Wiring or rewiring a Fender Stratocaster (how to wire an electric guitar, a Strat)
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- How to wire or rewire a Fender Stratocaster (soldering up a Fender strat)
In this video I wire up a scratch plate on a Fender strat with all new components. I decided to rewire this guitar because of the limited tones available on the Fender Yngwie Malmsteen signature series Stratocaster. The 3 way pickup selector switch and the DeMarzio pickups leave the guitar with a serious lack of the sort of tonal variations I use to write music, so I completely rewire the guitar so it better suits my needs. I leave the original wiring attached to the original scratch plate and replace the whole scratch play with the guitar wiring attached so I can put the guitar back to original condition if I decide to sell it.
The results are great and using the five way switch I can now get from light almost electro-acoustic tones right the way through to a descent drive on an 80s/90s high gain distortion. I have posting a PDF of this tutorial and the circuit diagrams if anyone is interested.
The PDF eBook with all the information on this tutorial can be downloaded here, however there are lots of alternative ways to wire and rewire a Fender Strat on the internet.
www.guitar-academy.co.uk/youtu...
pickups www.ironstone-pickups.co.uk
wiring www.rcguitars.com/
scratchplate www.guitarselectric.co.uk
knobs & switch tips www.cdguitars.co.uk
circuit diagrams www.seymourduncan.com/support/...
For lots of FREE guitar lessons and a complete guitar course go to;
www.ebooks4guitar.com
If you want to visit my Amazon store please go to;
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/gchguit...
#guitar #guitars #fenderstrat - Навчання та стиль
I've watched like 20 videos on guitar wiring and this is by far the best one. Feeling pretty confident about doing this myself, I tried once when I was a teenager and failed miserably lol
You can do it! I think I did it first as a teenager and failed as well . . lol 😃
13 year old me ruining my dads spare humbuckers
memories
I am grateful that there are people like you who can offer this kind of helpful content totally free
no problem . . thank you for your support 😊
Great tutorial, this is exactly what I needed! My girlfriend's dad gave me old pieces for a guitar that I can put together, and I have no clue about the wiring part so this is very good.
Thank you very much!
Worked perfectly for a cheap loaded pick guard. The tone pots were wired differently then this setup and I redid it to this spec and it worked out great. Strat I had, had copper tape in the entire cavity and the pick guard was participial done around the pickups and controls/switch. Wiring was fantastic, cheap pickups not so much! Thanks for the video!
🙂
Thanks for the excellent video. I've been searching youtube for strat wiring vids and this one is, by far, the best and easiest to understand. Thanks again and you now have a new subscriber.
Thank you so much, every subscriber is important.
Incredibly helpful tutorial, the graphics and thorough explanations at each stage make perfect sense, and very clear. I am about to completely re-wire a guitar of mine, and this video has given me the confidence to give it a try!
Many Thanks.
+Lewis Blackwell Thank you and good luck . . :-)
Most clear Strat wiring tutorial on YT; wow still works many years later
Thank you very much . . 😊😃
Whilst removing the scratch plate it slipped off my hand and three of the cables came off their soldered positions. Your video proved very useful for me because I didn't know for certain correct soldering points. It was also easy to understand. Many thanks.
Glad it helped, thank you very much 🙂
Very clean work. I suspect my guitar of having some faulting ground and now with your video I can clearly see how it needs to be done. Thank you.
thank you :-)
i'm building a strat at the moment, and this really helps me ge the wiring correct!
Thanks man!
As your humble student, I’m giving YOU an A+++on this. I learned so much from this video and I thank you so much 😊
thank you . . . great comment . . . 😊
Shane Mahpar great comment
This is the best video about this topic of all UA-cam !!!
wow . . thank you very much 😊😀
This is a most excellent tutorial. Nothing left to chance. Thanks for keeping it clear for those who are just getting started in modding. Keep em coming as your time allows.
Thank you so much . . . your comments are greatly appreciated. . :-)
Wow, that was quick.
I will get it done and put the link in the description as soon as I can.
I know this is an older video. I just wanted to say thanks for the help. I had built a loaded pickguard and installed it. It was very noisy and buzzy. Could not find the issue. So I bought a loaded pickguard thinking I must have spoiled something. The new one was just as noisy. The noise was worse when I touched the strings. At this point, I knew it had to be something else. Guess what! I had the output jack wired backwards the whole time! What a goof! Fortunately, I needed a second pickguard for another strat that I'm building.
Such and easy mistake can cause huge problems!
