Need help with HHH wiring.

[kaahhnn]

Firstly, hello SD forum. Been enjoying reading the posts and see there are a lot of knowledgeable people here. Hoping to be able to get acquainted and start learning mods and experimenting different setups. On to the assistance I need in order to get started on that.

I am putting all new electronics and pickups in my Ibanez RG270 DX. I'm using an SH-8 Invader in the neck, STHR-1N Hot Rails in the middle, and an SH-13 Dimebucker in the bridge. I already removed all old components, put in a 500K Bourns tapered volume pot (can, and most likely will, swap with a 500K push/pull audio pot), a Bourns 500K push/pull tone pot, an Oak- Grigsby 5 way, 4 pole super switch, 1/4" stereo output jack and foil taped the cavity. I have a few extra Push/Pull audio pots (500K), .022 caps (if needed) and some knobs in case I absolutely must drill a hole, which I'd prefer to avoid. I also have a DiMarzio Crunch Lab and SD Jazz Humbucker that I just installed on my ESP Horizon NT-II, but I am not terribly sold on the tone for that guitar, so I have options for pickups.

With all that said, here is what I am trying to do.

I'm planning on keeping the Ibanez tuned to D or lower to play heavier, thicker tones. I like the deep drive of the Invader (especially in the neck!) and I really like the high output, sharper tone of the Dimebucker in the bridge as it helps crisp up the low end (I play 12s on the Ibanez). The middle I originally wanted to put the Dimarzio Evolution single coil to be able to give a bit of a brighter tone to both humbuckers, but decided to give the Hot Rails a shot instead, as it fit a single coil position and I could split the coil to play with possible warming tones or possibly sharper tones through distortion.

I was thinking that in order to get this sound, I would use this set-up:

Pot Down: (Would like to set up series/parallel if possible with what I ask)
Pos 1: Neck
Pos 2: Neck + Middle
Pos 3: Middle (Considering Neck + Middle + Bridge)
Pos 4: Middle + Bridge
Pos 5: Bridge

Pot Up:
Pos 1: Neck North Coil + Bridge South Coil
Pos 2: Neck North Coil + Middle South Coil
Pos 3: Neck South Coil + Middle South Coil + Bridge South Coil
Pos 4: Middle North Coil + Bridge South Coil
Pos 5: Neck South Coil + Bridge North Coil

I'm very open to suggestion, I'd like to do more, but I thought this would be task enough for now. If someone could assist with this wiring diagram setup, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Robert S.]

Good morning kaahhnn and welcome to the SDUGF!

I am not sure if what you want to do is practical, let alone possible but let me point out a couple of things for consideration. First off the neck/mid/bridge option isn't very useful. I had a three humbucker Strat wired so I could do that and I didn't use it but once on a recording. If you don't want to have a mid pickup alone option then I would suggest you make the #3 position bridge + neck. It is a more useful tone and it will make it far easier to have the neck south + bridge north option wired off the push pull.

The second thing I see is that your pot up options do not line up with your pot down options. Using a push pull pot as a coil split is simple enough but you wont be able to go from Pos 5 Bridge to Pos 5 neck south coil + bridge north coil with the push pull wired as a coil split.

You can get most of what you are looking for but not in the order you have it listed.

The neck north + bridge south and neck south + bridge north options are so similar that it probably isn't worth wiring and you'll need a second push pull installed.

If one of our guys (and they are very good) can write this one up, I want to see it!

[orpheo]

Cant be done with one push pull pot. You'll need something a lot bigger. its so uhm.. Impossibke and impractical i wont even consider drawing it up.

[orpheo]

Using a 4 pole 5 way blade and a 3 pole on/off/on toggle this can be done though. At least, a huge chunk of it.

[Richard Irons]

Leave this one with me. I have an idea. Will get back to you in a day or so.

[Richard Irons]

Ok, thought through my idea in the shower. Can't be done as specified. Unless you want to use relays (you don't).

[kaahhnn]

Haha, kind of figured it was a bit off base. Anyway, it is why I said I'm open for suggestion and have more electronics to work with on hand (such as other push/pull tone and audio pots).

Robert S. - Middle position is rough. I really like the idea of bridge and neck full, seeing as the secondary isn't going to be a reality, perhaps this would be better:


Pos 1: Neck
Pos 2: Neck + Middle
Pos 3: Middle
Pos 4: Neck + Bridge
Pos 5: Bridge

Pos 1: Neck (single)
Pos 2: Neck + Middle (Both single)
Pos 3: Middle (Single)
Pos 4: Neck + Bridge (Both Single)
Pos 5: Bridge (Single)

I'm gonna swap the tapered audio pot with a 500K push/pull so I have 2 p/p pots to work with. I can install a 2nd tone p/p as well so I have 3, but I feel like that will be a bit cluttered. Would I be able to set one pot to run series/parallel and the other to coil split? I'm not opposed to running the middle pick up with the red/white soldered and taped to keep it simple.

