Electrical Problem

loves2spooge · March 2nd, 2008, 02:18 PM

Hello,

I've recently had my 2 strats merged together to get the setup that I want.

I've got 2 seymour duncan invader pickups a volume control for each with a 3 way toggle switch put in, only wired 2 way. So I can emulate something similar to Tom Morrello.

I had it all professionally done, and I did take it back when I found this problem but I am curious about it.

When I turn down 1 pickup to 0 it also effects the other pickup and after a certain point both pick ups are on 0 regardless of the other volume pot. Why would it do this? I need both pickups to be independant on their own volume pot to do anything near the toggle switching technique so it's really not helpful.

Any ideas on the cause?

Thanks,
Adam

Westerly · April 4th, 2008, 06:31 AM

I'm a member over @ TDPRI. Been a lurkin' over here but signed up just now.
If you haven't found your solution yet, I think you just need to reverse the way your volume controls are hooked up. At the time of your problem, the signal from your pickups would be tied into the top(outside) lug of your potentiometer, and the output from the pot taken from the wiper; thus when turning either of the pots down, the output of your guitar would be grounded. Instead; tie the signal from the pickups to the center(wiper) lug and take the output of the pot from the top lug... Now turning down either pot just grounds out that pickup instead of the output of the guitar.
Good Luck,
Tracy

Deaf Eddie · May 9th, 2008, 03:11 PM

Yup, just reverse the "in" and "out" lugs on the volume pots, so that the hot lead from the pickups goes to the center lug, and the last lug is the output.

StratDen · May 27th, 2008, 10:27 AM

Sounds to me that both responses above are o the money. Since you paid for this problem, maybe a trip back (again) for them to do it for you is in order...

Axis29 · May 28th, 2008, 06:40 AM

There's a big discussion that happened over on the Gretsch Pages about this issue. IT seems the Electromatic Hollowbodies are wired this way on purpose and that it's been the 'Industry Standard' practice for a long time to do the volumes like this. Although I don't recall my Gibsons being like this.

What I'm trying to say is don't get too mad at the builder or lose confidence in them because of this.

I guess you could look at it as a feature?

Or get the wires swapped.

thaus · May 28th, 2008, 08:22 AM

Probably a simple wiring error on the part of the installer. If you like the guy, nothing to get too bent of shape about..........

bobthecanadian · May 28th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Just take it back and ask him to change it up. No problems!

StratDen · May 28th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Yeah, good advice about not being too bent over it. I had a set-up done found that the neck was pulled and two of the neck screws were not put back. I just went back in with a smile (after having to drive back from home) and said: hey different looking is cool, but I really prefer it with the screws... We both got a laugh and I was happily on my way with the problem corrected.

But I am curious about the situation about the Gretsch wiring....