Lots of wiring questions!

[ollelolle]

Hi!

I want to do some weird kind of wiring for a guitar:

First, I want there to be a killswitch on the guitar just to cut the signal with the flick of a switch. Later I want to add a QDD2 onboard distortion circuit to this guitar. And in addition to this, I want an A/B switch before the output jack so that I can change between the regular output and an onboard wireless.

In other words, I want a PIMPED guitar!

I need help with how to work out this wiring!!

Best regards,
-ollelolle

[PRR]

> cut the signal with the flick of a switch.

Short the output.

> change between the regular output and an onboard wireless.

Feed both.

[ollelolle]

> cut the signal with the flick of a switch.

Short the output.

> change between the regular output and an onboard wireless.

Feed both.

Wow, how could I not think about that!
Would you mind making some schematics please?

Thanks,
-ollelolle

[ollelolle]

Sorry! Anyone?

[mth5044]

Draw what you think is right and we'll have a look!

[ollelolle]

Hmmm...I'm not really good at drawing these kinds of pics...sorry

[GibsonGM]

Have a go at it - doing your own work is the way you learn )  We won't get upset at what you draw, but unless you are TOTALLY stuck, it's pretty much easier for you to draw and us to correct than for one of us to take the time out of our lives to draw you up something.

Hint: shorting the output just means using a pushbutton (or other switch) to cross the hot wire to ground...

[mth5044]

If you have windows, use paint. If you have a mac... then use whatever a mac has.

Draw the necessary switches and controls you want to have. Kill switch (SPDT), Bypass for the distortion (DPDT), and the output switch (SPDT). You'll need two output jacks, one for the wired and one for the wireless and an input, which will be the wire coming from your pickups/selector switch that normally went to your output.

I'd wire it like this: Output of pickups -> switch for the distortion -> kill switch -> output switch.

The switch for distortion will be the general true bypass scheme for DPDT switches without LED's that are everywhere. For the kill switch, the output from the distortion switch will go to the middle lug. One of the outer lugs would go to ground, the other would continue on to the output switch. Same thing again, the input would go to the middle lug, wireless on one side and the wired on the other.

Take it in sections.

[bwanasonic]

First, I want there to be a killswitch on the guitar just to cut the signal with the flick of a switch.

I suppose it might be handy to wire a specific guitar this way, but as someone who likes to have at least a few guitars handy, the way I like to handle this is just have a volume pedal in the signal path. Maybe you are looking for a stuttering effect? Then it depends on the pickup and knob confiq on your guitar. The classic approach for this effect is individual volume controls for two pickups, and have one volume turned down and use pickup selector for stuttering effect. As for distortion circuits and any ideas of a "pimped" guitar? Why tie yourself to a single guitar?

[ollelolle]

First, I want there to be a killswitch on the guitar just to cut the signal with the flick of a switch.

I suppose it might be handy to wire a specific guitar this way, but as someone who likes to have at least a few guitars handy, the way I like to handle this is just have a volume pedal in the signal path. Maybe you are looking for a stuttering effect? Then it depends on the pickup and knob confiq on your guitar. The classic approach for this effect is individual volume controls for two pickups, and have one volume turned down and use pickup selector for stuttering effect. As for distortion circuits and any ideas of a "pimped" guitar? Why tie yourself to a single guitar?

You could say so! But I have like 5 guitars already, but I want this one to have the little bit extra!

[ollelolle]

So this is about it! IS it correct? 

[mth5044]

What is QDD2? The distortion possibly? If so you will need a bypass switch for it. The kill switch can be a DPDT, but it's overkill. Also, it's hard to tell where the wires for the kill switch are going as they are underneath the switch. Finally, you don't have a switch for the wired or wireless.

[ashcat_lt]

For the kill switch, the output from the distortion switch will go to the middle lug. One of the outer lugs would go to ground, the other would continue on to the output switch. Same thing again, the input would go to the middle lug, wireless on one side and the wired on the other.

This will leave the output(s) open and susceptible to noise.  It will also short the output of the active distortion thing, which might cause it some damage if it's capable of sourcing enough current to kill itself.  Better would be to have the output in the middle, pickups one way, ground the other.  An SPDT is enough for that.  If you put the kill switch before the on-board distortion you can do it with an SPST with the pickups connected to the input of the dist thing on one lug and ground on the other, but then you'll still probably add some noise in the distortion box.

[ollelolle]

Hey folks! The QDD2 distortion circuit has a built-in bypass function...also, I guess if I made the killswitch from a DPDT it would eliminate buzzing?

Thanks for answers!

[Jdansti]

You already had a DPDT. Use a SPDT, or if you only have DPDT, just use half of it. See the change I made to your kill switch below.

[ollelolle]

You already had a DPDT. Use a SPDT, or if you only have DPDT, just use half of it. See the change I made to your kill switch below.

I don't know, but I seem to recall being told that if I use an DPDT it will eliminate noise?

[GGBB]

You already had a DPDT. Use a SPDT, or if you only have DPDT, just use half of it. See the change I made to your kill switch below.

For the kill switch, I would avoid breaking/making the signal connection (top two lugs) - keep the output from the QDD2 connected to the outputs always wired (all three on middle lug) and just toggle them both to ground (bottom lug) for the kill switch.  You could also use the lowliest switch of all for that - SPST.

[Jdansti]

^Right. That would be the best way, but there was concern about grounding the output of the QDD2. It probably wouldn't hurt it, but it's an unknown at this time.

[GGBB]

there was concern about grounding the output of the QDD2

Missed that - my bad.  Perhaps a largish resistor between the top and middle lugs would be in order to be on the safe side.

[ollelolle]

Hi! I'm waking the tread again! The QDD2 has a built in bypass which turns off the battery too... Now I think i have the solution here: