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HSS Strat Wiring Diagram

 Super switch HSS wiring diagram

Version 1

HSS Strat wiring - this popular setup is similar to the classic 5-way Stratocaster setup but uses a humbucker in the bridge position. One of the main issues with adding a humbucker into a Strat, is that different pickups often require different pot values. Typically speaking, humbuckers use 500k pots and single coils use 250k. This is the same with capacitors - humbuckers typically use 0.022uF and single coils typically use 0.047uF. This setup uses a 470k resistor on the tone control to negate this. Position 2 auto splits the humbucker (slug coil).

Fancy a go yourself? Our HSS Strat wiring kit contains all the components you need for a DIY job. Alternatively, our prewired HSS Harness is ready to drop in your pickguard!

Version 2

The below version is a slight variation of the super switch diagram - but this time replaces our 250k pot for the single coil tone control with a 500k pot. The setup now uses 3 x 500k pots and requires the use of only one sole 470k resistor on the output of the the single coil (1st) tone control. This setup is certainly cleaner and still sees position 5 seeing 500k and the single coil positions seeing 250k.

HSS strat wiring diagram with resistor

Version 3

Below is a second version of HSS wiring, without using a superswitch and therefore no auto-split. It is identical to classic Stratocaster wiring but uses 470k resistors to balance the circuit. By soldering a resistor from the pickup switch connection on the switch to ground, the single coils see 250k when selected, whilst the humbucker will continue to see 500k. Using resistors is a really simple and economical way to fine-tune your circuit.

HSS Strat wiring 470k resistors

HSS Wiring - 1 Volume, 1 Tone

The below diagram is a simple way to enable auto coil splitting of a bridge humbucker in a master volume, master tone setup. Note - your bridge humbucker needs to be 4 conductor lead wire.

HSS 1 volume 1 tone

Further alternative Strat wiring options:

HSH Strat Wiring

5-Way Stratocaster (Read our step by step guide to wiring a Strat)

Stratocaster with 1 Master Volume and Master Tone

7-Way Stratocaster

9-Way Stratocaster

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