I've done exactly the same thing, and that was after I'd done the same job lots of times. It is indeed very easy to do with a momentary lapse in concentration. Well done working out the problem and fixing it. 😊😀
Thanks for the help. that will be addressed in the final version.
Super clear instructions. I'm about to switch out the factory installed pickups on a Fender Affinity Strat for a set of Rose Heritage Pickups. This video eliminated any guesswork. Thanks so much.
cool . . It would be nice to hear what you think of the new sound when you have finished your project.
Great informative tutorial! I'm currently working on a custom strat and this video has definitely helped! Many thanks
This sorted out my my flea market strat that someone poked around inside .. Thank You again for great videos
That is awesome! thank you 😊😃
Thank you so much for this video! Super helpful and give me the confidence to do all of this myself. You're the man!
Thank you so much . . that's a really glowing response to the video.
a very comprehensive tutorial , thanks
Best, straight forward explanation I have seen. Cheers.
Thank you very much . . . 😊
Awesome PDF, thanks for the clarity
Was changing my pickguard and got scared shitless when I saw that there was a loose wire. Thought I broke my whole shit. Glad I found this
great that it was helpful . . 🙂
good observation.
The more common one is 0.022 uF but I use 0.010uF to the middle pickup tone.
I'm really glad they were useful to you . .
One complication when looking at the selector switches is that they have no standard setup. Some 5 way switches connect up differently because of the way the switch itself is set up.
But saying that . . the connection between 6 and 7 means that the bridge pickup shares a tone control with the centre pickup. Interestingly, you can also put a switch in that connection loop to make that mod switchable.
Thank you .and Hugs back you Brazil, from Wales.
very helpful as an introduction to wiring, particularly the graphics. thanks for taking the time!
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment . . :-)
Thumbs up bro... That's 10yr ago but still helpful.... Thanks bro
Thank you very much . . appreciated . . 😊😃
This is a common problem on all Fenders and Fender copies. When you have fixed it, you might try putting a tiny drop of super glue on the nut to stop it coming loose.
The red wire connects to the piece of metal that connects to the tip of the jack plug and the black wire connects to the outside of the socket. You can see the picture in the PDF that can be downloaded from the description.
Great video and also a super PDF. Crystal clear. It's pretty amazing that some people give this a thumbs down. (There's some in every crowd, I guess.)
haters will hate . . . thank you 🙂
Beautifully explained and paced! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! thank you 😊😊
Both the tone and the volume are 'potentiometers' or 'pots' for short.
The volume pot is 'logarithmic' or 'log and the tone is 'linear' or 'lin'.
The capacitor is essential as that is what make the tone changes, the pot controls how much electricity goes through the capacitor.
So clearly explained. I screenshoted the diagrams and saved this. Sticking all new vintage pups and parts, pearloid plate, into a cheapo kit. Thanks. 👍
Thank you . . you can get the diagram here www.guitar-academy.co.uk/youtube.htm
Thank you so much for the link.
@@davidsillars3181 no problem . . 😊
This video is excellent. Very nicely done has helped me a lot. You are an amazing instructor
Wow . . . Thank you very much :-)
This is a very helpful video. I'm having some noise on my guitar and I'm thinking about re-wiring everything myself, but I had no clue as to how the wiring in a guitar works. This video explains it in detail and it's easy to understand. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to re-wire, but it's good nontheless to know how your guitar works.
The noise I'm having is when I plug in my guitar, there is just noise that comes out. But when I play, it seems to be gone (and comes back when I stop playing). It also increases when I turn any knob or change the selector switch. At first I thought it was the knobs and switches that were the issue, but now I think it's something with the ground. Should I re-wire if that's the case? I do have screening.
Your diagnosis sounds right (the ground). If you prefer, you can work backwards from the output plug replacing parts of the wiring first until you reach the fault. It's worth checking the lead and the amp first as well by using a different lead and/or try another amp, just in case.
GCH Guitar Academy thanks, will try that.
Excellent video! After upgrading all electronics and pickups in my old semi (all through just the one 'F' hole!) I feel confident about tackling a pickup change for my S type... thank you!
that's great . . thank you. The Strat is easier than a semi 😊
@@guitar-academy
I would hope so, haha!
@@anthonyskellern5970 🤔
Thanks for replying so quickly much appreciated!!!
I have an old Squier strat and it needs an updating! thanks dudes! And apreciate the time you gave to do this video. Thanks
Suscribed!
Thank You very, very much for that tutorial, now I`ve the right connections - wiring, most of the similar videos show`n up "How to .." but Yours is the first that I`ve found with using the same pickup selector switch that I have too. I mean the not oryginal round strato switcher. Thak`s and take care.
