velorush Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 I have just read a description of a Phantom that indicated that you could access all three coils of the bridge pickup (like a Prototype). This one was made later than my '83. My Phantom has a two-way switch to choose between the humbucker OR the single in the bridge. Did later Phantoms have a three way for choice in the bridge (and another three way for B/BN/N)? Or was this a popular mod?Thanks
David B Posted January 14, 2009 Posted January 14, 2009 I thought they all had a 3 way for the "motherbucker" & a 2 way for the neck.
JimHalinda Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 It's not a "Motherbucker". That's the name of a Mighty Mite pickup that apparently had unique combinations that included all 3 coils together.In the Phantom it's a regular single coil and humbucker that are put together in one mounting ring. From what I've read I thought all Prototypes/Phantoms/Phantom Customs let you have both pickups on at once.Regards,Jim
David B Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 It's not a "Motherbucker". That's the name of a Mighty Mite pickup that apparently had unique combinations that included all 3 coils together.In the Phantom it's a regular single coil and humbucker that are put together in one mounting ring. From what I've read I thought all Prototypes/Phantoms/Phantom Customs let you have both pickups on at once.Regards,JimOh, I know it's not really a "Motherbucker". I've had plenty of Prototypes & a few Phantoms, even a Blitz with that same pickup configuation. That's just what a lot of people call it.
velorush Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 The bridge switch on my '83 just allows a choice between the two pickups in the bridge position (either/or). That is what I understand was standard on the first Phantoms (see first paragraph of this article: here). I just thought that maybe they changed them later, maybe when they went to 6-on-a side tuners in '84, so that switching was like the Prototype. I always thought that would be great and wouldn't be hard to wire up (another 3-way switch to replace the two-way).
GusS Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 all phantoms/protos/ss's are wired the same. 2-way switches between the bridge humbucker and middle single coil, three-way lets you choose between aforementioned selection and/or neck pickup
JimHalinda Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 all phantoms/protos/ss's are wired the same. 2-way switches between the bridge humbucker and middle single coil, three-way lets you choose between aforementioned selection and/or neck pickupThis seems to contradict you:http://www.hamerfanclub.com/proto.htmlIt says:"The three way switch gave you the Humbucker, both pickups or the single coil, although curiously the switch worked in opposite orientation to the pickup positions. A master volume and master tone control completed the electronics. The sounds available were described by Paul Hamer in an interview from 1982. 'It looks very simple with one pickup, one volume and tone control and a single toggle switch, but the sounds you can get are really quite incredible. The secret lies in the pickup which incorporates a single coil and a double coil, Humbucking type, so it's possible to get anthing from a sharp Stratocaster tone to a richer Les Paul sound with a good midrange Hamer sound in between. And it's only half the price of a new Strat.'"Regards,Jim
serial Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 Actually, GusS's statement would be correct if he said "Proto IIs" rather than "Protos". The article by Doc Large on the switching refers to the original Prototype only, since those did not have a neck pickup or a second switch (only had a single 3 way selector, not the 3/2 switches that the SS, Proto II and Phantoms had).all phantoms/protos/ss's are wired the same. 2-way switches between the bridge humbucker and middle single coil, three-way lets you choose between aforementioned selection and/or neck pickupThis seems to contradict you:http://www.hamerfanclub.com/proto.htmlIt says:"The three way switch gave you the Humbucker, both pickups or the single coil, although curiously the switch worked in opposite orientation to the pickup positions. A master volume and master tone control completed the electronics. The sounds available were described by Paul Hamer in an interview from 1982. 'It looks very simple with one pickup, one volume and tone control and a single toggle switch, but the sounds you can get are really quite incredible. The secret lies in the pickup which incorporates a single coil and a double coil, Humbucking type, so it's possible to get anthing from a sharp Stratocaster tone to a richer Les Paul sound with a good midrange Hamer sound in between. And it's only half the price of a new Strat.'"Regards,Jim
JimHalinda Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 That's interesting. I had an 86 SS1 and I always wondered why they didn't let you have the bridge/middle combination.They mention what a unique sound it was on the original Prototype and then they took the option away?I now have a 98 Phantom Custom (bought based on fond memories of my SS1) and I like the sound of the two together. Very subtle, gets lost in a band mix I suppose, but a nice tone nonetheless. (I made sure the pickup heights were such that you get an even blend of the two when on together.)Regards,Jim
GusS Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 bridge+neck vs bridge+middle, the age old dilemma
JimHalinda Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 They could have just given you 2 3-ways to get all combinations.... or 3 mini switches like on some Chaps..... I always thought 2 switches on the SS was awkward. Of course so is the rotary on my Phantom Custom. I would think you could get pretty quick with 3 mini-toggles if they're close enough together....Jim
GusS Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 kim keller's using two three-ways. super easy and reversible mod (to replace the two with a three-way)i despise the rotary switch on the customs
serial Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 I'm not a big fan of the rotary switches either. Was playing my Iceman with the 3 coil and rotary at band practice last night and it's really awkward to me-the rest of the guitar is anything but. The idea of two 3 ways is great. I agree that the 2 and 3-way probably isn't the Ultimate selection... Have a rotary on this one, but I get used to it after a while.
GusS Posted January 16, 2009 Posted January 16, 2009 you have four holes in that guitar, perfect candidate for a V-T + 2x 3-way (ideally a one switchcraft right angle + one stubby heh) conversion. i converted my phantom custom into a proto 1 (instead of a proto 2) cuz i'm not 100% i want to drill an extra hole in it
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