Steve Ahola
 | PRS 5-Position Selector Switch wiring diagram
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
5 POSITION PRS-STYLE SELECTOR SWITCH FOR 4+ HB's
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
. Seymour Duncan Color Codes:
. Humbucker: Hot(+) to B; W to R; G to Ground
. Upper coil: Hot(+) to B; W to Ground(Gnd) *
. Lower coil: Hot(+) to R; G to Ground(Gnd) *
. (Add SUFFIX to indicate which pickup:
. N(Neck) or T(Treble))
. (Example: BN for the Black lead on the Neck p/u)
* These colors are correct for SD Hot Rails and
Cool Rails pickups with SD logo right side up on
coil nearest the bridge. Be SURE to check the coils on your guitar before proceeding and substitute color codes as needed.
* * * * * * *
5 POSITIONS:
* * * * * * *
. 1) Neck humbucker only:
. + -> BN; WN -> RN; GN -> Gnd
. 2) Inside coils in parallel:
. + -> BT & RN; WT & GN -> Gnd
. 3) Inside coils in series:
. + -> BT; WT -> RN; GN -> Gnd
. 4) Outside coils in parallel:
. + -> RT & BN; GT & WN -> Gnd
. 5) Treble humbucker only:
. + -> BT; WT -> RT; GT -> Gnd
.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
4 SECTION SWITCH (GN & GT connected to Ground)
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.
. Switch section A: Switch section C:
. Common -> Hot(+) Common -> WT
. 1 (nc) 1 (nc)
. 2 BT 2 Gnd
. 3 BT 3 RN
. 4 RT 4 (nc)
. 5 BT 5 RT
.
. Switch section B: Switch section D:
. Common -> Hot(+) Common -> WN
. 1 BN 1 RN
. 2 RN 2 (nc)
. 3 (nc) 3 (nc)
. 4 BN 4 Gnd
. 5 (nc) 5 (nc)
.
Note: This is only one of several possible wirings.
.
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To convert color codes for other brand pickups:
. (adapted from Stewart-MacDonald's web site)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
.
. A B C D
Seymour Duncan: Black White Red Green
Anderson: Red Green White Black
DiMarzio: Green White Black Red
Gibson: Black Green White Red
Jackson: Green White Red Black
Lawrence: Black Green White Red
Schaller: Green White Brown Yellow
PRS Neck: White <<<< Red >>>> Black
PRS Bridge: Black <<<< Red >>>> White
(PRS is listed FOR REFERENCE ONLY; with B linked
to C, some of the switch positions will not work
properly.)
.
. [A] __( ))))))))))))__ [B]
.
. [D] __( ))))))))))))__ [C]
.
Series/Out of Phase [Standard HB Linkage]**
. A -> Hot(+); B <--> C; D -> Ground
Series/In Phase [Non-Humbucking]
. A -> Hot(+); B <--> D; C -> Ground
Parallel/Out-of-Phase ["Dual Sound" Linkage]***
. A & C -> Hot(+); B & D -> Ground
Parallel/In Phase [Non-Humbucking]
. A & D -> Hot(+); B & C -> Ground
.
** Normal humbucker wiring for full sound.
.
*** Alt. humbucking wiring for a thinner sound.
* * * * * *
Final note: While this is an exact simulation of
the PRS 5 position switch wiring, you may want to
test out other linkages before soldering up your
MegaSwitch. For Position 3, you may prefer the
sound of the OUTSIDE coils in series, which is
brighter and with more bass response (especially
on a strat-style guitar). You may also prefer to
substitute OUTSIDE coils in SERIES for the INSIDE
coils in PARALLEL for Position 2. On a strat, I
find that the outer coils have more definition
than the inner coils, and that series linkage
produces a stronger sound than parallel linkage.
To experiment, get a package of microtest clip
(Radio Shack #270-355) and try out different
combinations of coils until you find the sounds
that you like.
.
. Steve Ahola |
10/6/1997 9:49 PM