timothy.coyle Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 Ive found that the sound certain humbuckers make when split is usefull. Ive tried playing guitars that have mini switches and push pull pots to split humbuckers and it has always seemed cumbersome, to me at least. I read about arcade style killswitches that are the right size and would be easy to push real quick while your playing to split a humbucker while not being in the way. Only problem is that the arcade style switches that ive found are only momentary switches and I dont even know if wiring them to split a humbucker is possible. I would like to find an arcade style button switch that you would push and let go of the switch and it would split the humbucker, then push and let go of the button to go back to full humbucking mode. Ive seen something sort of like it in the Suhr Guthrie Govan signature model blower button, but it just goes to the bridge pickup in full without a cap or anything and the button seems kind of small. I was wondering if any of you had tried this and or if know where to source a push push on-off arcade style switch. I usually end up smacking the volume knob on a strat when I strum and turn down the volume on accident so I usually just reposition the volume knob on a normal strat and get rid of one of the tone knobs. I was thinking that it would be about the perfect place for a button coil splitter that could be easily accessed quickly, and since it is so low to the body I would not hit it on accident. Im hoping it would look something like this but with a arcade style button to split the neck and bridge humbuckers at the same time instead of a black metal volume knob that i used to represent an arcade style button. Here are some red arcade style killswitches on a Gibson Buckethead signature les paul that look like they would be the perfect size for the job, though they are only momentary switches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 might not find an arcade switch - but have a look for a latching push button switch and you should find something that will do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 I think the arcade buttons are just momentary switches: ie: the change only applies when it's depressed and then goes away when returned to normal. It would probably only be good for a kill switch. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Of itself that is not a problem. You can use a momentary switch (with appropriate debouncing) to electronically re-route pickup output into different configurations such as coil tap, etc. It just means that the switch will not carry the pickup signal and the internal impedance of the guitar circuit will become "active". Not a bad thing in my book though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ae3 Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 They make push/push knobs; you press it to engage the tap then press again to disengage, as opposed to pulling to engage then pushing to disengage. They're really easy and quick to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Yep - but I believe the point is to incorporate the style of coin-op machine buttons, and I don't think alternating actuator switches are available for those. You could probably modify the button with a common switch, but part of the attraction to coin-op buttons is the feel of them....at least that's why I love them :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 All the arcade machines I've worked on have had microswitches that pop into the actuator like this: http://www.athomedownunder.com/parts/arcade_buttons.shtml all you need to do is find the right button for you and replace the microswitch for a latching DPDT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 I don't know any thing about arcade games but it would seem to me that they would use momentary push buttons that would be completely unsuitable for a coil spliter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) As mentioned Tim, you can use the momentary nature of the switch to active a flip flop circuit which modifies signal paths as desired. For one thing, that kind of circuit will be silent in operation unlike a mechanically routed signal. Perhaps they're not an ideal idea, but they do have an aesthetic value. edit: or as Borge says, if you can replace the switch with a latching alternative, you have your solution :-) Edited February 17, 2011 by Prostheta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 (edited) I dont even know if wiring them to split a humbucker is possible. Just saw this in the OP, splitting one HB only requires a latching SPST. Of itself that is not a problem. You can use a momentary switch (with appropriate debouncing) to electronically re-route pickup output into different configurations such as coil tap, etc. It just means that the switch will not carry the pickup signal and the internal impedance of the guitar circuit will become "active". Not a bad thing in my book though. Not necessarily, the momentary switch could energise a SPST relay to do the coil splitting switching, no need for the guitar signal to have any active circuitry but no need really: The microswitches in arcade switches are the same as you'd find in washing machines, dishwashers and a myriad of other applications, your local appliance repair shop will have a big box of them laying around, take your momentary one in and they may swap it for a latching one or sell you one for a few dollars Edited February 17, 2011 by borge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 As mentioned Tim, you can use the momentary nature of the switch to active a flip flop circuit which modifies signal paths as desired. For one thing, that kind of circuit will be silent in operation unlike a mechanically routed signal. Perhaps they're not an ideal idea, but they do have an aesthetic value. edit: or as Borge says, if you can replace the switch with a latching alternative, you have your solution :-) oops i missed that i was on my cel phone my lap top was having difficulties. sorry for being a dumbshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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