Series/parallel switch question

[SixStringSlinger]

I have a guitar with one humbucker, one volume control and a series/parallel toggle switch, following this diagram:

Say I want to add another humbucker, and also be able to use the same series/parallel switch for that. Is that possible? If so, should I just make the same connections from the new pickup to the switch, in addition to the connections already there for the existing pickup?

 

[Boreas]

Depends if you want both pups ON constantly. If you want it to work like a standard 3-way switch and still be able to change phase, I think you will need a different switch. But I am no expert, so I would await replies from people with more experience than I.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

Depends if you want both pups ON constantly. If you want it to work like a standard 3-way switch and still be able to change phase, I think you will need a different switch. But I am no expert, so I would await replies from people with more experience than I.

Yes, I'd like the 3-way pickup selector to work like any other, with a separate switch for series/parallel for both pickups. It's fine by me if that means the series/parallel setting is the same for both pickups at any given time, though.

 

[Blue Bill]

I'm pretty sure you would need a separate DPDT switch for the other pickup. Unless you can find a 4PDT switch and manage to fit it into the cavity, that might work.

 

[Boreas]

Yes, I'd like the 3-way pickup selector to work like any other, with a separate switch for series/parallel for both pickups. It's fine by me if that means the series/parallel setting is the same for both pickups at any given time, though.

If you want that switch to be able to work as a typical 3-way switch AND to be able to switch phase, I don't think it is possible. They do make 3-way toggles that are actually 6-way. The switch has both an up/down position with 3 selections in each. That may work. WARNING - they ain't cheap...

https://www.freewayswitch.com/products/

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I'm pretty sure you would need a separate DPDT switch for the other pickup. Unless you can find a 4PDT switch and manage to fit it into the cavity, that might work.

Hmm. I was hoping to use a Strat-style switch.

If you want that switch to be able to work as a typical 3-way switch AND to be able to switch phase, I don't think it is possible. They do make 3-way toggles that are actually 6-way. The switch has both an up/down position with 3 selections in each. That may work. WARNING - they ain't cheap...

https://www.freewayswitch.com/products/

I'll need to look into whether that can do the same 3-way switching on both banks, just one in series and the other in parallel. I'm not interested in phase switching or anything else like that.

 

[Boreas]

Hmm. I was hoping to use a Strat-style switch.



I'll need to look into whether that can do the same 3-way switching on both banks, just one in series and the other in parallel. I'm not interested in phase switching or anything else like that.

I am getting confused - do you want to use this 3-way toggle or a 3-way Strat/Tele-style switch? If you have no desire to switch phase, the switch you have should be sufficient to simply select pickups.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I am getting confused - do you want to use this 3-way toggle or a 3-way Strat/Tele-style switch? If you have no desire to switch phase, the switch you have should be sufficient to simply select pickups.

I currently have one humbucker on a two-way toggle for series/parallel (and a volume control, but I don't think that's relevant)

I want to add a second humbucker and a 3-way blade switch to work as is typical: neck - neck+bridge - bridge.

I also want the series/parallel toggle to do on both pickups what it currently does on the one.

I may also add a tone control, but again, I don't think that's relevant.

 

[moosie]

Separate DPDT is needed, sorry. You want to switch the pickups as one, but not necessarily have them both ON all the time, right?

However, it will work as I think you intend if you run the pickup hots and commons to a selector switch first. Which requires a super switch.

 

[Boreas]

I currently have one humbucker on a two-way toggle for series/parallel (and a volume control, but I don't think that's relevant)

I want to add a second humbucker and a 3-way blade switch to work as is typical: neck - neck+bridge - bridge.

I also want the series/parallel toggle to do on both pickups what it currently does on the one.

I may also add a tone control, but again, I don't think that's relevant.

OK, I think I understand now. All the info will be relevant when you go to wire it all up. You want 2 switches and 2 pickups. CRL/Oak switch will switch pups, and toggle will control phasing only. Hopefully someone else can suggest how to control phase on 2 pups on a standard 3-way toggle.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

Separate DPDT is needed, sorry. You want to switch the pickups as one, but not necessarily have them both ON all the time, right?

