bigfootcop
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Post by bigfootcop on Oct 17, 2020 17:39:05 GMT -5
Hello. I am looking to build a strat from scratch and would like to use the Armstrong wiring with one volume and two tone pots. However, I would like to have the upper tone control the neck and mid, while the other tone pot controls the bridge pickup. Does anyone know if that schematic has been posted or where I could find it. Thanks
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Post by sumgai on Oct 17, 2020 20:49:34 GMT -5
bfc, First, to The NutzHouse! Second, what you want is dead simple, and easy to do. However, if you're wanting a diagram, we'd first like to know what kind of switch (pickup selector) you're planning on using. It can be almost any style, brand, etc., but I'd hate to present information that wouldn't be useful to you, and have to do it over... you understand. If you're taking recomendations, then let cost and availability be your guide. Some folks will try to convince you that switch Brand X is the bee's knees, but for your basic needs, that's not true. However, if this is going to be a springboard for a more involved setup later down the road, then we really do need to discuss your needs now, to prevent having to toss overboard a bunch of ideas and components. HTH sumgai
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bigfootcop
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Post by bigfootcop on Oct 20, 2020 10:14:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. I plan on using 3 mini switches. I believe the Armstrong strat requires two DPDT switches for neck and mid, and a DP3T for bridge. Almost all wiring schematics that I found involve the tone pots to control the neck and mid individually (like a standard strat). I would like to find out the wiring so one tone pot controls the mid and neck while the other controls the bridge. Want to take some of the treble off the bridge. Thanks.
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Post by newey on Oct 20, 2020 11:13:14 GMT -5
Is this what you are doing? If so, you would simply swap the tone pot wiring for the middle to the bridge. Instead of wiring the middle pickup "negative" to the tone pot, wire it to ground. Instead of wiring the bridge pickup "negative" to ground, wire it to the (formerly) middle pickup tone pot just as shown for the middle pickup on the diagram. All other wiring stays the same (Note the "Y" designation on the diagram and follow accordingly- the Bridge negative wire becomes "Y")
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bigfootcop
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Post by bigfootcop on Oct 20, 2020 15:50:17 GMT -5
Almost. Yes that is basically what I want except I would like the neck tone pot to control the tone for both neck and mid and the other tone pot to control just bridge.
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Post by newey on Oct 20, 2020 16:05:10 GMT -5
OK, that's going to be more problematic, given that the M and N are connected in series in the one switch position.. Let's let someone else weigh in, maybe there's an easy solution I'm just not seeing.
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bigfootcop
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Post by bigfootcop on Oct 20, 2020 16:43:52 GMT -5
Thanks. Appreciate it.
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Post by JohnH on Oct 24, 2020 1:42:57 GMT -5
This Dan Armstrong Super Strat would have to be one of the most Nutziest wiring schemes (in a good way) from the pre-internet age - having been published in an actual paper magazine in 1987. Ive always found it intriguing but I never really got my head around it, due to the way its usually drawn and how series and parallel switch directions vary. But based on this thread, I decided to draw out a schematic of the main switching to help 'see' it: Its pretty clever really! I didn't draw the tone pots, which are the topic of this thread. But the way they work is that each tone circuit of cap and pot is wired directly to the same lugs as its respective pickup, so it operates when the pickup is on. As with most designs, in parallel mode, all active pots act on all pickups that are on - as in a normal Strat. But in series mode they are separated and you can tone down the treble contribution from one pickup while keeping and enhancing that from the others. This leads to a lot of added versatility beyond just the switching options. This thread is about how to add a tone control to the Bridge pickup, and use the other combined for Neck and Middle. I don't think this can be done properly using the standard pots, though you can chose to move the M tone control to B if you want. But, it can be done if you get a dual-gang pot and wire it for the N and M tone control, exactly like the two usual tone pots are but combined into one shaft. Then wire one normal tone pot directly across the B pickup, ie to lug 'C' and to Ground. To reduce loading id use 500k log pots for all the tone controls.
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Post by Yogi B on Oct 24, 2020 4:59:06 GMT -5
I don't think this can be done properly using the standard pots I apologise for not posting sooner, but would this do the trick? The only tweak to the switching is located on the right-hand pole of the middle toggle switch, where the locations of the existing connections are reversed and the remaining terminal is tied to the volume pot input. From there, the middle/neck tone is connected between the middle pickup negative (Y) and the link from middle switch to the bridge switch. Leaving the bridge tone to be located as you described: connected between bridge pickup positive (C) and its negative/ground (Z)
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Post by JohnH on Oct 24, 2020 15:31:23 GMT -5
OK so that's clever and I should stop saying that things cant be done.
But, I still wouldn't be using a standard pot for the NM tone, due to loading in series mode. A 250k pot across two pickups in series dulls it down significantly, and its already quite a mellow tone. If its desired to keep the option of some edge to its series tone, then getting that loading reduced is key. On Yogis circuit, a no-load pot will do it and I think that's probably the best solution. I have this arrangement on My HSS Strat (different circuit but many similar options) and N and M in series gets used with the tone pot at no-load. I fact, all the series sounds on a set of Strat pickups seem to sound better with no tone pot active, so a no=load for Bridge too would be my suggestion.
In my dual ganged suggestion - I went for higher value pots and by keeping the NM pot as two halves, the total loading in series mode is reduced.
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bigfootcop
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Post by bigfootcop on Oct 26, 2020 10:06:48 GMT -5
Excellent work John. I appreciate the time and effort you put forth. You're right about it not being an easy request.
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