I. Configuration

For this installation guide, a generic configuration will be used consisting of several parts as illustrated in the diagram above.

Two Cycfi XR Quad Passive (double-width) pickups.
Five-way Flex switch
Active volume control
Blend control (optional)
Tone control (optional)
Resonant Filter (optional)

NOTE: All components inside the dotted boxes in the diagram above are optional.

The Flex switch can accommodate up to 4 inputs, where each input can be an XR Dual or Quad or combinations of both. Such an arrangement covers all the standard configurations seen below (and beyond).

We will start with two Quad Passive pickups, the Flex switch, Tone and Blend controls, and the active-volume control:

A. Active-Volume Control Pinout:

Header Pinout

INSERT	GND	Ground
	VCC	9V Power
	OUT	Output Pin for the Resonant Filter or other effects or EQ. (Shunt Insert-Out to Insert-In when not in use)
	IN	Input Pin for the Resonant Filter or other effects or EQ. (Shunt Insert-Out to Insert-In when not in use)
OUTPUT	GND	Ground (typically goes to output jack)
	OUT	Output Signal (typically goes to output jack)
	SW	Power switch (typically goes to ring terminal of output jack). Switch to Ground to power the electronics (typically when a 1/4″ instrument cable is inserted).
VOL PWR	GND	Ground
	VCC	9V Power
	SW	Power switch. Switch to Ground to power active electronics.
INPUT	IN-	Input cold signal (typically Ground)
INPUT	IN+	Input hot signal
TONE	GND	Ground
TONE	TONE	To passive Tone control pot

(See Active-Volume Schematic and Preamp for further detail)

B. 5 Way Flex Switch Pinout:

Left Header Pinout

PU1, PU2, PU3 and PU4 (Passive pickup inputs)	OC	Outer Coil Wire
	GND	Ground
	IC	Inner Coil Wire
VBAT	Battery plus (+) terminal
SW	Battery plus (-) terminal (This will connect to ground when power switch is engaged, typically when a 1/4″ instrument cable is inserted into the jack)

Right Header Pinout

OUT-	Switch output – cold signal (typically Ground)
OUT+	Switch output – hot signal
BLEND	GND	Ground
	PU3	To Blend control (connects to pickup 3)
	PU1	To Blend control (connects to pickup 1)
ACTIVE VOL PWR	GND	Ground
	VCC	9V Power
	SW	Power switch. Switch to Ground to power active electronics.

(See 5-Way Flex Switch Schematic for further detail)

II. Control Cables

Three different types of XR cables are used for each control:

Blend Control Cable (Top, medium length, three pin)
Tone Control Cable (Middle, short, two pin)
Active-Volume Control Cable (Middle and Bottom, short, two pin and three pin)

IMPORTANT: Before we start, it is important to be aware of the proper orientation of the connectors. Be extra careful. Improper connection may damage the electronics. The proper orientation can be determined by the small molded triangle in the connector’s housing. The triangle on the connector has been highlighted in all pictures in this guide.

A. Tone Control to Active-Volume Control (Optional)

STEP 1

Using the XR Tone Control Cable, carefully insert the connector into the Tone control header connector. (NOTE: use small molded triangle as reference for proper orientation)

STEP 2

Now, insert the other end of the XR cable into the Active-Volume Control TONE pins. Again, remember to use the molded triangle as a reference for the proper orientation.

FINISH

B. Active-Volume control to Five-Way Flex Switch

STEP 1

Now, using the XR 2 Pin Active-Volume Control Cable, insert the connector into the Active-Volume Control INPUT pins. (NOTE: use small molded triangle as reference for proper orientation)

Notice the factory pre-installed INSERT-OUT to INSERT-IN jumper (shunt). The jumper bypasses the insert pins when the Resonant Filter, or other EQ or effects, are not being used.

STEP 2

Then, connect the other end of the cable to the Five-Way Flex Switch OUT pins.

STEP 3

With the XR 3 pin Active-volume Control Cable, insert the connector into the VOL PWR pins of the Active-Volume Control.

STEP 4

Now, insert the other end of the cable into the Five-Way Flex Switch ACTIVE VOL PWR pins as shown below.

FINISH

C. Blend Control to Five-Way Flex Switch (Optional)

STEP 1

With the XR Blend Control Cable, first, insert the connector to the Blend control. (NOTE: use small molded triangle as reference for proper orientation)

STEP 2

Now, connect the other end of the cable to the Five-Way Flex Switch BLEND pins as shown below:

FINISH

III. Grounding of Five-Way Flex Switch Guide

STEP 1

Insert the ground cable to the 5 way flex switch:

Assuming you have a ground wire connected to string ground (typically the bridge), connect this wire to the supplied 2-Wire IDC Butt. Splice the end of the wire connected to the single-pin header with the end of the wire going to the string ground. To do this, insert the bare wires inside the wire-butt connector and crimp the connector with a pair of pliers until it snaps to make a firm connection (image at the right →).

Tip: The extra pins (PWR and SW) beside ground pin in the picture above may be connected to an ON-OFF power switch. By default, PWR is shunted to SW and ultimately switched by inserting the 1/4″ instrument cable.

FINISH

IV. Pickups Cabling Guide

For cabling the Cycfi XR Quad Passive (double-width) pickups, use the supplied XR Pickup cables (3 Pin cables). You will need 4 cables; two for each XR Quad.

A. Cycfi XR Quad Passive (Double-Width) Pickups to Five-Way Flex Switch

STEP 1

We’ll start with PU1 (pickup 1), the pickup closest to the neck. Insert the XR Pickup cable into the XR Quad Passive Pickup header connector.

Tip: Actually, it does not matter which pickup you choose for PU1. Be adventurous and swap pickup positions freely. Each connection will give you a unique sound. The solder-free connectors make it easy to experiment.

Tip: It is safe to reverse the polarity of the pickup. Doing so will reverse the phase of the pickup. When combined with another pickup, the result will be a squawky out-of-phase sound.

STEP 2

Now, insert the other end of the cable into the Five-Way Flex Switch:

STEP 3

Insert the same type of cable into the next set of headers:

STEP 4

Again, insert the other end of the cable into the Five-Way Flex Switch:

STEP 5

Continue with the rest:

STEP 6

For PU3

STEP 7

And finally for PU4

Tip: For a 3-pickup setup, PU4 may be bypassed. Use a jumper (supplied) to shunt PU4 OC pin to GND.

FINISH

The final configuration should be as shown in the picture below

TIP: Use a wire-tie to neatly organize the cables. Doing so will allow them to fit nicely into the guitar body channel cavity.

V. Power and Output Cabling Guide

A. 9V Battery Connector to Five-Way Flex Switch

STEP 1

Insert the battery connector cable to the 5 way switch (NOTE: use small molded triangle as reference for proper orientation).

FINISH

The final configuration should be as shown in the picture below:

B. Output Jack to Active-Volume Control

STEP 1

Insert the output jack connector cable to the Active-Volume Control OUTPUT PINS as shown in the picture below: (NOTE: use small molded triangle as reference for proper orientation).

FINISH

VI. Final Configuration

VII. Resonant Filter (Optional)

For the cabling of the Resonant Filter, two XR Resonant Filter Cables (4 Pin, Short length) will be used as shown in the picture above.

STEP 1

Insert the XR cable into the Resonance Control FREQ pins as shown in the picture below: (NOTE: use small molded triangle as reference for proper orientation).