Do I need a superswitch ?

[seb007]

I have a SSS Strat with dual blades humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions.
I would like this configuration without using a push/pull:

Neck humbucker
Neck split (inside rail)
Whatever (suggestions ?)*
Bridge split (inside rail)
Bridge humbucker

with 1 master tone and 1 master volume (I'll add a killswitch eventually).

Is it possible with a regular 5 way ? My guess is it would be possible if I only split one of the humbuckers instead of the two.

If I need a superswitch, can someone tell me where I can find complete information on how to wire it ?

Thanks !!

* I don't use the middle pickup because it's right in the middle of my "picking lane" so I set it really low. I'm opened to any suggestions.

[thetangmang]

Look up deaf Eddie.he does all kinds of these things at great prices.

[Chikn]

You can also try guitarelectronics.com. They have a tone of diagrams posted. Actually, depending on what you want to do with the middle position, you could get by with the "Super switch jr." It's half of a regular super, and can do what you want. Shop around for them. Some places charge as much, or nearly as much, for them as they do for the larger switch.

[fumbler]

??? then you DON'T have an SSS strat.

You have an HSH strat.

And let me get this straight, you want the 2 position to just be the bridge pickup split (and 4 is neck split) and NOT in parallel with another pickup? Off the top of my head I can't think of a way to wire that with a standard 5-way switch UNLESS you have the 3 position be silent/kill (which you most likely do NOT want). So yes, you probably DO need a superswitch.

Suggestions for 3 position: Middle by itself? Bridge/neck parallel (so the middle pup is never used)? Do you want bridge/middle or neck/middle strat style?

[seb007]

By SSS I meant SSS sized pickguard, but you're right it is indeed HSH. You're confirming what I thought about the need for a superswitch.

For the 3rd position, I don't really plan on using the middle pickup by itself because the volume will be too low compared to the other pickups. I'm not looking for a typical strat sound so I was thinking may be the 2 humbuckers together or maybe the bridge and neck split together. I really don't know how either of these configurations would sound. I will use this strat to play mostly metal and hard rock.

I wanted to have the bridge and neck splitted also because the clean sound of the SD hotrails is absolutly horrible !

Thanks for the replies

Originally Posted by fumbler

??? then you DON'T have an SSS strat.

You have an HSH strat.

And let me get this straight, you want the 2 position to just be the bridge pickup split (and 4 is neck split) and NOT in parallel with another pickup? Off the top of my head I can't think of a way to wire that with a standard 5-way switch UNLESS you have the 3 position be silent/kill (which you most likely do NOT want). So yes, you probably DO need a superswitch.

Suggestions for 3 position: Middle by itself? Bridge/neck parallel (so the middle pup is never used)? Do you want bridge/middle or neck/middle strat style?

[walterw]

so these are rails-type pickups?

you'll likely find that the neck or bridge split by themselves will be pretty thin and useless; after all, you're left with a 1/4" wide pickup!

the "normal" thing is to use a standard 5-way to "auto-split" the neck or bridge on 2 and 4, to preserve the "quack" and hum-cancel with the middle single coil.

what does sound good is switching the rails pickups to parallel; they sound closer to regular strat pickups, but still hum-cancel. you're not gonna get that without a superswitch or other extra switches, though.