Orion guitar pickup options?

[jazzyvee]

Hey just wondering if it would work/be sensible to have two pairs of Str pickups on my Orion guitar instead of two HG pickups? I could then have it rewired with some different pickup switching options as I've always done most of my tone changes on guitar by switching pickups rather than than major use of tone controls.

[FC Bass]

The sky is the limit and in this case, I think the limit is the space between bridge and fretboard. :-)

[jazzyvee]

Yeah I guess so. The space is tight because of the 24 frets. I'm just about to order some pickups from Mica and have just been thinking about some switching/pickup options. Some things I'm not sure about how they would work but please chip in if you know. I don't know if you can wire the STR style pickups  in series or parallel humbucker type arrangement pickups because of the noise cancelling coils inside. But I will add them to the wish list to solicit advice.  
Because I have a H style pickup on the neck and bridge of my Orion, I will need to put two str pickups in those places and have some kind of pickup surround for cosmetics.
 
I hope I can get a 5 position blade switch and a 3 position blade switch to do the options. (I know position 1 on a blade switch means different things to different folks so for clarity, position 1 to me on both switches is with tip pointing towards the neck.
 A = 5 position switch,  B = 3 position switch
 
FOUR PICKUP OPTION 2 x neck and 2x bridge ( HH)
B switches position 1 ( PHAT MODE )
A1 = Both neck pickups
A2 = Both neck and inside bridge pickup
A3 = Both neck and both bridge
A4 = Both Bridge and inside neck
A5 = Both Bridge
 
 
B switch in position 2 (Single Coil Mode)
A1 = outer neck pickup
A2 = inner neck pickup
A3 = Inner neck, inner bridge
A4 = inner neck, outer bridge
A5 = inner bridge
 
B switch in position 3 (Single Coil Mode)
A1 = Outer neck Pickup
A2 = Inner neck pickup
A3 = Outer neck, inner bridge
A4 = Outer neck, outer bridge
A5 = Outer Bridge
 
#################
 
5 pickup option 2 x neck 1 x mid and 2x bridge ( H S H)
I do wonder about this option as the middle pickup would be pretty close to the other two and may not  give me a big difference in sound plus a bit cramped for picking. If this would be the case  
 
B switches position 1 ( PHAT MODE )
A1 = Both neck pickups
A2 = Both neck and middle pickup
A3 = Both neck and both bridge
A4 = Middle and both bridge
A5 = Both Bridge
 
 
B switch in position 2 (Single Coil Mode)
A1 = Outer neck pickup
A2 = Outer neck and middle
A3 = Outer neck and outer Bridge
A4 = Middle and Outer bridge
A5 = Both bridge coils
 
 
B switch in position 3 (Single Coil Mode)
A1 = Inner neck Pickup
A2 = Inner neck and middle
A3 = inner neck and inner bridge
A4 = Middle and inner bridge
A5 = inner bridge

[jazzyvee]

I've found a luthier who can do the modification so I'm gonna place the order with Mica for the extra pickups I'll need. I'm gonna go with the 4 pickup option as having an extra pickup between the already limited space between the pickups due to the 24 fret neck might make it uncomfortable for some right hand playing.  
 
Mica suggested using individual pickup switches to give me ultimate flexibility for combining pickups which of makes sense but might not be easy for me to grasp quickly. Guitar wise my instincts are still strat style controls so I'm going for a 3 position strat style blade switch and two three position switches wired to enable me to choose any of the pickups depending on where the blade switch is positioned, either of the two single pickups or both together.
 
i will use the two HG pickups from the orion and one str pickup on my self build strat instead.

[jazzyvee]

A simpler question. When wiring alembic pickups with a single filter or bass/treble control, when more than one pickup is selected are  are they wired in series or parallel before going into the tone circuit?

[mica]

Parallel.

[jazzyvee]

Thanks Mica.

[jazzyvee]

Latest is I have now taken the guitar to a luthier to do the modification and had a long chat with him to discuss what I want. I have modified my requirements quite a bit since the above posting  and gone for two pairs of str pickups to replace the two HG pickups. One set in the neck position and one set in the bridge position.
 
The proposal at this time is to keep the existing 3 position switch to feed each pickup group and and add two more switches that will work with each group of two pickups to allow, either of the pickups to be selected or both. At the moment we are not certain if the existing pickup switch will do the job and he will speak with mica about this to seek advice.  
 
The other question he asked which I have emailed mica about, but you may also have a view or experience. If the STR pickups are mounted side by side will their magnetic fields around each pickup interfere with each other to the detriment of the sound and/or affect the hum cancelling properties of either pickup?
 
We are agreed that whatever work is done as far as routing and addition of switches, that the proposed work must be complementary to the original design and not look like an after thought. (Even though it is). If to achieve what I want means we will spoil the aesthetic of the original guitar I will not proceed with the project. I don't want a frankenstein guitar.

[jzstephan]

Sell your Orion and order a new custom, or send your guitar back to Alembic for modification. I know you're not in the USA, but please don't have someone else modify an Alembic (no matter how good they are).

[jazzyvee]

I have just assumed that to get alembic to do it and insured shipping back and forth to the USA would be far too expensive so I guess I didn't even ask Mica the question. Hmmm maybe that's something I should think about. The luthier does not have my approval to do any work on the guitar with out my prior agreement of their plan of action so maybe a call to Mica is in order.

[jazzyvee]

Hi Mica, I've fired a couple of emails to you about this mod for my Orion guitar after we chatted about it on the phone. Can you let me know if you got them please. My home phone has been out of action for a few weeks so can't call you.

[jazzyvee]

Hi Mica, are you getting my emails? I've been trying to get a reply back from you for a while now.

[jazzyvee]

I'm gonna try to get down to see my local luthier John (Jaydee) Diggins to get a quote for doing this mod. I have the switches from mica but no drawing yet for how to wire it up but I will see if John is not too busy to give me some thoughts. I've been playing that guitar a fair bit lately and I think the individual switches are the way to go and there is space in the cavity to install them.  Since the pickups mica sent me are slightly different shades, something she told me about prior to me buying, I am going to investigate the possibility of having them capped with some nice wood.
Here is my guitar: and I wonder if I should cap them with maple or something contrasting like ebony or something else?

[mica]

You're not getting my emails? I sent you a reply last night to your new project too.

[jazzyvee]

Hi Mica, I got the email from you last night but I haven't had anything from you regarding the wiring I need for the Orion pickup switches.