Critique my Circuit

[SixShooter]

I want to have a cocked wah position on my four-way switch using two pickups. Below is what I came up with. I am looking for comments as to whether this will work and if there is a better way to do it. Switch positions would be:
1- Bridge
2- Bridge w/ cocked wah
3- Bridge and Neck
4- Neck
Kurt's Tele Wiring 4 way cocked wah resize1.jpg

[cc9cii]

Depends on what you consider as 'cocked wah'. Some use series cap+resistor in addition to another cap to ground, some simply use a cap. I think this is the first time I've seen a series cap on its own.

Otherwise seems to do as stated. Might be a tad noisy on the neck ony setting? YMMV

[cc9cii]

Not a better way, but a slightly different approach. Remove (or short) resistor/capacitor to suit taste. Also change cap values to suit.

[stlthinkin]

cc9cii, what effect will that additional 3.3kOhm resister and the cap have on the sound of that cocked wah setup? On my switch I just used a small cap to ground for the wah setting, but I've seen a lot of diagrams add those additional parts in there...

[cc9cii]

I've not A/B tested the two so I can't really comment on the tonal differences, but I'd imagine the change would be a subtle one. Those elements shape the frequency response and hence is almost a given that the results will be subjective (i.e. some people will like one and others will prefer the other).

IMHO, the single cap to ground is a simplified case of the tone pot being engaged, albeit with a different cap value (low pass filter). The cap in series is basically providing a high pass filter function.

[echofuzz]

Thanks for the diagram cc9cii. I am wiring up mine like this tonight (sans extra cap & resistor)

[cc9cii]

Caution: if you don't want a component

cap to ground - remove
series resistor - replace with a wire
series cap - replace with a wire

[echofuzz]

Thanks, yeah I figured that out last night. Just ran a jumper wire instead of the extra cap & resistor. Works great! I never liked the series sound of the 4 pos. switch. This is much more usable to me. I used a .001 cap for the trebley cocked sound. I might bump that up to .003 to make a hair darker. Only critique I have is a sound shut off when switching between neck/bridge position to neck only. Is that normal?

I have messed with my wiring a few times and it's possible I damaged the switch ...

[cc9cii]

Originally Posted by echofuzz

Only critique I have is a sound shut off when switching between neck/bridge position to neck only. Is that normal?

I have messed with my wiring a few times and it's possible I damaged the switch ...

Neck+bridge should work. If you don't get bridge in that position (assuming all wiring is correct) then the wiper on the RHS of the diagram may not be making a good contact with the lugs. Test it by temporarily soldering (or use clips) a piece of wire between the "common" lug (top) and the lug 2nd from the bottom, while the switch is in neck+bridge position. i.e. you're connecting the hot leads of the two pups. If you still don't get bridge, then there may be something not right with the bridge pickup.

[echofuzz]

Sorry I should have clarified—I get all 4 working positions, but when switching between 3 & 4 the sound cuts out on its way, and then comes back once I hit the neck only. Know what I mean? I can actually use this effect, maneuvering the lever inbetween 3 & 4 as a kill-switch, I am just not sure if it is supposed to do that. All the other positions have a smooth transition with no sound cut-out. Again thanks for your help!

[cc9cii]

Remove the wire from the bottom right hand corner going to the back of the pot (i.e. ground). It is not necessary and I have it there in case it helps with noise (I have no proof it helps, either). Looks like it causes problems more than solves - so simply get rid of it.