No, the difference if any is impossible to hear, but I like to use to capacitors because the circuit looks more balanced and is easier to follow for a learner, which helps with this tutorial.
Very good video, very well presented and organised. Thanks
Good question . . but no easy answer.
This video is for a Strat which is why this isn't mentioned. But basically it is different for every guitar and some guitars don't even have a separate earth wire to the metalwork on the guitar.
The general rule is to work with what's already there. If you are rewiring a guitar connect it to the existing point, and it it is a new build follow the pre cut body hollows. The earth wire (if the guitar should have one) connects indirectly to the strings.
Thorough, concise, clear, and great pacing, too. Much obliged. My Stratocaster sounds great! (Actually, it sounds better than I can play it)
I would recommend it . .
a good earth is essential to keeping you guitar free from hum and background noise.
Thank you for watching . . . I hope your rewire goes well.
Where do you ground ona hardtail without a tremolo?
@@claudioolivares1937 Usually to the hardtail itself. If the guitar body was designed for a hardtail you should have a hole leading up underneath the hardtail. You have to get a wire up between the hardtail and the body so it is held in place, or better still a small copper plate. It's very hard to explain without pictures I'm afraid.
Man, you video is awesome! I’ll do it this week!
God bless you!
@@raulgrangeiro Thank you . . 😊😊
That's really appreciated, thank you . .
Great Tutorial!
very well done man, nice video for the amateurs out there!
If you mean 'humbucking' . .
They are a kind of pickup that removes mains hum (background noise) from the signal.
Thanks for taking the time to make such a fantastic video, I feel loads more confident going into my first rewire project now, really appreciate it!
I'm doing a full rebuild of my frankenstrat next week, new pots, wire, switch, caps and 3 coil splits but being left handed brings up an issue.
Can I ask how you would wire if you wanted two different capacitors for the two tone controls please?
The wiring diagram at 8:23 shows a 2 capacitor circuit, you just need to decide what capacitors you want to use. I hope I understood your question correctly. :-)
Very well presented. Thank you.
Thank you so much. All I could find was les paul wiring so I'd be screwed with out this
Yes, there are lots of different changes you can do to the knobs and selector switch with are dead cheap and easy to do. The first thing I do on most of my guitars is change the knobs . . .
Excellent Video, thanks to you, I got rid of the buzz, cheers
Good suggestion
floating trem. tutorial, I will do that.
You've given me an idea for some new tutorials. Subscribe, so you know when they are ready ( a couple of weeks ish) . . .
I will be doing some tutorials on basic guitar electronics, so you can design and repair your own circuits.
The pots are a pain because you need to balance the heat, not enough heat and the solder want flow but too much heat will damage the pots. I use a 30 watt soldering iron on the pots with no problems.
However soldering the earth to the back of the tremolo system is a real pain and can take a lot of heating, I still use the same iron, but more power would be nice.
Excellent tutorial
Glad you liked it. Thank you 😊😃
I see you found the answer. But, as an additional note, the tremolo earth can be soldered onto any of the earth points on the main circuit (ie any pot body), but eventually they should all connect to the jackplug earth.
Very helpful. As an American it took me a sec to realize "Earth" means ground .
Thank you . . I've learned something new today . . . 😊😃
Thank you so much . . thanks for watching . . .
Absolutely agree with you, I have two Strat's, a MIM and a MIK. No snobbery here. Just being practical. A decent 5 way would last longer and not run the risk if failure at the most inappropriate situation.
Nice detail, you're a pro.
Thanks :-)
I followed this exactly, It worked, apart from the fact I somehow managed to instal the selector switch backwards!
That's interesting, I sometimes get this wrong because when you wire the guitar you're looking at the back of the controls so everything is back to front. You can either turn the switch or swap the connection from the neck pickup and the bridge pickup. 🤔
Yeah, luckily I left plenty of extra wire so I had enough slack to just turn the switch around. @@guitar-academy
That was a sensible decision . . Good man . . 😊😊 @@ToolsAreToys
on a les paul or strat style with standard knobs just pull them slowly whilst wobbling them from side to side slightly. Some ibanez and none standards strats and less pauls have a tiny grub screws that have to be loosened, look around the knob first to see if there is a screw before pulling.
I would go with the 0.022µF capacitor, but you can experiment with various values between 1200pF to .1uF. But I find the difference is slight.
That's excellent and very informative. Thank you.
Very welcome, thank you . . 😊
Great video, everything else online just seems like a confusing mess!!!
Where would I solder the tremolo earth wire if I was to put on a standard bridge though?
