Fender Strat HSS Wiring Diagram – A Complete Guide

Are you a guitar enthusiast looking to customize your Fender Stratocaster with an HSS (Humbucker-Single-Single) pickup configuration? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to wire your Fender Stratocaster with an HSS setup.

What is an HSS Pickup Configuration?

The HSS pickup configuration is a popular setup used in Fender Stratocasters. It consists of a humbucker pickup in the bridge position and two single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. The HSS setup is preferred by guitarists who need a versatile range of tones.

The humbucker in the bridge position provides a high-output sound with lower noise levels, while the single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions provide a brighter and twangy tone.

Tools Required

Before we start wiring, let’s take a look at the tools required to complete this project:

Tools Quantity
Soldering iron 1
Solder 1 roll
Wire cutters 1
Wire stripper 1
Phillips screwdriver 1

Wiring Diagram

Here’s the wiring diagram for a Fender Stratocaster with an HSS pickup configuration:

Fender Strat Hss Wiring DiagramSource: bing.com

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Remove the Pickguard

The pickguard is the plastic piece that covers the electronics of your guitar. To access the electronics, you need to remove the pickguard.

  1. Turn off your guitar and unplug it from the amplifier.
  2. Loosen the strings by turning the tuning pegs.
  3. Remove the back cover plate to access the tremolo springs.
  4. Loosen the tremolo springs by turning the screws in a counterclockwise direction.
  5. Remove the tremolo arm.
  6. Remove the pickguard screws from the body of the guitar.
  7. Gently lift the pickguard from the guitar body and disconnect the wiring harness.

Step 2: Identify the Wires

Identify the wires on the potentiometers and switches. You’ll need to know which wires to connect when wiring the HSS pickup configuration.

Here’s a list of the wires you’ll see:

  1. Ground wire – Usually bare or green wire.
  2. Hot wire – Usually black wire.
  3. Ground wire from the tremolo claw – Usually black wire.
  4. Ground wire from the output jack – Usually black wire.
  5. Hot wire from the output jack – Usually white or yellow wire.
  6. Wire from the five-way switch – Usually white or yellow wire.
  7. Wire from the volume potentiometer – Usually white or yellow wire.
  8. Wire from the tone potentiometer – Usually white or yellow wire.

Step 3: Install the Humbucker Pickup

Install the humbucker pickup in the bridge position. Follow the instructions provided with the pickup.

Step 4: Wire the Humbucker Pickup

Wire the humbucker pickup to the five-way switch and the volume potentiometer.

  1. Connect the hot wire from the humbucker pickup to the first terminal of the five-way switch.
  2. Connect a jumper wire from the second terminal of the five-way switch to the first terminal of the volume potentiometer.
  3. Connect a ground wire from the third terminal of the five-way switch to the ground wire on the volume potentiometer.
  4. Connect a ground wire from the fourth terminal of the five-way switch to the back of the volume potentiometer.
  5. Connect a ground wire from the fifth terminal of the five-way switch to the tremolo claw.

Step 5: Install the Single-Coil Pickups

Install the single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. Follow the instructions provided with the pickups.

Step 6: Wire the Single-Coil Pickups

Wire the single-coil pickups to the five-way switch and tone potentiometer.

  1. Connect the hot wire from the middle single-coil pickup to the second terminal of the five-way switch.
  2. Connect the hot wire from the neck single-coil pickup to the third terminal of the five-way switch.
  3. Connect a ground wire from the fourth terminal of the five-way switch to the tone potentiometer.
  4. Connect a jumper wire from the fifth terminal of the five-way switch to the second terminal of the tone potentiometer.
  5. Connect a ground wire from the third terminal of the tone potentiometer to the back of the volume potentiometer.
  6. Connect a ground wire from the back of the tone potentiometer to the ground wire on the volume potentiometer.
  7. Connect a ground wire from the back of the tone potentiometer to the ground wire from the output jack.

Step 7: Reassemble the Guitar

Reassemble the guitar and test the pickups. If everything is wired correctly, your Fender Stratocaster with an HSS pickup configuration is ready to rock!

FAQ

1. Can I install an HSS pickup configuration on any Fender Stratocaster?

Yes, you can install an HSS pickup configuration on any Fender Stratocaster that has a pickguard. If your guitar has a swimming pool route (no pickguard), you’ll need to have the guitar routed to fit the humbucker pickup.

2. What are the advantages of an HSS pickup configuration?

The advantages of an HSS pickup configuration include:

  1. Versatility – You can achieve a wide range of tones with the HSS setup.
  2. Noise reduction – The humbucker pickup reduces noise levels.
  3. More output – The humbucker pickup provides a higher output than single-coil pickups.

3. Can I wire my Fender Stratocaster with an HSS pickup configuration myself?

Yes, you can wire your Fender Stratocaster with an HSS pickup configuration yourself if you have some basic knowledge of electronics and soldering skills. Follow this guide to wire your guitar correctly.

4. What’s the difference between an HSS and SSS (single-single-single) pickup configuration?

The difference between an HSS and SSS (single-single-single) pickup configuration is the addition of a humbucker pickup in the HSS setup. The HSS setup provides a wider range of tones than an SSS setup.

5. What type of humbucker pickup should I choose for my HSS setup?

You can choose any humbucker pickup that suits your playing style and musical genre. Some popular humbucker pickups for HSS setups include Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HSS pickup configuration is a versatile setup that provides a wide range of tones. Wiring your Fender Stratocaster with an HSS setup is not difficult if you follow the steps outlined in this guide. Take your time when wiring your guitar and test it thoroughly before reassembling it. Good luck!