Author Topic: Spectrum Controls (Read 233 times)

Russ · « **on:** July 06, 2021, 01:24:05 PM »

I recently purchased a Spectrum guitar and it doesn't have the same layout that the Spectrum page shows (which I guess is the older version since it only has the two pickups). Mine has three pickups and a 5 position switch for the pickup selector.

In position 1 and 5 it appears to mute the guitar, position 2-3-4 I can only guess turn on neck pickup, middle pickup and then bridge pickup individually. I really can't tell much difference between them, am I doing something wrong?

Thanks!

Russ

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2021, 01:28:57 PM »

If you post pictures of the controls and, more importantly, the control cavity, I'm sure of the nice folks here who know more than I will able to help you get it sussed.

Peter (who can follow your basic Strat/Tele/LP wiring, but is well & truly lost with anything fancier)

StephenR · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2021, 02:02:48 PM »

Not familiar with the controls on this guitar but it would be quite odd to have two positions of the switch wired to mute the output. One thing you can do to help you figure out the wiring is tap each pickup lightly with something metallic (with the guitar plugged-in), you should be easily able to tell which pickup/s are on for each position of the pickup selector. Meanwhile... Peter's suggestions to show some pictures of the control cavity is a good one. Everyone here also enjoys seeing pictures of the entire instrument so show it off!

Russ · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2021, 03:14:37 PM »

Here ya go, thanks everyone!

Russ

Russ · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2021, 03:15:48 PM »

Here's the front, didn't work before for some reason...

Russ · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2021, 03:17:00 PM »

It looks like there's a couple leads not connected to something...

Russ · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2021, 03:22:47 PM »

Upon further digging, there are two black wires coming from the switch that aren't plugged into their counterparts. There are two wires that are fed through the black donut thingy

, one is black and the other is green that appear to be what they should plug into.

Any idea what goes to what or does it matter??

Thanks again!!

Russ

Russ · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2021, 04:09:43 PM »

So trial and error worked without drama this time...

I believe this is what I figured out. Position one (furthest towards the neck) is the neck pickup, one notch towards the center makes it a combination of the front and middle pickup, center would appear to be the middle pickup by itself, and then a combination of the middle and bridge pickup and then just the bridge pickup.

Russ

StephenR · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2021, 05:08:33 PM »

Glad you got things figured out. That is consistent with standard Stratocaster wiring except most Strats have a 3-position switch. On a Strat you can cheat and set the switch between positions to get front-middle and middle-rear combinations. Your Alembic has a true five position switch. Very pretty guitar!

Russ · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2021, 05:35:46 PM »

Thank you Stephen! She is a piece of art no question, they do amazing work!

mica · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2021, 10:49:41 PM »

I was going to suggest it sounded like the pickup connections weren't plugged in and it looks like you guys figured it all out with me. Bravo!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2021, 01:23:03 AM »

Is that the one that was on sale on Reverb?
It's such a beautiful guitar and the sort of guitar I would love to own and play. I'm glad you got to the crux of the issue and now it can sing as beautifully as it looks.
A great purchase decision.

Russ · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2021, 06:04:59 AM »

It is the one Jazzyvee, I was ready to pull the trigger the minute I saw it post for sale... Thank you!

@Mica - I was worried I might cause a battery to start getting really hot again

Russ

jazzyvee · « **Reply #13 on:** July 13, 2021, 02:36:07 AM »

If you manage to record any gigs or do any recordings with that guitar I would love to hear them. I have spoken to Mica and Susan at length about a highly customised Spectrum and been close a couple of times but then blam something else needed that money.

Russ · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2021, 11:59:23 AM »

You got it Jazzyvee