Schwab toggles vs selector switch

[Larry S Sherman]

Most of the Schwab mandolins I've seen have two toggle switches between the volume and tone knobs that control series/parallel...like these:





But in my search for a Schwab I've found one with a 5-position selector switch instead, and the owner doesn't know exactly what it does:



I know that at least one Schwab owner on the board has a similar setup. Does anyone know how the 5-position switch works?

It seems to me that a three position switch with two toggles would give you eight options:

Neck pickup in series (3-way in neck position)
Neck pickup in parallel (3-way in neck position)
Both pickups in series (3-way in middle position)
Both pickups in parallel (3-way in middle position)
Neck pickup in series, Bridge pickup in parallel (3-way in middle position)
Neck pickup in parallel, Bridge pickup in series (3-way in middle position)
Bridge pickup in series (3-way in bridge position)
Bridge pickup in parallel (3-way in bridge position)

I would imagine that a 5-position switch would have to sacrifice at least three of these choices?

Larry

[Ed Goist]

I'm betting the 5-position switch is wired like this, unless the instrument has three PUPs, in which case I'd bet it was wired like a Strat.

However, the 5-position switch could provide the same number of settings as the other set-up if the tone knob is also a push/pull switch.

So many options...

[delsbrother]

You could just ask him - IIRC he's in the builder's directory. I emailed him awhile back and he was prompt in returning my inquiry.

[Larry S Sherman]

I did email Kevin, and he is very responsive and a great guy. I'm just not expecting him to get back to me before he's back in the shop next week, and I know some folks here have the same Schwab setup (I PM'd the one guy I know of, but he doesn't come here very much).

Larry

[Larry S Sherman]

I'm betting the 5-position switch is wired like this, unless the instrument has three PUPs, in which case I'd bet it was wired like a Strat.

However, the 5-position switch could provide the same number of settings as the other set-up if the tone knob is also a push/pull switch.

So many options...

Great info Ed! Thanks. When I hear from Kevin I'll update this thread.

Larry

[Soundfarmer Pete]

Could be even more fun......a 4 position blade switch and 3 position mini toggles....I make that 24 options!!!!!!

[Soundfarmer Pete]

Another thought....a push/pull volume to reverse phase one of the pickups....that would be even more confusing ;-)

[Larry S Sherman]

The Schwab arrived today, and it came with the wiring information from Stew Mac. Apparently the switch is the "P-Model Megaswitch":

The 'P' Model Megaswitch accesses the five pickup combinations available on a Paul Reed Smith™ guitar. It is designed for use with two 4-conductor humbucking pickups. Switch positions are:

1. Bridge humbucker
2. Inner coils in parallel
3. Outer coils in series
4. Outer coils in parallel
5. Neck humbucker

When it warms up to room temperature I'll tune it up and see how she sounds.

Larry

[Larry S Sherman]

Quick Pic:



Larry

[delsbrother]

Striking! Is that Ash?

[Larry S Sherman]

Yes, just the basic model in ash. But it's the best electric mando I've ever played.

Kevin builds a great axe!

Larry

[mandroid]

So ( to clarify ), 2,3,& 4 are combining Both Pickups ?

[Larry S Sherman]

Yes, AFAIK

[Ed Goist]

So ( to clarify ), 2,3,& 4 are combining Both Pickups ?

Two adjacent, single-coil pickups with reverse wiring and reverse polarity that are wired in series is a standard a humbucker pickup. Two adjacent, single-coil pickups with reverse wiring and reverse polarity that are wired in parallel will provide hum-cancelling, but will have more of a single-coil character because they are in parallel.

So, with this wiring, it's best to think of the two pickups as four coils, like this:

AB CD

Poistion 1 = coils C&D with hum cancelling, standard humbucker
Position 2 = coils B&C with hum cancelling, but a different sound than a stacked humbucker because the coils are further apart and wired parallel (like the two coils on a Fender Jazz bass, for example). This tone is often characterized as sounding like a high output, humless single coil.
Position 3 = coils A&D with hum cancelling. This is basically creating a very wide humbucker pickup using the two outer coils.
Position 4 = coils A&D with hum cancelling, but that different sound because of the parallel wiring. This position is even more like the PUPs on a Jazz Bass because of the distance between the coils.
Position 5 = coils A&B with hum cancelling, standard humbucker