Classic stack split

[brownsound]

I have a full size bridge humbucker in a strat. I am considering putting a Classic Stack in the middle and a Quater Pound in the neck. I would like to use a 5 position switch to autotap the humbucker and stack in the #4 position. With this configuration I will need to split the classic stack. Has anyone done this and which coil do you shut off? Also, how will this configuration impact the #2 position with the Classic Stack and the Quarter Pound combined?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Classic stack split

What a great question Brown, too bad I don't have an answer for you but hopefully I can help you out a little.

The problem is that I don't have the wind direction or polarity for either the Classic Stack or the Quarter Pounder. What I would suggest is to PM Evan and get that info from him or you'll have to experiment. I'd first work out the wiring for the Classic Stack and the QP. You'll have to wire the guitar around which ever coil splits properly for those two combined. After you figure out whether to split the north or south bobbin of the Classic Stack you can then select the opposite bobbin from the humbucker (which is hopefully 4 conductor) and you'll be hum cancelling in four out of five positions.

Something that will help you is to do this. Solder one foot lengths of wire to the Classic Stacks black lead, the Classic Stacks red/white wires, the humbuckers black lead (assuming its a SD 4 conductor humbucker), the humbuckers red/white wires and one to ground and let them all exit the top of the guitar from under the edge of the pickguard. That way you can test the splits between the Classic Stack and Quarter Pounder as well as between the Classic Stack and the bridge humbucker without repeatedly removing the pickguard.

 

[brownsound]

Re: Classic stack split

Thanks, Robert. I appreciate the suggestions, however, I've made a different desision on pickup selection since the post. I picked up a Vintage Rail (middle) and a Cool Rail (neck). I already had a PATB-1 that will take the bridge spot.

I may decide to either split the PATB and Cool Rail with the Vintage Rail using the 5 position switch (in #2 and #4) or I may use a SPDP to split the humbucker coils for a 3x single strat (sort of). I realize that it will not be hum free in the split positions in either case, however, these tones likely won't be used in higher gain settings where it becomes more apparent.

I will post my findings after this weekends job (assuming I get things together)

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Classic stack split

I'd suggest using a dpdt switch and use that to wire the PATB for series/parallel instead of the series-split you are considering. Thats what I did in my JB/Hot Stack/lil59 Strat and it worked out very well. Its hum free and the notched position tones, especially the #4 w/JB in parallel sound very good.