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PRS 5-Position Selector Switch wiring diagram


 :
10/6/1997 9:49 PM
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)
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
.
 
. 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.
 
.
 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
 
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
  
10/7/1997 7:47 AM
J Epstein
Nicely done!  
-j
  
10/9/1997 5:17 AM
Simon
Steve  
 
Have you any idea what the small toggle switch on the PRS guitars is doing?  
 
TIA simon
  
10/11/1997 8:25 PM
Steve Ahola
.. Have you checked www.prsguitars.com ? They have a description of 4 different switching circuits they use. Let me know what you find out. On my home page, I'll be posting all of the interesting pickup wiring diagrams I can find or figure out.  
.. The only decent book on wiring guitars that I am aware of is Donald Brosnac's "Guitar Electronics" published in 1980, which makes it almost 20 years out of date. I keep looking for a new edition that covers series/parallel wiring tricks used on PRS's, some of the newer Fender strats, and all of the other guitar companies that have gone beyond the LP/Tele/Strat circuits from the 50's.  
.  
Steve Ahola
  

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