Rotary switch, alternative for 5th knob?

rockettone · Post by **rockettone** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 7:44 pm

The 5th knob has always seemed redundant to me. Its basically a second volume control for the bass PU. Anyway, I'm thinking of replacing it with a rotary switch. I have the ric humbucker in the bridge of my 360/12. After reading Mr. Hall's comments on how the humbucker was designed to have multiple hook-up possiblities, my interest has been peaked. With the rotary switch, I could have series/parallel switching, .0047 cap insertion(like the old ricks), and probabally a bunch of other possibilities that I haven't even thought of. I'd like to hear any ideas any one else might have on wiring possibilities with this switch, as well as any experiences you may have had with other wiring mods.

I think the humbucker is a great pickup(yes, even in the 12 string!) I think it has huge possibilities. BTW, each coil measures 7.5 ohms. Has anyone heard it split or wired in parallel?
Thanks,
Josh

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 10:59 am

I am re-opening this old topic regarding the mighty Ric HB1 pickup BECAUSE:

I want to do some tricking-out of one of my Rics, and found these pages:

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/multisoundwiring.html

and

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/diagrams/hhc3.html

...and I, for now, would simply like to know: As the Ric humbucker is stacked, which of the coils is on top (closest to the strings), the "north" or "south?"

I can figure other stuff out from there.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
-KH

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 11:01 am

This relates to the first posting, as I too would like to install a rotary switch. Or two. Or three.

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 2:26 pm

I dont think the coils are stacked. Im pretty sure they are side by side like any normal HB appears. (2 single coil look)

I can tell you tapping the HB into a single coil is not worth the effort. Hardly any tone difference is noticed, I was very disappointed and now am sad I have 2 extra holes in my dakota

check this thread out
http://www.brunnet.net/rickresource/discus/index.html

that is prety much the most info you will find on the net abou the HB1s, at least while I was looking it was...

JP

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Fri Jan 31, 2003 2:27 pm

sorry should have tested the link first

its under guitars titled
"650 humbuckers 4 lead tap?"

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 7:06 pm

Oops! See below:

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Sat Feb 01, 2003 7:07 pm

Gotcha Josh...to snip, you said:

"just an update on tapping the HB1s - there is little if any difference in tone. only at high volume do I notice a little more brightness. the coil tap switches effectivly work as volume cuts - about half = go figure."

...and that, my friend, actually sounds appealing for my modification project!

But really, you didn't hear much tonal difference? To me, there certainly is tonal difference btw the HB-1, the Hi-Gain and (especially) the Ric Toaster. The HB-1 has a midrange snarl (ala Rick Nielsen) which is subtle, and I enjoy having Rics with all of these variations; but having a couple of these sounds (approximating a sort-of-toaster-sound and then with the flip of a switch, the HB-1 sound) on the same guitar sounds pretty cool.

Thoughts?

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 9:18 am

Actually the 650 is my introductin to Rics. so cant really compare to a toaster. but compare the HB1 to a toaster and you pretty much got the same for a split HB! to a toaster. Even my luthier was disappointed in the lack of tonal difference.

I do notice it more now that my ears have trained to it, and I use it on the bridge pickup when I want all the snarl I can get. but for all intent and purposes I would not recommend this mod if you are looking for a variety of tone. The contrst is just not there - sigh with 2 new holes in my pickguard.

If you want tonal difference you may consider my oter mod - although I have not noticed which guitar you are doing this to. I had a graphtech piezo system installed. That is sweet. but I had to give up that awesome 650 bridge to get it. I now have a throughbody fender looking bridge made by soem expensive company...

although you may consider an addition type piezo mod from http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/. I didnt hear of tehm until after I got the graphtech, Ive read some good things about them.

End result - I think im gunna ditch teh coil taps altogether, use one switch for phase reversal or series-parallel, and the other to switch the graphtech preamp to a dark mode...

JP (why does everone say cheers on this board?)

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 10:34 am

Sounds like you've come up with a good plan for your two extra switch holes. I'm contemplating rewiring mine to use a master volume and pan pot instead of the two individual volumes. I'll wire the pan pot before the selector switch, so that I can effectively preset volume levels for each pickup, and keep the two tone controls.

Anyone out there done anything like this before? I know pan pots are very common on basses these days, but I've not seen much mention of using one on a guitar.

Incidentally, Allparts has a top-loading Schaller bridge, very like the one on the 650, with piezo pickups in it - they also have one by ABM. Bit late for you now, but it might help others.

You ask "why does everone say cheers on this board?"

I say it because I'm a Brit

Cheers,
David

billikenn · Post by **billikenn** » Sun Feb 02, 2003 11:49 am

"Incidentally, Allparts has a top-loading Schaller bridge, very like the one on the 650, with piezo pickups in it - they also have one by ABM. Bit late for you now, but it might help others. "

well thats cool but I specifically wanted the graphtech pickups. It sounds awesome, better then high range ovations (plugged in) at least. It has a very FULL range, an dI have a tone pot on it to give me a little control...
all in all im very happy - and I gues it is a good quality bridge anyway..

JP

Thats a good idea with teh master. I think I might go for a volume pedal though. I already have too much to do with my hands just strummin and fretting.