Hey all. I have a guitar with two humbuckers that has a separate volume for each pickup and a master tone. I do not know if this is standard–it’s been a LONG time since I had such an arrangement on a guitar–but in the middle/both-pickups-on switch position, turning either volume down to zero kills ALL the volume. Is there a way to rewire it so that rolling down one pickup only rolls of THAT pickup, so I can blend the two however I want?
2 Humbucker Wiring Question
- Thread starter micpoc
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- humbucker pickup wiring wiring
BB
Poster Extraordinaire
Zepfan nailed it! I've used Jazz Bass wiring on two builds over the years and it works beautifully. Good luck
Cool! Is there a way to do this that uses the 3-position switch?
When you think about it, having fully independent volumes sort of eliminates the need for the switch, doesn't it? Although I'm not clear if the overall circuit still has both pups in parallel even with one volume all the way down, which would make a difference.
Maybe this?
www.premierguitar.com
Maybe this?
Mod Garage: Decouple Your Les Paul’s Volume Controls
Ever been frustrated by how the two volume controls interact on a dual-humbucker axe? Here’s how to make them work independently.
www.premierguitar.com
It does, but it also eliminates the ability to switch quickly between three sounds. It may be that what I'd like to do is not possible with passive circuitry: it's one or the other. Maybe some blend pot arrangement would work.When you think about it, having fully independent volumes sort of eliminates the need for the switch, doesn't it? Although I'm not clear if the overall circuit still has both pups in parallel even with one volume all the way down, which would make a difference.
Maybe this?
Mod Garage: Decouple Your Les Paul’s Volume Controls
Ever been frustrated by how the two volume controls interact on a dual-humbucker axe? Here’s how to make them work independently.
I'll check out that link; thanks.
Swirling Snow
Tele-Meister
Unfortunately, all the schemes to give 'independent' volume controls effectively turn the volume controls into tone controls, so you lose highs and dynamics as you turn down.
I use a blend control with a normal volume and tone following it.
I use a blend control with a normal volume and tone following it.
mexicanyella
Friend of Leo's
Is your blend control a dual g
Is your blend control a dual ganged pot on a common shaft, or just a regular pot with a pickup “hot” to each outside lug and the center being the blended signal output?
I tried the latter approach on my two-pickup Dean bass when I rewired it as a passive instrument, just using stuff from my junk box, and it works well...but I’m not sure how well I’d like it for guitar. I tend to like that bass set one way: 50/50 neck and bridge, center detent. So I don’t know how accessible subtle shadings of different blends would be, wired that way
Is your blend control a dual ganged pot on a common shaft, or just a regular pot with a pickup “hot” to each outside lug and the center being the blended signal output?
I tried the latter approach on my two-pickup Dean bass when I rewired it as a passive instrument, just using stuff from my junk box, and it works well...but I’m not sure how well I’d like it for guitar. I tend to like that bass set one way: 50/50 neck and bridge, center detent. So I don’t know how accessible subtle shadings of different blends would be, wired that way
Swirling Snow
Tele-Meister
I use one of the dual ganged pots. I leave the ground floating, so it doesn't add as much load to the pickups. This does mean I never get a "full on" sound, but I haven't met an amp in the last 40 years that really needed it.
The center is humbucking, of course, and a bit to either side is that "unbalanced coil" sound PAFs were famous for. Of course, the full bridge with just a touch of the neck for bass sounds great, as does adding a bit of the bridge's overtone to the neck sounds.
So, you have seven distinct tones from the ganged pot, and then you have your volume and tone control and the usual things they do.
The center is humbucking, of course, and a bit to either side is that "unbalanced coil" sound PAFs were famous for. Of course, the full bridge with just a touch of the neck for bass sounds great, as does adding a bit of the bridge's overtone to the neck sounds.
So, you have seven distinct tones from the ganged pot, and then you have your volume and tone control and the usual things they do.
Nice. Isn't that a standard 2 pickup / 3-position / VVT wiring? If so, I wonder if there is something odd with mine...
After looking at the above diagram, switch the Pickup wire and Switch wire on the Volume pots. Pickup lead should go to center lug of volume and outer lug to switch. That will give you independent volume control.
Like Zepfan said just swap the wires. It's old wisdom. Just Google "Les Paul independent wiring".
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