Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

[D'Angelico]

I'm thinking about adding a series/parallel switch to my standard SSS Stratocaster. What are the pros and cons of this modification and what can I expect to hear sonically? I understand that Stratocasters are wired in parallel from the manufacturer. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I'm thinking about adding a series/parallel switch to my standard SSS Stratocaster. What are the pros and cons of this modification and what can I expect to hear sonically? I understand that Stratocasters are wired in parallel from the manufacturer. Any help would be much appreciated.

Since you have all 3 single coil pickups,are you sure you aren't talking about a phase switch? You have to have 2 coils to be able to split a coil...Alot of guys have a fullsized or strat sized humbucker and they'll install either a switch or a push pull pot...This pot gives you the option of series(Full humbucker)or split(single coil sound w/hum)or parallel(1/3 less the series tone w/no noise)...I don't think you'll be able to do what you want with 3 single coils unless I'm missing something?

John

 

[rspst14]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I think what he's saying is that he wants to be able to combine the pickups in series when the pickup selector is in certain positions. I'm not all the familiar with Strat wiring, as I have all humbucker guitars, but I believe he's referring to a situation where he could have the neck and middle pickup on, and then flip the switch and have them combined in series instead of parallel. To answer your question, combining two pickups in series will give you a fatter, higher-output, slightly louder tone than you can get from combining them in parallel.

Ryan

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I think what he's saying is that he wants to be able to combine the pickups in series when the pickup selector is in certain positions. I'm not all the familiar with Strat wiring, as I have all humbucker guitars, but I believe he's referring to a situation where he could have the neck and middle pickup on, and then flip the switch and have them combined in series instead of parallel. To answer your question, combining two pickups in series will give you a fatter, higher-output, slightly louder tone than you can get from combining them in parallel.

Ryan

Could be? Maybe we need more info?
Did you get my message Ryan?

 

[slightly_rude]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

D'Angelico,

I have done this wiring to my Jackson SL1 Soloist. That guitar is a HSS configuration and I have the ability to switch between neck, neck/middle in parallel, middle, neck/middle in series and bridge humbucker. In order to do this you will need a 5-way 4 pole superswitch.
The series connection gives me a hotter, fatter tone with no hum. It is articulate and sounds best with high gain because when played clean, it can be a little much as the DC resistance is about 11.8k. I did it because I don't have a use for the middle/split humbucker quack tone and wanted a "neck" humbucker kind of sound instead. I am also tempted to do it on one of my Strats.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

Could be? Maybe we need more info?
Did you get my message Ryan?

Hey John, which message are you referring to?

Ryan

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I've got a parallel/series switch on both of my strat-style guitars - one is H/S/S and the other is all single coils. IMHO putting middle & bridge single coils in series sounds a lot like a bridge humbucker in terms of output - especially bass. The greater distance between the coils changes the sound, but I like it personally. I love having the bridge & neck single coils in series - kind of like a supercharged Tele

It will only be humcancelling when you combine two opposite single coils (one has to be RW/RP).

I've seen drawings for a series/parallel setup using a standard Strat switch, but it doesn't look like the best solution. If you want to keep 2 tone controls, you almost have to use a 4-pole/5-way super switch.

Chip

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

Hey John, which message are you referring to?

Ryan

:smack: That message was for Jon...Another forum member...Sorry about that bro! Old age creeping up on me! :burnout:

John

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I've got a parallel/series switch on both of my strat-style guitars - one is H/S/S and the other is all single coils. IMHO putting middle & bridge single coils in series sounds a lot like a bridge humbucker in terms of output - especially bass. The greater distance between the coils changes the sound, but I like it personally. I love having the bridge & neck single coils in series - kind of like a supercharged Tele

It will only be humcancelling when you combine two opposite single coils (one has to be RW/RP).

I've seen drawings for a series/parallel setup using a standard Strat switch, but it doesn't look like the best solution. If you want to keep 2 tone controls, you almost have to use a 4-pole/5-way super switch.

Chip

Nice post Chip....You are the wiring guru in my book buddy! Hope all is well ?

John

 

[Eric]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

bump - this idea sounds pretty cool to me to - i like the sounds of that Jackson where the ordinary strat mid/bridge position is changed to neck/middle in series - sounds pretty much what i want to do with my guitar. are the superswitch thingies hard to wire? it seems like a simple enough mod i guess - do you have a wiring diagram for it at all?

thanks,
Eric

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I think the way to do it on a Strat would be with a 4 position Tele switch...like the one on the Fender Jerry Donahue Tele. Wire up the neck and bridge pickup to it and add the middle pickup to any of the 4 position switch settings with a blender pot. You'd want a master volume, master tone and blender pot to add the middle pickup. Lew

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I've seen drawings for a series/parallel setup using a standard Strat switch, but it doesn't look like the best solution. If you want to keep 2 tone controls, you almost have to use a 4-pole/5-way super switch.

