Hypothetical Mod for 2-Humbucker Guitars...Help!

[ZiggyZipgun]

Now that I've converted to Master Volume, Master Tone, and a dual-ganged Spin-a-Split, I'm trying to add a blender knob that is only active when the 3-way switch is in the middle position, so have a "mix" control when both pickups are on. I don't think this is possible with a standard Switchcraft 3-way, but I found some rather non-standard 3-way toggles that they make...



Yes, she's a beast, but there are many, many options for every type of switch they make. This is from the 41000 Series; standard Gibson straight and right-angled switches are in the 12000 Series. I'm pretty sure I'd only need a DPDT, or at most, a DP3T. I'm sure they make them, but www.switchcraft.com is a little jargon-heavy. Anyone want to take a peek at the Lever Switches section and take a guess at what might do the trick?

[ChrisK]

These are from times ancient, they are custom hand-builds, they are quite deep, and most expensive.

I used to see many more of these in the 60's.

What you want can be done with a 4PDT ON-ON-ON switch, a 3P3T rotary switch, and possibly others.

[sumgai]

ZZg,

What Chris just said gives you a clue.........

The way you're thinking now is to "turn on the blender by making some contacts come together when in the middle position". Instead of that, ask yourself what would happen if you were to leave it hooked up at all times, but while the switch is thrown to either single pickup, the blender control is shorted? You'd have your desired effect, no?

I see it in four poles, Chris says three poles will do it. Hmmmm, back to the drawing board for me.

HTH



sumgai

[ChrisK]

I said three poles in that there are unfortunate limitations in LP-style toggle switches.

I said 4PDT ON-ON-ON switch in that it's unfortunately easier to call it this than by its proper name in this application (DP3T with the jumpers).

If a three-way Tele lever switch can be installed (a 2P3T sideways rotary with a goofy knob), only two poles are actually needed.

However, with a little more thought on my part, and the stipulation that the blender pots (please use a blend pot and not a pan pot) be used in rheostat mode (2-wire), I see how a DPDT ON-ON-ON (SP3T Center-ON) or LP three-pickup toggle switch can be used.

This is a right-angle switch.

I don't know if this is a true blend pot.



How it would be wired has a lot to do with how your guitar is physically laid out. What is the model?