Hey Strat fans! If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to tweak your tone and make your Fender Stratocaster sound even better. One of the most impactful mods you can do is changing the wiring. Today, we’re diving into the differences between modern and 50's wiring for Stratocasters with SSS (single-single-single) pickups. So, grab your favorite beverage, kick back, and let’s talk tone!

What is Modern Wiring?

Overview

Modern wiring is the standard configuration found in most Fender Stratocasters today. It's designed for simplicity and efficiency, making it a go-to choice for many players. The key feature here is tone control for all pickups, including the bridge position. This setup started in the 1980s, moving away from the original 1950s wiring scheme.

In the early days, Stratocasters had a master volume control, a tone control for the neck pickup, and a tone control for the middle pickup. There was no tone control for the bridge pickup, as it was intended to be wide open for maximum brilliance during solos. Plus, early Strats came with a 3-way switch, not the 5-way switch we’re used to today.

How It Works

In modern wiring, the tone controls are set up so that the first tone knob (pot) controls the neck pickup, and the second tone knob controls both the bridge and middle pickups. This is achieved by adding a simple wire or jumper between the B2 and B2 lugs on the 5-way switch.

Sound Characteristics

• Consistency: Provides a balanced and predictable tone with control over all three single-coil pickups.

• Volume Roll-off: As you lower the volume, you might notice a slight loss in high frequencies, resulting in a warmer, sometimes muddier sound.

• Ease of Use: Simple and straightforward, making it easy to work with and modify if needed.

• Tone Adjustments: Allows for tone control on all three pickups. The neck has a dedicated tone control, while the middle and bridge pickups share one. Players who use the "quack" positions might find this both useful and limiting, depending on their desired sound.

*Note: Custom modern wiring harnesses can offer dedicated tone controls for the bridge pickup and neck/middle pickups, which can be great if you use your bridge pickup often.

What is 50's Wiring?

Overview

50's wiring takes us back to the golden era of electric guitars. This setup was used in all early Fender Stratocasters and can bring a bit of that vintage magic to your tone. The key aspect here is the lack of tone control for the bridge pickup, allowing it to be "wide open" for maximum brilliance. (Remember, Fender was using 3-way switches back then!)

How It Works

In 50's wiring, the bridge pickup has no tone control, and the signal goes directly to the output without any tone alterations. This small change can significantly impact your guitar’s tone and dynamics, especially in live settings. Today, many players enjoy this setup with 5-way switches, enhancing the tonal experience when compared with the originals.

Sound Characteristics

• Consistent and Expected: Retains the bridge tone and output from the bridge single-coil pickup, resulting in a brighter and more powerful sound.

• Dynamic Response: Offers a more dynamic and responsive feel, especially when adjusting your volume knob or using the 2/4 "quack" positions.

• Vintage Vibe: Provides a warmer, more open sound that many players describe as more "musical" or "organic."

• Tone Adjustments: Only the neck and middle pickups can be adjusted with tone controls. The bridge pickup is always wide open.

Comparing Modern and 50's Wiring

Tone Control

• Modern Wiring: All three pickups have tone control, allowing for versatility and precise sound adjustments. This setup is great for players who like to fine-tune their tones. However, it can be limiting if you want dedicated control over the bridge pickup.

• 50's Wiring: Only the neck and middle pickups have tone control, with the bridge pickup sending its signal directly to the output. This can be especially useful for live performances, where you need the bridge pickup to cut through the mix. The trade-off is a brighter tone that might be too sharp for some players, but it's highly articulate and clear.

Conclusion

Whether you choose modern wiring or 50's wiring, both have unique benefits that can help shape your ideal tone. Modern wiring offers consistency, ease of use, and comprehensive control, while 50's wiring provides enhanced clarity and a dynamic response that’s hard to beat, especially from the bridge pickup and quack positions. Experiment with both to see which one suits your playing style and tonal preferences best.