Adding Tone Pot to HSH setup

[rocrates]

How would one go about add a second tone knob to this setup? Thinking one for the neck, and one for the bridge, leaving the Middle without its own. You all are wizards, thank you!

[newey]

Let's get a second opinion before you dive into this, but my take is that you would simply disconnect the tone pot from the S-1 switch by disconnecting the purple and black wires, leaving all the other wiring to the S-1 intact and as-is. Then, wire each HB with its own tone pot "across the pickup", in between the pickup and the 5-way switch. You can consult any LP wiring diagram that has individual V and T controls to see how to do this.

Wiring 2 tone controls with a single volume pot will, however, mean some interaction between the 2 controls. The interaction could be minimized to an extent by using a dual-gang volume pot, so that you wire it just like an LP with separate V and T pots, except the dual-gang pot gives you both volume pots on a single shaft/knob. The control interaction then would be no different than it is on an LP when both pickups are selected at the center position of the 3-way pickup switch.

However, your volume pot currently has the S-1 switch. I don't believe anyone makes a dual-gang pot with an S-1 switch attached to it, so to implement a dual-gang volume pot would mean getting a dual-gang pot for the volume and then using the S-1 pot/switch for one of the two tone controls.

[rocrates]

What kind of interactions do you mean, newey ? I suppose you'd have pots in parallel if both of the humbuckers are engaged (whether split or not), right?

*Edit* - Maybe master tone or bridge tone only is the way to go? And then do something else with the remaining hole in the pickguard. I dunno, I almost always have the bridge tone turned down, and rarely turn down neck/middle tone on any of my guitars.
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[rocrates]

You know, I just noticed that the only time both humbuckers (or their coil-split version) are engaged is in the S-1 down/humbucking mode, toggle position 3. Otherwise it's always either or.

I think this setup with bridge tone and middle tone pots would be ideal. I'm really hoping we can figure this out.

[newey]

None of this is a deal-killer, if you want 2 tones with a master volume, we can certainly get that done. it's really just a question of what you want.

As for interaction, if you've ever played a Gibson Explorer (I think some Vs are like this as well), it has 2 volumes and a master tone. Your desired setup is just the opposite, 2 tones and one volume.

On an Explorer, if the toggle switch is in the center position, if you turn one of the volumes to "0", it kills all output from both pickups. With 2 tones instead, in the center psotion turning one tone control down will affect the tone of both pickups*.

As for how to do it, I've already given you a start. If you draw it up as I have described it, we will then make any needed corrections, and you can be on your way. Up to you whether you want to use a dual-gang pot for the volume, it does mean buying another part, assuming you don't have one lying around.

*Some see this as an Easter egg kind of thing, because it essentially gives you a "free kill switch"- play on one pickup by itself with the volume on the other pickup at 0, then toggle to the center position to kill the output.

[rocrates]

Ahhh okay yeah, thanks newey now that you explained it, I know exactly the interaction you're referring to. I have an Ibanez semi-hollow that has the same interaction.

For wiring the tone pots in-between the pickup and the pot, I'd need to ensure that I'm wiring it on the end of each coil that's always active, right? So inside coil for the bridge and outside for the neck? I'll have to do some research to identify the right color wire for each, but that's no biggie.

[rocrates]

*bump*

Am I correct about connecting the tones in that fashion? Which colors would it be (DiMarzio pickups)

Sorry for being so ignorant lol

[newey]

Sorry to have not responded sooner, rocrates. Let me take a look at this using DiMarzio wire colors and I'll see if I can pull together a diagram to show the tone pot wiring. Might be a few days, actual work intrudes at the moment.

[rocrates]

No problem at all newey I sincerely appreciate the guidance

[rocrates]

Woops I meant to say bridge tone and neck tone (slaps forehead), leaving the middle pickup alone

[newey]

Let me preface this by saying that I am not at all sure this is right, so let's get a second opinion. My confidence level is low because I am unsure whether this may have screwed up the S-1 wiring somehow.

Anyway, with apologies to Mr. Duncan, I took the liberty of just modifying his original diagram. (I labeled the neck tone but forgot to label the bridge tone pot, but it's obvious since there's 2). Volume stays on the S-1 as is.

[rocrates]

Awesome! Thank you newey This is what I’d figured it might look like. I’m with you on not being sure if this will affect the function of the super switch or S1.

If anyone has insight, that would be great. I’m going to do some research and see what I can figure out as well.