allmektig
Meter Reader 1st Class
Non Serviam!
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
|
Post by allmektig on Jan 13, 2010 1:01:46 GMT -5
I've been thinking about modifying my old japan made squier strat to "individual pickup selection with a single master tone control" from the guitarnuts.com page. This one. But I've been reading a bit more, and I really want to add the posibility to have some of the combinations in either series or parralel. The most important combinations for me are: Neck and middle in series. Neck and middle in paralell. Middle and bridge in series. Middle and bridge in paralell. Neck and bridge in paralell. Neck alone. Bridge Alone. And I also want to be able to reverse the phasing of all three pickups. the parts I have available are: 6 DPDT on/off/on switches 1 DPDT on/on switch 2 SPDT on/on switches 2 regular 5 position strat pickup selectors. I've been trying to construct the schematics myself, but trying to follow the signal path trough that many switches really makes my brain turn into mud. So what I'm wondering is if anyone could reccomend a schematic that suits my purpose, or make one for me.
|
|
|
Post by sumgai on Jan 13, 2010 2:53:31 GMT -5
ally, Hi, and to the NutzHouse! Have you taken a look at this thread yet? Pretty much what you're asking for, with the only real difference being he's using two switches for phasing and on/off, instead of just one that you're contemplating. Brian May Red special Series/ParallelRead all the way through the whole thing, several changes and modifications are made over the three pages before hitting on the final design. Let us know if that's what you're after, or if you're looking for something else. HTH sumgai
|
|
allmektig
Meter Reader 1st Class
Non Serviam!
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
|
Post by allmektig on Jan 13, 2010 7:22:34 GMT -5
Looks interesting. Trying to make sense of the schematics make me a bit dizzy though.
But what I was thinking is that since I'm using center off switches, I can combine turning the pickup on/off and phase turning in the same switch. And then just add one more switch for series/paralell connection.
I guess I'll just have to re-read it again and again untill it makes more sense.
|
|
|
Post by sumgai on Jan 13, 2010 13:15:50 GMT -5
Looks interesting. Trying to make sense of the schematics make me a bit dizzy though. Don't worry, you aren't the first one here to have that feeling. You'll get over it, if you stick around and keep asking questions. You're spot on - you can do exactly that, use your switches in place of the two single-purpose switches that killheart used. (He did that because they were already present on his guitar.) Never a bad idea. But don't bang your head against the wall until it bleeds, just ask us whatever is puzzling you, and we'll make sure that you understand. HTH sumgai
|
|
allmektig
Meter Reader 1st Class
Non Serviam!
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
|
Post by allmektig on Jan 13, 2010 23:13:26 GMT -5
Oh, I got a feeling I'll be sticking around for quite some time.
I'll hopefully get the parts I've ordered in the mail tomorrow so I can experiment a bit.
I can learn a lot from looking at schematics, but I guess I'll learn a lot more by trial and error. So... Individual pickup controll with phase switching in one switch, and series/paralell switching in another. But if I added a series/parralell switch for each pickup, would that lead to some dead positions?
Working with three pickups is a lot harder than working with only two. At least for my mind...
|
|
|
Post by wolf on Jan 14, 2010 1:04:45 GMT -5
Hello allmektigIf you want to see a diagram that's a little easier to read, you can try this site www.1728.com/guitar3.htm and scroll all the way to the bottom. (By the way that is my website). That is my version of the diagram you mentioned in your first posting Series / parallel switching gets a bit more complicated as can be seen at the link that sumgai posted guitarnuts2.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wiring&action=display&thread=4641but I'm sure somebody here will help you figure out a circuit.
|
|
|
Post by JohnH on Jan 16, 2010 14:20:46 GMT -5
But what I was thinking is that since I'm using center off switches, I can combine turning the pickup on/off and phase turning in the same switch. And then just add one more switch for series/paralell connection. Unfortunately I dont think this will work. The problem is that on/off/on switches are not good for use in series/parallel wiring. The reason is that if you are setting up a series combination, and one pick up is off, then it creates a break in the circuit that kills the whole signal. If you want to do toggle switches, then the series/parallel Brian May design will work, and you can decide whether to have 1, 2 or 3 phase switches. The parts are: up to 6 standard dpdt two position switches (toggles or slide switches), plus one four pole two position toggle. If you are seeking to keep the Strat 5 way, and get all those sounds with much less change to appearance, there are plenty of other schemes around. This one uses the standard Fender 5-way switch: Strat Dual soundbtw - those japan made Squires are becoming sought after - nice guitars! John
|
|
|
Post by wolf on Jan 16, 2010 17:04:22 GMT -5
I decided to draw my own Series / Parallel circuit. (Hope I didn't make too many mistakes.) In the diagram, the DPDT switches work as follows: the left side of the switches turn the pickups on & off in parallel mode. the right side of the switches shunt each pickup in series mode. One disadvantage of this circuit is switching the bridge pickup in parallel mode has to be done by "lifting the ground". (Well, if the pickup is 2 wires plus ground, it really isn't quite doing that.) Well, what do you folks think?
|
|
|
Post by JohnH on Jan 16, 2010 17:32:32 GMT -5
One disadvantage of this circuit is switching the bridge pickup in parallel mode has to be done by "lifting the ground". (Well, if the pickup is 2 wires plus ground, it really isn't quite doing that.) Well, what do you folks think? Wolf - Good, but if you wish, you can avoid that hanging bridge coil - you are using the same parts as in this diagram from the ToneMonster2, BM series/parallel designs: schematicJohn
|
|
|
Post by wolf on Jan 16, 2010 18:01:21 GMT -5
Yes John I redrew it to make it a little easier to read. I redrew it on my own but yes I did use the 4PDT and 3 DPDT switches. If I study the original does it show how to avoid "hanging from the hot"?
|
|
|
Post by JohnH on Jan 16, 2010 18:24:27 GMT -5
Yes John I redrew it to make it a little easier to read. I redrew it on my own but yes I did use the 4PDT and 3 DPDT switches. If I study the original does it show how to avoid "hanging from the hot"? Yes it does - on the schematic I linked to above, S3 is the bridge on/off. In series mode the bridge pup is fully disconnected and in parallel mode, it is only conected to ground John
|
|
|
Post by wolf on Jan 18, 2010 4:17:17 GMT -5
Well, I redrew my diagram to neaten it up a bit: Anyway, I tried to rewire it so that the bridge pickup "off" position in parallel mode would not cause a "hanging from the hot" situation. If any of you people see a solution for this please let me know.
|
|
|
Post by wolf on Feb 5, 2010 18:01:18 GMT -5
Well it seems there are a lot of active threads today and I'm sorry for bumping this slightly old thread, but I have just finished my diagram (two actually) for a true series parallel switch for a 3 single coil guitar. There's a LOT more text I'll have to write but if nothing else, I am sure Diagram 1 is totally correct because I rewired a guitar from it. www.1728.com/guitar2a.htmJust let me know what you think.
|
|
|
Post by JohnH on Feb 5, 2010 18:31:40 GMT -5
Nice and clear as usual Wolf. I see the bridge coil hanging from hot is gone, and since youve built it, its all good.
Since your diagram is closely related to my design, how about a link to GN2 in your text? There's alot of background, comment and sound samples that can be found here if your readers wish to explore.
Also, on tone controls - I would be inclined to hard wire them to the respective pickups, or have master tone. One of the greatest sounds on this series wirng is if you combine neck with B or M pickups in series, and turn the treble just on the neck down (ie the neck tone control is directly connected across the neck pup), which actually adds treble by enhancing that from the other pickup by giving it a shorter path.
John
|
|