[orpheo]

If you want the middle split, take a look at the fender s1 pot. You need at least 3 poles if you wanna have the middle split, and the others too.

[kaahhnn]

If you want the middle split, take a look at the fender s1 pot. You need at least 3 poles if you wanna have the middle split, and the others too.

I know. I was suggesting to basically run the middle in series with itself simply to make the rest of the wiring easier. I can live with the middle not being split. I'd prefer to keep it to 2 p/p pots, trying to find my options with what I have, what is realistic, suggestions, etc at this point. Once that is established, it will be easier to find out how I need to wire it. This is my first time working with the electronics, so learning as I go and finding out what is too ambitious at the moment and what I can do with my equipment to get the best tones from my pickups.

[Myaccount876]

Would you be open to having individual volumes for each pickup (so you can have any combination). Or you can have the Master Volume and Master Tone control with on/off switches for each pickup. Then for the two knobs they can be push pulls to coil split two pickups, and an extra mini switch to coil split the third. That could be done and I would be more than happy to draw a diagram for that. How does it sound?

P.S. Drilling the holes for four switches won't be too hard. You just may want to enlarge the control cavity to make sure it all fits.

[Zhaggy]

If you want the middle split, take a look at the fender s1 pot. You need at least 3 poles if you wanna have the middle split, and the others too.

Actually you can do 3 splits with just 2 poles (normal push/pull switch)
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...c=1lil1v1t5w3s

Haha, kind of figured it was a bit off base. Anyway, it is why I said I'm open for suggestion and have more electronics to work with on hand (such as other push/pull tone and audio pots).

Robert S. - Middle position is rough. I really like the idea of bridge and neck full, seeing as the secondary isn't going to be a reality, perhaps this would be better:


Pos 1: Neck
Pos 2: Neck + Middle
Pos 3: Middle
Pos 4: Neck + Bridge
Pos 5: Bridge

Pos 1: Neck (single)
Pos 2: Neck + Middle (Both single)
Pos 3: Middle (Single)
Pos 4: Neck + Bridge (Both Single)
Pos 5: Bridge (Single)

I'm gonna swap the tapered audio pot with a 500K push/pull so I have 2 p/p pots to work with. I can install a 2nd tone p/p as well so I have 3, but I feel like that will be a bit cluttered. Would I be able to set one pot to run series/parallel and the other to coil split? I'm not opposed to running the middle pick up with the red/white soldered and taped to keep it simple.

With a super switch you can do this and the 3 splits with just one push/pull or if you want the bridge + neck in the 3rd position that is easy as well. But bridge + neck will be out-of-phase if 2nd and 4th are in-phase.

[kaahhnn]

Actually you can do 3 splits with just 2 poles (normal push/pull switch)
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...c=1lil1v1t5w3s



With a super switch you can do this and the 3 splits with just one push/pull or if you want the bridge + neck in the 3rd position that is easy as well. But bridge + neck will be out-of-phase if 2nd and 4th are in-phase.

I have a super switch installed. I would be eternally grateful if you would assist me! I just wired it with this config (http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...1v_1t_sper5way) to get a handle on wiring so I could see what issues I may find working with so much in so little of space. Also to see what difficulties I may come across that I need someone more knowledgeable than myself to direct me to a easier method or proper solution. I found I have a few. Again, I sincerely thank all who are willing to help and answer any questions I ask, whether amateurish or outright difficult, I always appreciate those kind enough to give their time to help others understand and learn new skills!

With that said, I found I really need to open the cavity in the RG270 DX as it is a little too jam packed. I also need a little help, or suggestions, for wiring in general. I took apart a high end phone wire (solid copper) about 26 gauge, to use for the jumpers. I did this as they are very pliable, conductive and easy to work with when doing that small of a connection. I have 26 gauge shielded "guitar" wire (about 18 feet).

My questions:

With shielded, I believe I should be connecting the braided ground to the ground connection, is this correct?

What is best (in your experiences) to use for jumpers? Simple wire made into jumpers? I found this especially annoying (though doable) when connecting multiple positions such as 2,3 and 4 for the middle pickup to do neck/mid, mid and mid/bridge. If it is just something I need to practice and get better at, so be it.

I dont want to ground to the pots, I have it grounded half assedly to my trem spring mount. I don't believe I have it set up the best. Any suggestions for great grounding? I am willing to alter the guitar.

