Wireing Help? Can this be done...

[Coffinweed]

Hi,

I've never messed with the wiring inside a guitar before, I don't know much about circuits (I have been doing my homework though) and the 5-way switch scares me! :bigeyes2:

The situation (1):
I have a Jackson DK2 Pro with H-S-S, JB-TB4 and 2x STK1 on a 5-way. I'm going to install a Triple Shot ring.

I want to add a toggle to bypass the 5-way when switched on,allowing me to activate the JB in positions 1-3 (well, all positions) so I can use all 3 pups at the same time while still connecting to the volume and tone.

I'm pretty sure that that can easily be done but (could use some help figuring out how)...

Situation 2: The guitar is wired with 500k pots, way too bright for this guitar, esp. the STK's so I'm putting in 250k pots. There are (may be) times when I want the extra brightness on the JB.

The Questions:
1, Can the first be done?

2, If I install a 3-way toggle instead, can I wire a bypass of the pot system, preferably only active when in 5-way position 5?

If so...

3, Can I or do I have to add resistance and/or capacitors to equal the load of both the 500k pots in the wide open position, or will it be the same totally bypassed.

Other: The reason I'm adding a toggle(s) rather than a push/pulls and/or super-switch is mostly cosmetic, I also want to add a toggle to choose between 2 tone caps, one that has my preferred tonal taper and one that gives me a very dark tone (Billy Strange - Bang Bang dark). I Think 2 flat paddle style toggles will look really nice between the knobs (your welcome for the visual ), I don't think that a single toggle would look good on this guitar and after thinking about it, it looks kind of plain now, I really, really want the toggles on there.

It'll be a little while before I actually do the work, I just eBayed a huge kit of cheap capacitors from Hong Kong to find the values I need, shipping will be a long wait. I'm also going to grab a multimeter before I start, to test everything.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Wireing Help? Can this be done...

Yes. It can be easily done. (Out on Highway 61.)

On the main SD website, click Support, select Wiring Diagrams. Browse the list of Stratocaster schematics. Select Bridge PU Switch Mod. This will show the basic layout for your own circuit.

As for buying anything from an eBay vendor in Hong Kong, that is almost certainly going to be a scam. (I hope that you didn't pay by Western Union transfer!) Sorry, bro. You just qualified for a Godzilla facepalm.

 

[Coffinweed]

Re: Wireing Help? Can this be done...

Thanks, that covers question 1. That's about how I thought it would look. The diagram will be a big help.

The more difficult one for me to imagine is question 2, bypassing the pots on the same switch, On-Off-On I think I would need? that's the JB only b.t.w. and only in position 5. everything I picture seems like it would still cross paths with the pots. and I don't know how or if its possible to get a connection from only position 5 of the 5-way. then, if I find a resistance load on the currently installed pots when turned up, after I get a multimeter, I want to add that resistance in with no idea how to do it. That resistance should be isolated to position 5 and the toggle on pot bypass.

Another possibility is for me to use the second toggle (2x On-Off) and get a push/pull for the tone cap thing.

Yet another possibility is for me to get a 500k push/pull and a regular 500k pot, load 500k resistor in the down position, then use the toggles for the JB switch and tone cap.

This little project is getting pretty expensive and the particular switches I'm looking for are really hard to find, $20 a piece for black, flat handle toggles (that's just the 2-way). I'm still hunting for reasonable prices. I found a good deal on a 3 pack CTS 10% tolerance pots and I really don't want to buy a separate push/pull and standard. I might as well just replace the STK's with a better choice of single coils, throw a resistor on the pots and call it a day.

The Hong Kong eBay seller is a top rated seller and I'm only buying test capacitors. The kit has 10 each of 50 values including the most popular guitar values, for $7. When I decide what value caps to use, I'll get a better quality for installation.

Anyway, thanks again Funkfingers.

Any more help or advice is greatly appreciated, esp. if you know where to get these toggles on the cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/On-On-Mini-...914?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item53f60c06f2