Forensic Guitar Wiring Advice Needed!

robwright

So I don’t know much about guitar electronics! Took a Strat set out of a Tele (wired for 3 single coils) and now I want to put some other pups back in! Trouble is, I don’t know where to stick me wires! 

The following photos show show where I have cut the old pups out, leaving some wire behind and also labelled the ‘hanging’ wire. Even with this, I’m not sure what i’m doing! Both pots are push pull which I imagine brings the middle pup in (the switch is a standard Tele 3 way) but I don’t get it! 

https://i.imgur.com/82y4c9g.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PTBpJua.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/K94NryZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pRKmRrw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bSoChIJ.jpg

Is is it an impossible task or is there someone on here who likes a challenged? 

Thanks!!

Funkfingers

Well, you already know that the bulk of your circuit is regular Telecaster PLUS the volume push-pull to add the middle pickup. 

It is difficult to even begin to deduce the intended function of the tone control push-pull pot without a clearer view of its contacts and some information about where the red and black insulated wires used to be connected before they were cruelly chopped.

OilCityPickups

Jesus that wiring is a mess, a total rat's nest! Me, I'd strip everything off and start wiring again from first principals. 

guitars4you

TheGuitarWeasel said:

Jesus that wiring is a mess, a total rat's nest! Me, I'd strip everything off and start wiring again from first principals. 

best option in such circumstances - more logical to take this approach and less time wasted trying solve as is

OilCityPickups

Is it a three pickup or only two pickup setup you are going to?

Funkfingers

Out of curiosity, what exact pickups used to be in the guitar? Single coils, noise-cancelling stacked-coils or something else?

If the Bridge and Neck position pickups were RPRW, by definition, the middle pickup will be in the wrong relationship with one of the other pickups. If this is the case, it would make sense for the tone control push-pull pot to be phase reversal.

If the phase and magnetic polarity relationships are correct, then, the tone control push-pull pot might govern whether the middle pickup is added in series or in parallel with the other two pickups.

The third possibility was a Kill/Mute switch but the output conductors do not connect to the tone pot switch terminals.

OilCityPickups

Funkfingers said:

If the Bridge and Neck position pickups were RPRW, by definition, the middle pickup will be in the wrong relationship with one of the other pickups. If this is the case, it would make sense for the tone control push-pull pot to be phase reversal.

That's not actually correct: a reverse wound reverse polarity pickup will be in phase with a standard wound pickup by virtue of the fact that its reverse wound and reverse polarity. if it were simply reverse wound it would be out of phase, by reversing the magnetic polarity too it is then back in phase and acts as a 'humbucker' when selected with another non RWRP coil.

robwright

Thanks all! Sounds like i need to start again!

@Funkfingers - it had three normal single coils but I don't remember what the push pull did!

@TheGuitarWeasel - I want three pups (as below)

Ideally, I want to get the usual Tele sounds (I've got a Bareknuckle Boss and a Dimarzio neck to go in) plus just the middle pickup as and when! Can I do that with a 3 way switch and a push-pull? If so, where would I get a wiring diagram? Could the push-pull be wired to take the Tele pickups out and just have the middle? I don't want the 'in between' Strat sounds.

I'm thinking this:

Switch position 1 / push-pull not engaged - just neck pup

Switch position 2 / push-pull not engaged - neck and bridge pup

Switch position 3 / push-pull not engaged - just just bridge pup

All switch positions / push-pull engaged - just middle pup

Is this a dumb idea? Any other suggestions? I want classic Tele sounds but I do love me Strat middle!

OilCityPickups

I don't really have time to work that switching combo out ... calling @ICBM !!!!

Alegree

Run the switch output to the push/pull on top lug , volume pot lug 1 on common lug, and middle pickup to bottom lug. Wire 3 way switch as usual.

robwright

Thanks @Alegree - much appreciated!