Help With Schematic!

[nuno81291]

I was just wiring my Les Paul to the Seymour Duncan (2 HMBK/2 VOL/2 TONE/ 3- way switch with series-split-parallel) schematic.

I decided that I wanted to have the option on BOTH humbuckers, SO, I took (2) DPDT's and wired it the way it suggests with the bridge pickup. I took the white wire to lug B on both switchs. Then took the red wire to lug E. Then the green to lug C and the Black to lug F. Then, from both Lug F's, I went to Lug 3 on the volume pots. Then from lug 3 to lug 2 with caps on the tone pot. I took the grounds from lug 1, and attached them to the middle of the ground plate with the ground lug. I attached the ground from the pickups here too. NOW, I am confuzed with the output jack/toggle switch. I took the red wire from lug 2 on the TREBLE VOL, and went to the toggle. I took the white wire from lug 2 on the neck vol, and took it to the toggle. I then took the black wire from the toggle to the common ground, and attached the green and the output jack.

All I get is hum, no signal.

I need immediate help, I need my guitar for tomorrow.

Thanks,

Mike

[ArtieToo]

You didn't mention it in your post, but did you notice that there's a small jumper, (shown as an extension of the white wire), that goes from lug B to lug D? If you leave that off, you'll get your exact symptom.

[nuno81291]

yes, sorry, I did have both of those done on both DPDT's.

I am worried.

[ArtieToo]

Ok, cool. I'll grind my brain on this some more, but it sounds like you did everything right. You may want to just double and triple-check everything. I can't believe some of the dumb mistakes I've made sometimes.

One other thing, sometimes the bare wire from the pups can touch up against a "hot" wire when you put the cover back on. That will kill all output.

[nuno81291]

I am making a little diagram to clarify what I did in MS PAINT

I should have it done in 10 min.

[ArtieToo]

I'll wait.

[nuno81291]

[nuno81291]

If this makes sense, then I should just check all my solder points.

[ArtieToo]

Terminal "C" on each switch, (that has the green wire), needs a ground connection. That'll definitely kill the sound.

Artie

Edit: You can just add a jumper to lug 1 on the volume control. (The ground.)

[nuno81291]

So, I should put a jumper between C and 1 on the volumes?

[ArtieToo]

Only on the volume pots. Or better yet, think of it like this: you don't have your pickups grounded. The green wire must go to ground even though its connected to that switch. Look at the Duncan diagram again. You'll see a little "ground" symbol coming off the bottom of that switch.

Ground the green wire in whichever way is most convenient. A jumper to the ground on the volume pot just seems easiest to me.

[nuno81291]

YUP! I just looked and noticed it, I will make those connections now and update in a few min.

[nuno81291]

i just did it, no luck.

[ArtieToo]

Hmmm. I just noticed. You also don't show a ground connection on the output jack. The ground on the output jack is the only "true" ground. All of your ground connections must terminate there. Check that.

Also, with this wiring setup, either volume on zero will kill both pups. Try it with both volume controls all the way up, then all the way down, etc.

But check that ground on the output jack first.

[nuno81291]

That is the only way I see the cable coming from the output jack, I took the jack out and it looks like the cable connects to both sides of the jack, then goes into the cavity, where there is a shield over a black rubber casing, which contains ONE cable. I connected the green cable to this.

[ArtieToo]

That means its a co-axial, or shielded, cable. Kinda like your cable TV. The outside braid or shield must connect to your ground connections. The inside conductor is your "hot" lead that goes to the 3-way switch.

Its definitely a pain in the butt to deal with if you aren't used to it. Just look at it carefully and try to peel back some of the outside shield. Be careful when you solder to this that you don't melt through the insulation on the inside conductor.

btw - I'll be signing off to go to bed soon. If we don't get this tonight, I'll be back tomorrow. Hopefully we'll get this sorted out, but I believe you've found the problem.

[nuno81291]

i just put a jumper between the shield and the commin ground, and no luck.

Thanks for the help..

Tomorrow I am going to rip everything apart, and check that every joint is perfect.

thanks.

Mike

[ArtieToo]

If you know someone with a meter, or don't mind spending $20 to get your own - this is the time when one comes in mighty handy. I measure across the output jack and see if you have a short. Then go backwards from there.

Good luck. Hopefully we'll get this.

Artie

[greco]

ArtieToo...You have just been awarded with "The Most Patient and Helpful EE for 2006"...unfortunately, no cash comes with this prestigious award...but you can brag about it all you want !

Nuno81291
I am reading this post with interest (I am taking up electronics as a hobby)...hope you get it solved soon.
ArtieToo is one of the best.

Cheers

Dave

[nuno81291]

yup, I believe that I have everything right, but some of my joints are horrible.

I am going to strip it and re-do it all tomorrow.

Thanks.