wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

M

madstrummer

New member
I currently have a mini switch for the pickups wired in series BUT when the switch is engaged I have a problem in how the switch reacts to the 3 way switch. For example, when I flick the switch to series mode, I lose sound on the bridge at the 3 way. I then get the series sound on the middle and neck positions of the three way.
I think I have this wired up all wrong and am looking for a better solution.
What is the best way to wire up a switch for series???
 
Last edited:
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

Yup . . . if you have the pickups in series, you only have the neck hot wire. There's a simple solution to this if you're using a DPDT switch. Give me a sec, and I'll find the diagram. ;)

Artie
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

Ok, the switch should be wired like this:

series_parallel.png


It just makes the 3-way not do anything, but at least, there's no "dead" spots.

Artie
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

btw - Is this an LP-style switch? If it isn't, I think I found a better way to do this.

Artie
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

This is the basic idea using a Fender 3-way. It can also be done using an "Alco-style" 3-way, but unfortunately, it can't be done using an LP-style 3-way.

This gives you a choice of series/parallel in the middle, while the neck and bridge only positions function as normal.

series-parallel_Fender_3-way.png
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

I just found a real simple drawing I made a long time ago for series that works with an LP 3-way. What kind of pups are you putting in series, and what kind of guitar is it? I'll make the drawing match your exact situation. ;)

Artie
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

ArtieToo said:
Ok, the switch should be wired like this:

series_parallel.png


It just makes the 3-way not do anything, but at least, there's no "dead" spots.

Artie
Click to expand...

Wow!, totally awesome info. Exactly what I was looking for. I was looking to eliminate the dead spot and you figured it out.
I owe you a beer,

Strummer
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

ArtieToo said:
I just found a real simple drawing I made a long time ago for series that works with an LP 3-way. What kind of pups are you putting in series, and what kind of guitar is it? I'll make the drawing match your exact situation. ;)

Artie
Click to expand...

Yeah its a simple les paul 3-way in a custom guitar. 2 humbucker, 1 tone and 1 vol.
The pups are aph 1 and pearly gates bridge. So far they sound great in series with distortion, but there was the problem of drawing dead on the bridge, should I simply want to go from bridge to series. But now I have the diagram.
Thanks again :smokin:
 
Re: wiring diagram needed for two humbuckers in series

have you thought about using a 4 way switch instead? wiring it up so it selects bridge, neck, both (series) or both (parallel)

then you could use the miniswitch for a coil tap maybe?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top