[slimegod]

Hi.

Does anyone know of any reason why I wouldn't be able to use the original 5-way switch that came stock in my UV with active pickups? Seems like it's just a switch, so shouldn't make a difference...

I'm waiting on an 81-7, but have a 707 right now so decided to install it in the bridge position for the time being.
So what I did:
-connected the EMG's output to the pin on the switch where my old bridge PU's hot lead was connected.
-grounded the pin where the single coil hot lead went before.
-left the neck pickup terminal on the switch unconnected (should've grounded it, probably)

I ended up with noise, low output, and even with the volume knob on full it sounded like it was turned up only part way.

When I bypassed the switch entirely and went straight to the volume pot from the pickup, sounds killer. No more noise, appropriate output level.

So my question is--is there any reason why this switch should not work with the actives?

I measured resistance from the switch's "to volume pot" terminal to ground, and got something like 6k I think. So I was thinking maybe for whatever reason I'm getting 6k in parallel with the vol pot's 25k, I end up with a small load, so that jives with it sounding like the volume knob was turned down. But then why would this not be an issue with passives?

So once again--any reason why this switch shouldn't work with actives? or does it sound like it's busted?

Anyway thanks!

[metalfiend666]

I'm just a little unsure of what you're going for switching wise here, but if you're only using the bridge pickup bypass the switch completely.

I've had a lot of trouble with Ibanez jacks when changing pickups, so I replace them with Swtichcraft ones as a matter of course when swapping pickups.

[7 Dying Trees]

Well... which "hot" did you disconnected and replace? The UV has a full bucker and a split coil one, now if you accidentally wired up the split coil to the EMG hot, then you'll be grounding it with the grounded single coil. Best thing to do would be to NOT ground the switch, simply disconnect the passives and tape the ends up.

[7 Dying Trees]

Or, simply, connect the one EMG to the volume pot for the time being!

[scott from _actual time_]

Originally Posted by slimegod

-grounded the pin where the single coil hot lead went before.
-left the neck pickup terminal on the switch unconnected (should've grounded it, probably)

no, you shouldn't ground these--just leave them unconnected. you aren't going to use those switch positions anyway. you might be grounding out your output in some switch positions.

agreed that it's just a switch and it ought to work fine. do make sure, like 7DT said, that you did connect it to the correct hot tab.

[slimegod]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going for one bridge, one neck, it's just that for now I only have one pickup. So eventually I will need a switch.

I was definitely hooking up the white wire from the EMG (i.e. the pickup "hot" lead) to the terminal on the switch where I'd previously connected the red "hot" wire from the Dimarzio (on the DiMs it was red is hot, black and white soldered together for the series config, green to ground). I'll go ahead and un-ground the terminals for the neck and (formerly) single coil "hot" leads, I thought that'd be the cleanest way to do it. I will give this another shot tonight. Hopefully I just made a stupid mistake the first time.

[eleven59]

A 5-way switch seems unnecessary for 2 humbuckers that can't be split

When your only options are neck, bridge, and both, why do you need a 5-way switch? You're going to have to replace it eventually anyways. For now, just wire it straight to the volume pot if you're not using the other pickups. Why have a switch when you only have one option?

[slimegod]

eleven59--

You're right. I'm only using a 5-way because there's already one in my guitar and I didn't want to figure out how to wire to a new switch.

Yeah, I only have the bridge for now, but it's temporary, as in for a few days. I'm ordering an 81-7 today, they're in stock, so i should have it really soon (I hope). And actually, I only ever want bridge on or neck on. I'd want all the middle positions to be dead. I thought I would achieve this using the 5-way; it seems that three way switches are usually set up to have the middle position as bridge+neck as you've mentioned; I don't want that (not a dealbreaker though).

[metalfiend666]

Well you could stick with just the outermost positions of your switch wired, or swap your 3-way for a two way toggle.

[slimegod]

Cool, thanks. I'm still hoping to just use my original switch and have dead spots in the middle positions . Sounds like unless it's broken somehow, I can use it with the EMGs. If it's busted, I'll go buy a new Fender-style 3-way blade at guitar center. I imagine there are wiring diagrams floating around the forum somewhere.