Wiring with 3-toggle

[Laimon]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to buy soon a pair of Cold Sweat, and I was checking the wiring instructions.
I find funny that among the many options there is not one for 2 humbackers, 1 volume, 1 tone and 3-way toggle. A lot of variants with push-pull and so on, but surprisingly not this one.

Since I'm not an expert, I'm quite confused about this illustration, and least of all I am able (as of now, at least) to infer from other illustrations if I can put into place what I want.

So, my objective is really simple: I have three positions, I want the south position to use the bridge humbucker, the north position to use the neck humbucker, and the middle to use one coil from each humbucker (the ones closer to the center). This is a very typical configuration, I expect it to be easy to do.

Can anyone tell me whether it's possible (that should be obvious, I guess) and how to?
Thanks

 Simone

[Twinfan]

What guitar are we talking about?

[Laimon]

It's an Agile Interceptor Pro (http://www.rondomusic.com/product3682.html)

[HTH AMPS]

can't say I've ever come across that wiring scheme on a 3-way Gibson-type switch, you normally get the two pickups in parallel humbucking mode in the centre position.

both pickups split and in parallel in the middle sounds like an interesting idea - would like to hear how that sounds.

I'd imagine the wiring diagrams on the Duncan website will have something like this drawn up, its a really useful resource.

[Laimon]

Seriously? Most guitars with 2 *passive* humbuckers and 3-way toggle that I've run into have this configuration.
Of course with actives the splitting is not an option, so those just go in parallel.

Man, you gotta try it: the two single coils in parallel are heaven for your cleans ;-)

[Dmoney]

Every guitar I've ever seen or played or with 2 passive humbuckers and a 3 way toggle has just had both pups in parallel in the middle position.

My charvel has 2 HB's, 1 vol, 1 tone, with a 3 way toggle. The coils are not split though.

I think you'd need a more complex switch than a gibson style 3 way toggle to get this to work.

[BigB]

Seriously? Most guitars with 2 *passive* humbuckers and 3-way toggle that I've run into have this configuration.

I've been playing for 30 years now, and I never ever met a guitar wired this way  -but I have to admit I'm really the old school kind of guy when it comes to guitars ;)

[Twinfan]

I've never seen this wiring before either, and for it to work you're going to need some extra wire(s) running from the pot cavity to the toggle - I'm not sure there's enough room to do it?

You've got to get the split wires from the pickups to be switched to ground via the three-way...

[Laimon]

Oh, shite, now I see why it won't work.
The 3 way toogle actually takes only 2 signals, and can either choose one of them of mix it. Right?
So the question is immediate: do there exist 3-way toogles that actually choose between 3 different signals?
(and I can imagine your question too: why don't you just get a push-pull? :D)

[Dmoney]

Well if you have the space you could try something like this
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/Free-Way_Pickup_Switch.html

There is an Instructions Tab with a PDF containing wiring info.

[Laimon]

Awesome man, thanks!
Yeah, I have plenty of space, hence I think I'm going for it ;-)

[Dmoney]

post a pic when you're done and remember to check the wire colours. they vary from one manufacturer to another

[Laimon]

Sure, but that won't happen for a while I'm afraid... passive pickups have a larger base than active ones, so I'll need to enlarge che cavities in the body (on the bottom, it won't be visible outside), drill closer holes in the baseplate, do all the wiring...in short, I live abroad and I don't have the tools to do it here, I'll have to wait for the summer when I'm back home. And then I'll be very glad to show you guys the work :)

[Philly Q]

So, my objective is really simple: I have three positions, I want the south position to use the bridge humbucker, the north position to use the neck humbucker, and the middle to use one coil from each humbucker (the ones closer to the center). This is a very typical configuration, I expect it to be easy to do.

This is like the John Petrucci Ernie Ball/Music Man wiring.

You need a special 4-pole, 3-way switch:

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/guitar-bass-parts/electronics/switches/on-on-on-4-pole-toggle-switch-12-terminals-p-4064.html

Here's the wiring diagram:

http://www.dimarzio.com//media/diagrams/D.pdf

[Laimon]

So, my objective is really simple: I have three positions, I want the south position to use the bridge humbucker, the north position to use the neck humbucker, and the middle to use one coil from each humbucker (the ones closer to the center). This is a very typical configuration, I expect it to be easy to do.

This is like the John Petrucci Ernie Ball/Music Man wiring.

You need a special 4-pole, 3-way switch:

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/guitar-bass-parts/electronics/switches/on-on-on-4-pole-toggle-switch-12-terminals-p-4064.html

Here's the wiring diagram:

http://www.dimarzio.com//media/diagrams/D.pdf

That is actually what I had in mind, brilliant!
Except that, now that I know of it, I think I prefer the 6-way toggle...more possibilities, no? :)