DPDT switch as pickup selecter on guitar

[YescaMescal]

Hey guys, i`m brand new to the forum, i`m hoping someone can clear something up for me

I bought a center off DPDT switch to switch from neck pickup to bridge since i never use both at the same time.

Unfortunately I cannot seem to get the thing to work!

I have the +/- connected to the middle (pin 2 and 5)

testing with two speakers, i can only get sound into one speaker into one position.

since this is supposed to be an on-off-on two way toggle switch, should not the sound change from one speaker to another when i throw the switch?

Well, it certainly does not. any help would be appreciated, and I can provide more info just in case i`m not being clear enough! how frustrating!

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062514

I cant help but notice the switch says AC on, am i to assume I need DC since I believe speakers and pickups run DC current?

 

[Harald Kapp]

Since I don't know exactly how the pickups work and you didn't provide a schematic, I can only make an educated guess:
I assume there are two wires from each pickup.
And there are two wires going to the amplifier.
So the connection should be:
- wires from neck pickup to the two left outer contacts of the switch.
- wires from bridge pickup to the two right outer contacts of the switch.
- wires from the two center contatcs of the switch to amplifier.

By the way:
- in center position there will be no pickup connected at all ("center off" switch).
- Your wires most probably are shielded. Don't forget to connect all shields (optimum: put switch and wires in a metal box, connect the box to shield, too) to minimize noise and distortions.

Harald

 

[YescaMescal]

That is where i`m stuck.
The switch doesnt have a dent in the middle so it`s truly an on-none-on switch.

This is my layout without having a schematic (at work atm)

-Each pickup is 2 wire- so they`re connected to each end of the outer terminal

-the center 2 are the +/- from the volume pot pin 1/ground

-the tip input is on pin 2 of the volume pot and the neg is ground

When I bypass the dpdt with clips i get signal on both pickups, all parts appear to be working independently.

for some reason though, i can throw the switch one way and get signal, but it never seems to work in the other direction.

When I get home i`ll post some photos and or schematics!

 

[davenn]

ok see if this helps in the wiring process

note how the direction of the switch lever is in the opposite direction to the set of contacts selected.
The switch I have shown is a DPDT ON-ON ... ie. no centre off
I would assume you dont reallly need a centre off as you have hinted at that you are using
Regardless it would affect the way the pickups are wired to the switch

Dave