So here we are again. Three single-coils and a dream, a time-tested formula for the Fender Stratocaster. After a couple generations of working and re-working, plenty of camps of favorites forming, and years of refinement for better and better instruments, Stratocaster pickup configurations have become something of an institution unto themselves in not only mainline Fender instruments, but in the Fender Custom Shop. Fender's iconic doublecut has had its fair share of pickup combos over the years, and today that kind of craft lands us with the cream of the crop in the Fender Custom Shop.
Today we're talking about all the ways you can customize the electronics on your very own Fender Custom Shop Strat. Let's get into it.
TL; DRFender Custom Shop offers a wide range of pickup configurations and wiring options for your own Custom Shop Strat. These range from familiar and straightforward to deep and unique. Hand-wound or machine-wound pickups are available for a wide choice of tonal characteristics.
Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Pickup Wiring
Vintage Strat, 3-Way Switch
Alright, so, square one. Our first foray into Fender Custom Shop Strat wiring throws back to some of the foundational Strat models from Fender. What differentiates this vintage-style configuration from ones you may be more familiar with is its three-way pickup selector switch. These selector switches are going to play a big role in separating all of these wirings from one another, so pay attention to that.
The essence of this vintage-style configuration is it has one selector position for each pickup. Simple, right? This wiring setup is among the Custom Shop's most streamlined as each switch position and dial correlates with one control, with the bridge pickup offering no tone control whatsoever. Try this style if you're looking for something blissfully simple in your Custom Shop creation.
3-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup (No Tone Control)
- Position 2: Middle Pickup
- Position 3: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume
- Tone Control 1 (Neck Pickup)
- Tone Control 2 (Middle Pickup)
Modern Strat, 5-Way Switch
Now for something a little more familiar, perhaps. This Modern Strat setup functions more similarly to more recent Stratocaster setups, where our five-way pickup selector switch pairs the three pickups together in five different configurations, offering new ways to harness control over their tonal character.
Likely more familiar than the Vintage Strat, our Modern Strat wiring rolls through the pickup configurations in a linear manner starting from the bridge and gradually working its way to the neck in different combination configurations. Our first tone control knob will largely control the neck pickup output, if you land on positions four or five and our second tone control knob will access positions one, two, and three for the middle and bridge pickups.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup
- Position 5: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume
- Tone Control 1 (Neck Pickup) - Positions 4 and 5
- Tone Control 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickup) - Positions 1, 2 and 3
Vintage Modified Strat #1, 5-Way Switch
Now, here we go with getting fancy and a little particular from setup to setup. Already? I know, right? The Vintage Modified Strat #1 hearkens to the Modern Strat setup we just talked about with linear swapping on different pickup combinations from neck to bridge. The difference in this particular setup is in the tone control, where our first tone knob harnesses control over the middle and neck pickups and our second tone knob adjust the bridge pickup. What this adds up to is a design that balances modern and vintage sensibilities – enabling a more colorful spread of pickup configurations like a modern setup but streamlining bridge tone control like a vintage one.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup
- Position 5: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume
- Tone Control 1 (Middle and Neck Pickup) - Positions 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Tone Control 2 (Bridge Pickup) - Positions 1 and 2
Vintage Modified Strat #2, 5-Way Switch
One small detour before we get back into more configurations, the Vintage Modified Strat #2 configuration features one key addition: a Tone Saver Bleed circuit. This addition comes in tandem with the guitar's Master Volume and retains tone when reducing volume output across the whole guitar. Working to save your tone – primarily your top-end signal – when bringing the volume down, the Tone Saver Bleed circuit brings this Vintage Modified configuration one step further.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup
- Position 5: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume (with Tone Saver Bleed)
- Tone Control 1 (Middle and Neck Pickup) - Positions 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Tone Control 2 (Bridge Pickup) - Positions 1 and 2
Strat Blender, 5-Way Switch
Let's put a little English on our Strat pickups (a fancy way of being fancy) with a Strat Blender wiring configuration. This particular version of wiring three Strat pickups enables us to use up to seven different pickup configurations – crazy, right? How this all works is by rearranging the volume and tone control scheme. For one, our usual two-dial tone control gets consolidated down to one, so our first tone control knob is responsible for all the heavy lifting across our three pickups. Where this leaves the other tone control is now in a new position as our Blender control.
