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Author Topic: 4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?  (Read 3236 times)

_tom_

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4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?
« on: January 08, 2011, 11:55:26 AM »
Currently in the process of rewiring my SG (thanks for the quick postage Jonathan :D) and noticed the switch I'm reusing has 4 lugs. On all the diagrams I'm looking at there are only 3 lugs. What's this 4th one for and where should it be connected in a Gibson 50s wiring setup?



edit - actually does the top middle go to ground (as it seems to be connected to the main "body" of the switch) and then bottom middle to jack tip?
« Last Edit: January 08, 2011, 12:10:47 PM by _tom_ »

Dmoney

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Re: 4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2011, 12:31:59 PM »
I think your top middle is ground.

maybe this will help
http://www.doctorvintage.com/electrics/gib_electricals.html


WezV

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Re: 4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2011, 01:50:46 PM »
you are correct tom- on that switch the top middle is the ground.  the 2 either side will be from the volume pots and the bottom middle lug(s) go to the output for gibson wiring

on other 3 way switches the ground is often on the other side of the switch, just a bit of a different layout for right angled ones

_tom_

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Re: 4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2011, 04:32:22 PM »
Thanks! Got all the pots, jack and switch wired up now. Just a case of building up the energy to do the bit I hate - wrestling with the pickup springs to get them secured!

edit - all in and sounding goooood :D Still got that SG character but without the grating harshness that the Gibsons had after playing for a while.

Oh and for "pics or it didn't happen" people!



Covers don't match exactly but I think Tim got it pretty close considering he only had two photos to go off. If I remember right the bridge one started off silvery like this, so I think it'll age nicely into the goldish tint it has :D
« Last Edit: January 08, 2011, 06:22:43 PM by _tom_ »

FELINEGUITARS

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Re: 4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2011, 11:12:18 PM »
Nice one Tom - glad the bits all got there safely .
Thankyou for ordering them from us - always happy to help!
www.felineguitars.com - repairs & custom built
Great fretwork!
Buy your BKPs & Earvana from ME!

_tom_

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Re: 4th lug on toggle switch - what's it for?
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2011, 04:56:07 PM »
Tempted to rewire my other guitars in the 50s spec now, seems to work really well and the volume rolloff isn't harsh like with a capacitor over the pot :D

Anyone know Gibson pickups (specifically 490r/t) wiring colour codes? Googling it and looking at my pickup is confusing - there are two wires which were attached to the Gibson circuit board - one green and one cloth. Which is hot and which is ground?