Hot rails

[Year Zero]

I'd like to use a 5 way switch but might just stick with a three.
Okay...here's the stupid question. What the hell are the extra wires for?
Coil splitting? Is that when you need one of those push pull pots with all the little tabs underneath?
If so I guess I'll stick to a 3 way and tape the extra wires together. I really don't understand all the tabs underneath plus I noticed they don't give you enough room for soldering on the top.
Plus finding a wiring diagram has been futile. Can't even find one on SD. No option for hot rails and a tele.

 

[Year Zero]

I just realized (it's 3 in the morning) their both single coils, nothing to split...lol

Please disregard the previous message.

 

[Hal Nico]

I just realized (it's 3 in the morning) their both single coils, nothing to split...lol

Please disregard the previous message.

Just as an FYI. Rail type HB pickups can usually be split if you want to by unwrapping the cloth and finding the joint between the pickups and adding a wire. If this wire is then taken to ground via a switch it will turn off one coil. Don't do this if you are happy with the sound it's a just a hack you can do down the line if you fancy as it has to be done carefully. I did it on a full size HB in my HSS Squier Strat as it didn't have the coil-tap wires


HTH

 

[drewcp]

I'm glad you got it figured out.

 

[dbrian66]

Hot rails are humbuckers and you can split them with a 5 way switch. But for me, splitting humbuckers has never really been worth it. I put a set of hot rails in one of my Teles and just used a 3 way switch with no splitting. Here is a diagram to use a 5 way switch.

 

[Eddie]

Splitting is a lot of fun and adds some nice versatility to the tone.

 

[fadetoz]

I've been enjoying the Ibanez wiring with their 5 way switch.

 

[Year Zero]

I've been enjoying the Ibanez wiring with their 5 way switch.
View attachment 197989

Thank you for this but I didn't explain enough. I have 1 single coil hot rail in the neck and a single coil size humbucker hot rail for the bridge.

 

[fadetoz]

Yep.. Hotrail / mini humbucker is a humbucker just smaller.

 

[Kinnon09]

You on about one rail per pickup?

 

[Year Zero]

You on about one rail per pickup?

No the neck is two rail, the bridge is two. I had to go back, dig them out and check. I'm just wondering about the wiring. I found this but was wondering the reason for the twisted wires that aren't used. Coil splitting? Are these the type of pots used? I've never wired rails before plus mine aren't Seymour Duncan so the colors don't match.

 

[dbrian66]

No the neck is two rail, the bridge is two. I had to go back, dig them out and check. I'm just wondering about the wiring. I found this but was wondering the reason for the twisted wires that aren't used. Coil splitting? Are these the type of pots used? I've never wired rails before plus mine aren't Seymour Duncan so the colors don't match.

View attachment 198288View attachment 198289

Yes, the wires that are tied together are for coil splitting. Hot rail pickups are just a different type of humbucker, but you wire them in just like any other humbucker. Do your pickups have four wires or two? If it’s four you can split the coils or just leave them as humbuckers.

 

[dbrian66]

Here is a chart with different pickup manufacturers wire colors. Hopefully your pickups are on here.

 

[Year Zero]

Here is a chart with different pickup manufacturers wire colors. Hopefully your pickups are on here.

View attachment 198290

DUDE! Thanks!

 

[Lonn]

Every tech or home hobbyist should have a copy of that chart on their wall. It's invaluable.