Request for help with custom wiring

[someguy]

Hello Guitarnutz,

I'm working on a custom wiring using two Zexcoil Convertible pickups. Each of the pickups has six coils (one coil per string) organized as 2 sets of 3 coils, which can be wired to get two basic voices: series (humbucker-ish) and parallel (single-coil-ish). (Basically the same options as a normal double-coil humbucker, except coil-split is useless, because it only picks up half of the strings.)

My current schematic utilizes two 3PDT switches for series/parallel switch (one for each pickup) and a 5-way superswitch (4P5T, only 2 poles are used so far). For pots, I plan to use master volume and master tone. I often find the difference between series and parallel modes a bit too drastic, so I add a resistor in parallel mode to tame the resonant peak a bit. More importantly, I'm also trying to bridge the gap (in terms of resonant frequency) between the basic voices by adding extra voice options:
- To get a darker tone in the parallel mode, a capacitor (and a resistor to avoid the resonant peak becoming too sharp/honky) is added in parallel to the pickup
- To get a brighter tone in the series mode, the opposite pickup is blended in parallel using a fixed resistor. This allows me to increase the resonance frequency without getting much phase cancellation (as in normal two-pickup middle position).

I use the 5-way switch positions 2 and 4 for these extra voices, while the series/parallel switches determine which voice to use, so the positions are:
1. Neck
2. Neck with Bridge blended in (if Neck is in series mode) or Neck with extra C and R (if Neck is in parallel mode)
3. Neck and Bridge in parallel
4. Bridge with Neck blended in (if Bridge in series) or Bridge with extra C and R (if Bridge in parallel)
5. Bridge

Here's the schematic from NI Multisim:

- R2 and R4 are 'blend' resistors for bridge and neck pickups respectively
- R1 and R6 attenuate the resonant peak when in parallel configuration
- C1 and R3 move down and further attenuate the resonant peak in parallel configuration in positions 2 and 4


As you can see, currently in positions 2 and 4 of the 5-way, the position of the opposite pickup's series/parallel toggle affects the result. However, I've found that blending in the Bridge in parallel mode to the Neck in series (and vice versa) isn't of much use, as the resulting tone is rather dull (no resonant peak).

Finally, to the question: is it possible (given the remaining poles of the superswitch) to somehow 'automatically' bypass the series/parallel toggle and put the pickup in series mode, if it's used as a 'secondary' pickup in positions 2 and 4?

Thanks!

[newey]

someguy-

First off, your username may create some confusion with our administrator, who goes by "sumgai". You may receive a request to change yours, but I'll leave that up to him to decide.

But, nevertheless,

Hello and Welcome to G-Nutz2!


I haven't the chance at the moment to go through all of your schematic, but before I do so, please clarify what you mean by:

Finally, to the question: is it possible (given the remaining poles of the superswitch) to somehow 'automatically' bypass the series/parallel toggle and put the pickup in series mode, if it's used as a 'secondary' pickup in positions 2 and 4?

Do I understand you correctly that the idea is that, for example, in position 2, where the Neck has the bridge pickup blended in, the blended bridge pickup is the "secondary" one? And them, when we're in position 2, the bridge to be blended will always be in the series configuration regardless of the position of the bridge pickups 3PDT series.parallel switch. And then, at position 4, the opposite would happen, the neck is secondary and always in series when the blender is in the circuit?

Assuming I'm reading this correctly, I think it probably can be done, with one of the poles of the superswitch used to bypass the neck series/parallel and the other for the bridge pickup. But I still have to prove it with a diagram.

[someguy]

Hello and Welcome to G-Nutz2!

Thank you!

First off, your username may create some confusion with our administrator, who goes by "sumgai". You may receive a request to change yours, but I'll leave that up to him to decide.

No problem, will do if requested.

Do I understand you correctly that the idea is that, for example, in position 2, where the Neck has the bridge pickup blended in, the blended bridge pickup is the "secondary" one? And them, when we're in position 2, the bridge to be blended will always be in the series configuration regardless of the position of the bridge pickups 3PDT series.parallel switch. And then, at position 4, the opposite would happen, the neck is secondary and always in series when the blender is in the circuit?

Sorry for being unclear. Yes, that's correct.
So far I've only came up with a way to do that only for one of the pickups using two poles of the superswitch...

[Deleted]

Think maybe easier, focus on switching
Tone volume don't need to see
The capacitor value and resistor value of the inductor (pick up) don't need to see ever.

But I can't see how to bypass 2P2T switching parallel/series with just 1P5T side of the superswitch (as got to share with other pickup)

The only crazy design I can think of it this 8P5T switch or even nutty build a switch linking two S-Types back to back, making a pin between the two and a knob that spans the two of them.

[someguy]

Thanks @angelsbunny

Think maybe easier, focus on switching
Tone volume don't need to see
The capacitor value and resistor value of the inductor (pick up) don't need to see ever.

Sure, it's just that I was running some simulations and this is the only schematic I have at hand.

But I can't see how to bypass 2P2T switching parallel/series with just 1P5T side of the superswitch (as got to share with other pickup)

The only crazy design I can think of it this 8P5T switch or even nutty build a switch linking two S-Types back to back, making a pin between the two and a knob that spans the two of them.

Same here... With the existing switches, I can only choose one of the positions 2 and 4 for this trick to work.
Or perhaps use another switching configuration.

