p-rail controls

[rockskate4x]

Hey guys, I've been hearing of some pretty creative control options for p-rail equipped guitars, but I find that the controls that are easiest to work with  and have the least amount of knobs and switches don't have as many options that I like, like combining a humbucker with a p-90, or humbucker with a rail, or whatever. What do you guys think would be the best wiring scheme for a simple control layout that allows for a lot of/the best sound options. That's it...

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

I would go with the triple-shot mounting ring.

You can get them at Guitar Center's or at Wymore Guitars. I got mine at Wymore 'cause they had them first, and also because John Wymore is on another guitar forum I frequent.

 

[Orpheo]

2 push push pots work fine, triple shots work fine too. its just what you prefer. I like(d) the push push version, cause its FAST switching, but the switch-part can turn out to be fragile if you're not carefull. push puLL's are fine too, by the way, but they aren't as fast. And with 2 push push pots you can have not as many options in the middle-position of your pickupselector than you could have with triple shots.

 

[rockskate4x]

can the rings do series, parallel, p-90, and rail options?

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

can the rings do series, parallel, p-90, and rail options?

Yep.  The only thing they don't do is Phase/out of phase.

The way they work is that they have two sliding switches.  You slide both switches towards the top to activate the top bobbin, towards the bridge to activate the bottom bobbin, towards each other for series, and away from each other for parallel.

 

[rockskate4x]

Thanks for the info guys, that sounds great! I think I'll be going for the triple shots, a (3way?)pickup switch, and a master volume in my p-rail build! This totally beats what I had going before. I was thinking about multiple rotary switches, superswitches, four miniswitches, etc. and it all seemed to complicated to be worth it. I can't wait!!!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

2 push push pots work fine, triple shots work fine too. its just what you prefer. I like(d) the push push version, cause its FAST switching, but the switch-part can turn out to be fragile if you're not carefull. push puLL's are fine too, by the way, but they aren't as fast. And with 2 push push pots you can have not as many options in the middle-position of your pickupselector than you could have with triple shots.

A push/push or push/pull only allows for 2 of the 3 sounds. 

 

[Orpheo]

2 push push pots work fine, triple shots work fine too. its just what you prefer. I like(d) the push push version, cause its FAST switching, but the switch-part can turn out to be fragile if you're not carefull. push puLL's are fine too, by the way, but they aren't as fast. And with 2 push push pots you can have not as many options in the middle-position of your pickupselector than you could have with triple shots.

A push/push or push/pull only allows for 2 of the 3 sounds. 

yes and no. if you only use ONE per pickup, you're right. if you use TWO, you get all the 4 tones; p90, rail, series and parallel. just like the triple shot. since you only need one pole of the switch-part, you can switch 2 pickups simultaniously with 2 push p pots to the setting of your liking. so you get BOTH to parallel, or BOTH to p90, etc etc. you can't get neck to p90 and bridge parallel, with only 2 pots, for that, you need 4 pots (or 4 switches, or just 2 triple shot rings).

 

[big bob]

I have p-rails on my archtop (don't ask) I have two push pulls and get series, parallel, rail coil, p-90l

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

yes and no. if you only use ONE per pickup, you're right. if you use TWO, you get all the 4 tones; p90, rail, series and parallel. just like the triple shot. since you only need one pole of the switch-part, you can switch 2 pickups simultaniously with 2 push p pots to the setting of your liking. so you get BOTH to parallel, or BOTH to p90, etc etc. you can't get neck to p90 and bridge parallel, with only 2 pots, for that, you need 4 pots (or 4 switches, or just 2 triple shot rings).

That still doesn't work.  If you get the P-90 or the Rail with one push/pull, what is there to series or parallel with the second push/pull?  The push/pull would need a third position (which it doesn't do) for humbucking with the Rail and P-90, then it could be series or parallel with another push/pull.  A DPDT with on/on/on would be ideal with the middle position being series.  I'd do it all with one switch per pickup instead of two.  IMO, 1,000,001 different pickup combos is useless if 999,999 of them aren't useable tones.  Those multiple choice switching systems where switch B only works when switch A is engaged, I don't care for. 

I'd even go so far as to say the P-90 and humbucking mode would be more desireable than just the Rail by itself.  I'd wire a push/pull like that.  Series Humbucking and P-90. 

 

[djf67]

I think Big Bob is referring to this, which is what I'm about to do with mine -

 

[Orpheo]

yes and no. if you only use ONE per pickup, you're right. if you use TWO, you get all the 4 tones; p90, rail, series and parallel. just like the triple shot. since you only need one pole of the switch-part, you can switch 2 pickups simultaniously with 2 push p pots to the setting of your liking. so you get BOTH to parallel, or BOTH to p90, etc etc. you can't get neck to p90 and bridge parallel, with only 2 pots, for that, you need 4 pots (or 4 switches, or just 2 triple shot rings).

That still doesn't work.  If you get the P-90 or the Rail with one push/pull, what is there to series or parallel with the second push/pull?  The push/pull would need a third position (which it doesn't do) for humbucking with the Rail and P-90, then it could be series or parallel with another push/pull.  A DPDT with on/on/on would be ideal with the middle position being series.  I'd do it all with one switch per pickup instead of two.  IMO, 1,000,001 different pickup combos is useless if 999,999 of them aren't useable tones.  Those multiple choice switching systems where switch B only works when switch A is engaged, I don't care for. 

I'd even go so far as to say the P-90 and humbucking mode would be more desireable than just the Rail by itself.  I'd wire a push/pull like that.  Series Humbucking and P-90. 

look at the schematic, dude. it is possible, and it does work!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

That is the coolest thing I've ever seen.

 

[big bob]

I think Big Bob is referring to this, which is what I'm about to do with mine -

thats how mine is wired.. they sound great..

 

[TBurst Std]

Has anyone actually tried the tripleshot rings yet?

 

[JaySwear]

Has anyone actually tried the tripleshot rings yet?

definitely wondering the same thing. thinking about putting them on a Squier '51 i have for my P-rails as well!

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

I think Big Bob is referring to this, which is what I'm about to do with mine -

From this image, it appears that you have both pickups on al all times; you can't use just the bridge pickup, or just the neck pickup.  Am I correct on this? I still think the triple-shot rings are the way to go with the P-Rails.  If nothing else, it's a lot simpler and a lot less wiring.

 

[Mor Paul]

No, there is a pickup selector.

 

[rockskate4x]

I think he means that you cannot tap just one pickup at a time. Both pickups have to be at the same setting (either rail, p-90, parallel, or series) no matter where the 3 position is.

 

[Orpheo]

I've just bought 3 triple shots (which makes up for 5 rings in total, sold 2 though). they're rather sturdy and can handle a lot of use, but not abuse, but which minitoggle or push push pot can?