YJM Single Coil with Two Black Winter Humbuckers in an Ibanez RG4EXQM1?

[Frostnettenes]

I just bought an Ibanez RG4EXQM1, and have a new set of Black Winters, plus a new YJM STK-10 single coil that I've been attempting to install into it. The stock INF 3, 3s and 4 that came in it are okay, but not exactly what I'm looking for. I have a Schecter PT Blackjack with Duncan JB in the bridge and '59 in the neck, which sounds perfect. Granted, it is a totally different guitar (mahogany body and Tune-o-matic bridge, for starters), so I'm not expecting the same tone from the cheapo Ibanez. The wiring on the YJM has me perplexed- it's a 4-wire (5, including bare)... does it wire up like a humbucker? Just a quick add: I play through an ENGL Powerball V1 and a custom waaay oversized 4x12 with Eminence Legends. I love everything about the tone I have with the Schecter- absolutely zero complaints. 99% of the stuff I play through it is hi-gain (I use a rackmount unit for clean and "friendly" stuff), fairly similar to Timo Rautiainen and Trio Niskalaukaus. I hope it's okay to post a link to a clip of theirs, for a sound reference. https://youtu.be/ME3c9F5ullg Can anyone help me with the wiring of it? I keep running into all kinds of problems.... I think it's a wiring cross-up. Thanks!!

 

[Frostnettenes]

Re: YJM Single Coil with Two Black Winter Humbuckers in an Ibanez RG4EXQM1?

I tried the YouTube link on my phone and it didn't work, so for anyone who has even the slightest interest in the tone I was talking about, look up "Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus Kylmä Tila". That song best describes the tone I have with the Schecter, and would like to have as close as feasible with the Ibanez. Thanks.

 

[Swyse]

Re: YJM Single Coil with Two Black Winter Humbuckers in an Ibanez RG4EXQM1?

The YJM is a humbucker, in that it cancels hum. I would wire it as if it were a humbucker, with black to hot on the switch, red and white together, and green and bare to ground.

Assuming you are using a YM-50 or similar style switch, this diagram should work, let us know if you need more help.

 

[Frostnettenes]

Re: YJM Single Coil with Two Black Winter Humbuckers in an Ibanez RG4EXQM1?

Thanks very much! I'll try to work on it tomorrow, and will let you know how it turns out.

 

[Frostnettenes]

Re: YJM Single Coil with Two Black Winter Humbuckers in an Ibanez RG4EXQM1?

Well, I got the first problem solved- the volume pot was bad. There's another problem now, though. The tone pot doesn't work, and I tested the resistance before I installed it. I'll do some more to it today, and luckily I have an extra pot if the one in the guitar turns out to be shot, too. Is it possible I overheated them when soldering? Could I have overheated the resistor, causing it? I have some spares, because nothing I ever do turns out right the first time!

 

[Frostnettenes]

Re: YJM Single Coil with Two Black Winter Humbuckers in an Ibanez RG4EXQM1?

So.... I completely rewired the guitar again yesterday, and changed the cap on the tone pot. The 5-way switch works, the volume works, and the tone works- AS A VOLUME. I now basically have two volume pots, HORRIBLE tone, and I can't tell what I possibly could have did wrong. It's wired exactly as the diagram Swyse posted, other than I think both pots are log (Duncan JYM pots, neither are NO-LOAD). Both pots checked out with the voltmeter (at least I think so), and I am just about fed up. It's getting put up after today, if I don't get it going. I've already spent a dozen hours on it, and I don't have a dozen more of hours of patience to waste on it. Help!