wiring push/pulls for switching

[rocketsoul]

Hey guys. I was wondering if anyone could help me decide how to wire my guitar (and at some point, tell me how to do it. heh.)

its an HSS with a lil'59 in the neck and a JB in the bridge position. I was thinking about wiring it so that one switch split each of those pickups.

any suggestions?

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

There's a couple interesting things you can do with two pp's. The "traditional" thing would be, as you suggest, to use one to split the JB, and one to split the Lil 59. I've heard some folks comment, however, that the SC-sized 'buckers weren't that great split. But here's a couple other options:

1. Use one push/pull to split both. The other to select inside or outside coils.

The following all use one push/pull to split the JB, then use the other to . . .

2. Bring in the bridge, at any time, so you can have all three pups on at once.
3. Go instantly to the neck and bridge pups together, (bypassing the 5-way). Which is a combo you don't normally get with a Strat.
4. Select either coil of the JB. The inside and outside coils of a bridge 'bucker definitely sound different. (Due to their distance from the bridge.)

Thats a couple different ideas.

I can show you how to wire up any of those. Its all pretty simple.
Artie

 

[rocketsoul]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

Sorry it's taken so long to reply, school and all...

All those options sound really sweet, but is there any relatively easy way to try all of them, besides wiring each one up? I kinda want to try them, but I'm no expert yet and I want to minimize the chances that I'll horribly scar something beyond repair.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is it possible to try those different configurations without having to flip open the pickguard everytime?

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

Once again, there's a couple different ways to do this.

The easiest way, which won't be the slickest, would be to mount all the pups, solder two wires on to the output jack, (if they aren't long enough already), but don't mount any of the volume or tone controls. Just bring all the wires out through the volume control hole thats closest to the pups, and one at a time, try each combo, by twisting the appropriate wires together. You'll probably want to solder, or connect, a 250k resistor, along with a 250k and cap, across the output jack, to simulate a volume and tone control. (I'll post a diagram if you want, showing how.)

The more elegant solution, and one thats reusable on multiple guitars, is to build what we call a "break-out box". This is just a volume and tone control, and a selection of switches, with a terminal block, so that you can make a temporary connection, and flip switches, to try everything out.

That one requires a few switches and pots, but it is reusable.
Once again, I can show you how to make one, if you like.

Let me know.

 

[rocketsoul]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

The first option looks like a winner. I've got spring break coming up, I think I'll try that then. Thanks so much!

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

Cool . . . you may want to do the resistor thing, like this, to simulate a volume and tone control on "10":

Just use resistor and cap of the same size as what your pot would be. For example 250k for the single resistor, and maybe, 250k and .047uf for the cap and resistor.

 

[rocketsoul]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

just for the hell of it, could you please tell me how to make a "break-out box"? sounds like a useful thing to have around.

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

I'll try to post a diagram a bit later showing all the details, but basically, its just a few resistors, a cap or two, and some switches, built in to one of those Radio Shack project boxes, with wires coming out with alligator clips, so you can try different pup combinations before soldering.

Like I said, I'll post a nice diagram a little later. Probably tomorrow.

 

[rocketsoul]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

also, ive decided to just use one push-pull to throw the bridge on whenever i want to. could you please show me how to do that? thanks a gajillion for all your help.

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

Do you want the bridge to be controlled only by the push/pull, or do you want it to still got to the 5-way, as normal?

(In other words, both switching sytems.)

 

[rocketsoul]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

both. i think. wait, yes. both. yes.

 

[rocketsoul]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

Thank you so much Artie for your help, but I finished it! I found a diagram on guitarnuts.com on how to use a switch to turn a pickup on and just used that. My guitar is now able to use all 3 pickups simultaneously and the selector switch is wired the normal way this time!

I'm still interested in that break out box though, if youre still willing to show an eager and grateful high school student the ways to wisdom and friggen kickass tone.

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring push/pulls for switching

Thank you so much Artie for your help, but I finished it! I found a diagram on guitarnuts.com on how to use a switch to turn a pickup on and just used that. My guitar is now able to use all 3 pickups simultaneously and the selector switch is wired the normal way this time!

I'm still interested in that break out box though, if youre still willing to show an eager and grateful high school student the ways to wisdom and friggen kickass tone.

You're welcome. What I'll probably do, is draw up several options, then post them to my webpage and provide a link. Trouble is, I've gotten so far behind on "projects", I hope it won't be too long. :blackeye: