H-S-H series/parallel switch help please :)

[Sponge Monkey]

Ok so im fitting two BKP's into my rg350m-ye next week.

it is H-S-H (im leaving the middle single coil as is for now).

anyway, im thinking of swapping out the tone/volume pots for a push/pull pot, one for each humbucker to change it from series to parallel when pulled out.

i've found this:


but i dont know how to implement it. Using the DIMARZIO side as an example, i assume the + output will act as red, and the - will act as green, and both will be wired as usual, but then where does the black/white wire (which would be connected together and attatched to the switch in typical RG wiring) go?


if someone could provide a wiring diagram for this, it would be greatly appreciated!

[Sponge Monkey]

ill take the lead on my own question then.

i've drawn this up (poorly, sorry) and i think this is right:


Im looking to keep the standard Ibanez H-S-H config, (bridge, bridge 1 coil and middle, middle, middle and neck 1 coil, neck), but then to switch wiring to parallel when the pot is pulled up.

could someone check this for me? thanks!

[reguv760]

just so you know, BKP green + black wires are slightly different:


vs



based on your diagram, i think you reverse the green with the black.
I haven't tried wiring a setup similar to what you're asking but that kinda looks right? just not sure what it sounds like in positions 2 + 4 with the push-pull up.

Reg

[Sponge Monkey]

Originally Posted by reguv760

just not sure what it sounds like in positions 2 + 4 with the push-pull up.
Reg

that is exactly my concern. i added the out on the top left pin of the dpdt to allow for the coil split in 2 and 4 when its in series,

but i dont know how to make that work in parallel.

anybody else got any suggestions?

[reguv760]

i could be wrong here but i think the black wire on the top left should be on the middle lug, white wire [on your diagram]. Otherwise, it kinda makes sense :P

[reguv760]

.....

[Sponge Monkey]

Originally Posted by reguv760

could be wrong here but i think the wire on the top left pin should be in the middle lug white wire since positions 2 + 4 takes only one of the coils into the switch.

Reg Today 02:09 PM

yeah i think you're right.
otherwise i'll get no output from the pup when in parallel.

[Sponge Monkey]

so, it looks like this is the correct wiring!:



unless anybody wants to say otherwise?
PLEASE SAY if you know its wrong, it will save a 17 year old moron alot of wiring grief

[Vim Fuego]

Sorry to chime in so late but actually this diagram is better....

Originally Posted by Sponge Monkey

ill take the lead on my own question then.

i've drawn this up (poorly, sorry) and i think this is right:


Im looking to keep the standard Ibanez H-S-H config, (bridge, bridge 1 coil and middle, middle, middle and neck 1 coil, neck), but then to switch wiring to parallel when the pot is pulled up.

could someone check this for me? thanks!

Here you'll get the coil taps in position 2 and 4 in series mode but 2 and 4 will have both coils in parallel in parallel mode i.e. you won't have coil taps in parallel mode. (hope that makes sense)
This is the best you can do as the other option, connecting the tap wire to one of the centre lugs on the switch as in your later diagram will turn the whole guitar off in 2 and 4!
The parallel selection should sound more like a single coil anyway (but without the hum) so you probably won't need the taps anyway.
Of course check what reguv760 says about the wire colours but otherwise go with this one...
Jim

[Sponge Monkey]

but with the first diagram, wouldnt the first position of the 5 way switch give me both coils in parallel mode? so theres no need to have 2 as both coils aswell?

[Vim Fuego]

Originally Posted by Sponge Monkey

but with the first diagram, wouldnt the first position of the 5 way switch give me both coils in parallel mode? so theres no need to have 2 as both coils aswell?

True, but don't forget 2 and 4 have the single coil as well so won't sound the same as 1 and 5.
Also the way you tap series coils is by shorting them out hence the tap wire to the switch, the way you tap parallel coils is by disconnecting them, not possible to do both with the switches that are available.
Finally if you tapped 2 and 4 in both modes then it would sound the same, here 2 and 4 in parallel will sound slightly different to 2 and 4 in series.
Jim

[Sponge Monkey]

ah yeah, i completely forgot 2 had the single coil aswell xD

thanks alot! so my first diagram should be spot on? not bad for a noobies first pup wiring

[Vim Fuego]

Yup, good work, don't forget the wire colours for the Bare Knuckles aren't quite the same as the Dimarzio, so swap the green and black to the switches if necessary.
I was thinking of putting a series/parallel switch for the neck pickup of my guitar, as you've done the hard work for me maybe I will now!
Jim

[Sponge Monkey]

Originally Posted by Vim Fuego

Yup, good work, don't forget the wire colours for the Bare Knuckles aren't quite the same as the Dimarzio, so swap the green and black to the switches if necessary.
I was thinking of putting a series/parallel switch for the neck pickup of my guitar, as you've done the hard work for me maybe I will now!
Jim

ahaha! cheeky sod

and about the colours, it doesnt matter too much in the diagram, i'll check the pup schematics when they arrive and adjust my colours accordingly (Y)

also, i was gonna get some alluminium tape to shield from interference, but being as there's only one position which isn't hum canceling, i guess i dont have to bother really :P

[vai n maiden]

Consider that diagram stolen! I've been trying to work out how to have both parallel/series and the standard position 2/4 splitting on one guitar. Now you've worked it out for me - cheeeers!