Stratomastang help?

snushsnush

I have recently decided to modify the electronics in my already modded strat with an eye for versatility. Currently it has three pickups, the middle of which is a humbucker. The only control it has is a volume push pot the controls the volume and chooses between humbucker and single coils. It sounds cool but I have been giving it some thought and after having built both a Jazzmaster and a DuoSonic/Mustang thing I've decided to incorporate some of the ideas from these guitars.

Check it: I want the Jazzmaster/Jaguar style "Lead" switch setup to choose between humbucker and singles and to provide a separate volume and tone for the humbucker (relative to the master volume: more later). Then on the single coils I want the Mustang dual 3-way switch setup so that I can turn them on and off independently and put them in reverse phase. I want the volume knob to work as a master volume so that regardless of the volume on the knob, the volume difference between single and humbucker is the same depending on the setting of the roller.

Got it?

Anyway my problem is not so much with wiring but fitting all this crap into the comparatively small body cavity of the stratocaster. I don't want to route it even though I'm sure it's unavoidable but if I do have to I don't want to bust through the contoured body. Also I'll probably need a custom shaped pickguard. If anyone can point me to any resources that could help me with this project or has any experience with a similar idea let me know.

It's going to be super cool if I don't #### it up.

Bob_the_godly_dude

It's all do-able. With the lead/rhythmn switch and rollers, you mean on the top horn like a Jag? I've been wanting to do that for ages on one of my guitars, but using the same controlls for a clean boost. As for busting through the contour. Just measure it before you plunge the router. You can set a maximum depth on the router can't you? Can on mine. You'd need to route to add these switches, but I'm pretty sure you could get away with the rest without routing.

As for DIY pickguards, depending where you're based there's people on here who'll do them, or used to be anyway, for a fraction of shop costs. Or, you can get the material from allparts and do it yourself. I've not done this yet but I plan to have a go pretty soon.

Good luck with it, sounds like an awesome project. Make sure you post pics. Wouldn't mind seeing pics of it now too if you don't mind. Sounds interesting. S/H/S is a really unusual pickup configuration.

snushsnush

Pardon my appearance. I took this picture just as a record in case it ever got stolen. By a blind or crazy person I guess.

Bob_the_godly_dude

Awesome, mind if I ask why you put the jack there instead of using the original jack socket? The hole looks a bit odd. But it certainly looks a great project.

You'll definately need to route to add the new switches you want but it should be awesome when it's finished. Keep me posted on how this goes.

snushsnush

I hate that stupid Strat jack-hole. I really think it's the stupidest thing about the instrument and I don't understand why they're all like that. I hate that it's hard to tighten the jack when it gets loose. It takes up so much space for no reason. I like being able to use my 90

Fran

Cool, i like the look of that Strat. Some good ideas too.

I started a similar project earlier this year...

For the custom pickguard i drew a template up half Strat/half Jazzy and Augustus McCrae (on these boards) made me one. However, to make the Strat dual circuit i think you will end up routing even if you do not use the top horn style controls. Bob is right, you can set the plunge depth on the router so dont worry about busting through the other side. Just take your time setting it up and remember to take into consideration the body is thinner where the contours are.

You may cram them all in by the use of mini switch's or maybe concentric pots, i'm not sure as my electronic knowledge is limited. There are users on here that could tell you how to but they rarely visit these days.

If you do use dual circuit you will just need to fit the extra tone and volume controls and a master two-way switch to go from one circuit to the other. I have'nt got round to putting the second circuit in yet partly to loosing interest and not being able to find a supplier for roller pot brackets. So at the moment the two-way switch just acts as a 'killswitch'.

Definitely keep us updated.

snushsnush

Yes, I think I need one of those pickguards. Maybe also with a high rounded top for the 3-way switches. You can get all those knobs and such from Warmoth. I know enough about the wiring to figure out how to do that, but I really want to maintain the Fendery look & feel, i.e. not so into the mini toggles and concentric pots.

That guitar is cool man. You should finish it up. It will be totally sweet.

Bob_the_godly_dude

The idea of the strat jack plate is that with a strait jack it stops it from sticking out like was the case on it's predecessor, the telecaster. Obviously, with angled jack plugs it's kinda become redundant, but in it's day it was a brilliant idea. I use strait jacks because the angled ones dont go in on the recessed poorly designed tele jack socket.

snushsnush

oh right, yeah, those suck too. see my other main guitars are a jazzmaster, a duo sonic, and a mustang so the angled jack is a must like you said. i guess i just never considered it as an improvement over a straight jack on one of those.

SAVEStheDAY

That's an awesome idea. If you use a control plate for those upper switches you have a Strat/Mustang/Jaguar hybrid deal. Very cool.

Fran

Yeah, Bob wanted me to do that and it is still an option... if only i could find a roller pot mounting plate somewhere...

Malik

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/hardware_other.html