Tinkercaster
DiMarzio wiring

Humbucker neck and bridge with a three-way toggle

Two humbuckers · Three-way toggle · One volume · One tone

DiMarzio's HH layout: neck and bridge humbuckers on a Switchcraft three-way toggle whose two output tags are joined by a jumper, then 500K custom-taper volume and tone pots with a .022 µF capacitor.

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Viewed from the back of the controls, as you solder them. Select a component to move, rotate or flip it. Follow wires and try the switches in simulation mode. Use Full screen for a closer look.

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Parts and values

In the drawingValuePart
Neck pickupSource: Neck pickup (BARE, GREEN, RED, BLACK, WHITE)—Humbucker (four-conductor, DiMarzio colours)Generic
Bridge pickupSource: Bridge pickup (BARE, GREEN, RED, BLACK, WHITE)—Humbucker (four-conductor, DiMarzio colours)Generic
Toggle (straight / straight short)Source: Switchcraft toggle switch, straight or straight short (EP1101/EP1102)—Switchcraft 3-Way Toggle (two output tags)Example part
Volume 500K custom taperSource: Volume 500K custom taper pot (EP1201)500kCTS 500k Audio PotExample part
Tone 500K custom taperSource: Tone 500K custom taper pot (EP1201)500kCTS 500k Audio PotExample part
Output jackSource: Switchcraft output jack, 2-conductor (EP1301)—Switchcraft #11Example part
.022µFSource: .022µF capacitor (EP1022)22nFOrange Drop .022µFExample part
Bridge groundSource: TO BRIDGE GROUND—Bridge ground wireGeneric

“Example part” means any part with the same value and lugs will do; the source does not name a brand. “Generic” stands in for an unspecified pickup: check your own pickup's lead colours before you solder.

Specific to this wiring

  • Position 1 = neck; position 2 = neck and bridge; position 3 = bridge.
  • On each pickup, the black and white leads are joined and insulated.
  • Join the toggle's two output tags with a short jumper, as drawn.
  • The tone signal enters at the tone pot's middle lug (wiper); the capacitor sits on an end lug.
  • The source specifies 500K custom-taper pots. The simulator treats them as linear, so settings between the knob ends are approximate.

Connections

In soldering order: grounds first, then the switch, the pickups and the signal path. Choose Show to highlight a connection in the drawing.

#FromToHow
1Neck GREENVolume casingTo a pot casinggreen
2Neck BAREVolume casingShield or groundbare
3Bridge GREENVolume casingTo a pot casinggreen
4Bridge BAREVolume casingShield or groundbare
5Toggle middle-left tagJack sleeveWireblack
6Volume top lugVolume casingTo a pot casingblack
7Volume top lugTone casingThe tone casing also carries a ground symbol.To a pot casingblack
8.022µF capacitorTone casingTo a pot casing
9Tone casingJack sleeveWireblack
10TO BRIDGE GROUNDJack sleeveThe jack sleeve also carries a ground symbol.Shield or groundblack
11Neck REDToggle top-left tagWirered
12Bridge REDToggle bottom-left tagWirered
13Toggle upper right tagToggle lower right tagExternal jumper joining the two output tags.Jumper
14Toggle outputVolume bottom lug (input)Wire
15Neck BLACKNeck WHITEJoined and insulated.Joined and insulatedblack
16Bridge BLACKBridge WHITEJoined and insulated.Joined and insulatedblack
17Volume middle lugJack tipWire
18Volume bottom lugTone middle lug (wiper)Wire
19Tone bottom lug.022µF capacitorWire

What each position does

SettingThe sourceEngine result
Rhythm (neck)Position 1 = neck.Neck pickup (both coils).
BothPosition 2 = neck & bridge.Neck pickup (both coils) and Bridge pickup (both coils) in parallel.
Treble (bridge)Position 3 = bridge.Bridge pickup (both coils).

Checked with the Tinkercaster wiring engine against the switching the source describes.

  • The source's 500K custom taper is not reproduced: both pots are simulated with a linear track, so settings between the knob ends are approximate.
  • Hum cancelling and phase describe the generic pickup models, not measured DiMarzio pickups.
  • Pickup resistance is not specified, so no numeric meter readings are given.

Before you solder

Ticks are kept in this browser only, as a reminder. They are not a check of your joints. New to soldering? Read the soldering cheat sheet.

Check before plugging in

  • In each toggle position, the meter across the jack should read the selected pickup, or both in parallel in the middle.
  • The two jumpered toggle output tags should always read as a short to each other.
  • Each taped black–white joint should read open to ground.

Measure across the output jack with a multimeter on its resistance range. No exact readings are given where the source does not specify the pickups.