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Question About Guitar Wiring


harportcw

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I recently bought some new pickups for my guitar and I decided to rewire the whole thing while I was at it. Which is probably dumb, but here we are. I am fairly new to soldering and the wire Diagrams are a bit confusing, but I think I have the basics down. Except for one thing: Push Pull Pots!

 

 

 

 

I am attempting to do This Wiring Setup Here: https://imgur.com/hEvgML9 to turn my volume knob into a series/parallel switch as well.

 

 

 

 

The problem is that I am not sure how to orient myself to the diagram. Should I be thinking of my switch pot like this:

 

 

 

 

With the knob facing up like this: https://imgur.com/apxhwfU

 

 

 

 

 

or

 

 

 

 

Like This, with the knob facing down? https://imgur.com/K8iJuOM

 

 

 

 

I hope my question makes sense. I want the wires to end up soldered to the right terminals, I'm just a bit confused about what side is up.

 

 

 

 

Smaller side question: Can I solder the ground wire to the top of a push/Pull pot safely?

 

 

 

 

Last Question: Can I combine this style of a series/parallel switch with 50s style wiring like this? https://imgur.com/TY82uoK . I like the brighter tone offered by the 50s style wiring of the cap, I just want to ensure that these two special wirings wont interfere with each other.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for any help you can give!

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i`d take it as i see it and presume that the knob was on top of the diagram . do you have a multimeter ,they can help you determine whats going on, it`s been a while since i did anything like that but don`t those switches do the same thing on either side, which means you may end up with the switch performing back to front in other words pulling up the switch to have it running normal and pushing down to split, either way it`s all good fun .

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:welcome:

 

Ok, any wiring diagram that uses a push/pull, makes it so that when the switch is down, it's off, and when pulled up, it's active.

It's not an issue soldering to the top of the pot. Most push/pulls have a tab on the top and off to the side of the switch for soldering to ground.

And yes, you cab use 50's wiring without an issue. The switch is doing all the work in changing the sound of the pickup. how the signal goes to the amp doesn't matter. So feel free to use 50's wiring.

This diagram shows how to do it with both pickups being turned series/parallel. If doing it to one pickup, just use that part of the diagram, and wire the other normally.

 

https://guitarelectronics.com/2-humb...ries-parallel/

Hope that helps!

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Buy a multimeter or an inexpensive continuity checker (it buzzes or turns on a light when you have continuity). Use that to double check which position has the contacts in the switch closed. Many switches are single (or double) pole double throw which I would guess is what your second picture is. In that case the left three terminals are one switch, the right three (in a vertical line in your picture) are a second switch. The center terminal is the common, when you pull up it connects to the one above, when you push down it connects to the one below. A continuity checker will confirm.

 

Yes, you can use any metal surface for your common grounding point.

 

Yes, you can combine the two wiring diagrams. The wire that says "if your guitar has..." is the red wire in the 50's diagram.

 

ps - One thing that can make wiring easier is to make a mock up of the cavity - just take a piece of cardboard and poke holes in it exactly the same pattern and spacing as your guitar. Insert all the components, do the wiring except for the switch and pickups, then stuff it in the cavity and hook up the things that have to be chased thru the body. Its much easier to do clean soldering when you don't have to be sticking your iron into the guitar.

 

IMG_2120_zps38fb63b5.jpg

 

If its a guitar with a hollow body then wire everything and fish it through whatever holes you have available.

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