Wiring question. 3-way coil spilt, series/parallel, and out of phase

[DolfoMan]

So I'm new to wiring and I'm in the process of refurbishing a cheaper guitar into something nice. I'm at the wiring portion of my project and I have a ton of questions that I can't seem to find a clear answer to yet....so here they are:

1) This guitar has a humbucker in the bridge, and a mini humbucker in the neck. I want to wire it to have a 3 way coil tap on each humbucker (south pole, both, north pole) because I'm using hybrid humbuckers with coils wrapped differently. I also want to wire it to be played out of phase, and series/parallel on each coil.

2) My idea to accomplish this is use 2 3-way toggle switches for the coil tap. Push-pull pots to control series/parallel on each humbucker (I will have 2 tones), and the master volume push/pull pot to control the phase.

3) my biggest questions are
- in what order do I run all the wiring from the humbucker (which control comes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, in line)
- How do I wire all of this? Most of the wiring diagrams don't seem to have enough wiring coming from one control to another (that my just be my ignorance)
- which 3 way switch do I need? (on/on/on or on/off/on) I've seen different things said about that online

 

[Quiiiinten]

Re: Wiring question. 3-way coil spilt, series/parallel, and out of phase

First, you would run the wires through 1, so the coil split (not tab). This you give you position 1: North, 2: both, 3: south. From here on, I would make the connection between this position 2 and the second stage: par/ser.

No important to note is that north and south poles usually don't sound very different. In other words, I would use pos 1: N or S, whatever, pos 2: series, pos 3: par. The results are almost identical, but you wouldn't have to worry about those push/pull pots.

Now, I don't what it is exactly you want to put in phase? The two humbucker coils with each other, or the two humbuckers with each other? Not a big expert on phase switching, but If I recall correctly, the two coils out of phase wouldn't be great, so I'd recommend the two pickups out of phase. In that case, all you have to do is run one set of pickup wires through the phase switch on you master vol, before getting to the plit/ser switch.

Recap:
One pup to the phase
Both pups to their ser/split switch
(If you still want this) the the ser/par
And the pots how you like them.

 

[Quiiiinten]

Re: Wiring question. 3-way coil spilt, series/parallel, and out of phase

Here is your phase wiring
https://www.premierguitar.com/artic...adding-an-out-of-phase-switch-to-a-telecaster

And here is the wiring for par/ser/split
https://guitarelectronics.com/2-humbuckers-3-way-toggle-switch-1-volume-series-split-parallel/

Now most humbuckers have symmetrical coils, so little difference between north and south coil. Parallel sound a bit like a 2 or 4 pos on a strat. It's not quite single coil, but close and has the benefit of being humcancelling, in contrast to the single coil.

Another alternative, although I dont have experience with this, is the use of resistors between the coils in a split. So instead of going from 2 to 1 coil, you get something like 1,5. If you do this instead of par you would get pos1: ser --> 2 coils, pos 2: resistor --> 1,5 coils, pos 3: single --> 1 coil.

 

[Quiiiinten]

Re: Wiring question. 3-way coil spilt, series/parallel, and out of phase

Try one of these instead of par (the second single coil)
https://www.guitarplayer.com/technique/get-smart-fun-with-humbuckers

And let us know if there's anything else or if you messed up
Good luck!

 

[Quiiiinten]

Re: Wiring question. 3-way coil spilt, series/parallel, and out of phase

Now, I don't know what you have/ are looking for with your pots, but you seen like the experimental type, so here is some more stuff. Mod 1, one master vol, two tones, but one tone is treble, the other bass cut. Mod 3, use a varitone.
https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/21112-three-must-try-guitar-wiring-mods?page=1

And regarding the "how to wire" question, I'd go to Seymour Duncan and get the basic diagram for two hums and x volumes and y tones. Then use the links and other diagrams to implement the mods you are going to do. Say, the phase switch, is rather simple, so you can draw it for yourself within the basic diagram. When you're done, post your diagram here so the experts can check it. This way you will learn more from it. Besides, I've done quite some work for you so far, all you need to do is draw now
Again, good luck!

 

[DolfoMan]

Re: Wiring question. 3-way coil spilt, series/parallel, and out of phase

Thanks for the reply's all. I know it's a tricky one....and I'm new to the whole wiring thing so I know I'm jumping into the deep end. First draft done....neck pick up works, but no sound from the bridge.....Trouble shooting day tomorrow...