To Cut Into The Wire Harness, Or Not To Cut Into The Wire Harness - That Is The Question:

[Inspector #20]

Ok,

So when designing my wire harness, I basically created two completely separate guitars, each with it's own input and pickup selector switch. I didn't think to add a selector switch to switch between the 12 and 6 string necks, so if each neck is connected to an amplifier, both necks are on all the time.

I considered opening it up and adding a switch that would allow each neck to be selected separately, but everything is so slick and nice - and totally silent even at full gain and near full volume - I am almost hesitant to cut into it.

Thoughts????

 

[Sp8ctre]

What about a leave it alone vote? Not an option? If not then add a switch...

 

[Inspector #20]

What about a leave it alone vote? Not an option? If not then add a switch...

Yes. That's my thought, only because the wiring is so perfect...but my next thought is how to switch necks on the fly....such as "Hotel California," "Love Song," etc...

Thoughts????

 

[Tony M.]

Send the outputs to an A/B switch on your pedalboard.
Output of the switch to the rest of the pedalboard.

Total cost of maybe $7.00 and no guitar surgery.

 

[Inspector #20]

Send the outputs to an A/B switch on your pedalboard.
Output of the switch to the rest of the pedalboard.

Total cost of maybe $7.00 and no guitar surgery.

I like this idea....A/B with 2 amps???

 

[Tony M.]

Nope.
You use it backwards.
The 2 guitar outputs plug into the A and B outputs and the "input" of the
A/B switch becomes the output and goes to the rest of your signal chain.
Stepping on the switch will switch back and forth between the 2 necks.

 

[Inspector #20]

Nope.
You use it backwards.
The 2 guitar outputs plug into the A and B and the "input" of the A/B switch
becomes the output and goes to the rest of your signal chain.
Stepping on the switch will switch back and forth between the 2 necks.

You are BRILLIANT.

And NO CUTTINg of an otherwise perfect harness!!!

 

[Tony M.]

Correct.
(The no cutting part, not the brilliant part.)

 

[Tony M.]

All you need is a DPDT stomp switch, 3 1/4 inch jacks and a little aluminum project box.
No power, no batteries, passive. I'm sure Ray or Don P can draw the circuit for you.

 

[gball]

Nope.
You use it backwards.
The 2 guitar outputs plug into the A and B outputs and the "input" of the
A/B switch becomes the output and goes to the rest of your signal chain.
Stepping on the switch will switch back and forth between the 2 necks.

That is the correct answer!

 

[ChasFred]

I would just use the volume to turn the neck on or off. If I am understanding what you want to do.

 

[Inspector #20]

I would just use the volume to turn the neck on or off. If I am understanding what you want to do.

Cannot switch fast enough by rolling volumes up and down...

 

[Inspector #20]

All you need is a DPDT stomp switch, 3 1/4 inch jacks and a little aluminum project box.
No power, no batteries, passive. I'm sure Ray or Don P can draw the circuit for you.

Yes. I would need a diagram...

 

[eSGEe]

grip it and rip it....HACK I say

 

[shreddy bender]

I like the sound of the A/B box. I always wanted to make one for amp switching, but I don't really have a need for that application any more. I DO enjoy switching between guitars though.

Hmmmm..... put down the Strat, grab the SG....... CLICK!

I like it! It sounds like an electronics project even I could do!

 

[smitty_p]

Yes. I would need a diagram...

It's pretty simple. I'm not in the position to create a diagram for you at the moment, but you could even add a power connection to illuminate LEDs on the box to remind you which neck is selected. The actual switch would be passive. The power would only be for the LEDs. It's sort of what I did in my Marshall channel switch mod:

Pedal Boards:

I'd personally prefer to cut the harness and install a switch on the guitar, 'cuz I'm wild 'n crazy like that. But, given your layout, it's not clear what you would even switch on the guitar. You could switch both halves to a single output, but then what would you do with the other output on the guitar?

The A/B box does make sense given your topology.

 

[ChasFred]

I may have an A/B box in the attic, if so I will ship it to you.

 

[Inspector #20]

Thanks, Guys...I'm trying to envision this in my head. Since I really don't run effects on the 12 string, it will go straight into the VS265.

 

[Inspector #20]

I may have an A/B box in the attic, if so I will ship it to you.

Wow, Thanks, man, but I am not sure I am smart enough to use it!!!!

 

[Inspector #20]

It's pretty simple. I'm not in the position to create a diagram for you at the moment, but you could even add a power connection to illuminate LEDs on the box to remind you which neck is selected. The actual switch would be passive. The power would only be for the LEDs. It's sort of what I did in my Marshall channel switch mod:

Pedal Boards:

I'd personally prefer to cut the harness and install a switch on the guitar, 'cuz I'm wild 'n crazy like that. But, given your layout, it's not clear what you would even switch on the guitar. You could switch both halves to a single output, but then what would you do with the other output on the guitar?

The A/B box does make sense given your topology.

The VH is wired like two separate guitars - everything is totally separate. The two toggle switches are independent of each other and do nothing but give you neck-middle-bridge, so both necks are always on, so to speak. This talk of an A/B box would be very smart. No modifications to a perfect pair of vintage 50's style harnesses.