Series Strat

[badgermark]

Howdie, quick question. Without the use of a push-pull pot or anything like that, is it possible to wire position 2 of my strat to give the bridge and middle pickup in series, humbucker stylee? Right now the tone is really thin and weedy, not a problem as I either use one or the other.

The middle pickup is RW-RP, and my tele has the 4-way switch in it, just curious if this is possible on a standard strat without any modifications.

[Elliot]

You really want a HSS strat dont you - I mean the 'thin and weedy' position 4 (B-M) is the tone of so many Strat greats: Jimi, Knopfler, Richard Thompson, Eric Clapton... :)

Have you considered Rothwell Audio's Hot Little Knob: http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/hot_little_knob.html

Alternatively look on Seymour Duncan's site, I think there's a diagram there.

[Philly Q]

I don't think it's possible without replacing at least one of the pots or adding a mini-switch.

The Hot Little Knob sounds great, and gives you some extra options into the bargain.  

Or here's a Torres diagram which will give you B+M in series, but uses a mini-switch (you could use a push-pull instead):

http://www.torresguitars.com/guitartricks/stratseries.html

[badgermark]

...Been thinking of a HSS strat all day, it's a dilemma really.

What I meant was with the MMilk and the Slowhand they don't sound too nice in parallel, pretty weedy. Individually goodd though. Been thinking I'd give myself an extra sound without fannying about with switches. Just wondering if it can be done using JUST the standard 5way.

Cue me posting in the Pickups forum in about 5 minutes about a bridge humbucker...

[Philly Q]

I like Strats and Teles for what they are - weedy sound and all  :lol: - and if I want a humbucker sound I get a Gibson-type guitar (which is what I prefer anyway, most of the time).

More of a problem if you only have a Strat/Tele, or don't like the feel of Gibsons, but still want a powerful sound.  HSS is probably the way to go.