Middle Selection On A Les Paul Style 3-way Switch...

[Chad]

When using the middle selection on a Les Paul style 3-way switch with 2 humbuckers, are the two pickups in parallel? In-phase or out-of-phase?

[lovekraft]

In phase, parallel.

[Chad]

In phase, parallel.

Still humbucking?

Is there any sort of cancellation due to the phasing?

What happens if they are wired in series? Have any famous players had a guitar setup that way? I'm guessing that could lead to a mega high output sound.

Thanks for your help!

[lovekraft]

Still humbucking?

Not unless your LP has humbucking pickups, or one is RWRP.

Is there any sort of cancellation due to the phasing?

Yes, but not significant enough to cause problems.

What happens if they are wired in series?

IME, pure mud! The resonant frequency is much lower, and the results are not anything I'm interested in using - but that doesn't mean you won't like it. Of course, it's going to take a more complicated switching setup, probably another good reason to avoid it.

[mikhailgtrski]

Is there any sort of cancellation due to the phasing?

That little bit of phase cancellation is what gives it that distinctive sound.

[Chad]

Thanks for the info, fellas.

I've just gotta ask about another guitar. I love the middle selection of the 3-way switch on the Lead Circuit of a Jazzmaster. In the middle selection, parallel or series? In-phase or out-of-phase?

I know it's humbucking because I've clearly heard the hum go away in live playing situations when I switch to the middle selection.

Those pickups are single coils. Is one RWRP?

If I were to guess, it would be that one of the pickups *is* RWRP and the middle selection is physically parallel out-of-phase, but electrically parallel in-phase.