split coil - 5-way switch vs. push-pull pot

[Jason A]

Hello friends;

This is my first post and first build - so i plan on doing much more questioning than contributing here for a while... but here goes;

Looking to build a strat style with a modern/vintage vibe.    For pickups thinking Area 67 neck and Tone Zone bridge (no middle).  I believe the TZ coils can be split so would like to take advantage of that feature but not sure how to wire.

I really enjoy having 2 separate vol controls on my LP, so would be cool to have on a strat and do away with the tone knobs that i never use to minimize clutter.   

Should I / Can I
1.  Use a push-pull vol pot in the bridge and have a 3 way selector switch for the pickups (neck / both / bridge)
2.  2 standard vol pots (one 250k / one 500k) and a 5 way selector switch to choose between different combinations of coils and neck/bridge
3.  Some other creative option?

Pros and Cons?

PS - there is no option in the Warmoth body builder to drill for a LP style selector switch for strat body with rear routing.    Can  this be accomodated vs. a sliding switch?


Thanks in advance!
JA

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

There are so many different combinations and they are all very subjective.
It really boils down to what YOU want to accomplish tonally with what you have assembled from the components that you've selected.

Here's a thread from sevenstring.org where I posted a plethora of different wire diagrams for various applications.

I have wire schemes that I default to for my standard rock/metal guitars, and something completely different for my baritone telecaster, so to each their own.  When in doubt, experiment, over and over again.

In fact, perhaps you may consider assembling multiple pickguards, each with their own scheme just to switch things up from time to time.

http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/pickups-electronics-general-tech/107821-complete-dimarzio-pickup-routing-specs-wiring-diagrams.html

 

[Cagey]

DiMarzio's "Area" pickups are actually humbuckers, so you don't want to use a 250K pot on them. If you must have two volume controls, make them both 500K parts.

If it was me, I'd only have one volume. With two, they're in parallel when both pickups are selected, so you can end up switching into an unexpected situation sometimes. For instance, if at the end of the last tune you played you zero out the selected pickup, then at the start of the next tune you use the other pickup, but switch to both at some point. The one that got zero'd out will kill both pickups. Surprise! Dammit! So, you have to make a panic move to get some output again. With a single volume control, you're always on it.

As for the holes for switches/pots, just order the body with no holes drilled. That way you can drill them where you want them in the size you need. Or, call Warmoth. They can be pretty accommodating. The online builder is somewhat generic, so there are a lotta things you can have done that don't show up there.

 

[Jason A]

thanks for the input and understand the subjectivity here.

I actually like being able to zero out a pickup and switch to it to mute the signal.  Maybe enough to make up for potential blunders.  Or to have the versatility to sometimes keep different volumes set on each pickup and switch sounds that way rather than using different channels on the amp.  I think it is more rare that I use the 'middle' position. 

I may just order the electronics i want in advance, and strip out an old lousy Samick guitar to use as a test bed until I finalize my decision on the finishes.

 

[Cagey]

That's a good idea. Better to know what to expect on the going-in side than be surprised.