"Fast Lane" switch/button

Hello all,

I have an opportunity to pick up an American Deluxe HSS Strat that is in great shape, about 3 years old, and at a very good price. One of the new features I like in the new models, though, is the "fast lane" switch that gives a volume boost (I don't know the technicals, other than it automtically switches to the neck pickup and brings up the volume) so that you can hit it for solos, then back off to the original volume and pickups when necessary rather than playing with volume knobs adn toggles. Does anyone know if this is a relatively easy (or at least less expensive) modification? Is this something that can be added to a Tele as well?

Thanks very much,
Mike

Hello all,

I have an opportunity to pick up an American Deluxe HSS Strat that is in great shape, about 3 years old, and at a very good price. One of the new features I like in the new models, though, is the "fast lane" switch that gives a volume boost (I don't know the technicals, other than it automtically switches to the neck pickup and brings up the volume) so that you can hit it for solos, then back off to the original volume and pickups when necessary rather than playing with volume knobs adn toggles. Does anyone know if this is a relatively easy (or at least less expensive) modification? Is this something that can be added to a Tele as well?

Thanks very much,
Mike

I believe you meant to say "bridge pickup" not the "neck pickup". At any rate the "passing lane" bypasses all your settings and gives you the bridge humbucker with the tone control out of the circuit completely. I suspect you can download the current wiring schematic from Fender and rewire the older American Deluxe HSS (or any HSS) with this. Supposedly there is also a slight volume increase with the tone control completely out of the circuit, but I don't believe the Fender circuit bypasses the volume knob so it would stay a whatever it was set on before you pushed the button.

On the other hand I believe John Suhr's version of this found on the Guthrie Govan signatures (and it's an option on his Modern custom models) does in fact give you the bridge humbucker at full volume with the tone bypassed regardless of the other settings. I'm just not sure if he is sharing the schematics.

Yes, John, the bridge pickup...thanks! According to the saleman, he said when you press the button it ratchets the sound up to 10. It was a nice add-on, although not really critical as I am primarily a strummer and lead is not in my immediate future. Still, it would be a nice add-on to have when the opportunity is there.

I appreciate the response!

Volume pot is bypassed as well, so the HB would be wide open to the amp.

"Blower" switch.