'78 Sunburst - new pickups - help needed please

[Todde3000]

Hi folks,

I started to have work done on my recently purchased '78 Sunburst. The sheared off upper strap pin has been repaired professionally. An excellent repair, nearly not visible. The guitar now sports the "Gretchy" Gotoh screw on strap locks, which I find convenient and look great.

Yesterday was pickup day. So I took a drive up to Amber Pickups (a well reputed boutique pickup manufacturer) and chose a nice set of custom wound "Spirit of 59" pickups, with lightly aged bobbins that will match the original look of the guitar. Double creme at the bridge and reverse zebra at the neck.

I want to come as close to original specs as I can (but with the Amber Pickups, instead of Dimarzios). I believe the original Sunbursts were wired out of phase in the middle position - a tone that I like and would like to have, if it is original to the guitar. No extra switching for me, just volume, volume, tone and 3 positions. Here's where I need help:

Will one of the pickups (neck ?) have top be manufactured "out of phase", so that I can solder them in according to the Sunburst wiring diagramm on this site ?

I won't be fiddling around with extra switching options, not now and not in the future. Can I have both pickups made with 2 wires (vintage braided) ? Or does one (bridge) need to have 4 wires, like pictured in the schematic ?

Can I order two normal pickups ? Will the Sunburst wiring diagramm switch them out of phase in the middle position ?

I just need some reassurance so that I can give the pickup winder information on what I want from him.

Thanks.

Cheers, Todde

[Andrew]

For genuine 78 specs the pickups should be in phase and with a single conductor plus shield (also the ground).

[RichRS6]

Here's a link to a recent discussion about OOP wiring etc.

This was very helpful to me when I rewired my 79.

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/topic/68141-getting-out-of-phase-sounds/?hl=phase

If the pickups are being manufactured for you then it would be simple to ask to have "vintage correct" single & screen wiring and have the neck PU's magnet flipped to put them "out of phase" in the middle.

Personally as they are not going to be the "vintage correct" pickup's I would get 4 conductor wiring just in case you decide to add any switching options later, it also allows you to get the OOP sound by swapping a couple of wires around.

I added a pair of push/push pots to split the coils which retains the original look (apart from in the control cavity) and flipped the neck magnet to get the OOP sound which has given a whole new range of useful sounds while retaining the un-modded look.

[Todde3000]

Thanks guys !

Just the information I needed. Even if out of phase was not stock on the 78, that's the way it will be. I rock the guitar through a 2203 Marshall amp with no effects. I love the out of phase middle position for coloring solos and rhythm work, kind of like a mild cocked wah sound.

I'll have the neck pickup built out of phase (flipped magnet etc.), already discussed and fixed with the winder.

Cheers, Todde