"Andersonizing" one of my guitars?

[Ray K.]

I have an Alder body HSH "S" type guitar that I've been thinking about replacing the pickups with some Anderson's. I'm not totally pleased with what is in it now anyway, so a pickup swap was already planned.

First, I'm trying to decide whether to keep the current configuration (HSH) or just go HH and eliminate the middle single coil. I have in mind a pseudo Cobra setup. I imagine the Alder body is not going to give me the same sounds/tones as a Mahogany bodied Cobra would. That's OK. I think I would also like to use the same type of switching. Definitely the coil splits with the 5-way switch and maybe the push-pull for series/parallel. The B5 switching sounds interesting also.

On the other hand I could go the pseudo Drop Top route and keep it HSH.

I believe I want an H1- neck with an H2+ bridge. If I decide to add the middle single coil, I think I would like an SA1R. I'm assuming I would need a Reverse wound single to get hum canceling when used in combination with one of the split humbuckers (?).

The pair of humbuckers would cost $140 new and the SA1R another $88.

One last thing, I have 2 1/16" string spacing. Will I run into any problems with the spacing of the pole pieces?

I almost forgot to mention. I can do the install myself. Tom, if you would be willing and able to supply a wiring diagram, that would be most helpful. :)

Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

you don't need an R for humcancelling. when you decide on what wiring scheme you need let me know and i can email a pdf to you. the spacing won't be a problem.

[Ray K.]

Tom, thanks very much for your kind offer.

I was hoping others would reply with their thoughts, but I guess this is something that is a personal choice and I need to decide for myself. There are just so many wiring options beyond the standard that you do, it's hard to decide.

At least I know I want a Master Volume, Master Tone and a 5-way switch that will split the humbuckers individually and in combination with the middle single coil. To do this I may need to add a push/pull or toggle. I prefer a toggle and don't mind drilling out my pickguard for one. Also, I would prefer to do all of this without any circuit board mounted components. I don't mind using a 5-way "super switch."

How are the Drop Top's HSH pickups controlled? I looked but could not find this information on your web site. Do you recommend the Vintage Voicing I read about?

While I'm asking (please let me know when I've reached my limit :)) , how is the Cobra model setup as far as switching the two humbuckers with the 5-way? I'm assuming: neck only, neck split, neck and bridge split, bridge split, bridge only.

Ray K.

[tom]

you will need a switch to do the splits when by themselves. the double wafer 5way can do the rest.
vintage voicing is nice when the splits are on, but you need tha extra switching capcity to do it. the mini switch splitter gives you that.
you are correct on the cobra wiring except the middle position is both humbuckers, when you pull the tone you get them both split.

[Ray K.]

Ahh, I think my "light bulb" is getting a bit brighter. :) Thanks again for answering my questions. I'll mull this over, decide how I want to set up the guitar and get back with you about a wiring diagram.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[Ray K.]

when you decide on what wiring scheme you need let me know and i can email a pdf to you.
Hi Tom,

I've decided I want to stay with an H-S-H setup. Here's how I'm thinking of doing it. Don't hesitate to give any advice/suggestions. I might be overlooking something obvious.

I plan to use your H1- neck, SA1 middle and H2+ bridge pickups.

Master Volume, Master Tone and maybe either a push/pull Blender or Toggle.

5-way switch for:
1 neck humbucker
2 neck split with middle
3 middle only
4 bridge split with middle
5 bridge humbucker

Optional push/pull or toggle for:
1 neck humbucker split
2 neck humbucker with middle
3 neck and bridge humbucker
4 bridge humbucker with middle
5 bridge humbucker split

My e-mail is: ke4unr AT cox DOT net

Thanks for your time! :)

Ray K.

[tom]

you're asking the pushpull or mini swithch to do more things than it can handle i think. you're asking it to do different things based on what the 5 way is doing, and i do't think it's that smart, and you don't have enough left over 5 way contacts to tell it. for example in one position you want it to split and in another you want it to unsplit 2. that's a lot of contacts right there.

