Wiring Schematic for 3-Pickup Wiring in a 12-String Bass

Wiring Schematic for 3-pickup Stereo / Mono Wiring

Three-pickup 12vers just look cool, but who has three amps to run through? My switching system allows you to select any two of the three pickups and run them to separate volumes / tones to either mono or stereo outputs. Or I would recommend a stereo / mono switch for that 12ver for all occasions versatility!

The switching works as follows:

Neck Vol / Tone / Out

Bridge Vol / Tone / Out

Position 1

Neck pickup

Middle pickup

Position 2

Neck pickup

Bridge pickup

Position 3

Middle pickup

Bridge pickup

Note the middle pickup moves from neck to bridge controls dependant on whether it is in front or behind the other active pickup - stops you from getting confused as to what knob does what.

I have included two versions of this wiring, one for 3-way On / On / On mini-toggles (and larger toggles with the same connections), and one for a Tele style 3-way blade switch."

Andrew Ward
Cornwall, United Kingdom

The switching works as follows:	Neck Vol / Tone / Out	Bridge Vol / Tone / Out
Position 1	Neck pickup	Middle pickup
Position 2	Neck pickup	Bridge pickup
Position 3	Middle pickup	Bridge pickup