Volume+3 Way Wiring

[ivovasconcelos]

Dear guitar fellows,

I know that most of guitar players are always looking to have the most versatile setup as possible. However, I am thinking about going the other way and keep it as simple as possible.
With this in mind I discover that there are actually three sound I like and use in my guitar and I’ll need your help to have them in an easier way.

My guitar has two humbuckers (59N and TB6) and I want to keep only a volume pot and the three way toggle switch.

I know that there are lots of schematics in the net for that (Seymour Duncan site included); However, I could not find the connection I would like to have.

I would like to have the following options without the need for a push-pull:
• Position 1 – Bridge Humbucker
• Position 2 – Inner Coils
• Position 3 – Neck Humbucker.

Here is a picture to illustrate it.


Could someone provide me with a schematic for that?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Cheers,
Ivo

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

I puzzled over it a bit and I'm fairly certain this schematic will work (maybe one of our brethren could double-check my work).

You'll have to buy this particular switch, though, to pull it off:




Hope that helps!

EDIT: see corrected schematic in post #6

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

I puzzled over it a bit and I'm fairly certain this schematic will work (maybe one of our brethren could double-check my work).

You'll have to buy this particular switch, though, to pull it off:


View attachment 63712

Hope that helps!

Looks like the bridge will still be single coil by itself as the red/white are still grounded out in that position.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Volume+3 Way Wiring

Looks like the bridge will still be single coil by itself as the red/white are still grounded out in that position.

Oops! You're right! I'll have to be sure to fix it in the morning... Thank you!

I was thinking I could have both splits go through one pole, but I guess I'll have to separate them.


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[beaubrummels]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

That kind of switch just needs to be treated like two DPDT side by side. Use one side for pickup selection and the other half for splits.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

Looks like the bridge will still be single coil by itself as the red/white are still grounded out in that position.

That kind of switch just needs to be treated like two DPDT side by side. Use one side for pickup selection and the other half for splits.

Thanks beaubrummels... and it's "cleaner" too! Here's the corrected version:



Note: I had forgotten in the schematic, but that unused lug on the volume pot should be grounded... just not gonna go in and re-do it AGAIN!

EDIT: still wrong... see post #10 (wow... what a carnival of errors I've created!)

 

[Artie]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

If you want the middle position to remain humbucking, you need to do a mag flip on the bridge, and wire it differently. If you feel comfortable doing that, and even want to, I'll provide the new diagram. Also, I already have a diagram for this if you want the middle two coils to be in series, as a virtual middle humbucker.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

If you want the middle position to remain humbucking, you need to do a mag flip on the bridge, and wire it differently. If you feel comfortable doing that, and even want to, I'll provide the new diagram. Also, I already have a diagram for this if you want the middle two coils to be in series, as a virtual middle humbucker.

I'd say, "post 'em!" I'm sure the OP would appreciate some more choices.

Besides, I'm kind of intrigued by your suggestions...

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

Thanks beaubrummels... and it's "cleaner" too! Here's the corrected version:

View attachment 63721

Note: I had forgotten in the schematic, but that unused lug on the volume pot should be grounded... just not gonna go in and re-do it AGAIN!

That's getting there, but you need to flip the red/whites like I had it, otherwise both pickups will always be split. (Note how I had the bridge red/white come into the top on the same side where the neck positive comes in, and the neck red/white comes in next to where the bridge positive comes in.)

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

That's getting there, but you need to flip the red/whites like I had it, otherwise both pickups will always be split. (Note how I had the bridge red/white come into the top on the same side where the neck positive comes in, and the neck red/white comes in next to where the bridge positive comes in.)

:banghead: Okay... this carnival of errors is officially over! :doh:

Thanks again beaubrummels... you could very easily have let me just stay wrong, so I really appreciate you pointing out my mistakes so that I could correct them! :yourock:

ivovasconcelos... sorry about the confusion... hope I haven't put you off of the whole idea. I have re-done the schematic again (this time consulting privately with beaubrummels first) and we're sure it's right this time:



Now I'm gonna go cry myself to sleep and start over fresh tomorrow! :wave:

 

[ivovasconcelos]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

Thank you very much guys!
I really appreciate your help.

Another question.
Is there a way to do it without using an special three way switch?
I do have a push/pull volume, and I know I can use it to cancel a coil of each humbucker.
However, I would like to have this combination as default and I don't care much about having both humbuckers in "full mode".

Can I do it without the 4PDT switch?

Thanks in advance,
Ivo

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

Can I do it without the 4PDT switch?

It wouldn't surprise me if there were other special switches out there that would work, but a standard 3-way toggle just doesn't give you the option you're looking for with a single movement (ie: you would have to switch to the center position AND pull the coil tap). Perhaps a second switch right next to it, close enough to grab at the same time, but then you're having to drill a hole and still have to buy another switch (albeit a cheaper one). Not anywhere near as efficient, and would change your guitar's look.


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[ivovasconcelos]

Re: Volume+3 Way Wiring

Thank you BriGuy1968, beaubrummels and ArtieToo!

I'll purchase the 4PDT switch and follow your schematics.

Cheers,
Ivo