Making the MMB-4 active???

[WeirdBits]

With two pickups, the SE-2A's balance pot will allow you to control how much of each pickup you hear (all bridge or all neck or a mix of both). And, you're correct, you will need a separate control if you also want to select individual coils from each pickup (assuming they are splittable, 3 or 4 wire pups) . A 5-way switch could work, but would probably make things harder than necessary.

Instead, an On/On/On mini-switch for each pickup would allow you to select one coil/both/other coil etc for a switchable option. Or, one extra concentric pot would allow you to control the single coil/humbucker blend for either pickup, or one dual-ganged pot could control the single/humbucker mix for both pups at the same time. The mini-switches would probably give the most versatility and keep with the 'fairly simple' theme.

[Arzi]

Hi Scott

Huge thanks to you and if I understood correctly:

I could use the Artec as it is by putting two on/on/on mini switches between the pickups and blend pot? This way I could choose to use both coils seperately or together (3way switch for each pup) and drive these to blend pot for even more versatility.

Does the active system cause any concernes regarding resistance or something to consider?

With two mini switches this setup would seem to have

- 2 band EQ
- Blend option
- 9 way split options

Pretty good tone options with fairly simple mods (not the routing though...) easier to route space for miniswitches cause the pickguard ain't that big. Could continue the channels below the pickuos or center them a bit. Have to plan that after I get the kit.

If it just arrived sooner than later...

[WeirdBits]

Yep, whatever is selected for each pickup (single coil/humbucker) would then go through the preamp's balance control.

I think from memory the MM humbuckers usually have their coils connected in parallel, whereas guitar humbucker coils are typically wired in series. So, you could use mini-switches to select one coil/the other/both or, for something different, have them wired as single coil/series/parallel etc. It just depends on what you want.

Also, you should be able to fit the mini-switches in between the three knobs on the control plate, which should mean no routing required at all. It'll depend on how much space is required for the preamp's board.

[Arzi]

Wow

This is beginning to sound better and better...

The pups are 4 wires plus shielding so it should work. If I get three full humbuckin (neck, both and bridge) and three single combos that should give almost limitless sound variations combined with other controls. Might be too much for a beginner like me at the moment but have to think ahead. I'll have to draw some kind of wiring diagram for my self and I'll put it here once I get the time for it. You could then take a look at it and see if it's anywhere near the truth. I'll have to seek out those miniswitches and order them. So far the mods without switches are 35€ = about 45-50 AUS$ so relatively affordable considering the options they provide.

The preamp's board should be quite compact but that remains to be seen when it arrives.

[WeirdBits]

These are just done quickly using Seymour Duncan colours: Black (hot), white, red, green (ground), grey (bare shield). Black and white are one coil, red and green the other. Not sure what your colours will be.

The top layout is for Parallel/Single coil/Series, bottom layout is Coil 1/Both coils (parallel)/Coil 2, using On/On/On DPDT mini-switches. Depending on your pickups (and the preamp), the series option may just be too overwhelming and muddy, or it could be a deliciously heavy tone... but, that's something for you to work out. You could wire one pickup each way and see which you like best etc.

The pickup wire colours are paired as:
Coil 1: Red +, Green -
Coil 2: Black +, White -

The blue 'Balance Pot' wires are the output for each pickup and would connect to the Front and Rear terminals on the SE-2A's balance pot.


Hope that helps.

[Arzi]

Again - wow...

I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate the help you've given me... I already found the dpdt 3x on switches from ebay and will order those. Since they are 5 pcs for about 11AUS$ I have some spares if some are broke. I don't think dimarzio's are worth the price of 20Aus$ a piece...

Will keep you posted

[Arzi]

Hi guys

As I've now taken a look on how to solder the wires - i found that my output jack only has two tips - hot and ground. As the diagram's jack has three.

My question is - the concentric pot's "sw" - spot - where do I connect it to on the jack? Tip or ground?

Thanks in advance!

[wokkaboy]

Hi Arzi,
can you please post a photo of the pot and jack. It might make it easier to understand your question

[Arzi]

Hi Woks

The jack is a basic mono jack with tip and sleeve ( + and -) and the pot is shown exactly as the diagram weirdbits posted above. There are three connections on the diagram going from the jack to the pot - ground, out and sw. I aasume ground goes to sleeve, out goes to tip but the sw confuses me. For what I understand it looks like another tip connection but I have to confirm this. Didn't find any info googling it.

[wokkaboy]

Hi Arzi,
might need Weirdy to clear it up but I'd say you are on the right track. Ground to sleeve and out to tip should be correct.