wiring advice requested

Re: wiring advice requested

Getting a feel for the wiring scheme. Putting everything into context with the layout while I'm waiting on parts. Flipped pickups to make drawing easier. Making sure I have everything correctly routed... I think I've interpreted Vinnie's diagram correctly. The super switch is confusing but I'll get the hang of it.
 
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wiring advice requested

Herby said:
Getting a feel for the wiring scheme. Putting everything into context with the layout while I'm waiting on parts. Flipped pickups to make drawing easier. Making sure I have everything correctly routed... I think I've interpreted Vinnie's diagram correctly. The super switch is confusing but I'll get the hang of it.
Click to expand...

Its really important to understand how components work on their own and in a circuit and the super switch is tricky the first time.

I don’t use diagrams any more, but I do draw them for other people. But it’s best to understand what’s going on because if you make a mistake and you are just following a diagram it’s really hard troubleshooting ( I’ve been there so I know)

By the way what are those push pulls on the diagram? I haven’t used that type before.


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Re: wiring advice requested

I've been building and wiring guitars for a very long time but the wiring has always been fairly simple wiring. Never anything even remotely as intense as this. It's definitely a mind bender.

I'm starting to understand how they work and what's going on with the super switch. I'm trying to understand what you did so I can actually grasp the concept. I figure if I draw a diagram it'll help me understand what's going on. Did you see any errors in my drawing?

What has always been hard for me to grasp is how a tone circuit works. The way they're wired doesn't make sense at first glance. I think I'm finally understanding the concept.

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Potentiometers_x/CTS-250K-DPDT-Push-Pull-Potentiometer

These are pretty good. I like them because they take up less depth than other types. They're not quite as intuitive but still easy to figure out. This particular type is more accurate than the standard +-10% pot.
I've recently decided to use CTS 250K pots for tone and Bourns 500K pots for volume on my SC guitars. I figure this way I can run my tone knobs @ 50% and have room to move either way. The middle pickup doesn't seem to need a tone circuit for what I do.

I've been using 'Bourns' pots for volume because they turn extremely easy. I don't like a volume pot that I have to fight with to get it to move... especially when doing fast volume swells.

If you have any other suggestions or input I'm all ears.

I appreciate all your help Vinnie. Thanks.
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

Herby said:
I've been building and wiring guitars for a very long time but the wiring has always been fairly simple wiring. Never anything even remotely as intense as this. It's definitely a mind bender.

I'm starting to understand how they work and what's going on with the super switch. I'm trying to understand what you did so I can actually grasp the concept. I figure if I draw a diagram it'll help me understand what's going on. Did you see any errors in my drawing?

What has always been hard for me to grasp is how a tone circuit works. The way they're wired doesn't make sense at first glance. I think I'm finally understanding the concept.

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Potentiometers_x/CTS-250K-DPDT-Push-Pull-Potentiometer

These are pretty good. I like them because they take up less depth than other types. They're not quite as intuitive but still easy to figure out. This particular type is more accurate than the standard +-10% pot.
I've recently decided to use CTS 250K pots for tone and Bourns 500K pots for volume on my SC guitars. I figure this way I can run my tone knobs @ 50% and have room to move either way. The middle pickup doesn't seem to need a tone circuit for what I do.

I've been using 'Bourns' pots for volume because they turn extremely easy. I don't like a volume pot that I have to fight with to get it to move... especially when doing fast volume swells.

If you have any other suggestions or input I'm all ears.

I appreciate all your help Vinnie. Thanks.
Click to expand...

That’s what I do with pots, 500k volume 250k tone on single coils.

All my single coil guitars have series parallel and ( except my Tele which is 500k all round to get maximum brightness from the neck pickup) it’s a way to get balance to keep the harsh highs under control but retain brightness when in series.

But.... one of my guitars has 500k pots all round, when in parallel mode there’s a 500k resistor across the tone pot ( on the series parallel push pull) and it acts like a 250k tone pot. In series the resistor is out of circuit so it’s 500k - this won’t work on the schema I’ve shared with you as positions 2 and 4 in series mode are partial out of phase (via 0.047 uF cap). This guitar has incredible combinations including all 3 in parallel but it’s not a good gigging guitar as there are too many selections! They are logically laid out though.




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Re: wiring advice requested

vinnie1971 said:
Its really important to understand how components work on their own and in a circuit and the super switch is tricky the first time.

I don’t use diagrams any more, but I do draw them for other people. But it’s best to understand what’s going on because if you make a mistake and you are just following a diagram it’s really hard troubleshooting ( I’ve been there so I know)

By the way what are those push pulls on the diagram? I haven’t used that type before.


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Click to expand...

BTW I’m not familiar with your switch but your diagram looks correct


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Re: wiring advice requested

When you said "partially out of phase, did that apply to the way I set up the tone in the diagram above? I don't think I understand completely.
 
Re: wiring advice requested

Herby said:
When you said "partially out of phase, did that apply to the way I set up the tone in the diagram above? I don't think I understand completely.
Click to expand...