[Ray K.]

Tom,

Okay. I'm open for any suggestions you might have. In your opinion what is the best way to wire up, and control, an H-S-H configured guitar?

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

our standard master splitter with push pull add bridge gets all those sounds.

[Ray K.]

Tom,

Sounds good to me. Can I use "standard" off the shelf electronics for this? Would you mind sending out a PDF wiring diagram? I'm ready to get this project going.

Thanks so much,
Ray K.

[tom]

you'll need a 3pdt switch, a pushpull pot and a double wafer 5 way. email me and i'll send the pdf.

[Ray K.]

...and a set of Tom Anderson pickups! :) Just so I order the right single coil pickup the first time, let me make sure I understand. Do I need an SA1 or SA1R?

I can't access my personal e-mail from work, so I'll send one later when I get home.

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

SA1 is the one.

[Ray K.]

Thank you kindly. E-mail sent. :)

Ray K.

[Ray K.]

Hi Tom,

At the risk of sounding impatient, did you receive my e-mail? I do realize you're plenty busy. I just want to make sure since I had to go through a few extra hoops to get it sent (your Spam filter).

My Anderson pickup set is due in tomorrow, and would make for a great weekend project. :)

Thanks for your time,
Ray K.

[tom]

i did get it, but that was a wiring we did not have in electronic format. it is done now so i will send it today.

[Ray K.]

Tom,

Thanks very much! I hope you didn't have to go to a lot of trouble to do this, just for me. I really appreciate your time, and for supplying the diagram.

Ray K.

[tom]

no problem, it's something we needed to have.

[Ray K.]

you'll need a 3pdt switch, a pushpull pot and a double wafer 5 way. email me and i'll send the pdf.
Hi Tom, got your e-mail about the VV resistor. Okay, now that I've looked at the diagram again, that switch looks to be a 4PDT. Which is correct?

Pickups arrived today. :) My mistake, I ordered an SA1R. Will I run into phasing issues or will it work OK?

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

the 4th pole turns the vintage voicing on when the humbuckers are split. the SA1R will be in phase, it just won't humcancel with the split humbuckers.

[Ray K.]

Tom, While I'm waiting for the exchange of the SA1R for an SA1, I went ahead and installed the H1- and H2+ using my existing wiring and single coil pickup. I really like the sound of these humbuckers! The split sounds are great also. I can't wait to hear what the VV will do.

I need 250k volume and tone pots for the VV, right?

Ray K.

[tom]

no, 500k pots. the vv tricks the single coils into thinking their seeing 250k. the humbuckers want to see 500k.

[Ray K.]

Okay, for the 4PDT toggle. I'm able to easily find 3 position (on-on-on, etc.) switches. But, won't I need just a 2 position (on-on), since all I'll be doing is switching the VV in or out?

What value tone capacitor do you recommend starting with?

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

yes, you only need on-none-on. it splits all three pickups and turns on vv when they are split.
i like a .01 cap because it has a more subtle effect. even all the way down it doesn't take away too much. if you're after the super bassy jazz tone you'll want something bigger, .02-05.

[Ray K.]

Got the switch ordered. I like a .01 tone cap as well, for the same reasons. :)

Ray K.

[crowdedmouth]

Hi, I don't mean to hijack the thread but the topic is almost identical to what I wanted to ask. I want to swap out a tele type with Anderson pickups H+S. I was thinking H series humbucker in neck position with coil splitter and a M series in bridge position.

The two questions I have are: Will the H and the M pick ups work well together and will an M pick up fit in the Single coil routing already on the bridge plate or dose it need a bigger hole?

Thanks

Tarun

[tom]

H's in the neck always feel large and loud to me, but depending on what you want it to do it could work. if you're wanting to put a tm2 in a standard tele bridge, it won't fit through the single coil hole. i don't know of an aftermarket sawed off bridge that will allow that. the hardtail bridge we use has the string holes in different places than the standard tele bridge. in the old days i did saw of the front of some tele bridges but it's not the prettiest thing ever.

