Double neck build - mini toggles as pick up selectors?

[RaphiSch]

Hello peoples

This is my first post, so I hope I'm posting this in the right place.

I am currently building a double neck kit I ordered from the internet a while ago. It's a no name EDS 1275 replica (thus one 12-string neck and one 6-string neck). 4 humbuckers, 2 volume and 2 tone potis (1 volume and 1 tone for each neck), 2 pick up selectors and 1 neck selector. Because the switches that came with it were rubbish and already partially broken I ordered some new ones. Instead of regular three switches I accidentally ordered 3 on/on/on mini toggles for the 2 pick up selectors and the neck selector.

Unfortunately I'm a complete beginner when it comes to electronics, so I have a couple of questions:

1. The mini toggles all have six pins. How can I use them as a three way switch?

2. The humbuckers all have 2 wires: one hot, one ground. Where do I ground them? On the housing of the mini toggles?

3. Do the mini toggles need to be grounded? Where?

Thank you so much for your help, it's very much appreciated.

If you need any more information just ask.

Cheers

[curtisa]

1.  Yep. Here's how:

http://www.tdpri.com/attachments/switches2_diag_4-jpg.206966/

2.  Doesn't matter. The key requirement is that all points in the circuit that need to be grounded, are grounded and have a conductive path to the ground lug on the jack socket.

3.  Only if you foresee a situation where you have your hands off the strings and the only time you're touching a metallic part of the guitar is when you're using the switches. In that situation you're only grounding the switches for noise reduction. If that's important to you you'll need to attach a ground wire to the metal threaded shaft of the switches somehow. The washers that come with the switches can be soldered to with a bit of care. You may be able to find some ring lugs that will fit too.

[RaphiSch]

Thank you so much! I still a have some follow up questions though.

1. I've also seen a version where you solder each pickup wire to both pins (not to only one, as seen in the picture). Would this also be possible? What are the advantages/disadvantages?

2. Ok. I shielded all cavities with copper foil. Could I ground the pickups on the copper foil?

3. Seems not really necessary, but I'll see what I'm going to do about that.

And again, thank you very much. Very clearly formulated and competent answer.

[curtisa]

1. Both methods will work fine. Soldering to both pins has the advantage of being more mechanically strong, as there is an extra point of contact to support the soldered joint.

2. You can do it that way, but you'll need to be absolutely certain that all your copper shielding is securely bonded together and all conductive to ground, as any movement in the shielding tape joints (knocks and bumps, expansion and contraction of foil or timber the foil is attached to) may result in the guitar suddenly not working.

[RaphiSch]

I soldered it to both pins and grounded everything with some screws and eyelets. All the switches and potis work, and the guitar is perfectly shielded.

Thank you once again!

Cheers

[curtisa]