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Hey Sheldon,
There has been a mention of this enhancement around the forums, but you didn't address it and I would like to know your thought about it. It is regarding the pickup selector switch, primarily on the AB line but might also be applicable to Z1s and PAs.
As you probably know, Funkshwey installed a series/parallel switch for the neck pickup on then his, now mine AB-II. I feel that switch is generally best left in the default, parallel mode; however, when soloing the neck pickup, wiring it to series has become mandatory for me - the sound gets so chunky and powerful (although more noisy), switching back to parallel literally makes me frown. Although I don't want to speak on his behalf, I understand
Funk feels the same way - so I ask him to chip in.
The actual enchantment is having the pickup selector automatically switch the neck pickup to series when soloed. Given you use FD-3 4Ls that seems possible. What is a problem, the 2 pickup selector becomes, in a sense, a selector between 3 pickups which might be more expensive and difficult to produce. I wish I was more electronically canny, so not to waste your time if this is too complicated to be practically feasible. I, personally, would pay to get this option installed. I love my series-wired neck pickup soloed, but it's too dominating otherwise to be put in series permanently - this enhancement is the ultimate solution.
What do you think? Even though the production process might need be altered a bit to do the extra wiring, it's possible it would only marginally increase the production time; but would definitely add a point to versatility, given that the neck selection would be more discrete, set apart from others.
I realize that every now and then I post a suggestion. I hope I don't bore you 
Regards,
Bo
Regards,
Bo
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Hey Bocete, I'd have to draw out the circuit to confirm if this could be done with a rotary switch small enough to fit in the cavity.
We have been working on a P tone neck pickup that's intended to be wired in series. I mention this because it blends beautifully with the other three tones available on the switch.
Hey Bocete, I'm about 2 months ahead of you. Here's a reply from Jeff @ Dingwall.
"Hi, good to here from you. It is not possible to do all your combinations with the existing rotary switch. The neck pup would have to be wired series all the time. This could probably be done using a stacked rotary switch which we don't stock and would require some R&D time to execute properly."
Players might argue they don't want to lose the parallel solo'd neck pu option before hearing it, but imho neck solo'd series is the best sound. So R&D would be worth it.
Keep in mind all the old vintage Fender P pu's are wired series.
Parallel neck mixed with a ballsy MII bridge is a very cool sound, so you don't want to lose that.
A push/pull vol pot for series/parallel would be good in this situation, series up. You can feel if series is engaged without looking. No R&D needed
You have the closest 2nd best option Bocete with the series/parallel switch. But you want it automated.
Fender has a good idea with the S1 switch. Works perfectly with 2 pu basses. However the S1 switch on a precision is not a good idea. It makes the P pu sound weaker in parallel.
[quote="Funkshwey":2qn1kz6e]Hey Bocete, I'm about 2 months ahead of you. Here's a reply from Jeff @ Dingwall.
"Hi, good to here from you. It is not possible to do all your combinations with the existing rotary switch. The neck pup would have to be wired series all the time. This could probably be done using a stacked rotary switch which we don't stock and would require some R&D time to execute properly."
Players might argue they don't want to lose the parallel solo'd neck pu option before hearing it, but imho neck solo'd series is the best sound. So R&D would be worth it.
Keep in mind all the old vintage Fender P pu's are wired series.
Parallel neck mixed with a ballsy MII bridge is a very cool sound, so you don't want to lose that.
A push/pull vol pot for series/parallel would be good in this situation, series up. You can feel if series is engaged without looking. No R&D needed
You have the closest 2nd best option Bocete with the series/parallel switch. But you want it automated.
Fender has a good idea with the S1 switch. Works perfectly with 2 pu basses. However the S1 switch on a precision is not a good idea. It makes the P pu sound weaker in parallel.[/quote:2qn1kz6e]
Great to know you've already inquired! Automation is exactly what such a selector would bring. I love what the switch does to the soloed neck pickup, and I would miss it in another AB/Combustion. I would probably install it to a new bass.
Sheldon - the new pickup is certainly great since you spent so much time making it right - and I love a P pickup. However, frankly, I love my switchable neck pickup so much I am reluctant to change it. If only if it were my automatically switching neck pickup 
A few months ago I did the same thing with my ABII. I replaced the BlueQube with a series/parallel switch for the neck.
My experience is the same. I love the solo neck pickup in series and passive (I even sold one of my Fender P-basses because I don't need it anymore) but I also love the active sound of the Mach II bridge pickup combined with the neck in parallel.
So when the new Dingwall "P" pickup comes out. I don't know what I'll do. If I try it and I like it, what will I do with that extra switch? Maybe I could rig up something subtle like a flamethrower. That would be cool.
This probably not the best place to put this post but it is related to this topic.
I just got a new FD3-P (neck) pickup for my 5-string 2005 Afterburner II. When it's solo and wired in series internally, it sounds fantastic. I thought the FD3-4L was great but this one has much more "meat." It is exactly as advertised.
It comes wired in series but, fortunately, all four leads are accessible, so I am still able to use my series/parallel toggle.
Sheldon recommends keeping the FD3-P in series. I found that it's parallel mode still sounds quite decent either solo or in tandem, and, of course, it's quieter, too.
Until now my main sound was selector position #3 (tandem, series) with the neck 4L in parallel and a little EQ to reduce the high mids. I put the neck in series only when it is solo. (The bridge is a FD3 Mach II, which has it's series wiring sealed in epoxy.)
With the P-tone pickup, I'm finding more tones that I like. I can't decide which combination I like best - tandem series, tandem parallel, neck internal series or internal parallel.
So far, I don't think I will be applying any EQ at all on my Little Mark II amp. I did use the onboard treble roll-off a little on one of the parallel settings. I might even use the passive setting more often.
It seems this pickup is physically different from other FD3s. I notice that coils are still in the reverse P configuration but the string grouping is different. It seems to be:
--ADG
BE---
whereas the 5-string FD3-4L is
---DG
BEA--
The FD3-P is another winner, Sheldon.
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