Correct.

However, it will work as I think you intend if you run the pickup hots and commons to a selector switch first. Which requires a super switch.

Ah ha! I was wondering is going pickup-selector-toggle would get me around it, rather than pickup-toggle-selector.

 

[Blue Bill]

Sounds like you are looking for something like this:

It should end up looking something like this :

 

[SixStringSlinger]

This should do for @moosie 's version of my idea, no?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=203297840267

Sounds like you are looking for something like this:

View attachment 840082

It should end up looking something like this :

View attachment 840083

Funny thing is, if I can get my way then all I'll need is a standard Strat pickguard (with appropriate pickup holes)

 

[moosie]

This should do for @moosie 's version of my idea, no?

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=203297840267



Funny thing is, if I can get my way then all I'll need is a standard Strat pickguard (with appropriate pickup holes)

Think so, yes. I'm not really here, busy in the shop and this is just a swing by, so I didn't actually read the whole thread . But if you want standard two pickup, three way, Tele style switching, but with a master switch to put the active pickup coils into one of three configurations... this is your huckleberry.

 

[TwoBear]

I have a guitar with one humbucker, one volume control and a series/parallel toggle switch, following this diagram:

Say I want to add another humbucker, and also be able to use the same series/parallel switch for that. Is that possible? If so, should I just make the same connections from the new pickup to the switch, in addition to the connections already there for the existing pickup?

I haven’t read all the way down yet but that mini switch you have says series split parallel and that would be achieved by either a on off on switch or a on on on switch, you could tell by turning your volume up and tapping on the pick up and seeing if one coil only works when your switch is in the middle. I guess also you could have just a dual Throw switch in there.

 

[2HBStrat]

OK, I think I understand now. All the info will be relevant when you go to wire it all up. You want 2 switches and 2 pickups. CRL/Oak switch will switch pups, and toggle will control phasing only. Hopefully someone else can suggest how to control phase on 2 pups on a standard 3-way toggle.

I don't think you can. The best solution would be a new mini switch for the second humbucker..

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I haven’t read all the way down yet but that mini switch you have says series split parallel and that would be achieved by either a on off on switch or a on on on switch, you could tell by turning your volume up and tapping on the pick up and seeing if one coil only works when your switch is in the middle. I guess also you could have just a dual Throw switch in there.

It's a 2-way toggle for series/parallel.

I don't think you can. The best solution would be a new mini switch for the second humbucker..

Right now the super switch idea sounds like the ticket, though I'd have to research what the wiring would even look like as I've never used a super switch before. I'd like to avoid using a second toggle if possible.

 

[2HBStrat]

....Right now the super switch idea sounds like the ticket, though I'd have to research what the wiring would even look like as I've never used a super switch before. I'd like to avoid using a second toggle if possible.

I've used Super Switchesa lot. Fender used them on the mid-late 90's Big Apple and Lone Star models. On the Big Apple it is used to create a parallel mode between the two humbuckers in position 2. Search for a Big Apple wiring diagram. That might get you going in the right direction. BTW and FWIW after much experimentation I've realized that I prefer a humbucker split rather than parallel. YMMV...

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I've used Super Switchesa lot. Fender used them on the mid-late 90's Big Apple and Lone Star models. On the Big Apple it is used to create a parallel mode between the two humbuckers in position 2. Search for a Big Apple wiring diagram. That might get you going in the right direction. BTW and FWIW after much experimentation I've realized that I prefer a humbucker split rather than parallel. YMMV...

Thanks for the tip!

I find the exact opposite I've had a couple of guitars with coil splits and never liked them. Series/parallel switching on a humbucker isn't the biggest difference but it's just enough for me. A little less density, a little less oomph.

 

[Boreas]

It's a 2-way toggle for series/parallel.



Right now the super switch idea sounds like the ticket, though I'd have to research what the wiring would even look like as I've never used a super switch before. I'd like to avoid using a second toggle if possible.

Check out the Freeway switch up in #5. They seem to have several options and could likely point you in the right direction and send you the proper schematic.