Strat Electronics

[Drifting]

So, I dug into my first soldering experiment today, and put a new set of pickups in my strat and wired the mid pickup tone to the bridge, and I'm liking the changes so far. But I want to further it.

I'm looking to upgrade on the electronics in my strat.

I already had CTS pots in mind, but had a few questions.

Does the pickup selector make a difference in tone? I don't know if I'm being OCD I just don't know if it really affects anything(as in tonality).

Also, what would changing the capacitor do?

You guys have any opinions on treble bleeds?

I was looking to buy one of these kits:
http://www.specialtyguitars.com/kits/strat.html

I'd probably buy everything separately though, if the pickup selector doesn't make a difference, or if anyone has anything to say about the treble bleed.

Thanks in advance guys.

[Ohmie]

Capacitor value made a difference to me. I glued a bunch of values and brands on a piece of cardboard and hooked test leads from the proper locations to each cap. My opinion is that you don't have to spend a lot of money here--just get the value that you like. The value will determine the range of tone control--higher values will give more bass range, lower values give more range in the treble area. As for the switch, I never noticed a tone change when I upgraded. I noticed a difference in the feel of the switch going from position to position, which is what I wanted. High quality pots make a big difference if you use your knobs. I like the treble bleed mod. Just make sure you solder things nicely, because it won't matter what you put in there if you are just wiping dirty, molten boogers all over your connections.

[Drifting]

Originally Posted by Ohmie

Capacitor value made a difference to me. I glued a bunch of values and brands on a piece of cardboard and hooked test leads from the proper locations to each cap. My opinion is that you don't have to spend a lot of money here--just get the value that you like. The value will determine the range of tone control--higher values will give more bass range, lower values give more range in the treble area. As for the switch, I never noticed a tone change when I upgraded. I noticed a difference in the feel of the switch going from position to position, which is what I wanted. High quality pots make a big difference if you use your knobs. I like the treble bleed mod. Just make sure you solder things nicely, because it won't matter what you put in there if you are just wiping dirty, molten boogers all over your connections.

Thanks for the info, you cleared up alot.:BEER

My first time soldering wasn't too bad. But I learned a few things NOT to do next time. I'll have to experiment with the caps then, and go for those CTS pots. I'm probably gonna go with the treble mod too then, I don't think I'll miss all of those highs, most of my favorite strat players have heavier sounds.

Feels good not having to pay someone else to do something this simple. Going to the electronics guy once is enough money to buy all I need for basic soldering equipment anyways.

[dk123123dk]

Check out a kit from RS Guitar Works.
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore/

dk

[Drifting]

Originally Posted by dk123123dk

Check out a kit from RS Guitar Works.
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore/

dk

It seems interesting that they collaborated with CTS and Jensen to tailor to a specific guitars needs, but will it work on a MIM strat?

It says the pots won't fit the metric units, but I thought the MIM strat as far as numbers go, was the same as MIA strat(Yeah I know, 22 frets, etc.).

Can anyone clarify?

[dk123123dk]

I think most MIM Fenders have metric pots. So yes you would have to enlarge the holes slightly to 3/8" and purchase new knobs.

dk

[trisonic]

I don't like treble bleeds.
I'm not sure how to do it but I have this on most of my Strats:

5 way switch.
Volume.
Tone Control for Neck
Tone Control for Bridge (only) - Pull up to engage Neck pick up.

You get two more pick up combination (All + Neck/Bridge together) and tone control over the Bridge pick up, which is the most vital in all my years of playing........ you do get better quack on Bridge/Middle combi too imo.
Bill Chapin introduced me to this wiring.
Best, Pete.

[ToneZappa]

Originally Posted by trisonic

I don't like treble bleeds.
I'm not sure how to do it but I have this on most of my Strats:

5 way switch.
Volume.
Tone Control for Neck
Tone Control for Bridge (only) - Pull up to engage Neck pick up.

You get two more pick up combination (All + Neck/Bridge together) and tone control over the Bridge pick up, which is the most vital in all my years of playing........ you do get better quack on Bridge/Middle combi too imo.
Bill Chapin introduced me to this wiring.
Best, Pete.

That sounds good I like the idea of a tone for the bridge pup and the extra combinations.
On one of my guitars I have a cap that I can switch in or out so I have the best of both worlds. Most of the time I have it out but for some things in the studio it works great in.

[fumbler]

For strats I always do http://www.fralinpickups.com/images/blendschem2.jpg:
master volume
master tone
blender control (blends neck and bridge pups)

It's very versatile, it's easier to do than stock strat wiring (you only need one side of the switch!) and it has none of the drawbacks of the mods in previous posts (see below).

I specifically like the blender mod over the neck-on switch because I've gotten some great tones with neck-and-a-little-bit-of-bridge and bridge-with-a-bit-of-neck.

I also like a subtle treble bypass kit but that's optional.

Originally Posted by trisonic

Tone Control for Bridge (only) - Pull up to engage Neck pick up.

you do get better quack on Bridge/Middle combi too imo.

The neck-on mod is a nice one as is switching the second tone pot to the bridge pickup. But it does not affect the bridge/middle combo at all (as trisonic says). With this custom wiring mod, the 2-position will "see" only the second tone pot which is exactly the same as in stock strat wiring.

I think what he meant was the neck/middle combo. In stock strat wiring this position "sees" both tone pots which muddies it up. If you move the second tone pot to the bridge pickup then it sees only the first tone pot.

BUT now the above mod has the newly created neck/bridge combo which will see both tone pots -- not good.

[trisonic]

Sorry but you're wrong when you describe how the wiring on my Strats affects the sound - as I don't have a schematic to hand and am a naif when it comes to electronics I'm keeping my mouth shut, further!
Carry on, chaps.........

Best, Pete.

[Drifting]

Well, I'm pretty happy with how the wiring is now on the strat, so I'm not sure if I wanna change that, yet. I've heard about the Vol/Master Tone/Blender combination, I'm no circuitry expert(Yesterday was my first time soldering), but wouldn't having one tone pot hooked up to three pickups muddy things up? Or does it operate in a different fashion?

Seems like some people do and don't like the treble bleed, but it's not terribly complicated to put in or take out, so I'll experiment w/ that too.

[ScioBro]

search out the guitarnutz pamphlet about strat wiring ...it covers star grounding.....shielding
Just a couple more things to consider as you get familiar with the strat wiring.

Changing to good pot.s (if they're not already on the guit) makes a big difference

[wrightdude]

Originally Posted by Drifting

I've heard about the Vol/Master Tone/Blender combination, I'm no circuitry expert(Yesterday was my first time soldering), but wouldn't having one tone pot hooked up to three pickups muddy things up?

The only reason to have more than one tone pot is so you can have a different setting for different pups when you switch from one to the other... otherwise the basic operation of the tone circuit is the same...

If you do try the blender thing.... make sure your blender pot is "no-load."

[zombiwoof]

You can also do a modified "50's Wiring" like is done on LP's, basically you move a couple of wires so that the tone controls take effect after the volume control instead of before. Supposed does away with the need for treble bleed. There are diagrams somewhere on the net. I'm going to try it on my Strat.

Al

[Drifting]

Originally Posted by wrightdude

The only reason to have more than one tone pot is so you can have a different setting for different pups when you switch from one to the other... otherwise the basic operation of the tone circuit is the same...

If you do try the blender thing.... make sure your blender pot is "no-load."

Cool, I'll think about the blender pot then.