Tag: parallel

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Adding series / parallel wiring to a Tele using a push pull pot.

Here is a nice modification to add a fourth tone to your Tele style wiring by giving you the option of using the neck and bridge pickups ( mid position on the 3 way way switch ) in either series, like a wide spaced humbucker ) or in parallel , the standard tone.

You will need to make a small modification to the wires of your neck pickup, which is hopefully one of our Southern Belles. There is a small jumper wire that goes from the metal casing tabs to the black output wire of the of the pickup. You need to snip this connection through so that the casing is isolated from the black wire. You then need to make a new connection by soldering a new wire onto the casing tab and connect this new wire to the common earth circuit on your guitar.

As always don’t forget the wire up the earth connection need from your metal guitar bridge baseplate into the common earth circuit of the guitar to avoid unwanted buzzing when you take your hand off the strings etc.

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3 tones from a 4 wire humbucker.

3-Way Humbucker Wiring Mod – More Tones for Your Trouble

Want to squeeze even more magic out of your Warman humbucker? One of the easiest – and most rewarding – upgrades you can make is adding a 3-position mini toggle switch. Think of it as giving your pickup a split personality… and then a third one for good measure.

Here’s what you get with the flick of a switch:

3 way humbucker wiring mod
  • Position 1 – Series Mode
    Both coils running in series for maximum beef, bite, and output. This is your humbucker’s “full English breakfast” setting – hearty and satisfying.
  • Position 2 – Single Coil Mode
    Switch to just one coil (coil 2, to be precise). Suddenly you’ve got that glassy single-coil sparkle on tap – lean, bright, and ready to cut through the mix.
  • Position 3 – Parallel Mode
    Both coils running in parallel. This gives you a punchy, hum-cancelling single-coil style tone – a bit like a P90 that’s been to finishing school.

Wiring It Up

The diagram (shown with the switch viewed from the underside) makes life simple. You’ll want to wire the switch in before sending the output to your pots or selector switch. Once the switch is in place, run the positive and negative leads onward to your controls.

A word of caution: the solder points and wires on these switches are small – really small. Think “trying to butter a crumpet with a fencing foil” small. So, take your time and keep your soldering neat to avoid any accidental shorts.

Why Bother?

Because it’s fun. And because it gives you a lot more usable tones from your guitar. Do the mod on both your neck and bridge humbuckers and you’ll unlock a whole new sonic playground. More punch, more sparkle, more character – all without buying a new guitar.