Brian May series setup, Adding parallel switch questions?

[txspecial81strat]

Hello Guys,  New user but I have been lurking in the shadows for a while. I love this Forum! Anyways, I put a BHM series OOP kit on a strat. While the series and OOP was Amazing ( debatable sound to many, but the first guitar solo i ever heard in my life was a Queen solo....that is the tone I prefer to chase) I have worn myself out of the series stuff 100% of the time. I would like to be able to add a switch to have the option of the original setup, but also a parallel option So i dont disgrace my strat by depriving it of its true identity haha. in other words, I want my quack back too. Im sorry i cant draw schematics and things very well. TBH i only gave about 20% of my eyesight. So things can get difficult but i can make it work. 

PS. I have a ton of DPDT push pull pots, a few 6 pin on/on/on, as well as a couple of 12 pin (4pdt?) that are brand new, I noticed some discussions had this 4pdt switch, but all other schematics only had 1 phase switch, My guitar has one phase and one ON/off for each pickup, So i am not sure how to implement the 4pdt

ALSO, I am using 2 TX specials in the Neck and Middle, And the hot Tex Mex pickup in the bridge. The specials were a littlle too much for the bridge for me

[txspecial81strat]

Sorry but here is the schematics i used to wire switches. NOTE I did correct the tone cap, the schematic is wrong on that part

[newey]

txspecial-

Hello and Wlecome to G-Nutz2!

As usual around here, JohnH has the goods on this if you want all the parallel combos. It does require using a 4PDT switch. The diagrams has been verified and built as well.

guitarnuts2.proboards.com/thread/4855/brian-series-parallel-switching-sss

I also came up with a scheme for a limited number of parallel options by repurposing one of the 3 phase switches into a series/parallel switch (2 phase switches are enough to get all OOP combos of 3 pickups). This avoids the need for a 4PDT switch, but only gets a limited number of parallel combos. There is a link to my scheme in JohnH's thread, but here's the shortcut:

guitarnuts2.proboards.com/thread/4650

If the goal is to "get the quack back", my scheme does give N + M and M + B, the standard Strat "quack" options. Of course, so does John's scheme, but with the extra complexity.

[txspecial81strat]

Thank you very much! i am sorry if i asked a repetitive thread but it is difficult for me to scroll through every thread trying to sort through everything. especially when its a work in progress and changes are being made. I never can tell if im at the final schematic or not lol. Bad eyes

 

[newey]

No problem asking the question in a new thread. It's tough to search the forum for a specific scheme, since people title things differently, and the search function here leaves a lot to be desired. Those with "institutional memory" here will be happy to provide a link to things unfound.

[txspecial81strat]

Nov 12, 2020 11:06:13 GMT -5 newey said:

I also came up with a scheme for a limited number of parallel options by repurposing one of the 3 phase switches into a series/parallel switch (2 phase switches are enough to get all OOP combos of 3 pickups). This avoids the need for a 4PDT switch, but only gets a limited number of parallel combos. There is a link to my scheme in JohnH's thread, but here's the shortcut:

guitarnuts2.proboards.com/thread/4650

If the goal is to "get the quack back", my scheme does give N + M and M + B, the standard Strat "quack" options. Of course, so does John's scheme, but with the extra complexity."

 well i got it on the bench and I believe  I may just go with your design. At first i didnt want to touch the original wiring because honestly, It was the best wiring job i had ever done in my life! As far as "praying someone else will ever see it" goes. But i know my guitar is no 1950-60era stratocaster, Its the first run of the American Standard in 87, in Cali. I guess they didnt want to cut wood back in those dayse because there is literally no extra space in the cavity, and everytime i start to route tis body for something i get a voice in my head that tells me, "it aint broke, dont fix it."  But after trying to find a way to fit the 4pdt in the cavity puts the switch lever exactly where it DOESNT need to be. Your design gets me what i need, never really need to mix series and parallel, one or the other for me  since i actually want that tone.  Thanks again

[newey]

Please report back, you'll be the first to build this version.

[txspecial81strat]

  I Decided to just order 6 more switches and build a new harness from scratch since everything is micro. But i stumbled across something i may have overthought way too much and now i second guessing myself. In the attached photo, I am trying to highlight the phase switches. As you see the wiring on the diagram i have, the phase switch is wired different in regards to how the pickup wires enter and exit the switch. To me it seems like its one of those "different ways to accomplish the same thing" type situation, or if there is something more complex to this that i am missing? Im a Plumber, not an electrician haha! Thanks for any knowledge   Would the function of the 2 switches in series mode be affected differently from the 2 different layouts? or could i simply use either end of the switch for the 2 wires going to PUP
 

[newey]

txspecial-

JohnH answered this in the separate thread you posted with this question. The two wirings are equivalent.

[syddd]

I'll also vouch for the series/parallel switch links provided. Added them to a Squier Strat, really great tonal option. The only drawback is that its not so easy quickly changing positions, but very great for exploring what pickup combinations you like.