I may be misunderstanding you, but to me this looks kind of the opposite. The 'logic' should be: if Neck is in series and position 2 is selected, then Bridge should also be in series, regardless of its S/P switch.

[Deleted]

i often cook things up and im sorry.. 





The problem is, have to Cut the Top Pickup going to Ground and Bottom one going to Output

Maybe if the Resistor wasnt there the 550K, 


The down side it flips a coil

Dam it, the Ground coming out of Position 2 and 4 shouldnt be there
I would also link (hope this is right, i am working night shift at the moment so not all there) 3.1 to 1.2, 3.2 to the 400p/550K (C1/R3) Filter.
I cant think how to bring R1/R6 550K back in to play without upsetting it again

AHH this maybe better, swap 2.3 and 2.2 around, and having the 2.1 for the 400p/550K (C1/R3) THEN AGAIN this bring it in to play on 2/4 if left in the wrong position
for every problem sorted another one crops up

NOTE: that if do that swaping 2.3 and 2.2 around thing... would Free up a POLE and if made it in to a 4P2T (dam getting bigger) could flip the COIL Back 
OR could put the R1/R6 Back in, one or the other that way
COULD Go REALLY WILD and Replace the 3P2T with a 6P2T Rotary switch and do every thing, Coil Flip how it should be, Bring back the 550K Resistor
The down side is, if left on while the 5way is in Position 2/4 the C1/R3 would come in to play

[Deleted]

i should be sleeping
Need to check out what I've misted or any FEEDBACK from the Switching
I know the 400p/550K will Link in to the Position 2 and 4 sadly nothing i can do about that as far as i can think of at this point in time.


You could, have the Phase Switching (Part 3 and 4 on 4P2T) on a Push/Pull with the Volume and Tone.
This will mean you can Phase the Top pickup when you want. Also means you only need 2P2T for the Series/Parallel Switch. Or ! 4P4T+ Rotary one.


keep peeking in to see if i got this RIGHT

ERROR, 1.2/2.2 should hook up to the Output and 2.1 Should ONLY hook up to RC

[someguy]

Wow, thank you very much for taking the time and effort @angelsbunny
I may be missing something, but it seems that when poles 1 and 2 of the 4PDT are down, the pickup is effectively deactivated?

Overall, it's now very clear to me that with this configuration there has to be a trade-off of one sort or the other, so now I'm thinking more in the way of making a parallel+series blend combination a more useable sound... Perhaps via some other caps/resistors.

Or maybe to try to make the toggles control the extra option on/off of the voice, and the 5-way switch do series/parallel switching, kinda like this:
- both toggles 'off':
1. Neck Series
2. Neck Parallel
3. Neck + Bridge in ?
4. Bridge Parallel
5. Bridge Series
- both toggles 'on':
1. Neck Series + Bridge blend
2. Neck Parallel with C/R
3. Neck + Bridge in ?
4. Bridge Parallel with C/R
5. Bridge Series + Neck blend

I'll need to figure out if the latter is doable first.

[Deleted]

Yep 1.2 and 2.2 should be hooked up to the output
And 2.1 to RC only I'll fix it tomorrow



1. Neck (Series+CR/Parallel)
2. Neck Parallel With 180K & Bridge Parallel [If Series Switching is on then +CR]
3. Neck (Series+CR/Parallel) + Bridge (Parallel/Series+CR)  
4. Bridge Parallel With 140K & Neck Parallel [If Series Switching is on then +CR]
5. Bridge (Parallel/Series+CR)

[someguy]

May 31, 2019 11:51:54 GMT -5 @angelsbunny said:

Yep 1.2 and 2.2 should be hooked up to the output
And 2.1 to RC only I'll fix it tomorrow



1. Neck (Series+CR/Parallel)
2. Neck Parallel With 180K & Bridge Parallel [If Series Switching is on then +CR]
3. Neck (Series+CR/Parallel) + Bridge (Parallel/Series+CR)  
4. Bridge Parallel With 140K & Neck Parallel [If Series Switching is on then +CR]
5. Bridge (Parallel/Series+CR)

Sorry, didn't have much time to look through it.

Hmmm... Sorry, I don't think I get it.
In position 1, neck switch down, both ends of the neck top coil seem to be grounded.
In position 2, bridge switch down, end of the bridge bottom coil seems to be just hanging.
....

Also, CR is supposed to be on in parallel mode, makes no sense to move the resonant peak further down in series mode.
In any case, flipping one of the coils won't work, because then the pickup is no longer hum-cancelling.

[Deleted]

Flipping the Coil was So you could have Parallel and Series, Series it should of gone out the Top 5Way and Parallel it joined up. Side EFFECT was that when you have you Position 2&4 the coil COULD BE FLIPPED if left in the wrong place.

As having so many bits coming off when in Parallel means a Lot of POLES and gets EASY to be last.
3P2T nice, 4P2T better ..but thats all i know of Toggle .. Rotary is 6P2T dam nice 

But will work on it a bit more as i am Doing 12hr Night shifts (oh joys)
As i do like a Task and i will Rip it apart to find all possible CHEATS and WAYS to do things
sad point is you Push some thing one place you effect it else where.. so Trying to find where you can Reuse things is the fun part (well its what made APPLE)




12hr and little Sleep i feel like i am floating in the sky



And here is one with a 5P2T without any TRYING TO CHEAT to Save SPACE!!