6-way switch

[William Fraser]

I am building one of my hybrid guitars , it has 3 humbuckers , each running through a dual concentric pot so I have Volume & tone for each p/up , I am then running the output from the center terminal to positions 1,2,&3 of my6 position 4 pole switch . My problem is how to combine {for instance} the output at term. 1 , or p/up 1 & term 3's output at term. 3 to term 4 , will I be able to use diodes as jumpers allowing the output to flow to term 4 , but not backfeed to terminals 1 & 3 should I use another set of contacts on the Varitone type switch ? will a diode be necessary for the output terminal for the combinations planned for terminals 4 , 5 & 6 ,the guitar was a stripped National , it plays very nicely , I am trying to "simplify" the controls so using it would be intuitive , & yes I am sure that a Schaller type E 5-way sw. will do this , I am trying to use the holes that are already there , any help would be appreciated , Thanks , Bill

[Jerry Jones]

What is the order of the pickup combinations you need? Is your switch "making before breaking."

[William Fraser]

I am trying to get position 1 bridge p/up position 2 middle p/up , position 3 neck p/up , position 4 Bridge & neck , position 5 Bridge & middle , position 6 neck & middle , Thanks

[Craig Baker]

Sorry to pour water on your plans, but you won't be able to pass audio through a diode. Two problems occur here. First, it is doubtful the pickup would produce the necessary voltage to bias the diode "on". Second, if somehow it did turn the diode on, the diode would only pass half of the waveform, offering a very distorted sound. (diodes are the heart of a boss tone.) One solution that comes to mind would be to have each pickup drive a seperate buffer circuit so the pickups don't load each other down. Then have each buffer circuit feed the selector switch. I recommend controlling tone at the amplifier. Hope this saves you from some trial and error. (I already did a lot of of that years ago.)

Best wishes with your project.

Craig

[Michael Maddex]

Craig is right. The pickup output is AC; you don't want diodes there.

What's wrong with three on/off switches, one for each pickup? Or three DT center-off switches for off, one or both coils at each pickup?

[Craig Baker]

Michael, why must you make it so un-complicated?

Craig

[Jerry Jones]

Only 2 poles needed. Use a "making before breaking" switch so you don't get pops while switching.

[William Fraser]

I went ahead & put 3 separate switches in , I was under the impression that you have to feed the output from the pickups to the center lug to avoid having problems with having each pot affecting the others .I have three jazz bass style volume/tone concentric pots I've wired a lot of guitars , I don't know why I'm complicating a simple task , I'm not even tapping coils & would not be inclined to use 3 pickups at once , Thanks for all the help , Bill

[William Fraser]

Jerry , that what I was looking for! Once more with feeling!

[David Mason]

And here I was, thinking I need a bigger swimming pool:

[William Fraser]

Thanks to all who helped me get this switching problem solved . Jerry you are a genius I wired it according to your diagram & it works perfectly . Sounds good too! Bill

[Jerry Jones]

Thanks for the comp.....no genius here, though. But I have wired one or two guitars in my time.

[William Fraser]

I thought you guys deserve a look at what I do with old Nationals , Supro's or Kay's that have been stripped , beyond being restorable , from a financial standpoint , it plays great , has Very low action , & a very rare Schaller/Gibson Tremolo , it now sounds Great! , I hate to waste parts , they seem to multiply at night . I'll clean it up soon , thanks fellas , Sir William the Mostly Elegant