SSS 'everything' v2.0 (S&P with Blade Switch)

[michaelcbell]

(EDIT: moved to Schematics on May 27th, by sumgai)

About a month ago, I set out on a quest for something intuitive and easy to use, quick switching, yet ultimately flexible in terms of tones and combinations for my Korean Squire SSS Strat, since it was become quickly obvious that my dreams of a new HSH custom guitar were far-fetched at best (at least for a few years). I tried one layout, and posted in the E&W section, but i really was very unhappy with it, so I gave up on that design and tried anew. Whether I fulfilled my goals this time I'll leave up to the whims of the gods, but I'm pretty happy with it (of course, I thought that last time...)

Down to the nitty gritty:

Switches:
SW 1 is a 5-way super switch which gives the following pickup combinations
1 - N & M
2 - Single Coil
3 - N & M & B
4 - N & B
5 - M & B

I have found that I use the NM and MB combinations much more often than the single coil sounds, so I moved those combinations to the ends of the switch to make them easier to find.

SW 2 is a 4PDT which selects whether the combinations given by SW 1 are in series or parallel.

SW 3 is a SP3T that selects which single coil is on when SW 1 is in position 2.

SW 4 phases the neck pickup.

Let's start with a schematic:



I'va also included a little tone variation that was developed by JohnH in E&W, giving variable tone (It will fade from a .022uf sound to a .069uf sound, but how I'm not sure. I'm building it now, and I'll let you know what happens)

This mod is quite similar tonally to JohnH's ToneMonster2, but I wanted to do it with a blade switch (somehow I can't give mine up, plus I play a few songs that demand the quick switch) and I didn't include the blender because I'd end up chopping off a hand...or...something.

Thanks to all who comment, and special thanks to all you out there who have helped with the peices to put this one together. Pictures will be forthcoming.

P.S. I know I've got my cap symbols backwards - sorry about that.

P.P.S I originally posted this in schematics, but decided it might be better to discuss here.


So, it's finally done.

This mod's life in pictures:

Control and pickup cavity before:


and after:

I originally bought some shielding from guitarelectronics.com, but that proved to have non-conductive adhesive, plus there wasn't nearly enough, so I bought a roll from StewMac and basically re-did the job.

back of the pickguard before:


and after:


note that in these pics, the controls are unconnected to the jack.

The controls from the front:

The volume is a p/p for phase, the slider selects the single coil, and the toggle is the series/parallel switch.


Conclusion:
This mod is made me feel quite a bit like I did when I first got my PODxt Pro; it's awesome, but it's sheer versatility is a bit overwhelming at first; I was a little lost. I've played it a couple of days now, and I'm getting used to everything, but my pod took me a month to really become as useful as I'd like, and I can say it's probably the same for this design. Just to clarify, I'm very happy with it.

I'm not as happy with the tone concept, and I'm performing a mod right now to re-vamp it a 'bit', with log pots (at least in this configuration, all my tone play is from 0-4 with a linear pot), and I'm using the extra pole on the super switch to do tone pot selection; the first tone knob will be on in pos 1-4, and the lower tone will be active in pos 5 (my favorite combination in the stock wiring). I'm also re-installing my old .033 cap on the lower tone knob, and adding a SPDT on/off/on to select between .022 and .047 for the upper tone, which also gives me a very nice no-load option. Unfortunately, I busted the on/off/on I had when installing it and got back to Radio Shack ten minutes after closing. Oh well, tomorrow at 10:00am is another day.



Sheilding note:
I LOVED the copper tape I got from stewmac, but I must warn those who use it to be careful while handling: it bites (very much not figuratively, but absolutely literally):

[ccoleman]

Awesome idea for the Variable Tone Cap knob.

I would also follow JohnH's suggestion to scrape off the end of the track inside the tone pot to get a "tone off" setting.

For when you want ALL those ringing harmonics get out to your amp..

