RG520 wiring- loses volume in middle?

[gauchosilvertone]

I'm wiring my 540 Saber like a 520 (I can explain why if anyone cares). Following the Ibanez diagram as closely as I could manage, all the positions work EXCEPT position 3 which should be neck and bridge humbuckers together. Any idea what gives?

[LonePhantom]

What switch are you using? Chances are the five way switch in the 520 is designed specifically for the 2 humbucker configuration. Standard strat style 5 ways aren't that great for two humbucker setups.

[gauchosilvertone]

The stock YM-50.

I had removed the middle pickup and tied off the black and whites on both humbuckers (DiMarzios), so that the humbuckers were always active in positions 1, 2, 4, & 5, and the middle position was a killswitch. I've decided to wire it like a 520 (if possible) to get a couple split coil sounds, and more importantly to get the neck & bridge humbucker sound.

I don't want the middle pickup there because in order to get it close enough to the strings to compete with the humbuckers, it's totally in the way and annoys the bejesus out of me.

[MicJustMic]

Originally Posted by LonePhantom

What switch are you using? Chances are the five way switch in the 520 is designed specifically for the 2 humbucker configuration. Standard strat style 5 ways aren't that great for two humbucker setups.

Exactly correct, LonePhantom.

I had a 520 with the 'special' 5-way switch.

A standard 5 way can't, no matter how you wire it, give the same selection as the special 5-way.

[gauchosilvertone]

A-ha.

In that case, is there a way to give me the neck and bridge humbucker sound at all, forgetting about the split (position 2 and 4) sounds? That is the main thing I'm after. I've got the old Petrucci setup of the Humbucker from Hell in the neck and Tone Zone in the bridge, and I think they would complement each other beautifully in combination.

[LonePhantom]

Order from your local Ibanez dealer 3PS1SC5 switch (made by Cortek for Ibanez). Or if you want to try it,convert this Seymour Duncan H-H with standard 5 way switch to suit the YM-50 (there are conversion charts available on the web).

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...=2hb_1vol_5way

Remember SD Black is DZ red.

[moonlight]

You might be able to get position three working as you want with a couple of jumper wires on the switch. You have to jump the terminal that the wire from the pickups connect to terminals that are closed to output in position 3. Sorry, I don't remember which ones they are on the switch you have as I have gone to CRL switches.

[gauchosilvertone]

For those interested in the conversion of an import type to a US 5-way switch:

http://alloutput.com/guitar/5-way-switches-explained/

[LonePhantom]

Ah good stuff. That has a great easy to follow guide.

[gauchosilvertone]

Just got it wired up last night- I LOVE this configuration! The only downside is I can't smack the switch all the way to position 5 and get my neck position like I'm accustomed to.
With standard Jem type wiring I never use the middle position, and with this setup I use everything. Long live Jemsite.