Switch Location?

[big_teee]

Where is the best location on a Strat Pickguard to install a Mini switch, without being in the way?
Laying out a new Loaded Pick Guard.
I currently sell loaded Pick Guards with 3 single coils.
Working on building Strat Rail Pickups.
I want a Rail in the bridge and neck position, with a SC in the mid Position.
Using the regular strat 5 Way Wafer switch, and 3 CTS Pots.
If I can add a small DPDT Mini, I can wire the Split of both Buckers thru the mini.
I don't like Push pull Pots, the mini will work best for this Application.
For a Location, was thinking of the area between the 5 way and Vol. and first Tone.
As a Player would there be any issue with this location.
There is room in the cavity for switch wiring.
You can see the area in question on the included picture.
Thanks for any input.
Terry

[JoeM]

One of my Strats has a mini switch located between the 2 tone controls, slightly toward the pickguard edge. (Stock from Fender)

[big_teee]

One of my Strats has a mini switch located between the 2 tone controls, slightly toward the pickguard edge. (Stock from Fender)

Do you know what model strat it is?
I might could get fenders layout of it?
Thanks for the response?
Terry
**Edit Note
I found the layout.
It is a Deluxe Player Strat.
http://support.fender.com/service_di...0_02A_SISD.pdf

[JoeM]

That's not my Strat, but the switch location is the same. Mine has a mini toggle (3 way), while the Deluxe player has a push button.

[big_teee]

That's not my Strat, but the switch location is the same. Mine has a mini toggle (3 way), while the Deluxe player has a push button.

OK!
I quit looking thru the diagrams when I found that one.
What do the 3 positions do?
I was just going to use a on, on, DPDT.
Thanks for your help.
Terry

[JoeM]

The Strat is an Ultra, an upgraded Strat plus. The bridge pickup is 2 lace sensors, what Lace calls a 'Dually', like 2 coils on a HB. The 3 way switch selects one or the other or both in series. The 5 way switch has what would be the middle pickup alone, is the bridge and neck.

[big_teee]

The Strat is an Ultra, an upgraded Strat plus. The bridge pickup is 2 lace sensors, what Lace calls a 'Dually', like 2 coils on a HB. The 3 way switch selects one or the other or both in series. The 5 way switch has what would be the middle pickup alone, is the bridge and neck.

Sounds neat.
My plan was with HSH Rails.
With the Mini switch Closed to split, the 5 Way would be like 3 Singles in a normal strat.
With Hum canceling in 2 & 4.
With the Mini switch open, you would have regular HSH with the 5 Way.
1-Bridge Hum, 2-Br. Hum, and Mid., 3-mid only, 4- Mid, and Neck Hum., 5-Neck Humbucker.
Anxious to get one built so I can try it out!
I have found if the blades Pickups are not severly overwound, like most do, some decent strat Tones can be had in bucker mode.
T

[JoeM]

Cool. Could you do that with a standard HSH? (Non rails). I'm not really sure I like the Laces, and this particular Strat seems to me that it would sound great with Humbuckers. I dont know if you're familiar with this model, but it has an Ebony FB and a maple 'cap'. Plays absolutely fantastic, but doesn't (at least to my ears) have a 'classic' Strat sound.

[big_teee]

Cool. Could you do that with a standard HSH? (Non rails). I'm not really sure I like the Laces, and this particular Strat seems to me that it would sound great with Humbuckers. I dont know if you're familiar with this model, but it has an Ebony FB and a maple 'cap'. Plays absolutely fantastic, but doesn't (at least to my ears) have a 'classic' Strat sound.

Yes that would work as long as the Humbucker has a 4 wire cable that allows for a tapped position.
or you could do a HSR, the R being neck rail.
What I am finding I really like about the Rail in the neck position?
Usually with a Single coil not lining up properly with the 2 E strings.
Because the pickup is wider than the strings in that position.
Those strings can be weak sounding, especially with the High E.
That doesn't exist with the wider than string spacing Blades.
Also some Clubs have terrible AC Hum.
I see a real market for the blades in My Future!
Especially if I can tune them to good tone.
So far so good.
T

[jrfrond]

Just my 2 cents here.....

I USED to like having all that versatility and extra switches and stuff on my guitars. Nowadays, with the proliferation of pickups, I find it is no longer needed, for me anyway.

