quite some time ago, I showed how to do this using a Fender-style, 3-way blade switch. I had about given up on doing this with a DPDT toggle switch, but I figured it out today. Here's how:

Note that I'm showing 3 different views of the same thing. The last panel is to illustrate that you only need 5 actual wires going to the switch itself. (6 if you include a switch ground.) This makes it a bit easier to do this in an LP style axe.

Here's how it works. Gray coils are shorted out. Blue coils are active. The "green" highlight shows the signal path of each position.

Here's what the switch looks like. Its a good quality USA made NKK switch, available from Mouser for around $8.

I'm going to wire it up tomorrow. I don't see any reason for it not to work though.

Artie

 

[Artie]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

I should point out that even though I mentioned an LP-style axe above, this particular wiring doesn't lend itself well to dual-vol/dual-tone guitars. It really needs a single vol/tone.

Unless I work something out.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Gosh, darn it. I expected a V3 RD to be a motorcycle.

 

[Artie]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Does kinda sound like a Yamaha.

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

How does it sound?
Does it feel more acoustic-like?
What about both pickup's inner coils in series? :scratchch
I've been thinking about that too,anyway thanks for the schematic man!

 

[Artie]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

How does it sound?

It's kinda like using the middle pickup of a 3-humbucker guitar, except that you don't have the extra string-pull. Also, your middle pup is a hybrid, made up of half of whatever you have in the neck and half of whatever you have in the bridge. A '59/C5 combo works great. But I also do this with a pair of AII Pro's, a JB/Jazz set, (in a Tele-Gib), and using a pair of hybrids. (I guess that would be a hybrid squared.)

Does it feel more acoustic-like?

No. Not at all. Its just a slightly cleaner, crisper sound than both humbuckers on in parallel. Its a true, 3rd humbucker.

What about both pickup's inner coils in series? :scratchch

You could certainly do that, but then you'ld want to flip the magnet on one pup to maintain the "humbucking" mode, or there'd be no point. This would also change the colors of the wires going to the switch. (I'd probably have to work that diagram out for you.)

I've been thinking about that too,anyway thanks for the schematic man!

No prob man. Its one of my favorite dual-humbucker mods.

Artie

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

I'm sorry if it's a bit too much too ask but,I think it will be great if you could switch mode between both humbuckers in parallel,outer coils in series or inner coils in series just using a mini 3 toggle switch when the pickup selector is in middle position.
Do you think it's doable?

 

[Artie]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Possible. Not bloody likely . . . but possible.

Let me chew on that awhile.

Artie

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Thanks man,can't wait to see your schematics and explanations! :approve:

 

[Artie]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Let me clarify something. When you say, "outers in series" and "inners in series", you still want both to be humbucking, right? Which means you don't mind doing a mag flip on one pickup.

Correct?

And let me add one final thought. I've done this before on an experimental guitar with a Star Trek console of switches. Inner stud coils sound good and bridge-stud with neck-screws sounds good. But both screws is . . . weak. If necessary, would you sacrifice outer coils for simplicity's sake?

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

And let me add one final thought. I've done this before on an experimental guitar with a Star Trek console of switches. Inner stud coils sound good and bridge-stud with neck-screws sounds good. But both screws is . . . weak. If necessary, would you sacrifice outer coils for simplicity's sake?If necessary, would you sacrifice outer coils for simplicity's sake?

h: I mistaken your original post,I thought you said outer coils before,my bad. So you could take it as big YES


EDIT : just see my last answer

 

[Artie]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

I believe in every word you say, Artie . . .

You need to break that habit. :nono:

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

You need to break that habit. :nono:

Fixed that,thanks!

 

[Karen]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Where can I purchase DPDT On-on-on switches please?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: V3rd wiring using a DPDT on-on-on switch.

Where can I purchase DPDT On-on-on switches please?

Ive gotten mine in the past from stew mac looks like they still carry what you need. Heres a link

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/Mini_Toggle_Switches.html