Squier XII Wiring Mod Attempt

[SixStringSlinger]

I’m re-wiring my Squier XII with a rotary switch to give me:
1. Neck
2. Neck/bridge parallel in phase
3. Neck/bridge parallel out of phase
4. Bridge

...as well as a mini-toggle to switch positions 2 (still in phase) and 3 (still OOP) to series.

I’m using this diagram for the rotary:



And this for the series/parallel:



Everything works as expected in parallel, but it behaves strangely in what's supposed to be series. I do not get series in/out of phase in positions 2 and 3 on the rotary. Instead I get what sounds like series (I assume in phase) in positions 1 and 3 (they sound identical) and silence on 2 and 4.

Later, on a whim, I re-wired the mini toggle in a mirror-image of the diagram. I get the same results, except now 1 and 3 are silent and 2 and 4 are identical (presumably series) tones.

Any insight?

[Nudger]

If you are using a switch, I would wire the rotary..
N
NB - Series
NB - Parallel
B
And use the switch to put both series and parallel out of phase.

Heres diags for
Series - parallel

Parallel - Parallel out of phase

Phase switch


These work with a blue/white Alpha Rotary switch "3 pole, 4 position.

[SixStringSlinger]

If you are using a switch, I would wire the rotary..
N
NB - Series
NB - Parallel
B
And use the switch to put both series and parallel out of phase.

Heres diags for
Series - parallel

Parallel - Parallel out of phase

Phase switch


These work with a blue/white Alpha Rotary switch "3 pole, 4 position.

That makes sense, thank you.

However, I'm having trouble reading the two different rotary diagrams. Are you showing how the connections work in each N/B position? How does that translate to how I should wire it?

I'm not using the Allparts switch but it's another 3 pole, 4 position so I don't suppose that makes a difference.

[SixStringSlinger]

Never mind, I just realized one is series-parallel and the other is in phase-out. My brain tends to smooth over after looking at diagrams for a while.

Thanks again!

[Nudger]

Never mind, I just realized one is series-parallel and the other is in phase-out. My brain tends to smooth over after looking at diagrams for a while.

Thanks again!

No worries. I just stuck 2nd pick in for anyone needing a Parallel/OOP diag..

The 1st and 3rd pic will give you what you are after, tried n tested many times. I am pretty sure that they will only work with blue/white alpha tho.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134181644350 ... media=COPY

I tried the vintagey looking switches but found them flimsy/clunky-er

[SixStringSlinger]

I wasn't sure how to relate the numbers and letters on your diagram to my switch, but I found another that names the lugs in a way I'm familiar with (along with your phase switch diagram) and it works perfectly. The phase switch is currently hanging out of the guitar as I also have some pickguard mods planned but it all works and sounds as it should.

I used this switch: https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products ... 4-position

[Nudger]

I wasn't sure how to relate the numbers and letters on your diagram to my switch, but I found another that names the lugs in a way I'm familiar with (along with your phase switch diagram) and it works perfectly. The phase switch is currently hanging out of the guitar as I also have some pickguard mods planned but it all works and sounds as it should.

I used this switch: https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products ... 4-position

Cool!!
Are you going full on XII.. Split pickups conversion?

[SixStringSlinger]

I wasn't sure how to relate the numbers and letters on your diagram to my switch, but I found another that names the lugs in a way I'm familiar with (along with your phase switch diagram) and it works perfectly. The phase switch is currently hanging out of the guitar as I also have some pickguard mods planned but it all works and sounds as it should.

I used this switch: https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products ... 4-position

Cool!!
Are you going full on XII.. Split pickups conversion?

I'm not certain at this point. I originally intended to make it as close to an original (or at least AR) XII as I could, but little things here and there forced some changes to my initial plan. I like where it's going, though.

I'm going with Jaguar-style control plates; the bottom one because it goes the same direction as the Jazzmaster-style pickguard (as opposed to the XII-style control plate), and the top one for more chrome (instead of an AR-style bridge surround). Since I'm putting the top plate on there I'm going all the way on routing for a rhythm circuit. You already know the switching I'm using. I'm using a black lever-type knob for the pickup selector, as well as black amp knobs (and the rhythm circuit controls will also be black).

I got some XII-style split pickups on eBay, but I also recently liberated a set of PV'65 JM pickups from my "regular" Jazzmaster that I installed in the XII. I wasn't crazy about them in my JM, but in the XII they sound amazing (the stock ones don't sound bad, but they're a little hot and "mean" for what I want from a XII). So that's how it'll stay for now, but I'm considering putting together a second pickguard with the XII's, perhaps with some of those plugs to make switching back and forth easier.

This is the general aesthetic inspiration:

[mavsbball]

I’m re-wiring my Squier XII with a rotary switch to give me:
1. Neck
2. Neck/bridge parallel in phase
3. Neck/bridge parallel out of phase
4. Bridge

...as well as a mini-toggle to switch positions 2 (still in phase) and 3 (still OOP) to series.

I’m using this diagram for the rotary:



And this for the series/parallel:



Everything works as expected in parallel, but it behaves strangely in what's supposed to be series. I do not get series in/out of phase in positions 2 and 3 on the rotary. Instead I get what sounds like series (I assume in phase) in positions 1 and 3 (they sound identical) and silence on 2 and 4.

Later, on a whim, I re-wired the mini toggle in a mirror-image of the diagram. I get the same results, except now 1 and 3 are silent and 2 and 4 are identical (presumably series) tones.

Any insight?

So working on a similar mod but without the slider switch, just the rotary. I’ve wired it up based on the first diagram but curious where the bridge pickup ground wire goes?

Just to the shielding or back of a pot?

[mavsbball]

Any one else used this schematic. Everything I wired up passes signal but super noisy in the neck and two middle positions. Bridge is quiet

[Nudger]

Any one else used this schematic. Everything I wired up passes signal but super noisy in the neck and two middle positions. Bridge is quiet

Are you using one of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255261863410 ... media=COPY

If so maybe you would have more joy with this type of switch. (has numbered pins)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134181644350 ... media=COPY

This diagram with the blue switch will get you what you want, Ive used on many builds.

[mavsbball]

Yes I am using the first switch.

If I get desperate I may swap. Everything works I just think grounding might be an issue somewhere. I’ll double check my connections and compare the initial diagram to the one you added.