My suggestion would be three GOOD rail pickups. You are right about rails. Not only can they do great Tele and Strat tones, but they are humbucking and do not make noise. The best really are Bardens, but they will cost you. DiMarzio Cruiser or Fast Track 1 are pretty darn cool and sound "right", and won't set you back a ton of $$$. Then, if you are REALLY bent on the SC thing, you can use a Super Switch (4-pole/5-way) wired to automatically split in the 2 & 4 positions, or just one position if you'd like. This way, it's all there, on one switch, and in the long run, won't drive you crazy with options you might not need.

[big_teee]

Just my 2 cents here.....

I USED to like having all that versatility and extra switches and stuff on my guitars. Nowadays, with the proliferation of pickups, I find it is no longer needed, for me anyway.

My suggestion would be three GOOD rail pickups. You are right about rails. Not only can they do great Tele and Strat tones, but they are humbucking and do not make noise. The best really are Bardens, but they will cost you. DiMarzio Cruiser or Fast Track 1 are pretty darn cool and sound "right", and won't set you back a ton of $$$. Then, if you are REALLY bent on the SC thing, you can use a Super Switch (4-pole/5-way) wired to automatically split in the 2 & 4 positions, or just one position if you'd like. This way, it's all there, on one switch, and in the long run, won't drive you crazy with options you might not need.

I went with the mini switch in between the 5 way and the vol, and tone.
It is very versatile.
So with the mini down it is like 3 single coils, with hum canceling in 2 & 4.
with the mini up you get humbucker canceling in 1 & 5.
Nothing complicated.
I make my own pickups, so that rules out all the Bardans, and dimarzs.
I am still doing some final testing on the bridge rail.
I went with a milder wind on the rails than most of the commercial versions.
I should have my first Pick Guard ready for the Guitar Store soon.
I will post a picture here when I'm done.
I was going to put the switch like the stock fender between the 2 tones, but that got more complicated.
T
**Edit note
The reason for the Middle single coil is?
My local guys like to play in pos. 2, bridge and Middle.
With the middle being RWRP you get the out of phase quake that they like so much.
So I really needed that in there for the SC flexibility.
Also adding one SC cuts down on cost and build time.
The Barden's must be Gold Plated!

[copperheadroads]

My buddy has a David Gilmore strat that has a mini switch
Custom Gilmour Style Complete Black Strat Pickguard Assembly

[Mark Hammer]

The mini-switch on that "Gilmour" assembly is not mounted on the pickguard, but via some sort of bracket that holds it below the level of the pickguard. By submerging the toggle, its surface footprint is made much smaller.

Which brings up an interesting area: ways to increase the unobtrusiveness of toggles. The challenge of installing a toggle on a Strat is not so much finding space for it, but rather finding a location that doesn't interfere with quick-and-fluid adjustment of existing controls.

So, for example, there is, in a sense, space for it between the two tone controls. However, one would want the orientation of the switch-handle movement to be perpendicular to the line between the two knobs so that the handle would never be leaning towards a knob and tricky to get you finger alongside of to move. On top of that, lowering the height of the bat-handle, so that it doesn't stick out of the pickguard more than it really needs to, is a great solution to that challenge, but the corresponding challenge that invites is figuring out how to hold it firmly in place without being able to attach it via a retaining nut on the other side of the pickguard.

As a side-note, I had bought some long-handle toggles a few years back, from a surplus place, and simply cut the bat-handles way back and ground down the ends smooth to make them lower-profile and safe for use. It works, but it is not what I'd recommend for everyone. I see that Z-Vex often uses some short-handle toggles for his pedals, so I'm assuming that short-handle toggles can be purchased from somewhere.

[big_teee]

The Toggle in the location of the gilmore is not in the way.
I modified my guitar before I modified a new pickguard, to try the switch location.
It looks more intrusive than it is.
Also You want it in that area so you can easily see it,or feel it, while playing.
Here is my new pickguard that I put My newly built rails in.
IMO I think they sound Great!

[Mark Hammer]

Not disputing its relative convenience for you, but like I hope I conveyed earlier, obtrusiveness is in the eye, and playing style, of the beholder. Some folks fritter with their pickup selector constantly and a toggle switch sticking up near there is an issue. Other folks play with their tone knobs constantly so anything even close to there is poison. I imagine there are plenty of folks here who think that the traditional location of a Les Paul pickup selector or location on some Hamer or PRS guitars is so far out of the way as to be a nuisance, and at the same time there are others who are grateful for that location because their thrashing style invites accidental pickup switching.