two single coils two volumes and no switch?

[podunkphill1953]

Is it possible to wire two single coil pickups one to each volume control with no three way switch to select them? I have a tele knockoff that has one vol one tone (useless) and a three way switch to select neck bridge or both. I am wanting to run a volume control for each pickup and then run it to a modboard (gain boost) I would like to just have the volumes to turn up down off with out using the switch. Is this possible or will I need to run each pickup to a separate output jack, which would mean I would need a modboard for each pickup. thanks in advance.
Phill

[UnklMickey]

hi Phill,

welcome to GuitarNuts2.

yes, that can be done.

[podunkphill1953]

thanks for the welcome to the board. I must of done something wrong when I wired it up the two volumes do not control each pickup. What happens is if I turn one or the other completely down they don't work. If I turn one up all the way it does not work until I turn the other one up. Can you give me a reference of where I can see a schematic or can you give me a walk through? I have several schematics but none cover the two pickups two volumes and no switch set up.
thanks in advance
Phill

[UnklMickey]

hi Phill,

i haven't seen a schematic for a guitar with the wiring you want.
but, Gib$on has 2 versions of a 2 volume scheme with a 3-way switch.
one has the problem you described, the other has independent operation of the volume controls, when both pickups are selected.

rather than have you start from that, and delete the selector, you might start with the wiring from the Fender Jazz Bass:

static.zoovy.com/img/guitarelectronics/-/wduss2101

and delete the tone control.

when the volume controls are wired "backward" like this, they don't work as nicely for controlling the volume, but turning either volume to zero, won't affect the other one.

this will work with audio taper pots, if that is what you already have. but, linear taper is a better choice for the pots when having multiple volume controls.

cheers,

unk

[podunkphill1953]

thanks for the info I will look at how I have them wired after work (2nd shift). Will let you know how it goes. How does one tell between a taper pot and a linear taper pot?
thanks
Phill

[UnklMickey]

often, audio taper pots have an A in the designation. for instance: 250kA

if you put an audio taper pot in the middle of it's rotation, you will measure 9/10 of the total resistance from the wiper to the lug that the hot would connect to. and 1/10 of the total resistance from the wiper to the lug that would be grounded.

a linear pot will often have a B in the designation: 250kB

in the middle of it's rotation it will have 1/2 of the total resistance from the middle to either end.

these resistances can ONLY be measured accurately when the volume control is disconnected from the pickup.

when a pot being used as a (guitar) tone control, it can be measured without disconnecting it from the circuit.

[gumbo]

Hi Phill,
if all else fails..have a look at the wiring diagram for a Fender Jazz Bass.....both of mine work like that..:-)

Regards from DownUnder

[gumbo]

Damn...should have read down to Unk....

[podunkphill1953]

thanks all for the suggestions I am ending up putting a jazz plate on the tele knockoff and going with a concentric and a switch wired like a gibson minus the tone controls this should do me until I have time to fabricate a new plate and routout the body for more space and then put a new pickguard and hell might as well repaint it too. It seems like it is a never ending saga with guitars.
thanks for all the advice
Phill