[crowdedmouth]

The only reason I was thinking of H in the neck is because that is the type of pickup already in and would save me changing the pickgaurd. My main preference for a neck pick up is a clean Strat single coil tone. Can you suggest an alternative that would give me that tone without the hum? Would an M series be better?

Thanks for your advice Tom
Regards

[mbrown3]

Would an M series be better?


Yes.

:D

[GaryMcT]

I'd stick with real singles personally. The split mode if td1- is very cool.

[crowdedmouth]

What are TA singles like for hum? that is my big bug bear with singles... Could anyone give me a comparison between the M series and a single strat style...

[Ray K.]

yes, you only need on-none-on. it splits all three pickups and turns on vv when they are split.
Tom, I've been a little sidetracked with another guitar project and other things. I'm anxious to get back into this one. I need clarification regarding the Volume and Tone pots, please.

They weren't shown on the diagram. Are they wired as normal? I've only used standard 5-way switches. So, is the output that normally goes to the 3rd lug of the Volume supposed to come off the Hot (Commons) you show on the 5-way? And the Hot from the toggle also?

As for the toggle, I ordered a 4PDT On-On. It will get me going, but is too big. I need a smaller/mini toggle. Believe me, I have been searching all over the net, and have not had as much luck as expected. Most sites don't show specs/dimensions. Also, prices range from $3 to $30.

I may be getting hung up on trying to get an On-On only. It seems logical to me that with the switch in one position would be normal, the other VV. You recommended an On-None-On. I'm not clear what happens in the middle/None position. No sound? Or am I getting hung up on the terminology? :confused:

Do you have a source that you wouldn't mind giving out?

Thanks,
Ray K.

[tom]

yes the pots get wired normally, hot from the 5way goes to the side terminal on the volume then over to the tone pot.
there should not be a hot from the toggle.
on-on and on-none-on mean the same thing, so either will work. none means there is no middle positionwhat do you mean by too big? the handle or backside. the 4 pole switch is twice as big on the back side. we buy them from master distributors, but i believe allparts also sells one.
the toggle splits the humbuckers and turns on vv with the same motion, that's why it need to be 4 pole.

[Ray K.]

yes the pots get wired normally, hot from the 5way goes to the side terminal on the volume then over to the tone pot.

Thanks, got it. :)


there should not be a hot from the toggle.

OK, if you look at the drawing it shows a Hot near the resistor (?). If it's not needed, that's fine. Just wanted to make sure.

Btw, if this was a rear routed guitar, I wouldn't be asking half of these questions. I could afford to play around and figure it out. Otherwise I'm having to pull the pickguard/controls and go through sets of strings to get it working correctly... ;)


on-on and on-none-on mean the same thing, so either will work. none means there is no middle position

Hehe...sorry about that. I guess I learned something. :o


what do you mean by too big? the handle or backside. the 4 pole switch is twice as big on the back side. we buy them from master distributors, but i believe allparts also sells one.

The one I got has a large diameter/length "bat" handle and the hole size required for mounting it is larger than I prefer. Now that I realize what I need to be looking for, I should be able to find one - thanks!


the toggle splits the humbuckers and turns on vv with the same motion, that's why it need to be 4 pole.

I really like this idea...one quick flip of the toggle switch and I'll have VV. No need to mess with the push/pull. Slick! :)

I really appreciate your time and patience!

God Bless,
Ray K.

[tom]

sorry, there is a hot on the mini switch for connecting the vv.
the pushpull is an add bridge so you can get neck and bridge together along with all three pickups on.

[Ray K.]

No problem, just glad I checked. :)
The add bridge push/pull should be useful.

Ray K.

[kiko]

Tom can i also get the schematic for the same wiring???:D

my email is: zozo01@gmail.com

[tom]

on it's way.

[kiko]

on it's way.


thanks tom but i have a little question the same wiring apply to SSH?