Will It Blend?In this Blender circuit, we have no push/pull pots or anything like that. Instead, our second tone control will now work as a level control for whichever pickup is not currently engaged in your five-way selector configuration. For instance, if you swap over to Position 1, the bridge pickup by itself, you can use the second tone dial to increase the volume on the neck pickup simultaneously. This is also true for the inverse – swap to Position 5, the neck pickup by itself, and the bridge pickup's output can be increased or decreased with the second tone control. Ditto for the in-between Positions 2 and 4, where you'll have, in one configuration or another, the opportunity for all three pickups to be firing at once. Where this might get a little confusing at the onset is that the second tone control knob will still have "Tone" printed on it, where more accurately, it's a dedicated volume control for the neck and bridge pickups.
The Strat Blender wiring enables a huge palette of expression to pick and choose your spots. If that sounds exciting to you, then you've met a potential match. Oh yeah, there's also a Tone Saver Bleed on this setup to top it all off!
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup (or with Neck with Blender)
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup (or all three pickups with Blender)
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup (or all three pickups with Blender)
- Position 5: Neck Pickup (or with Bridge with Blender)
- Master Volume (with Tone Saver Bleed)
- Master Tone - Positions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Blender Level (Bridge or Neck Pickup) - Positions 1, 2, 4 and 5
Strat Blender with Greasebucket Tone Circuit, 5-Way Switch
Okay, that last one was a bit of a doozy, and good for us, we don't need to go overboard with this one. The Strat Blender with a Greasebucket tone circuit is actually a relatively simple addition to the Strat Blender circuit. With this setup, we have the same Blender circuit as the base Blender, but with a Greasebucket tone circuit push/pull tone control knob.
Essentially, our Greasebucket adjusts the bass and mid frequencies in the signal so you'll get a cleaner and clearer signal. Combine this with the Strat Blender circuitry and you've got a thoroughly deep palette of colors to play with. Second verse – same as the first: three pickups, five selector positions, seven possible pickup configurations.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup (or with Neck with Blender)
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup (or all three pickups with Blender)
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup (or all three pickups with Blender)
- Position 5: Neck Pickup (or with Bridge with Blender)
- Master Volume (with Tone Saver Bleed)
- Master Tone - Positions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (with Greasebucket Push/Pull Pot)
- Blender Level (Bridge or Neck Pickup) - Positions 1, 2, 4 and 5
Fat '50s Strat 1/2 Blender, 5-Way Switch
One more Blender for the road? On this setup, we're simplifying the Blender method by only enabling the Blender pickup control on the neck pickup. Here, you'll only be able to blend in the neck pickup to the first and second positions. For those who don't need all the different Blending mixes, you can turn to the Fat '50s Strat ½ Blender.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup (or with Neck with Blender)
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup (or all three pickups with Blender)
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup (or all three pickups with Blender)
- Position 5: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume (with Tone Saver Bleed)
- Master Tone - Positions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (with Greasebucket Push/Pull Pot)
- Blender Level (Neck Pickup) - Positions 1 and 2
H-S-S Stratocaster, 5-Way Switch
Let's start rounding out some of these configurations with some simpler setups. Throwing back to the more modern setups we discussed earlier, our H-S-S Strat setup, which works in a humbucker in the bridge position, plays with a straightforward interface. Here, we have a five-way pickup selector switch and two tone control dials – one for positions four and five and one for positions one through four.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup
- Position 5: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume
- Tone Control 1 (Neck Pickup) - Positions 4 and 5
- Tone Control 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickup) - Positions 1, 2, 3 and 4
H-S-H Stratocaster, 5-Way Switch
Let's simplify this one too, as it's fairly straightforward and intuitive: five positions, two tone controls. Operating like a normal Strat with a trio of single-coils, this H-S-H operates how you would expect.
5-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup
- Position 2: Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3: Middle Pickup
- Position 4: Neck and Middle Pickup
- Position 5: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume
- Tone Control 1 (Neck Pickup) - Positions 4 and 5
- Tone Control 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickup) - Positions 1, 2 and 3
H-H Stratocaster, 3-Way Switch
Even simpler? Don't mind if we do. Two humbuckers with a three-way switch, you've certainly seen a setup like this before. No surprises here!
