Problem with Series/Parrallel/Phase in Strat

[styphon]

So on my fender strat, which has HSS, I decided to do something similar to this:

alexplorer.net/guitar/guitars/black2.html

To sum up: He uses push/pull pots to do Series and Parrallel, he also has a phase switch for the middle pick up.

The differences: I have a HSS, also I had an ON/ON/ON switch with the humbucker that then fed into a phase switch. Also I used switches instead of the two push/poll pots. Besides that, I wired it exactly as the page states.

My problem: The two series/parrallel *AND* phase switches turn off the sound completely depending on the what setting the 5 way selector at. What am I doing wrong? I tried removing both phase switches, still the series/parrallel switches turn off the sound completely in some of the settings. I also tried using my two tones as series/parrallel benders, *STILL* they would turn off the sound completely in some locations.

So what am I doing wrong?

[styphon]

To add: i have 2 texas specials, the bridge is a pearly gates. The guitar goes completely quiet when I turn the phase switch(bridge) whenever it is in position 5 or 4 (bridge or bridge+mid). Also the guitar goes quiet in position 3,4,5 when i turn the parrallel blender all the way up.

[newey]

Styphon-

Hello and welcome!

The link you posted looks like an interesting mod- and more than a little complicated. The wiring diagram in the link was, by its own admission, a general one that did not account for wire colors or lug numbers on the switches/pots. And you have modified that design even further:

The differences: I have a HSS, also I had an ON/ON/ON switch with the humbucker that then fed into a phase switch. Also I used switches instead of the two push/poll pots. Besides that, I wired it exactly as the page states.

" . . .other than that Ms. Lincoln, how was the play?" ;D

So more information is needed here. Do you have a schematic or wiring diagram of what you actually wired up that you can post? Photos would also be helpful.

You should also avail yourself of the resources dealing with troubleshooting here. Read ChrisK's "Help- My Wiring Is Gefooey!" post in the reference articles. (I'd link you to that but my computer is hiccuphing when I try to launch my browser 2X).

You will need a multimeter sporting a 4 or more digit display for serious testing.

[styphon]

Well. This is my best attempt at modifying the previous schematic. I removed the phase switch that i had to the bridge, and left the other switches in.

[styphon]

I just almost returned my guitar to normal. I left in the humbucking switch which was series/parallel/split coil and everything works.

THEREFORE: My problem is in the series and parallel switches which attempt to put all three pickups in the respective order.

SO: Is it possible to put it in series and parrallel as per the switches in my diagram?

[ashcatlt]

It hurts me...

I've managed at least to confirm to myself that the "series blender" pot in the original must short each selected coil, as long as the middle is one of them. That is, no matter what position the 5-way is in, the middle pickup has both of its wires connected to each other when the pot is rotated fully away from the ground connection. It also does this to any other pickup you select on the 5-way. So, you'd expect positions 3, 4, and 5 to go dead.

Wait, that's exactly what you said was happening!

Your implementation appears to replace that pot with a switch. You omitted the ground connection from that switch. Won't help much though as is.

I'm not ready to tell you how to fix that.

I'm also not convinced that the switch under the volume knob can work as is. I think the original does nothing at all. Your version, I'm pretty sure it would allow you to switch in the other tone pot, in any position other than 3, which doesn't get to have a tone pot no matter what. I very much wonder if he didn't mean to have a jumper between like points on each side of the 5-way. I think that would accomplish the stated goal of turning on whichever of the two outside pickups isn't already selected (except in position 3, where it's all middle all the time).

I'm a little confused as to where exactly your pickups are finding ground. In dudes' it happens when the "blender" is turned toward ground. In yours I think it happens at the bridge series/parallel/split switch, but...

[styphon]

May 9, 2008 1:58:09 GMT -5 ashcatlt said:

It hurts me...

I've managed at least to confirm to myself that the "series blender" pot in the original must short each selected coil, as long as the middle is one of them. That is, no matter what position the 5-way is in, the middle pickup has both of its wires connected to each other when the pot is rotated fully away from the ground connection. It also does this to any other pickup you select on the 5-way. So, you'd expect positions 3, 4, and 5 to go dead.

Wait, that's exactly what you said was happening!

Your implementation appears to replace that pot with a switch. You omitted the ground connection from that switch. Won't help much though as is.

I'm not ready to tell you how to fix that.

I'm also not convinced that the switch under the volume knob can work as is. I think the original does nothing at all. Your version, I'm pretty sure it would allow you to switch in the other tone pot, in any position other than 3, which doesn't get to have a tone pot no matter what. I very much wonder if he didn't mean to have a jumper between like points on each side of the 5-way. I think that would accomplish the stated goal of turning on whichever of the two outside pickups isn't already selected (except in position 3, where it's all middle all the time).

I'm a little confused as to where exactly your pickups are finding ground. In dudes' it happens when the "blender" is turned toward ground. In yours I think it happens at the bridge series/parallel/split switch, but...

They find ground through the switches, very confusing =\

So I decided to try *ANOTHER* one that is similar www.deaf-eddie.net/drawings/strat-2pp-all-series.jpg and now i get dead areas again! Switch one must be thrown in this drawing to make any position with the middle work, also they don't work as in his diagram.

I am running out of options =p

[styphon]

I doubt anyone cares but I went to the deaf eddie diagram-> www.deaf-eddie.net/drawings/strat-2pp-all-series.jpg PLUS Bridge on switch PLUS Parrallel/Coil Tap/Series switch and I had the problems, but the solution was easy. Apparently the Humbucker bare wire *must* be wired with the Humbucker ground wire to the Parrallel/Tap/Series switch. I am able to get everyone tone he mentions in his chart. Now just have to add a phase switch or two

[D2o]

May 9, 2008 14:09:02 GMT -5 styphon said:

I doubt anyone cares but I went to the deaf eddie diagram-> www.deaf-eddie.net/drawings/strat-2pp-all-series.jpg PLUS Bridge on switch PLUS Parrallel/Coil Tap/Series switch and I had the problems, but the solution was easy. Apparently the Humbucker bare wire *must* be wired with the Humbucker ground wire to the Parrallel/Tap/Series switch. I am able to get everyone tone he mentions in his chart. Now just have to add a phase switch or two

Cool! I didn't know that, and I'm glad you solved your mystery.

I doubt anyone cares

I wouldn't be so sure about that - this board lives for electronics (wiring, etc.) more than anything else. Thanks for reporting back to us, and for checking our pulse with the statement above.

Stick around and teach us what you know ... or let us teach you what we know ... or have a coffee in the coffee shop.