Thank u sir for the guide my guitar is working now😊
That's great to hear . . . thank you 😊😀
That would be a nice tidy way of doing it and it wouldn't have any negative effects on the sound (as far as I know).
I have 2 ideas on this one.
1. the wiring between the switch and the pots are coloured (normal). . or
2. the earth wires are coloured (which is not normal).
The wire colours aren't a set rule and can be any colour. To find out which is which you will need to follow them back to either the switch or the common earth, then you will know which is the wire you are looking for.
fantastic video, thanks so much!!
The buzzing sound is more likely a bad earth . . . the connections to the pots and the tremolo of the guitar are important. If one of the earth connections isn't a good one you will get a buzz. Another thing to reduce buzz is the screening, the job of the screening is to stop outside iinterference getting into the guitar coz it causes buzzing and other noises. The last thing I can think of that can cause buzzing is the lead . . again a bad earth in the lead can be the problem.
I'ts a good thing Prof Brian Cox has taken time out from his busy physics lectures to show us how to wire a guitar or I'd still be struggling! ;-)
You ain’t lien
No sorry I don't have a trouble shooting lesson, however it is a good idea for a future one. What I can tell you that might help is this . . . if the guitar is making no noise at all ( no hum, hiss) then it is most likely you have a short circuit somewhere. This is where the hot wire is connecting directly to earth, just one of the tiny filaments of wire touching can cause this or a faulty volume pot. If you are getting a hum and no signal then you most likely have a bad earth wire.
Thanks you . . much appreciated .
I decided to rewire my whole strat, its not original, but im putting original fender strat parts. Im kinda anxious because i've never done anything like it and i wonder will it work later. Thanks for the video it's helping me to understand some things. Hope ill manage somehow haha
Take you time and you'll be fine . . thanks for watching and commenting . . 😊😃
@@guitar-academy i've just rewired my fenix by young chang strat and changed old pickups for Seymour Duncan fury yjm thanks to this vid
Thank you man
Thanks. The schematics are excellent.
Very useful, thank you for this
You're welcome! thank you 😃
Bloody brilliant video. Thank you 🙏🏼
Glad you enjoyed it . . thank you 🙂🙂
Thank you. Also do you have a video of the soldering itse? I’m a beginner a guitar building and a bit apprehensive about the soldering! Many thanks
@@AdamSmith-ib7rh No I don't now . . however, brilliant . . thank you, that would be a good video to do, so I will do one soon 🙂🙂
this helped me alot thanks for sharing the video
The capacitor with the highest value (0.047) will have a slightly bigger effect on the sound, so you should put it on the pot you want to make the most difference. If it was me, I would put it on the neck pickup pot, because I use that one more, but neither is wrong.
Very good lesson. TY. subbed.
Awesome, thank you! 😊😀
This is acc a good demo you saved me
thank you . . 😊
Thanks for the comment. Wow . . that's real stroke of luck . .
Great though that the video seems to be tailor made to your needs.
Thanks sir!
and thanks also in your video, big help for me 'cause i'm also gonna rewire my strat.. (y)
This wiring is for a flipped phase middle pickup, so in the 2nd and 4th position the guitar will behave like it has humbuckers. I would find out from the guy himself what he is talking about, because I wouldn't suggest changing this wiring without trying it first myself.
yes you're right . . . a good switch can make a big difference . . but to be honest in 30 years of professional playing I have never had one fail completely, and I've only replaced one out of necessity and that was on a cheap guitar.
Great video. Thank you
Glad you liked it! thank you
Awesome vid.
Thanks :-)
In the circuits I use the pot used for the volume is used as a true potentiometer, which means the + output is always the middle. You could use one of the other pins instead if you wire the guitar appropriately but it wouldn't be as good.
So basically Yes use the middle pin.
Thanks buddy. Great info and video. Take care 😎👍👌💯🎸🎸. Note Zip ties work good. 👍💯
Thank you very much . . yes, good tip 😊😃
@@guitar-academy welcome let's Rock 👍🎸✔️
thanks
great tutorial thanks
+Fishpigg Thank you for watching :-)
You made it super simple
Thanks 😃
wow, thx a lot for this super tutorial!
Thank you . . . . 😊
Hi - Thanks for your help. I went for a new push/push pot (might as well turn a crisis into a Gilmour mod opportunity if I've got to change the pot). Took a look inside my disassembled pot and the little filaments were a mess, like a feather when you can't get the barbs to knit together again. Love the idea of a troubleshooter vid if you're up for it. I'd subscribe for that alone and think of the restless nights and brain ache you'll be protecting the world from. Cheers.