How To Connect 2 Liberator Potentiometers To 1 Hyperswitch
Connecting two Seymour Duncan Liberator potentiometers to a HyperSwitch allows for versatile control over your guitar’s tone and volume settings. The Liberator potentiometer offers a solderless solution, simplifying the installation process, while the HyperSwitch provides advanced switching capabilities. I’ll share how to connect 2 liberator potentiometers to 1 hyperswitch in easy ways.
What You Will Need for This Setup
Before starting the installation, make sure you have the following tools and materials:
- 2 Liberator Potentiometers (for tone or volume control)
- 1 HyperSwitch
- Soldering iron and solder
- Wiring Diagram
- Phillips or flathead screwdriver (depending on the screws in your guitar)
- Wire cutters and strippers
- Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing
- Multimeter (for testing)
- Insulated wire for connections
- Heat shrink tubing (optional but recommended)
Step 1: Preparation
- Safety First: Ensure your guitar is unplugged from any power source.
- Remove Strings: Loosen or remove the guitar strings to access the internal components.
- Access the Control Cavity: Depending on your guitar model, remove the pickguard or backplate to expose the control cavity.
Step 2: Remove Existing Components
- Desolder Existing Connections: Carefully desolder the wires connected to your current potentiometers and selector switch. Taking a clear photograph can be helpful for reference.
- Remove Old Potentiometers and Switch: Unscrew and remove the existing potentiometers and selector switch from the guitar.
Step 3: Install the Liberator Potentiometers
- Mount the Liberator Potentiometers: Place the new Liberator potentiometers into the existing holes in your guitar’s control cavity. Secure them using the provided nuts and washers.
- Connect Pickup Wires: Insert the pickup wires into the appropriate terminals on the Liberator potentiometers. The screw terminals on the Liberator make this process straightforward.
Tip:
If you’re unsure which wire goes where refer to Seymour Duncan’s official wiring diagrams.
Step 4: Install the HyperSwitch
- Mount the HyperSwitch: Position the HyperSwitch in place of the old selector switch. Ensure that the “piggyback” terminals are facing the potentiometers for easier wiring access.
- Connect Pickup Leads: Following the wiring diagram specific to your pickup configuration, connect the pickup leads to the corresponding terminals on the HyperSwitch.
- Power Connection: Connect the red (positive) and black (negative) wires from a 9-volt battery clip to the HyperSwitch’s power terminals. Ensure correct polarity to avoid damage.
- Ground Connection: Connect a wire from the HyperSwitch’s ground terminal to the back of one of the Liberator potentiometers or another grounding point in the guitar.
- Tone Control Connections: If your guitar has tone controls, connect the wires from the tone pots to the designated terminals (TC1 and TC2) on the HyperSwitch.
Step 5: Finalize Installation
- Secure All Components: Ensure that all components are securely mounted and that there are no loose connections.
- Insert Battery: Place a fresh 9-volt battery into the control cavity, ensuring it is insulated to prevent short circuits.
- Test Functionality: Before reassembling the guitar, plug it into an amplifier to test the functionality of the potentiometers and HyperSwitch. Ensure that each control operates as intended.
- Reassemble the Guitar: Once testing is complete, reassemble the guitar by replacing the pickguard or backplate and restring the instrument.
During the wiring process, you may encounter a few common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- No Sound Output: Double-check your wiring connections, particularly the common ground and output terminals.
- Unresponsive Potentiometers: If the potentiometers aren’t adjusting as expected, ensure the connections are secure, and verify that the terminals are properly connected to the switch.
- Intermittent or Crackling Sound: This could be due to a loose or poor connection. Recheck the soldering and ensure there is no damage to the wire insulation.
Connecting two Liberator potentiometers to a HyperSwitch is a relatively straightforward process if you follow the correct steps. By taking your time, using the right tools, and ensuring all connections are secure, you’ll be able to achieve an enhanced and customizable sound experience for your guitar.