Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

[DazH]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

Problem with that one is, afaik. it basically relies on the middle pickup & then uses the 5-way to process whichever one is to be split.

What you need to do is wire up your vintage rails in series/parallel (it's meant to be parallel [more single coil like]) and then use a single push pull to split the other two.

Sadly that means undoing quite a bit of the work you have currently done. Unless artie has any suggestions.

Edit:

here's a coil splitting diagram CLICK If you follow the top one::

basically just add the other split pickups red+white wire to the opposite point (horizontally opposite) & the rest wired as standard (black to corresponding switch point & green+bare to ground)

Editx2: your vintage rails wired in parallel would then be red+black to 5-way-switch - the rest as normal. Click for schematic

 

[Artie]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

What I may do, after I get caught up on everything else, is make a custom diagram that covers all this. (I think I already have one somewhere.)

For a quick-'n-dirty fix, just remove that black and green wire that go to the push-pull, from the middle pickup. Make sure those two ends are soldered together and insulated. That will leave the VR full-on all the time.

The "normal" way to wire that then, (but you don't need to do it now), is to run the red/white pair of the neck to where the green/black of the middle is now, and run the red/white pair of the bridge to the terminal thats right beside it. Where the black wire, coming from the 5-way is now. So . . . you'll have the red/white/neck on one side of that switch, and the red/white/bridge on the other. Doesn't matter which side.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

Artie's got you covered on diagrams, but let me suggest that you put the VR in the neck in Parallel to get some of those classic Strat tones. The CR in the middle should get the Zep type humbucker tones, and you obviously know what the HR can do in the bridge.

 

[DazH]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

I'm pretty sure this is what you want & is correct mate. but you might want to wait for artie's confirmation.

Failing that, try his previous suggestion.

 

[Artie]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

. . . but you might want to wait for artie's confirmation.

That is correct . . . just don't call me Bishop Artie.

BTW - for those with old-eyes, thats the green and white wire going to ground. (On the Vintage Rails.)

 

[DazH]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

hehe, aye. white is not an ideal background colour

Bugsy, how do your cool/hot rails sound in split mode? do you have any audio samples? have you tried either in parallel also?

 

[King Bugsy]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

Bishop Artie - Thanks for the blessing on that diagram and your all seeing eye!

DazH- Thanks for posting that diagram... Greatly appreciated!

I have two strats, the first one has hr,vr,cr... those pickups were installed 10 years ago by a tech. He also put in a switch that would allow me to split either the neck or the bridge at one time. I recently picked up an awesome mid 90's mexican strat that came with a hot rails preinstalled in the bridge, and I've installed a cool and vintage rails... with the problem described in this post.

Anyway, I just really love these rail pick ups! And I think the hot rails and cool rails sound great in split mode. Definately more of the traditional strat sound. For me being able to go from heavy distorted humbucking tones, to more of an SRV/Hendrix tone is important for the style I play.

I don't have a soundclip of the pickups in different modes... but if you give me a day, I will make some and post the link here. This is in appreciation for your help with the diagram.

Will check back soon- King Bugsy

 

[DazH]

Re: Wiring differences (vintage rails <> hot/cool)

Thanks mate, that would be really helpful. My strat is still half-wired at the mo & trying to decide wether parallel or split will suit playing hendrix on each pickup is hard to tell without technically knowing the outcome.