Post by Yogi B on Dec 22, 2014 20:22:48 GMT -5
Okay so this is the layout I recently mentioned, and have been working on for some time. This originated from the idea of combining the versatile yet intuitive Red Special style switching system and combine it with the ability to pre-set two distinct tones and volume levels as found with a standard Les Paul type system, as well as keeping the whole thing hum cancelling.
Firstly, each humbucker has a 4PDT to switch between:
Next two of the humbuckers (Middle & Bridge in the layout) are connected to a Eyb / Schaller Megaswitch model M five position blade/lever switch, for phasing:
Finally on the (regular) switching front, everything goes into a Fender S1 push/push volume pot/switch for globally switching the humbuckers from parallel (up) to series (down).
From there we're into volume and tone, with a take on Phostenix's modified TBX control for bass and treble cut that includes a limiting 5k1 resistor on the treble cut side à la the grease bucket mod, and back to the S1 for the volume.
As an aside, what value(s) / taper(s) would you guys recommend for bass cut controls, as far as I remember the TBX uses a 1 megohm pot with a somewhat extreme logarithmic taper to which Phostenix then applies conductive paint to the lower half, in order to make the entire setup no-load at the centre detent, whereas I find myself wanting to start off with a 5 megohm logarithmic pot.
Now rinse and repeat for another identical channel, now we're in need of something to switch from one channel to the other and as far as I can see this isn't possible in under 12 poles, and whilst 12 pole toggle switched are manufactured (in fact even up to 144 poles!) they aren't fit for our purpose, although I do remember seeing an image of one that had been sawn in half and very vaguely recall its intended use as inside a guitar (pre-posting edit: and I'd be right). Therefore we are pretty much restricted to a rotary switch, but with only two positions and one of these knobs or similar, you have to agree that it's not that bad.
On the diagram the 12PDT is shown as the two adjacent 6PDTs which have the common poles in the centre and the throws round the outer edge, and (as most of labels are covered with wires) they are alternately numbered counter-clockwise 1, 2, 1, 2...
And as for anyone who actually wishes to comprehend all that (and as such might want a vector version) here's a pdf: Layout.pdf
You'll notice that I've shown mini / Firebird humbucker style pickups which would be one of my personal choices for this design, my other being single coil sized blade humbuckers, maybe even specifically the DiMarzio Chopper or Fast Track 1, but there is no reason why you couldn't use any combination of three humbuckers, albeit with the likely exception of 'stacked' designs.
I've looked this over several times and everything seems in order, but in advance I shall now give my most sincere thankyous to anyone who spares the time to cast their eyes over it and note any discrepancies. I also welcome any comments / criticisms.
(As I would consider this design finished, I thought this suitable for posting in the Truly Nutzoid Schemes sub-board, but after writing this in a more open ended way I put it here instead.)
Firstly, each humbucker has a 4PDT to switch between:
- Off in the upper position,
- Parallel connected coils in the centre,
- Series connected coils in the downwards position,
Next two of the humbuckers (Middle & Bridge in the layout) are connected to a Eyb / Schaller Megaswitch model M five position blade/lever switch, for phasing:
- All in phase,
- Bridge pickup out of phase,
- Middle pickup out of phase,
- Bridge & Middle pickup out of phase, i.e. Neck pickup out of phase,
- All in phase,
Finally on the (regular) switching front, everything goes into a Fender S1 push/push volume pot/switch for globally switching the humbuckers from parallel (up) to series (down).
From there we're into volume and tone, with a take on Phostenix's modified TBX control for bass and treble cut that includes a limiting 5k1 resistor on the treble cut side à la the grease bucket mod, and back to the S1 for the volume.
As an aside, what value(s) / taper(s) would you guys recommend for bass cut controls, as far as I remember the TBX uses a 1 megohm pot with a somewhat extreme logarithmic taper to which Phostenix then applies conductive paint to the lower half, in order to make the entire setup no-load at the centre detent, whereas I find myself wanting to start off with a 5 megohm logarithmic pot.
Now rinse and repeat for another identical channel, now we're in need of something to switch from one channel to the other and as far as I can see this isn't possible in under 12 poles, and whilst 12 pole toggle switched are manufactured (in fact even up to 144 poles!) they aren't fit for our purpose, although I do remember seeing an image of one that had been sawn in half and very vaguely recall its intended use as inside a guitar (pre-posting edit: and I'd be right). Therefore we are pretty much restricted to a rotary switch, but with only two positions and one of these knobs or similar, you have to agree that it's not that bad.
On the diagram the 12PDT is shown as the two adjacent 6PDTs which have the common poles in the centre and the throws round the outer edge, and (as most of labels are covered with wires) they are alternately numbered counter-clockwise 1, 2, 1, 2...
And as for anyone who actually wishes to comprehend all that (and as such might want a vector version) here's a pdf: Layout.pdf
You'll notice that I've shown mini / Firebird humbucker style pickups which would be one of my personal choices for this design, my other being single coil sized blade humbuckers, maybe even specifically the DiMarzio Chopper or Fast Track 1, but there is no reason why you couldn't use any combination of three humbuckers, albeit with the likely exception of 'stacked' designs.
I've looked this over several times and everything seems in order, but in advance I shall now give my most sincere thankyous to anyone who spares the time to cast their eyes over it and note any discrepancies. I also welcome any comments / criticisms.
(As I would consider this design finished, I thought this suitable for posting in the Truly Nutzoid Schemes sub-board, but after writing this in a more open ended way I put it here instead.)