No it’s something I’ve got wired in a strat that has every possible selection you can think of.


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Re: wiring advice requested

Herby said:
Getting a feel for the wiring scheme. Putting everything into context with the layout while I'm waiting on parts. Flipped pickups to make drawing easier. Making sure I have everything correctly routed... I think I've interpreted Vinnie's diagram correctly. The super switch is confusing but I'll get the hang of it.
Click to expand...

What did you use to draw the diagram- that is awesome? That would make my life so much easier next time a draw one!


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Re: wiring advice requested

I used Photoshop. I like to model and it's what I use to skin them. I made layers of all the different parts. Then I used an embossing filter for some parts so they would look 3D. That's the only way I could get wires to cross without bleeding them together. Parts like pickups, caps, pots, shielding, pick guard were copied and sized from pics off the web. The super switch was drawn from scratch.

It was actually enjoyable making it and it also helps me visualize and retain better... looks like I forgot to draw the ring wire...
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

Well. Everything is wired up and triple checked. Followed the diagram to the letter. Nothing is working the way it's supposed to. What a mess. I shouldn't have tried to do something this complicated.
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

all switches down
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) B, N
4) B, M, N
5) N

series switch up. B/N switch down
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output

series switch down. B/N switch up
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) M
4) B, M, N
5) N

all switches up
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output
 
Re: wiring advice requested

Herby said:
all switches down
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) B, N
4) B, M, N
5) N

series switch up. B/N switch down
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output

series switch down. B/N switch up
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) M
4) B, M, N
5) N

all switches up
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output
Click to expand...

Oh no!!!
I’ve actually just put it in my strat with used components- its working but only just - my superswitch is a little warped and it needs wiggling in position 2, but I did use regular push pulls. I’m afraid I do not understand the switches you have there.

Have you got a multi meter? The first time I tried anything fancy I got similar results.

I’ll try and check your diagram against mine - do you have a diagram or can you point me where I can lookup the switches that you have used?


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wiring advice requested

From what you’ve described it’s definitely the push pull for series parallel that’s not wired up quite right....

This is what should happen:
When series parallel switch is down, the ground leads from neck and bridge are connected to ground and the hot lead for middle pickup is connected to hot when the pickup selector is in position 3 and the N+B/M selector is down.

When the push pull for Series parallel is up, then the hot lead to the middle pickup is disconnected from hot - the ground leads from the bridge and neck are now connected to the hot lead to the middle pickup in positions 2 and 4, but in positions 1, 3 and 5, the group leads from bridge and middle connect to ground.

I think this switch is possibly wired up incorrectly- test on a multi meter that the connections are being made like this.

If you have close up photos and wiring colour codes, I can look at it for you. But I’ll need to understand your switches




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wiring advice requested

Herby said:
all switches down
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) B, N
4) B, M, N
5) N

series switch up. B/N switch down
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output

series switch down. B/N switch up
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) M
4) B, M, N
5) N

all switches up
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output
Click to expand...

Hi Herby

I think I’ve cracked your problem. It’s quite hard to follow your diagram on the switches as I’m using my phone. Plus I’ve read up on the switches - they are new to me but this is how I think they should have been drawn

The series parallel switch is at the top. The switches are shown in the down position indicating the connections that should be made. I’ve left tone function off.

8e4b10d62ce191eb42ab64e33af0bc7d.jpg


Make sure you get the multi meter out and check all the connections are good before assembling. I do this and check everything - first the jack then each connection. Check for continuity and DCR is as expected for single pickup, 2 in parallel and 2 in series st the jack.
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

Yup. Your drawing is different than mine. I think I see my mistakes. I was looking at your switches up-side-down and transposing the connections to my switches right-side-up. It looks like all I have to do is swap a few wires on the two push/pull switches and I should be good to go. I'll post when I get it rewired and let you know how it went. Thanks Vinnie

[edit]
I see a difference in the old drawing and the new one in the 5 way. Electrically they look the same to me...
Old one

New one

There's one more discrepancy. The upper left (3) post (wire to switch) was moved to upper right (3) post. I don't think it matters but I thought I better check with you.
Old one

New one
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

Rewired following your diagram. This is what I get.
Don't know if it makes a difference but I'm using an Oak Grigsby Super Switch

all switches down
1) no output
2) B, M, N
3) no output
4) B, M, N
5) no output

series switch up. B/N switch down
1) no output
2) B, M
3) no output
4) M, N
5) no output

series switch down. B/N switch up
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) M
4) B, M, N
5) N

all switches up
1) B
2) B, M, N
3) B, N
4) B, M, N
5) N
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

I think I'm gonna give up and go back to stock. I can't seem to get it right.
 
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Re: wiring advice requested

Herby said:
I think I'm gonna give up and go back to stock. I can't seem to get it right.
Click to expand...

You could try the other less complex version. This also works pretty well and it’s easier to wire up.

0e564bd5aedac99a4bee8bc8c23bd709.jpg



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