Humbucker Switching mods

[mahtone]

Hi guys!

I'm getting an Ash sometime in the future, and the pickup switching is still being decided. Broadly, it's going to resemble a PRS five way configuration, but there are some things I've not finalised...

I've done a lot of modding to strats, but I'm new to modding humbuckers. The only combos I've had are the LP 3way switch + 2vol/2tone and the PRS 3way switch + 1vol/1tone. Has anyone got any good suggestions for mods they've seen/done that they find useful? As a hint, I never find two volumes useful to me...but wouldn't rule it out if someone can make a case for it.

At the moment it's going to involve one volume and possibly two tone pots, depending on whether we can figure out how to wire that with the PRS setup. I'm thinking it might involve two sets of concentric pots, but haven't done the work on it yet.

And I don't really want a forest of knobs on the guitar either...

Thanks everyone!

[ash]

I would avoid concentric pots. Reliability is poor compared to normal pots. Availability of quality concentric pots is not so good. They're not as practical or easy to use and you might think. You get sick of accidentally turning both knobs in the middle of a dark stage pretty quickly. A forest of knobs is much less annoying.

[mahtone]

Sorry, when I said concentric, I mean two pots with a central shaft. Not concentric knobs.

Perhaps I meant coaxial...I'm way tired atm. Too much flying and working and not enough sleepy.

[sgt mukuzi]

i would go with two wire pups
one volume and a 5 way if you want it. then load it up with mini switches


5 way could be, neck, bridge, both in phase, both out of phase, mute.

[ash]

Sorry, when I said concentric, I mean two pots with a central shaft. Not concentric knobs.

Perhaps I meant coaxial...I'm way tired atm. Too much flying and working and not enough sleepy.

Concentric, coaxial, same thing. Still means stacked knobs. Badness.

If you mean a dual pot with two pots on one knob for some kind of balance control, the question would be "what for?"

[ash]

i would go with two wire pups
one volume and a 5 way if you want it. then load it up with mini switches


5 way could be, neck, bridge, both in phase, both out of phase, mute.

And what are the miniswitches going to be doing with two wire pickups?

[mahtone]

Sorry, when I said concentric, I mean two pots with a central shaft. Not concentric knobs.

Perhaps I meant coaxial...I'm way tired atm. Too much flying and working and not enough sleepy.

Concentric, coaxial, same thing. Still means stacked knobs. Badness.

If you mean a dual pot with two pots on one knob for some kind of balance control, the question would be "what for?"

Not balance. Independant, one for each coil on the HB. Would allow pot to be downstream of coils. Like I said, I haven't actually thought it through very hard...

[denden]

And what are the miniswitches going to be doing with two wire pickups?

two words... strobe lights

[sgt mukuzi]

out o phase...


i didnt mention the mounting disk

[ash]

Not balance. Independant, one for each coil on the HB. Would allow pot to be downstream of coils. Like I said, I haven't actually thought it through very hard...

Ooooh, sounds like you've been thinking too hard!
I predict unpredictable impedance effects. They have to end up in series, remember...

There will be a way that doesn't involve dual pots.

[Cdog]

Came across this page very interesting stuff : http://www.harryj.net/gear_page.html

Check out the USA Custom Tele... HSH but very cool switching options to stimulate the mind
http://www.harryj.net/telewir.gif
http://www.harryj.net/telesch.gif
http://www.harryj.net/telemap.gif

And tone clips
http://www.harryj.net/audio_clips_of_usacg_tele.htm
Sound clips of each setting, he uses some Dimarzio PAFs