3-Way Selector Switch
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup
- Position 2: Bridge and Neck Pickup
- Position 3: Neck Pickup
- Master Volume
- Tone Control 1 (Neck Pickup)
- Tone Control 2 (Bridge Pickup)
Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Pickups
Alright, so that's a lot to take in. Or maybe not, if you're just jumping down here to talk shop on pickups. If that's the case, welcome! We're here talking about our classic Fender Stratocaster single-coils and the variety the Custom Shop can treat you to.
Let's take a quick stop and talk about one special distinction with Custom Shop pickups.
Machine-Wound vs. Hand-WoundNow, it's no secret that you can get hand-wound pickups with your Fender Custom Shop guitar. Though, what does that mean? If you see Fender Custom Shop pickups listed as "hand-wound", that's exactly what they are. Commonly you'll see hand-wound pickups listed alongside the name Josefina Campos or, if you're really lucky, Abigail Ybarra. Celebrated by both Fender and their leagues of players, hand-wound pickups are distinct by virtue of each one being just a little different from the last. Carrying their own quirks set to set, they differ from machine-wound pickups and their more regimented and precise assembly and sound. Whatever your personal taste is, either flavor of pickup is expressive and reliable for your Custom Shop guitar.
'50s Strat
Wound to create an authentic sound profile to the earliest of Fender Strats, '50s Strat pickups features alnico 5 magnets and vintage stagger and formvar wire for a lived-in and faithful sound.
Fat '50s Strat
As Fender Stratocasters evolved and became more popular, so did their pickups. Fat '50s Strat pickups create the sound of '50s classics, only ever-so elevated. Familiar to fans of later '50s models, Fat '50s Strat pickups feature a hot-rodded wiring design for enhanced bass response and a more prominent punch.
'60s Strat
As we move into the '60s, wiring becomes a little brighter, a little more edgy, a little more in-your-face. This classic 1960s design of pickup features alnico 2 magnets, formvar wire and a vintage stagger. Think of the blistering sounds of '60s Strats – you know the type. '60s Strat wiring offers you a taste of that.
Texas Special Strat
Everything's bigger in Texas, even the single-coils! Fender's Texas Special Strat pickups punch up just about everything with Strat single-coils for higher highs, punchier mids, and tighter basses. These pickups feature an overwound design to push everything you love about hot Strat single-coils to the next level.
Dual-Mag Strat
Can you hear us now? These particular pickups employ a pair of unbeveled alnico 5 magnets on its bass side and beveled alnico 2 magnets on the treble side. With these contrasting magnet types, Dual Mag Strat pickups create a great balance and even greater clarity from string to string for bright and articulate playing.
Ancho Poblano Strat
These distinctly spicy single-coils drop in with an individually calibrated, overwound design. Specifically overwound by hand to produce an array of high-output tones. However you like your heat – mild, medium, hot – these pickups offer a unique tonal palette and great flexibility.
El Diablo Strat
Caliente. El Diablo Strat pickups push the Ancho Poblano's method even further, going that extra bit hotter with calibrated alnico 5 magnets with custom middle, neck, and bridge pole pieces. Some like it hot, I suppose.
Tomatillo Strat
Similar to our Ancho Poblanos, the Tomatillo Strat single-coils receive the same special heat-infusing treatment alongside alnico 2 magnets, emulating what alnico 5 magnets might sound like with decades of age behind them. Distinctly hot but with some sweetness infused, these single-coils are a unique pick to delight.
Vintage Noiseless Strat
Moving into the modern era, we learn that silence is golden. These pickups produce all the brilliance and expression of vintage Strat single-coils though with distinctly less hum. Though some prefer the hum and all the authenticity it implies, Vintage Noiseless Strat single-coils are undeniably a treat.
Any Questions?
Man, what a journey. For fans of Stratocaster electronics, it probably felt like nothing at all, right? Anyway, we're always around to talk Fender Custom Shop, so feel free to reach out to us here at Russo Music any time.
