what outer lug do I connect hot to?

[midigods]

sorry for the silly question, but I'm a little confused by some wiring diagrams I've seen. Seems like some diagrams show the hot from the pickup connecting to the right lug of the volume pot (and the ground connecting to the left lug), but I've also seen diagrams with the hot connected to the left lug (and the ground connected to the right lug).

Am I just getting confused by the perspective of some diagrams, or can I connect the hot to either the left or right lug, as long as I'm consistent with all the pots? thanks.

Paul

 

[blueman335]

Re: what outer lug do I connect hot to?

Looking from the bottom, typically the right lug. But, if you want independent volume controls, put the hot from the PU (and the hot to the tone pot) to the middle lug. The hot from the toggle goes to the right lug. The left lug is always ground.

When you have independent volume control, you can blend the PU's in many fine increments. Without it, turning down one volume pot turns down both PU's and there's no blending. This is very easy, just solder to a different lug.

 

[mudpuppy]

Re: what outer lug do I connect hot to?

I don't even like to talk about 'right' or 'left' on this subject, because it makes a difference whether the lugs are facing 'up' or 'down'. Looking at the back of the pot, the lug that usually goes to pickup-hot is 'clock-wise' from the center lug.

On a linear-taper pot, getting these reversed will only change which direction you turn the knob to increase volume. On an audio-taper pot getting the lugs reversed will cause more problems, because of having the taper reversed.

I use the independent volume method that blueman mentioned. Some folks say that you lose too much treble with reduced volume with the independent volume method, but it's never been a problem for me.

 

[blueman335]

Re: what outer lug do I connect hot to?

I use the independent volume method that blueman mentioned. Some folks say that you lose too much treble with reduced volume with the independent volume method, but it's never been a problem for me.

I've never maxed out the treble on my amp, always plenty left. You can overdo treble; give the audience headaches and get the neighborhood dogs howling.

 

[midigods]

Re: what outer lug do I connect hot to?

ok, so having the hot counter clockwise to the center lug will be wired correctly for a lefty?

 

[mudpuppy]

Re: what outer lug do I connect hot to?

hermetico, shame on you. You neglected to tell midigods that a lefty constructed from anti-matter is wired normally.