New Model American Strat rewire help Please!

[Red Planet]

I've got one of the new HSS Strats witht the S1 Switching and want to rewire it.

This guitar has the Humbucker in the Back and two Single Coils.

I dont understand exactly what the push push switch does but want to change the PU combinations.

There are a couple 3 PU combinations that are woofy and not very usable.


Here is what I'd like to end up with. Only coiltapping the humbucker with the push push switch and the five way just doing the regular Strat combos.

I really only need to be able to use the full humbucker by itself at the bridge posistion and just need all the standard strat positions from the 5 way.

What I'd like is in the bottom position on the 5 way is Bridge single coil, push switch and get bridge humbucker. Then I need the rest of the five way to be normal Strat. 2nd being middle and single bridge, 3rd being middle, 4 th being neck middle and 5th being neck.

I know I'll end up with other combinatios using the push switch but this is what I need.


As it is now I cant get the bridge single coil by itself and want that sound and I get these two 3 PU combinations that suck.

Anyone know what to do? I can do the soldering but not shure on the wiring.

[Deaf Eddie]

After swapping e-mails for about a week, I came up with a drawing that (almost) worked (needed a little troubleshooting and fine tuning), and after a few more e-mails, I think RedPlanet has a guitar whose switching scheme works just about the way he wanted it to. I now have a pretty good idea of HOW the S-1 switch works - it's a simple 4-pole/two-throw beastie.

So, we both benefited - at least, I HOPE the feeling is mutual...

Now, if Fender (or someone) would just make them switches available...

[Red Planet]

Hey Emmett thanck you so much!

I dont understand why Fender would go to the trouble of giving you all those fancy smancy switches and then give you a bunch of unusable PU combinations.

One of the most used sound IMO is the Bridge Single Coil but ya dont get it from the factory.

This guitar is now set up like it should be Thanx again. I dont know where you live but if your ever in Ga. look me up and if you ever need anything let me know. :D

[Deaf Eddie]

Well, I for one am certain the the S-1 equipped Strats are in direct response to the overwhelming popularity of the FAT-O-Caster!

[Red Planet]

Maybe but they got it all wrong. As long as they keep doing that you gonna have plenty to do.

[Red Planet]

To me its like someone sat done at a desk and said

"I know I'll give em parrellel this and series that and two positions with three pickups and you know they really dont need theese old typical positions that everyone thinks sound good , they need this other cool stuff."

I cant imagine someone sat down and actually listened to some of these sounds. They dont work.

However now with some major help from you my Strat is ready to battle with the best of em.

The Combinatios are great.

Something I've allways wondered is why they dont offer the fourth position Bridge/Neck. I think its a more usable sound than Middle/Neck.

Now I have in the following positions

#1 Bridge Single Coil

#2 Bridge Single Coil/Middle

#3 Middle

#4 Bridge Single Coil/Neck

#5 Neck

All these have the Volume and the First Tone Pot on.

Then I have the option of just pushing the S1- Switch from any of the other 5 positions and going to Bridge Full Humbucker with the same Volume Pot but the Second Tone Pot.

I can go from a midly gritty clean to a very good rythem breakup or bluesy solo tone.

Or what has turned out to be a very cool unexpected advantage. With my full throttle higher gain solo sound I use I can set the Second Tone Controll all the way off and the First One full up and switch from Bridge Single Coil Bright to Bridge Humbucker Woman Tone. I can do this Mid Solo.

That ended up being the coolest feature and I hadnt planned on that one.