3 pup 3 volume 1 tone New project

[toast]

Hey there. I bought a 5-way switch but it's nothing like the standard Strat switches shown in diagrams online so I can't figure out how to make it work with my plans for only one tone pot. So I'm going back to plan A which is separate ON-OFF switches for each pup. But I'm taking a step farther by adding a separate Volume pot for each pup for the ultimate in blending (hopefully.)

This is my first attempt at designing a circuit and I'm looking for feedback from those that have built circuits in the past. I've not yet built this so I don't know if it'll work or work like I think it should. I don't know what software you guys use to draw up those nifty schematics but I obviously don't have it so I apologize for the paper and pencil scratch below.



This is a 3 pickup arrangement with a 'bucker at the bridge. Each pup has its own 250k volume pot with one 500k pot controlling the overall tone. The DPDT switches at S1-S3 act as ON-OFF with phase switching for each pup. I realize that all 3 switches in either extreme will be in phase and all at center will produce no sound. I'm fine with that. I just like the idea of selecting pups in whatever combination I choose. I also realize I could take it a step farther and make a series/parallel feature for all 3 pups but I don't feel the need for that... yet.

S5 and S6 allow the HB to be used in series, parallel or each coil separately. Probably overkill but it looks like fun.

S4 allows the tone pot to use either a .022 or .047 cap.

Let me know if this looks buildable before I go out and buy parts for a circuit that might be complete rubbish.

[pete12345]

That looks like it would work fine However, you don't need to wire to each of the pot shells- they will all be connected to ground through the shielding foil on the pickguard anyway. Just collect all your ground connections together on the back of one of the pots, so you have a single ground point.

Pete

[newey]

Toast-

It looks workable, as Pete says, but you may be able to simplify things a bit. Putting the 2 coils of the HB out of phase with each other is not likely to produce usable tones. The coils being so close together, and presumably very similar in construction, will result in more cancellation than output. And, as you note, three phase switches are overkill anyway.

I understand you want an "off" for the HB, but that could much more easily be incorporated into S5 or S6 by using a "Center Off" for one of the 2, and thereby eliminating the DPDT on the HB.

[toast]

Thanks for the input guys.

Pete, I forgot about the ground through the foil. Thanks for saving me some soldering.

Newey, I don't think any of the switch options make the HB out of phase with itself. S5 and S6 have four options: single coil A, single coil B, A&B series, A&B parallel. Unless I'm misintrepreting the function of S3 it should put both coils of the HB out of phase with the other pups regardless of what is selected by S5/S6. Am I overlooking something? I have a bad habit of overlooking the obvious.

[newey]

Toast-

You're right, I misread your diagram. But the point is really the same, you don't really need that switch other than to turn the HB off. 2 phase switches on any 2 of the pickups (your choice) will give you all possible OOP choices.

As it stands now, you have 3 separate switches to control one pickup. Seems a bit of a headache to me.

[toast]

You are very right, newey. The more I look at it the more I like your idea. It will make the arrangement of the switches on the pickguard a little cleaner, too. I can put S5 and S6 in the logical place of S3 and make one a center off as you suggested. I like that.

[newey]

Have you looked at how you're going to fit 4 pots into a Strat? You'll need to use the mini sized pots for at least some of them. And if you're using a pickguard with three holes already drilled, your options are somewhat limited.

You should order a pickguard without holes for the pots. This would allow you to drill 4 evenly-spaced holes.

[toast]

I don't think it's going to be as difficult as it might seem for several reasons:

1. This is not a Strat - it's a cheap plywood body that only vaguely resembles a Strat.

2. More of the body is already routed out than what is currently used.

3. I will have to route to add the HB at the bridge so what's a little more for pots/switches?

4. I already need a new pickguard as the current (single-ply) is almost broken in half.

5. Not being a true Strat I don't think a Strat pickguard will fit. I'd have to "try one on" to know for sure.

6. My local shop (www.guitarinfirmary.com/index.html) offers full luthier services. They showed me a few of the rectangular (3-ply) pickguard blanks laying on a table in the back. For $12.95 I can buy a blank. For a bit more I can make a stencil and let them cut/drill the whole thing. Or - since I don't play well with plastics - I could make my own out of stuff I already have. Anyone ever tried aluminum as a pickguard?

[newey]

For a bit more I can make a stencil and let them cut/drill the whole thing.

That sounds like a plan. And an aluminum one is also doable if you have the tools to make one.