Wiring for HD/Emerald set?

[Inceptic]

Hi everybody!

I'm getting a Holydiver bridge and an Emerald neck for a 7-string custom build that comes with a three-way toggle switch.

How would you guys wire the three positions to get the most out of this set?

[darkbluemurder]

Most 3-way toggles only allow bridge, both in parallel and neck, simply because these are the most useful tones when you can have only three. You can have more tonal options even with this simple switch if you add one or two push-pull pots. That would allow you to operate the humbuckers an split or parallel mode for cleaner brighter tones.

Cheers Stephan

[Inceptic]

Thanks Stephan.

I thought that was the case. It's just that Strandberg has some standard guitars where they do some sort of coil-split for the middle position.

Anyone know how the HD and Emerald sound both in parallel?

[Archlute]

I have an HD/Emerald combo on my Ibanez with a five way switch. However, I can tell you that if I had a three way, I'd much prefer the split inner coils option than parallel. The former sounds clear, distinct, and much like the second position of a strat. The full combo sounds like mud.

[darkbluemurder]

I have an HD/Emerald combo on my Ibanez with a five way switch. However, I can tell you that if I had a three way, I'd much prefer the split inner coils option than parallel. The former sounds clear, distinct, and much like the second position of a strat. The full combo sounds like mud.

That's a good suggestion - it's the way the John Petrucci guitar is set up. Actually I had one of my guitars set up this way for a while. It is very handy since it allows you to switch from the cleaner middle position to either humbucker for lead. However, you need a 4P3T switch for this - a regular 3-way toggle will not work.

[Archlute]

However, you need a 4P3T switch for this - a regular 3-way toggle will not work.

Good to know!  And, yes, I forgot Petrucci wired/s his this way.

[Inceptic]

Thank you so much for the replies!

For split inner coils, besides the special toggle switch, does one need to request something special on the pickups themselves? Or do the standard HD/Emerald suffice? And will this setup/position be hum-cancelling?

[Kiichi]

Thank you so much for the replies!

For split inner coils, besides the special toggle switch, does one need to request something special on the pickups themselves? Or do the standard HD/Emerald suffice? And will this setup/position be hum-cancelling?

For it to be humcancelling youŽd need a flipped magnet on the neck IIRC. No biggy to request.

[Inceptic]

For it to be humcancelling youŽd need a flipped magnet on the neck IIRC. No biggy to request.

Thanks Kiichi!