Hi,

I recently purchased an american HSS Strat deluxe. It has the S1 switching system which gives it plenty of great tones. However, as greedy as I am, I would still like to get an optional single coil sound from the bridge pickup (which is a humbucker). I asked the guys at the store where I bought it if it was possible to install a split coil switch on it and they told me the S1 system was so complicated that it would be suicide to try and modify it.

So, has anyone tried or heard about doing this successfully? And if it's possible how can it be achieved?

Patrick

Typical store response.

It can be done with a push/pull pot or mini-switch. Below is a crude illustration of the bottom of either a push/pull pot or a mini-switch. The technical term for this type of switch configuration is, "Double pole, double throw" (DPDT).

Terminal #1 = O ...... O = Terminal #4

Terminal #2 = O ...... O = Terminal #5

Terminal #3 = O ...... O = Terminal #6

Follow the black wire from the bridge humbucker to where it is on the pickup selector switch. Solder an additional wire from there to terminal #2 on the push/pull pot or mini-switch.

Follow the white wire from the bridge humbucker to where it is on the pickup selector switch. Solder an additional wire from there to terminal #5 on the push/pull pot or mini-switch.

Solder a wire to terminal #s 3 and 6 on the switch and continue that wire to a ground.

Terminal #s 1 and 4 are not used.

When you lift the push/pull pot or switch up the mini-switch lever, that will make your bridge HB go single coil.

FWIW, I would recommend you NOT take your guitar for at least, electronic servicing to the place where you bought it. As you can now see, their claim that the S1 system was so complicated, it would be suicide to try and modify it is outright preposterous.

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You dig?

Pats read the manual that came with your guitar. the S-1 Switching already allows for the bridge humbucker to be "split" (at least it does on my '06 Strat).

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

I too own a 2008 HSS deluxe and want to add a coil split switch not a coil tap thats different. I had a coil split switch on my 93 HSS deluxe also. Thanks for this post.

Yes I don't know who he was talking two but you can go single coil middle @ bridge switch up, or 3 single coils switch down on Amer. deluxe HSS

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

You lost me, with the S-1 switching system on the Deluxe HSS with the 5 way switch pushed all the way to the rear towards the bridge you only have the humbucking option with the S-1 switched up or down (no single coil split) with a DPDT switch this is possible in that position. Correct me if I'm wrong but, I just bought a 250k audio tapper push\pull switch and will let you know how it turns out. Cool?

S-1 Switch Up:
Position 2. Middle and Inside Coil of Bridge Humbucker in Parallel

S-1 Switch Down
Position 4. Inside Coil of Bridge Paired in Series with Neck, in Parallel with Middle

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

So you want just a single coil bridge only pickup?

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Correct

Hi all: only thing to add here is that I have an HSS with the S1, and I'd be reluctant to split the coils on the solo humbucker. It's output is chosen to match the single coils in middle and bridge: I suspect split it would sound pretty thin and weedy.

But I'm interested to be told otherwise if you do it and find it good.

Cheers - C