Wiring question: mixing Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan

[NutsInFreddy]

I installed an Area '58 in the neck, an Area '67 in the middle and a Hot Rails in the Bridge of my MIM Strat.

The short version of this post is, are Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan humbuckers usually out of phase to each other?

Now for the long version:

I used the auto split wiring diagram http://www.seymourduncan.com/pdfs/support/schematics/1h_2s_1v_2t_5w_as.pdf thinking I would have two single coils that would give me noise cancelling. Since the Area '67 is actually a humbucker, the auto split will introduce hum won't it unless I split the coils of the middle pickup too with a push/pull pot? For now, I think I should use the 3 lil humbuckers diagram instead. http://www.seymourduncan.com/pdfs/support/schematics/3lil_hum_1v_2t_5w.pdf

When I tested it, I found the middle+bridge position sounded out of phase so I swapped the connections of the black and green wires from the Hot Rails. Does that make sense? Are Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan humbuckers usually out of phase to each other?

After the black and green wire swap, it seemed like everything was ok except I have quite a bit of hum when not touching something metal on the guitar like the strings, bridge or output jack. After reading many posts it looks like it could be due to poor shielding, poor soldering technique or something I'll just have to live with. The weird thing is that in the middle+bridge position, I tapped both rails and it seems like both are on but with less output.

I think I'll start over with a simpler wiring diagram (ie. no splitting) and try to ensure I have good connectivity.

Thanks!

 

[NutsInFreddy]

Re: Wiring question: mixing Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan

Has anyone here had experience or issues with combining Dimarzio Area pickups and Seymour Duncans humbuckers?

Regardless of brand, if the bridge hb is out of phase with the middle hb and I want to auto split it, is the hot output and ground wires the only change I need?

 

[DMyers77]

Re: Wiring question: mixing Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan

Yes, Duncans and DiMarzios are usually out of phase with each other.

I have 2 Virtual Vintage Blues in my Charvel, mixed with a Duncan Custom in the bridge. I had to reverse the green and black wires on my Duncan just like you did. I didn't try any coil taps though, and the #2 position (bridge and middle) still sounds pretty good.

I would suggest using the 3 lil humbucker diagram and double-checking all of your solder connections.

It's not unusual for a guitar to hum when you let go of the strings, as your body is acting as a ground (that's why the bridge is grounded to the back of the volume pot.) Some guitars hum more than others, and you may not have noticed it before with the original single coils humming.