Modification to pick-up selection

Werner-Carstens

Hi all. I have a MIM Classic Series 60's Strat that I use as my "Project" guitar on which I try all different mods to see what I like and don't like. Allthough I have already changed the stock standard pick-ups for Kinman Woddstocks myself, I have to confess that I am not an electronics guru and will definitely not attempt repainting the Mona Lisa with a soldiering iron.
1. I want to do another modification to pick-up selection via the 5-way selector switch. I never use the middle pick-up in isolation and want to combine the neck and bridge pups when the selector is in the middle position. I have worked through most of the posts under this section but could not find any shematic or guidance as to how I must resoldier the pickup wires to the selector switch to do this. Can someone please help me or just point me in the right direction?
2. I have shielded the pickup cavity as I noticed some earth leakage problems (popping sounds) while playing at high volume. It remedied the problem but did not take it away completely. I noticed that an earth wire is soldiered to the plate that holds the trem screws at the back. Is this suppose to be the only earth wire? Is this the best location for this wire?

AlanRatcliffe

Hi Werner

1. There is no way to do this with a normal two-pole switch, but it's easy to do with a four pole "Super" switch or a Megaswitch Model-E - I have exactly this arrangement on the Strat/Tele hybrid I built, using an Oak Grigsby 4-pole.

2. The guitar is wired correctly. The earth is actually obtained via the negative of the output socket. The wire to the bridge earths the strings, which in turn earth you - making you part of the shielding. Unfortunately, this has nothing to do with what you are experiencing, which is dirt on your power line, probably coming from elsewhere in your house. The only way to get rid of this is to either use a power conditioner or have the room you are using wired into a dedicated circuit on the mains switch box.

Werner-Carstens

Thanks for the reply Allan. Your statement regarding the power in the room makes sense. I will have a look at it.
Is the type of switch you mentioned (thanks for the links) generally available in music stores in CT or do I have to order it myself from StewMac?

AlanRatcliffe

AFAIK, none of the importers are bringing them in, so you won't find them in the local stores. All the decent online stores carry them.

Werner-Carstens

Thanks, will have to order then.