Luke III HSS, add 3 way toggle for split, series, parallel

[markus506]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Luke III HSS that I love, but I would like to add a mini 3-way toggle to add some more functionality to the humbucker specifically coil split/parallel/series. Has anyone done this successfully? I'm just wondering if I will get into trouble due to the boost circuit within, or the active circuitry when plugging in a patch cord. I don't want to get into a mess

-Mark

 

[guitarnerdswe]

Hi Everyone,

I have a Luke III HSS that I love, but I would like to add a mini 3-way toggle to add some more functionality to the humbucker specifically coil split/parallel/series. Has anyone done this successfully? I'm just wondering if I will get into trouble due to the boost circuit within, or the active circuitry when plugging in a patch cord. I don't want to get into a mess

-Mark

Hi!

Yes, it's possible. Although with some restrictions due to the special way the 5-way is wired. Do you have an older Luke III or the new 2020 models? They are not the same under the hood.

Btw, are you from one of the Nordic countries?

 

[markus506]

No, mine is an older HSS with a rosewood neck. I am from Canada...east coast.

 

[guitarnerdswe]

No, mine is an older HSS with a rosewood neck. I am from Canada...east coast.

Ok! Markus is a common name in Sweden, that's why I asked.

Anyways, I can draw up a wiring diagram for you if you want to. I need your email though (PM me).

Are you set on the idea that it has to be a 3-way mini toggle for split/series/parallel? Music Man sells 500k push/push pots that you can swap your tone pot for. Works the same way as the boost on the volume pot. The only downside is that you have to choose split or parallel. Parallel will be noiseless so it matches the rest of the pickup positions. Split will be very noisy, to somewhat noise depending on how you do it.

Splitting to ground will be very noisy. Doing a partial frequency split with a cap/resistor will be less noisy. You can also wire it up so that splitting will also activate the pickup compensation function, to avoid volume loss.

Parallel is silent, but you can't use the pickup compensation for the parallel humbucker. There aren't any lugs free on the switch or push/push to do it.