in your expert opinion.. (series switch)

[jeremyo83]

I've found an interesting strat mod that I'm interested in trying, but I'm not quite sure how it (if it) quite works. Can someone please take a look at this diagram and explain to me how the series switch in this diagram actually puts the bridge and neck pups in series? I'm afraid my wiring skills, though improving, don't quite get this one.

www.guitar-mod.com/wiring/andy_ultimate.gif

thanks!

[UnklMickey]

jeremyo83 said:

I've found an interesting strat mod that I'm interested in trying, but I'm not quite sure how it (if it) quite works....

hi jeremyo83,

if you're up for it, try making 2 copies of that diagram.

in one, remove the series switch, and connect each of the wires on the center ROW of contacts to the corresponding contacts below them.

then erase the wires from the upper contacts to get rid of the clutter.

.......................................................................................

on the second one,remove the series switch, and make the connections from each contact in middle row to the corresponding contact in the upper row.

then erase the wires from the lower contacts to get rid of the clutter.

.............................................................................................

now, you should have the ability to follow the wiring in each mode, with less clutter.

then, post the drawings and explain what you understand, and what is still un-answered.


sound like a plan?



unk

[jeremyo83]

sounds good to me.. i'll keep you posted on how i do.

[jeremyo83]

Okay, because I'm at work, I'm not actually able to redraw/post the diagrams I've worked on. I've done them on paper.. but here it is as far as I understand it..

When the switch is in the down position (lower lugs), it's pretty self explainatory, as the throws connect to where they would normally without the switch (so this is the off position).

Where I was confused was the on position (upper lugs). It seemed to me that only the bridge pickup would be connected, rather than bridge and neck in series, in which case the diagram would be wrong. However.. I am assumed that I was wrong in my initial assessment because I don't think Andrew Rothstein would post an incorrect diagram. So, upon re-evaluation, this is what I think is happening: N+, B+, and B- are all connected to the middle lugs (common), and as stated before, in the on position, only the bridge connection is thrown to the pup selector. What I think I missed before (if I'm correct this time around), is because N+ and B- are connected to the common lugs, the N+ current flows naturally in the B- current, actually making the B+ current NB* (neck & bridge in series.. is that NB*?)

Might have been easier to explain in a diagram, but I'm limited at work.

So, how did I do?

[UnklMickey]

the first bit is spot-on, but the rest isn't quite right. i think it will become clearer when you re-draw it.


just wait 'til you have the time to edit the drawing.


unk

[jeremyo83]

alright... let me start this post by saying i feel like a complete idiot. I never realized that N+ was actually connected to the first upper lug. I thought that it was only connected to the center lug, and the drawning just went over the first lug for some reason. Of course, if this was the case, it wouldn't connect the two pups in series as desired.

Now as I see that N+ actually connects to the first lug, it makes sense to me that N+ connects to B- at that first lug, and the current follows B- through the bridge pup, and the signal of the two pups in series is sent through B+ to the pup selector and out.

This makes much more sense, and I suppose in this case it was my powers of observation, rather than deduction, that were suffering.. and in a way that makes me feel a *little* bit better.

Thanks for all your help.
oh, and please tell me if I have still got it wrong.

here is the diagram i was able to do after all..
i95.photobucket.com/albums/l142/jeremyo83/rewire1.jpg

[UnklMickey]

jeremyo83 said:

alright... let me start this post by saying i feel like a complete idiot....

yeah, those 'duh' moments are a bit hard to take, but we all have them from time to time.

i had to look twice at the drawing before the connection at the upper left lug was obvious.

the way he draws his corners, kind of makes you assume it was just a change in direction.

i've been fooled by stuff like that before, but now, not for long.

the next ambiguous thing like that will have a much harder time slipping by you, too.

so ya got that goin for ya now.




so now that you see the series connection,

you should make note of the fact that the B+ connection is also moved from it's normal position to the output of the selector.

series in this case doesn't just mean if something is selected, it will be in series.

in this case series means N * B (series) are on.

and if the middle is selected, it will be in parallel with that series combination.


unk

[jeremyo83]

Rothstein does note that the series switch moves B+ to the common lug on the pup selector, so I was aware of that (and could even see that one myself too )

Your method of removing the switch and unapplicable wiring is a great suggestion, and something I'll likely be doing lots of in the future. In case you missed it, I did update my previous post to include a link to my redraw of the diagram. (here it is again)

i95.photobucket.com/albums/l142/jeremyo83/rewire1.jpg

thanks for all your help again, this is the second time you've done it. +1 for you, sir.

[UnklMickey]

you're welcome.

i'm glad to see you not only have a fish, but have also learned how to fish.

so, right back at ya!


unk