[JohnH]

Looks like a good scheme. Would SW2, 3, 4 all be similar looking mini-toggles? - I would expect so. In which case SW3 is not usually available as an SP3T switch. But you can make one by appropriately wiring up both sides of a DPDT on-on-on. I think Wolf first figured it out here, and I'm sure you will too if thats what you have in mind.

John

[michaelcbell]

I actually designed this system for three different types of switches. I thought it would be easier to remember which was which that way. SW2 is a toggle, to be mounted between the vol pot and the 5-way, SW3 is actually a jazzmaster-type 3-way slide switch, to be installed just above the 5-way (this one is tight), and SW4 is a push/pull on the volume knob. I've even thought about putting a 2nd push/pull on the top tone for mid phase, but we'll see about that later. I'm actually done with this mod, but I've yet to get the pics off my camera, and so will hold off on a full-fledged review until later (plus, that'll give me more time to play with this and see what the strengths and weaknesses are)

m

[michaelcbell]

I've updated the post with pics of the build!

[sumgai]

Michael,

Two things......

No, make that three things........


First and most important, congrats on a very nice, clean job!

Next, being the Side Slapping Sonuvagun that I am, I'd substitute a Tele-style 3 way blade switch for that slider, and mount it parallel to the 5-way. Also, bear in mind that if one can find a Fender S-1, ala the StratAmDlx of recent vintage, one will have a push-push 4PDT ready to hand. To my mind, this is de rigeur operating procedure, it wins hands-down over push-pull every time.

The other thing is, with your statement of "I have found that I use the NM and MB combinations much more often......", I'd assume that you'd phase-switch the Middle pup instead of the either end one. Although B*Np is very useful for some things, I admit.

Again, way cool job, and +1 for the excellent ideas.


sumgai

p.s. Next time you do a copper job like that, try wearing some of those cheapie "examination" gloves they sell at Costco. That's how I avoid probably 70-80% of most "accidents" of this nature.

[JohnH]

Its great, and I think it should go back in the Schematics section, for future reference.

cheers
John

[michaelcbell]

Thanks guys,

Should I re-post or do you (sumgai) want to move this whole thread?

[setain]

Suggestion: Since it looks like the slider you're using is DP3T (it might not be), why not wire it so that the push-pull pot phases which ever pup is selected on it? It would be much more versatile than just phasing the neck pup.

[sumgai]

michael,

What's your response to setain's suggestion?

I'll move the whole thread to Schematics when two days have passed with nothing more than the well-deserved back-slapping. ;D


sumgai

[michaelcbell]

Suggestion: Since it looks like the slider you're using is DP3T (it might not be), why not wire it so that the push-pull pot phases which ever pup is selected on it? It would be much more versatile than just phasing the neck pup.

setain, I like the concept of your suggestion, but I'm not sure of the implementation. Two problems I see:
1. The slider I use is officially a DP3T, but really it connects lugs 1&2, then 2&3, then 3&4, so I had to use both sides to make it work as the schematic requires, redering it a SP3T, leaving no room for phase alterations.
2. Even if #1 were untrue, I'm not sure how it would work out to select which pup was phased without also selecting which pup is on. If you have a drawing, I'd love to take a look.

-m

[setain]

...... I really need to start thinking before I speak....

I suppose the only thing I can think of would be to place resistors so that which ever lead is selected will not run to the ground. I don't have a drawing, but I could put one together if you would like.

[michaelcbell]

definitely!

[setain]

I apologize for the late reply. I've been rather busy.

I also apologize for speaking before I thought about the problem. I was wrong, my setup would not work at all, and would probably kill output completely. I think this thread should be moved to the Schematics forum now.

[michaelcbell]

There's no need to apologize - I think the idea is a great one, if a little more difficult than you had first envisioned. If you've been hanging around here a bit, you've probably noticed I have a thing for obscure (like 8P5T) switches, which comes from wanting to do more than "normal" switches can usually allow. It's something I struggle with since I actually want people (me) to be able to build the stuff I design. From what I see (off the top of my head), your concept can be done, but it might require up to a 12P3T, which probably makes it easier to just put another push\pull in to phase the mid Happy hunting.