Sorry so many questions, but thanks a lot to any and all who help and have a little patience. I promise to keep things respectful and research anything I'm asked to in order to relay the proper information you may need from me. Thanks!

[tonello]

Not worth it. IT's not practical, and not really possible with the control layout you have. At least one more push pull would have to be installed. IMO, I'd just go with an HHH guitar, and give each independent push pull volume controls and a 3 way switch. You can "turn off" each pup by rolling down the volume, and it'll give you the ability to do the crazy coil split stuff that you want.

[kaahhnn]

Not worth it. IT's not practical, and not really possible with the control layout you have. At least one more push pull would have to be installed. IMO, I'd just go with an HHH guitar, and give each independent push pull volume controls and a 3 way switch. You can "turn off" each pup by rolling down the volume, and it'll give you the ability to do the crazy coil split stuff that you want.

If you mean by the original post, yes. We have established that. I'm sure I have a setup that is plenty capable of doing what I'm trying to accomplish now though. I'm thinking you missed the follow up posts past the original one.

[Zhaggy]

I have a super switch installed. I would be eternally grateful if you would assist me! I just wired it with this config (http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...1v_1t_sper5way) to get a handle on wiring so I could see what issues I may find working with so much in so little of space. Also to see what difficulties I may come across that I need someone more knowledgeable than myself to direct me to a easier method or proper solution. I found I have a few. Again, I sincerely thank all who are willing to help and answer any questions I ask, whether amateurish or outright difficult, I always appreciate those kind enough to give their time to help others understand and learn new skills!

With that said, I found I really need to open the cavity in the RG270 DX as it is a little too jam packed. I also need a little help, or suggestions, for wiring in general. I took apart a high end phone wire (solid copper) about 26 gauge, to use for the jumpers. I did this as they are very pliable, conductive and easy to work with when doing that small of a connection. I have 26 gauge shielded "guitar" wire (about 18 feet).

My questions:

With shielded, I believe I should be connecting the braided ground to the ground connection, is this correct?

What is best (in your experiences) to use for jumpers? Simple wire made into jumpers? I found this especially annoying (though doable) when connecting multiple positions such as 2,3 and 4 for the middle pickup to do neck/mid, mid and mid/bridge. If it is just something I need to practice and get better at, so be it.

I dont want to ground to the pots, I have it grounded half assedly to my trem spring mount. I don't believe I have it set up the best. Any suggestions for great grounding? I am willing to alter the guitar.

Sorry so many questions, but thanks a lot to any and all who help and have a little patience. I promise to keep things respectful and research anything I'm asked to in order to relay the proper information you may need from me. Thanks!

If I were you I would use the diagram that you said you wired it with and keep it simple (coming from a guy who has a 3 hum Les Paul with 192 different pickups combos available) cause that diagram has the good and useful sounds in it. If you really want and need all the split sounds I can draw the diagram for you but I would keep it the way you have it already.

[darthphineas]

Ok, thought through my idea in the shower.

agreed. I also get all my best ideas of the day first thing in the morning before I'm done with the shower. it's like washing away all of the dirt in the brain from the previous day. but then I'm worthless the rest of the day. lol!

[Richard Irons]

Key kaahhnn.

Am I right in thinking that you want:

HHH
Master volume; master tone
Single push/pull pot

5-way switch to achieve:

with pot pushed IN:

Pos 1: Neck
Pos 2: Neck + Middle
Pos 3: Middle
Pos 4: Neck + Bridge
Pos 5: Bridge

with pot pulled OUT:

Pos 1: Neck (single)
Pos 2: Neck + Middle (Both single) - hum-cancelling
Pos 3: Middle (Single)
Pos 4: Neck + Bridge (Both Single) - hum-cancelling
Pos 5: Bridge (Single)

If that's all correct, then it can be done and I can produce a diagram for you.


However, your series/parallel option is difficult. One DPDT switch is required to switch one pickup between series and parallel. So you would need one per pickup. The other issue is that in parallel mode, pulling the "split" pot would short out all the pickups and silence the guitar.

[AlleeCat]

I got "around" some of those wiring issues by using Triple Shots.

In my Ibanez I have an Invader (in the bridge), a set og PG's (middle,neck), 3- volumes, 3-On/Off/On switches (pick up on/off, phase) and the TS's for series/ parallel.
I didn't add a tone control, but it would be easy to do so using double-stacked pots.

I had to do a little routing in the control cavity, to make enough room for all 3 pots.

The results are pictured in my avatar.

Anyway, there are many options you could go with, this is what I settled on.
I get many combinations, and tones.

Good Luck with your project!!!


AlleeCat

[AlleeCat]

Here's a diagram a forum bro sent me.....

[AlleeCat]

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...type=3&theater