[tom]

the vintage voicing is done diffeently to get it turned on when the neck pickup is in series. if you want that one just email me again.

[Ray K.]

Well, I finally got mine put together and buttoned up very late last night. My rig was already loaded out, so I only had my Smokey amp on the bench to run it through for a very few minutes. Can't get a true feel about the sound through that little thing, of course, but it lets me know I'm at least getting sounds from all positions/switches. :)

So, I'm going to "fly it" live tonight for the first time. How's that for confidence! ;)

Okay, I do have backup guitars, but I hope it works out. If not, I'll bring it back home and tweak whatever needs tweaking. I'll post results here.

Looking forward to it! :D

Ray K.

[kiko]

the vintage voicing is done diffeently to get it turned on when the neck pickup is in series. if you want that one just email me again.


tom thanks very mucho for the schematic i really appreciate your time. I will try that as soon my TA pickups arrives. I am saving to get one of your guitars. One problem i have always is that i live in PR (caribbean) and we dont have a TA dealer here. So dealers in the States does not want to ship an expensive guitar out of mainland. :( if you recomend me a dealer that will do that i will talk to them. Thanks again.


kiko

[Suriel Zayas]

i live in PR (caribbean) and we dont have a TA dealer here. So dealers in the States does not want to ship an expensive guitar out of mainland. :(

kiko,

hola!!!!!!!! no problem, i'll deliver it to you (anderson white glove service). i'm sure tom will not have a problem with that. i'm only 3.5 hours away from you by air, oooooopppppsss, i'm actually about 19 hours away by air today. but i can help you when i get closer.

[kiko]

kiko,

hola!!!!!!!! no problem, i'll deliver it to you (anderson white glove service). i'm sure tom will not have a problem with that. i'm only 3.5 hours away from you by air, oooooopppppsss, i'm actually about 19 hours away by air today. but i can help you when i get closer.


jejeje were are you know?

[tom]

check with jack at magdon who hosts the forum.

[Ray K.]

Wow! I took my "Andersonized" Alder H-S-H guitar out last night and it sounded great! The volume pot is open, meaning full on, so I need to fix that. I use a volume pedal, so that came in handy. But, everything else worked fine.

I took my Tele and Les Paul and rotated through them. But, wound up playing my "Andersonized" guitar most of the night.

The Vintage Voicing is even better than I was expecting! Really opens up the tonal options. All of the pickups sound great, but I'm really partial to the neck pickup with the tone control rolled back. What a sweet sound!

Of course in the beginning I didn't know how this project would turn out, or if it was worth spending the money on this particular guitar. I would say now, that I'd certainly recommend it if anyone else is thinking of doing this.

A word of warning though, this only makes me want a Drop Top or Cobra that much more. I just haven't been able to find one...yet. Meantime, this should keep me happy.

Tom, thanks again for all of your help! I hope this thread will be useful to others as well.

Ray K.

[kiko]

Wow! I took my "Andersonized" Alder H-S-H guitar out last night and it sounded great! The volume pot is open, meaning full on, so I need to fix that. I use a volume pedal, so that came in handy. But, everything else worked fine.

I took my Tele and Les Paul and rotated through them. But, wound up playing my "Andersonized" guitar most of the night.

The Vintage Voicing is even better than I was expecting! Really opens up the tonal options. All of the pickups sound great, but I'm really partial to the neck pickup with the tone control rolled back. What a sweet sound!

Of course in the beginning I didn't know how this project would turn out, or if it was worth spending the money on this particular guitar. I would say now, that I'd certainly recommend it if anyone else is thinking of doing this.

A word of warning though, this only makes me want a Drop Top or Cobra that much more. I just haven't been able to find one...yet. Meantime, this should keep me happy.

Tom, thanks again for all of your help! I hope this thread will be useful to others as well.

Ray K.



cool man :D

[Ray K.]

cool man :D
Thanks, kiko! Good luck, and enjoy your project. :)

Ray K.