6-way switch on HSS Strat as an alternative to a push-pull for coil split?

[DesolationBlvd]

I'm about to take my HSS Soloist passive, and would like to wire it as a traditional Stratocaster but with one extra position for humbucking. Can this be done with the Oak Grigsby 6-way switch?

Neck
Neck/middle
Middle
Middle/bridge single (auto-split)
Bridge single
Bridge humbucker in series

The volume knob is already in the traditional Strat position, and making it a push-pull would only make it more in-the-way. I guess worse-comes-to-worst I'll put the push-pull on the middle pickup tone, or go with a push-push where the volume knob would normally go and have just volume and master tone.

I'd like to use the bridge-side coil as the one that is selected in the auto-split and the single coil mode, would I have to put the RWRP pickup in the neck and use the regular in the middle? I'm using the Custom Flats and JB, as specified on various Jackson and Charvel offerings.​

 

[Mincer]

You could always use an S1 switch, which is a fantastic way to do this.

 

[DesolationBlvd]

Hmm, I should have made it clearer that this is a Soloist and not a regular Strat. Strat-style volume / tone knobs would look really awkward (I assume the S1 switching would necessitate Strat-style knobs).

 

[Mincer]

Hmm, I should have made it clearer that this is a Soloist and not a regular Strat. Strat-style volume / tone knobs would look really awkward (I assume the S1 switching would necessitate Strat-style knobs).

Gotcha...they do make them in the Tele variety, if that helps.

 

[DesolationBlvd]

Gotcha...they do make them in the Tele variety, if that helps.

I see, unfortunately it only seems to be available in chrome, and I've got black hardware on my Soloist.

I also think I figured out the wiring for the 6-way, if I'm OK with position 4 as middle/bridge auto-split, position 5 as bridge humbucking, and 6 as bridge split. I just have to hook up the south end / north start to the second and fourth lugs of the other side.that will then go to ground.

 

[Chistopher]

You have 5 single coil positions and one humbucker position. I would say have a push/pull, and wire it so that with the push/pull down it is standard SSS wiring with the humbucker split, but with the push/pull up it bypasses the pickup selector and is the humbucker in series. Could be done pretty easy. Have one side of the DPDT switch do the coil split, and the other half bypass the switch. It's a lot more intuitive than either a six way switch or a standard coil split, plus it allows you to go from any one sound to any other with a single movement.

One of the biggest downsides of 6 and 10 way switches is they often end up being two movements to get into the position you want, which is sometimes more than you have time for. Another thing to consider is whether you even need all six positions. Especially with a bridge humbucker, the single coil bridge position probably won't get all that much use

 

[jeremy]

i thought that too, but once you get used to the 6 way or 10 way, 10 in my case, its really quick and natural.

 

[DesolationBlvd]

I've got the 6-way working. Turned out to work just fine with 4 and 5 as split and 6 as full humbucking. I just had to wire all the pickups out of phase to get the bridge-side coil instead of the neck-side coil. I need the bridge split plus middle, bridge split alone, and bridge humbucker alone for my Strat needs, and the wiring delivers.

I'm really considering switching the singles to Vintage Flats, though. The Custom Flats balance with the full series humbucker, but I would rather the singles balance with the split humbucker and then have the humbucker mode act like a boost. The Jackson and Charvel guitars that pair up the JB and Custom Flats stock don't allow for the bridge split alone.