Super Versatile HSS Build

MrBump

Hi guys - I'm gestating a new Warmoth build to make use of a great set of Bulldog pickups I've got hanging around.

I was thinking of going for mini switches rather than a regular Strat selector, and trying to bring in as much tonal possibilities as I could.

This appeals to me - do you know if it would with with a humbucking bridge, assuming I kept the north/south terminals together?

http://www.1728.org/guitar2.htm

Are there any other schematics I should consider for the ultimate in pickup flexibility?

Alegree

Push/pull for splitting the bridge, push/pull for adding bridge to neck position and keep the 5 way. IMO delivers all the usable versatility from that set up.

Humbucked

Above observation is common sense. Tom Anderson adopted this method as an alternative to his 'switcheroo' circuit.

MrBump

So, I kinda like the idea of the "Blender":

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/The_Blender_Stratocaster

Although the LP-ish thing of winding down one vol would kill all vol would be a pain - I wonder if I could combine that with a push|push volume on each pickup that turns on the pickup on and off?  So you have on and off per pickup, plus independent vol for each pickup..?

wolf

Well, MrBump, perhaps I should join this conversation.  If you want to wire a guitar with Les Paul wiring (so that when both pickups are active, setting one volume control to zero does not kill all the volume), go to my Guitar Wiring page number 1 and look at the second circuit on that page.  http://www.1728.org/guitar.htm

MrBump

wolf said:

Well, MrBump, perhaps I should join this conversation.  If you want to wire a guitar with Les Paul wiring (so that when both pickups are active, setting one volume control to zero does not kill all the volume), go to my Guitar Wiring page number 1 and look at the second circuit on that page.  http://www.1728.org/guitar.htm

Thanks - yes, I came across your page when browsing for this stuff.  Very useful.

I'm currently thinking 3 master volumes, and 3 DPDT on/off switches (forgoing the phase switch...)

wolf

Wow - three volume controls that's a lot.  I'm guessing you are wiring an S / S / S set of pickups or an S / S / H set?  If you are using 3 DPDT switches, what kind of circuit are you wiring? 

MrBump

wolf said:

Wow - three volume controls that's a lot.  I'm guessing you are wiring an S / S / S set of pickups or an S / S / H set?  If you are using 3 DPDT switches, what kind of circuit are you wiring? 

Yeah, I guess it does seem a lot... My reasoning - yes, it's a HSS config, and I can keep 500/250/250 pot configurations, rather than mess around with resistors in parallel and a superswitch etc.

I don't need a tone control, because while I always say that I need one, I never actually use it...

The 3 vols and on/off switches will give me all pickup combinations, plus allow me to blend any pup with any other.  

I figured I could go straight from pickup to 3DPDT, then each output from the switches directly to a volume control, then to output.  So each pickup is kinda on its own circuit. 

I have no idea if that will work.

hywelg

Alegree said:

Push/pull for splitting the bridge, push/pull for adding bridge to neck position and keep the 5 way. IMO delivers all the usable versatility from that set up.

This. Only thing to change is to make the switches Push-push. They are so much easier to use when playing. 

MrBump

hywelg said:

Alegree said:

Push/pull for splitting the bridge, push/pull for adding bridge to neck position and keep the 5 way. IMO delivers all the usable versatility from that set up.

This. Only thing to change is to make the switches Push-push. They are so much easier to use when playing. 

Yeah, that's a good idea - I'd considered it, because I think it'll make the lines of the guitar look cool, just 3 volumes in a row.  But I was worried that they might sit quite proud of the guitar? Never had a push|push pot before.

guitarfishbay

Alegree said:

Push/pull for splitting the bridge, push/pull for adding bridge to neck position and keep the 5 way. IMO delivers all the usable versatility from that set up.

I agree - it should also be possible to have all 3 pickups on with this kind of setup I think. I used to have that option with my SSS setup anyway