Chip

If you are referring to *switch clutter* then it's either that or a rotary, and given the choice, I'd probably opt for the lever switch so I could keep three control knobs. By the way,the ones I did were done a certain way on purpose ... just so you know ...

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

bump - this idea sounds pretty cool to me to - i like the sounds of that Jackson where the ordinary strat mid/bridge position is changed to neck/middle in series - sounds pretty much what i want to do with my guitar. are the superswitch thingies hard to wire? it seems like a simple enough mod i guess - do you have a wiring diagram for it at all?

thanks,
Eric

No switch is harder to wire than another, you can see how the superswitch is laid out on stewmac's website. It's pretty straight forward, the one that I drew up using the superswitch had what you originally spoke of, which was bridge and middle in series.

 

[Eric]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

No switch is harder to wire than another, you can see how the superswitch is laid out on stewmac's website. It's pretty straight forward, the one that I drew up using the superswitch had what you originally spoke of, which was bridge and middle in series.

Kent, I dont think I've seen the superswitch drawing that you're referring to (also I'd like the neck and middle in series in the regular bridge and middle parallel position! confusing i know!) do you have such a wiring diagram that would fit the bill?

 

[Eric]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

I suppose I should clear up exactly what I want cos all these threads/PMs are making it so confusing!

Ok: My strat at the moment:
Pos 5: Neck single coil only
4: Neck and middle singles in parallel
3: Middle single only
2: Middle single and bridge SD lil'59 in parallel
1: Bridge SD lil'59 only

Ok, here's what I'd like if anyone has a wiring diagram I can use:
Pos 5: Neck single coil only
4: Neck and middle singles in parallel
3: Middle single only
2: Middle single and NECK single in SERIES
1: Bridge SD lil'59 only

This ought to be quite simple with a superswitch, but I dont know how to wire it.

Also, currently I have my 1st tone control controlling the neck pickup, and the 2nd tone pot (a Fender no-load pot) controlling the middle AND bridge pickups (default on new US strats) - so I'd like to keep this as it is!

Hope someone can help - sorry for hijacking the thread a bit!

Eric

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

Kent, I dont think I've seen the superswitch drawing that you're referring to (also I'd like the neck and middle in series in the regular bridge and middle parallel position! confusing i know!) do you have such a wiring diagram that would fit the bill?

I hadn't shown you that one yet, thats why ...

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

Also, currently I have my 1st tone control controlling the neck pickup, and the 2nd tone pot (a Fender no-load pot) controlling the middle AND bridge pickups (default on new US strats) - so I'd like to keep this as it is!


Eric

When you go into series one of the tone controls is going to affect the combo as a variable frequency tap (I informed you of this in a PM) because of the series connection ... you might be able to get around it ... you might not be able to get around it, if it bugs ya leave the offending control at 10 when in series.

 

[Eric]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

thanks Kent! you've got the answers for everything! I dont really understand what you mean by 'variable frequency tap' with the tone controls - i mostly have them always on 10 anway - so perhaps it wouldnt matter

 

[Gamera]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

FWIW, the new American Deluxe Strats are wired with an S-1 switching scheme that essentially does this same thing. I have it on my HSS Fat Strat. There's a hidden button in the crown of the volume knob that changes the switching. There's some info and diagrams here. (Although they're NOT wiring diagrams)

IMO the additional sounds you get from the S-1 are cool but not earth-shattering. Overall they provide a thicker, fuzzier sound. Some setting are almost Telcasterish or SG-ish. The options you're looking for (mid & neck, mid & bridge) aren't as impactful as some of the other combinations though including (inside bridge coil+mid+neck) and all 3 pups on. Mid+neck is actually kind of nice too. It's an almost humbuckery tone but retains the clarity and signature single coil tones.

 

[Eric]

Re: Series/parallel Switching On A Strat

well yeah thats what i want really, that kinda semi-neck-humbuckery tone, which i hope i can get from the neck and mid in series.

i would just swap out the neck for a lil'59 but the neck single coil is my favourite pickup - i just want the series option for a bit of versatility

would you be able to post those two diagrams and what they do Kent?

thanks (again!)

Eric