Removing mid-position coil split from John Petrucci 7 (loaded)

[Minoin]

Hey guys,

My apologies if this has been explained before, but I couldn't find it using the search option.

I'm totally in love with my John Petrucci seven string, but the mid position (coil split) keeps annoying me.
I really like to play those open chords through my distorted Mesa in the double humbucker position, but the coil split gives me this "twang" that I don't like.

So, which cables do I have to solder to have a Neck+Bridge combination instead of the mid single coils?
Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Noticed the thread title isn't very accurate, but I couldn't edit it after submission

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

If you get a push/pull pot it is possible to wire it up to give you both options, a la JPX, JPXI, JP12.

MusicMan can send you the wiring diagram if you email them and ask. The JPX splits in the "push" position while the JPXI splits in the "pull" position.

I don't remember where the JP12 splits and it's a bit early to fire up the rig

 

[RocketRalf]

According to this diagram http://www.dimarzio.com/sites/default/files/diagrams/2h1v1t_1ep1111JPEB2009.pdf I think you just need to desolder the black and white wires from the neck pu and the red and green wires from the bridge pu from the 3 position switch (do not separate them from one another though, just from the switch). That would stop the pickups from splitting in the middle position while keeping everything else the same. I'm not 100% sure though, maybe someone else can chime in?

 

[Minoin]

Thanks Pete and Raphael,

I don't really mind losing the single coil option at this moment, so I'm just looking for an easy soldering switch from "2-inner single coils" to "both humbuckers".
To make it all a little more visible I've made a picture of the wiring:

I guess the wiring is no secret, so I hope no harm is done. I have the original JP7 with the custom Dimarzio's, so the wiring diagram from DiMarzio doesn't seem to apply to my JP7.

Thanks for your help guys!

EDIT: Ahh, I see; the circuit board allows for easy soldering and makes connections towards the 4PDT switch to the left. So, how do I make it HH?

 

[CHill]

Good thread. I am looking at doing the sme with my JP6, so it is HH without the split.

 

[Minoin]

Good hear I'n not the only one looking for the mod. I guess it's waiting until BeeJ pitches in

 

[RocketRalf]

Oh. I THINK what you should do is: look at which pairs of wires are directly connected to one another on the circuit board. For example in the neck pickup I think I see it's the black and white ones. Desolder those two from the circuit board and then solder them together away from the circuit board, then do the same with the bridge pickup. It looks to me like it is the black and white as well but I'm not sure, that's why you need to look at the circuit board.

 

[beej]

If I recall, on the Petrucci, the neck and bridge are wired differently. I don't have one in front of me so this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ...

I think:

Bridge is white=ground, black=hot and green/red are tied together or split. Neck is red=ground, green=hot and white/black are tied together or split. (The Dimzario page for the Liquifire/CL looks like this as well.) In the middle position, the bottom coil from each pickup (the one closest to ground) is grounded, leaving you with the top, inside coils.

So to prevent the coil splits in the middle position and use both humbuckers, you'd need to unsolder green & red from the bridge pickup and solder them together (off the board), and do the same for the white & black leads from the neck pickup. That would probably do it.

Again, I'm not sure about this so be prepared to experiment a bit. Drop me a line if you get stuck.

 

[dave1812]

beej's post is correct, i just checked the official Music Man schematic of the JP, that i requested from CS when i upgraded my first JP to the BFR Specs.

Neck= White & Black
Bridge= Red & Green

 

[CHill]

I might be hijacking this thread a bit. This mod is something that I wanted to do for a while. I will give it a shot, take some pics and keep you posted. Cheers.

 

[Minoin]

Thanks a lot BeeJ! I guess Ralf was in the right direction too.
No problem Chill! Let us know how it worked out.

 

[beej]

No problemo, happy to help. I keep most of the wiring diagrams handy for mods, etc., but I haven't spent much time with the Petruccis so I'm least familiar with them.

 

[CHill]

Update posted on this modification:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...rting-split-coil-middle-position-full-hh.html

Cheers, C

 

[guitarp77]

Damn, when I read a topic like this I wish I knew something of what you´re talkin´ about!

 

[acwild]

EDIT: Ahh, I see; the circuit board allows for easy soldering and makes connections towards the 4PDT switch to the left. So, how do I make it HH?

When I swapped out an original pickup for a D-Sonic, I thought the circuit board made the job hard. Keep in mind that I can solder big open wires and my favorite tool is a hammer.
Glad to see that it worked out for you.