Martian, does this sound about right?

***GOOD IDEA TO READ THIS ON, "QUACK"
AKA, otherwise known as your 5-way switching position 2&4
"Position 2&4 Quack" is not a given!
it actually has a strict set of rules,
Here’s the quick _Check List_ to follow;
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#1 ___You need an ohm meter,
(it's good idea to have one as a guitarist anyways)
Once you have one, you want to insure all Volume and Tone pots are reading at least 245k or over 250k up to 270k even, ok
this reading is done on the two outside solder lugs of your pots.(you will have to unsolder it if its grounded back to pot cover)
set ohm meter to 2000-Ohm and take reads
if you pot is below 245, replace it!
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#2____use a treble by pass kit on the volume pot (see Wiring here: http://buckcannon.com/wiringschematics.html)
otherwise when you turn down the guitar's volume knob your "Quack" will be dull and muddy
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#3__________ The tone Capacitor can never be a higher value the .022 !!
a .047 / .050 / .1 is a "Quack" killer!
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#4__________ totally remove the Bridge Pickup or Middle Pickup from any tone pot connection ( remove whichever one you can do without having a tone control) ( most Strats® have no tone on bridge pickup)
the tone control _loads_ the Pickup and lowers the high end even when your knob is on TEN!
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#5__________ the middle pickup is the big player in quack. a lower DC is best, some heavy "Quack Users" may want to put the neck pickup in middle and put the middle pickup in the neck..

The other trick is - simply lowering the middle pickup to enhance "Quack"

:And there you have it "Quack On!" DM

From here: http://buckcannon.com/pickupsforstrat.html

Admittedly, I've only read you post and my response is solely based on it.

Keeping in mind that tone is subjective, the majority of 'traditional' Strats famous for this now, so called, "quack" are not nor ever were, subject(ed) to the above 'rules' where notwithstanding, they did and continue to "quack" just fine. FWIW, my Strat "quacks" just fine too and the only thing it has in common with the above is that I used a VOM to verify the resistance of all three pots being within similar parameters of whatever the actual value of the pot was supposed to be.

Having said the above, I do understand Don's reasoning though and surely do NOT denigrate his above treatise. He is concentrating on a brilliant or profound quack where to many, this is the most important aspect in and of a Strat and if the "quack" is prominently there, all else shall flow from it. For those in this camp, Don's guideline is not only valid but outstanding.

Me? I only use a "quack" combo once in a while. Ironically, I'm more concerned about the neck and bridge pickups' interaction rather than the middle pickup with either of the outer two. In terms of my, "big picture", my priorities are primarily focused on the individual pickups' tonalities and outputs across the spectrum for this is where I find the most versatility in a three pickup guitar lies.

As always, the above is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

I hope all us who played in the 60's 70's 80's and 90's were aware of the "Rules" of Quacks.
Wow I guess we were just lucky.

Thanks Martian. Being as I am none too experienced where electronics are concerned, I thought I'd get a second opinion before going through the steps Don describes to ensure my quack is at the utmost.

You're welcome.

I caution you about #2 of his edict for odds are, your volume pot will have "bald spots", and "ramp ups" as you dial it up or down and in extreme cases, the treble will actually, noticeably increase as you dial down. Further, your tone pot(s) may become less efficient and effective.

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You dig?

I removed the tone pots from position 2 and 4. That really helps improving the quack. Now I can use the tone controls for the individual pups that are more trebly then the 2 and 4 positions anyway.

cheers, Serge

For all intents and purposes, you've hit the nail right on the head here. Anyone who wants more "quack" should simply use more treble and pickups with less midrange.

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You dig?

Curious how you managed to remove the tone pots from positions 2 & 4 while managing to not remove them from positions 1, 3, & 5 at the same time.

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Bill

I have a HSS with a superswitch. The tone pots are connected to their own section of 5 lugs. So it's easy to remove the connections to the 2 and 4 position. Actually the neck tone pot was connected to lug no. 5 and the middle/bridge tone pot to the other four lugs.

Interesting. Do you have a wiring diagram or schematic?

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Bill

Curious how you managed to remove the tone pots from positions 2 & 4 while managing to not remove them from positions 1, 3, & 5 at the same time.[/quote]

I have a HSS with a superswitch. The tone pots are connected to their own section of 5 lugs. So it's easy to remove the connections to the 2 and 4 position. Actually the neck tone pot was connected to lug no. 5 and the middle/bridge tone pot to the other four lugs.[/quote]

Interesting. Do you have a wiring diagram or schematic?[/quote]

I just disconnected the wires at the red crosses:

Cool. Thanks.

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Bill

I really like it. I can dial in the tone for the 1, 3 and 5 positions without loosing the high end on 2 and 4.