2 humbuckers 6-way switch scheme I'm going to try...

MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member
Just in case of interest/amusement, I'm going to try a new wiring scheme on one of my guitars (black Shine 510). It uses an NSL 6-way toggle switch - these look like a normal 3-way toggle, but give 6 wiring selections. The black Shine I'm doing this to currently has a 3-way toggle, and a push-pull coil-split for both pickups on the tone - but the thing is I never use the coil tap, not least because if changing pickup selections, I haven't got time to operate the toggle switch and push-pull - it's just too much of a faff. And I never really liked the idea of push-pull pots anyhow. So, the new idea is to buy one of these:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/freeway_switch_3x3_03_nickel_cream_tip.htm?sid=da9aa379a26278d9880d248737c8400c&ref=glp_alar_408650_2

and use this wiring scheme, giving the normal three humbucker combinations, plus single coil neck, sc neck + sc bridge, and humbucking neck and bridge in series out of phase (the infamous "SOOP" wiring):

image

The guitar already has great pickups from Ben Fletcher, with 4-conducter wiring, so that helps. I guess my reasons for doing this is that since getting the Line6 Helix, and also playing more varied music, including pop stuff lately, I like to have some brighter tones available. Yes, I have strats and a tele, which do get used and are great, but if I'm taking just one guitar to a gig where I want a good humbucker sound, but other things may occasionally be useful, then this makes sense. If I like the results, I'll do the same mod to my other Shine 510 i.e. the red one.

EDIT - actually, I notice the scheme above has the 50's style wiring for the tone pot, and I won't do that - instead will modify to my preferred use of a treble-bleed cap/resistor on the volume pot, and without the tone capacitor hanging between the tone and volume pots. Not that it's important... :D

Comments

  • nicholaspaulnicholaspaul Posts: 1,005Member
    This looks like a great plan. Nice one! I’ve seen those free ways and they look like gear sticks. Love to hear how this goes. Are they fiddly to solder?
  • nicholaspaulnicholaspaul Posts: 1,005Member
    Wait a minute.... are those things really £40?
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member
    I think they'd be fine to solder - but you're right, £40 is OTT. Axesrus has them listed at a more sensible price, but no actual stock - isn't it always the way? Anyhow, project on hold for now... :D
  • nicholaspaulnicholaspaul Posts: 1,005Member

    They look like a great idea. I’d love to know how they feel to use, like, how easy it is to pick the position you want?
    Exciting stuff :)
    I’m watching this space :smile:
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member


    They look like a great idea. I’d love to know how they feel to use, like, how easy it is to pick the position you want?
    Exciting stuff :)
    I’m watching this space :smile:

    Well, afraid on the back burner for the moment Nick - the unexpected strat build has taken over. To be honest, I have a list of various guitar jobs to do, including finishing that tele build project I started and never finished (got a bit bogged down with the body re-finishing). These switches do look like a great idea I agree, perhaps I'll grab one if Axesrus get them back in. :)
  • Kevin PeatKevin Peat Posts: 3,232Member
    Where are the caps ?
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,207Member

    Where are the caps ?

    No caps, apart from the usual tone control one. It's not like the Gibson varitone switch they have on some models, if that's what you're thinking of?
  • nicholaspaulnicholaspaul Posts: 1,005Member
    There’s only one on the tone control.
    Obvs. :)
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