Already thinking of a "cool" mod for the not yet received S2 Studio, lol...

[markd21]

So, I have placed my order for an Antique White Studio. VERY excited. I am hoping it sounds for me as it does in the demo video....those sounds would come in VERY handy in my session work. But, I have already started thinking of a potentially cool set of mods for the guitar.

The first would allow two extra pickup options. I still have to work it out, but I did a similar mod on a strat YEARS ago. I am thinking the 5-way blade would be switched to a 3-way that offers:

1) Bridge
2) Bridge/Neck
3) Neck

Then add a mini-toggle that would add in the middle pickup to any position. The part that I am still working out, is how to get the middle pickup alone. That is one of my FAVORITE sounds when doing "roots" based music.

The second mod would only happen if the PTC did it. A second pickguard with THREE D-type pickups and 3 on/off switches!!!! I am drooling for a 3 D-type config, lol.....

Aside from PRS, the ONLY other guitars I play on the regular are Gretsch. I was really hoping the Vela would replace the Gretsch guitars, but - as we often discuss with Les Pauls, if you want a sound just play the guitar with that sound. In that regard, for me, nothing sounds like a Gretsch. I LOVE Filtertrons and I LOVE Dynasonics....so the idea of a "strat" with 3 Dynasonics is AMAZINGLY appealing, lol.

Now, I am not big on modding guitars so I probably won't do anything to the Studio (for a while anyway) but, looking at it and hearing the demo, these are the mods that popped in my head.....

 

[bodia]

Big plans! Sounds awesome!

 

[andy474x]

Seriously considering "studio-ing" my standard 22, adding something like a Dimarzio cruiser in the middle, and doing the existing 3 way with a mini toggle, as you described.

 

[alantig]

There was an article in Premier Guitar about doing the mod you describe.

This is similar, but it puts a blend control for the middle pickup in place of the on-off switch. https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/21112-three-must-try-guitar-wiring-mods

There's a 7-sound mod that uses the 5-way, but the on-off is on the bridge pickup. The 7-Sound Stratocaster

 

[markd21]

Ah!!! Coolio! Thanks for the links!

 

[garrettb]

I have done the 7 way mod in the past, but have found something I like better. I never found the all-three-on position useful and it would sometimes be annoying to switch positions with the push/pull.

I use a five-way Super Switch (which the S2 Studio should already have, given that position 3 is outside pickups) and a push/pull to make 6 positions. What it does is allow you use the push/pull to choose between middle or neck/bridge pickups in the center blade position. The switching is more logical to me and gets me all the positions I find useful.

You can add a second push/pull or sneak a mini switch in there if you want to keep the coil split on the bridge pickup

 

[markd21]

I have done the 7 way mod in the past, but have found something I like better. I never found the all-three-on position useful and it would sometimes be annoying to switch positions with the push/pull.

I use a five-way Super Switch (which the S2 Studio should already have, given that position 3 is outside pickups) and a push/pull to make 6 positions. What it does is allow you use the push/pull to choose between middle or neck/bridge pickups in the center blade position. The switching is more logical to me and gets me all the positions I find useful.

You can add a second push/pull or sneak a mini switch in there if you want to keep the coil split on the bridge pickup

Cool. I like that idea. Adding the mini for bridge split makes sense. Not a big fan of needing to do too much with the push/pull, but considering I really am looking at this guitar as a "studio" guitar, using the push/pull how you describe would be totally good. IF I were to play the guitar live, the stock wiring would be more than perfect. I just have this one singer/songwriter I do a lot of work for that LOVES the center strat sound. When doing sessions with her lately I have been using my old Ibanez 540S because it's my only 3 pickup guitar. It doesn't sound "earthy" enough to me, but she still prefers that I am using the middle pickup rather than another guitar (PRS, Gretsch) with only 2 pickups. Dumb, but she pays well, lol. Gotta do what the artist wants to get the money!!

Getting the S2 Studio will enable me to case the Ibanez, plus a center position Dynasonic should be AMAZING!!

 

[garrettb]

Cool. I like that idea. Adding the mini for bridge split makes sense. Not a big fan of needing to do too much with the push/pull, but considering I really am looking at this guitar as a "studio" guitar, using the push/pull how you describe would be totally good. IF I were to play the guitar live, the stock wiring would be more than perfect. I just have this one singer/songwriter I do a lot of work for that LOVES the center strat sound. When doing sessions with her lately I have been using my old Ibanez 540S because it's my only 3 pickup guitar. It doesn't sound "earthy" enough to me, but she still prefers that I am using the middle pickup rather than another guitar (PRS, Gretsch) with only 2 pickups. Dumb, but she pays well, lol. Gotta do what the artist wants to get the money!!

Getting the S2 Studio will enable me to case the Ibanez, plus a center position Dynasonic should be AMAZING!!

I find the wiring I very intuitive. The switch is a set-and-forget unless you happen to need to both the middle alone and outside pickups in one song, but still it's easy.

For example, if you like the stock wiring you can leave that as default and add a mini switch for the middle position. This way, when you have a session with that artist, you've got middle pickup tone on-hand with the flick of a switch and everything else is still right there where it normally is.

 

[andy474x]

Well, I just ordered an extra pickguard to do surgery on for my Satin 22. Not to derail the thread... but I'm thinking a Dimarzio Cruiser, unless anyone has another recommendation?

 

[ViperDoc]

Have you considered an "ADD BRIDGE" circuit on a mini switch or P/P pot? With that, all you have to do is use your 5-way as designed and get the neck/bridge combo in position 5 with the ADD BRIDGE engaged. You can also get all three on in position 4.

 

[Ovibos]

If they had gotten the Seattle Super Switch funded, it mighta been a cool option for this kind of 3-pickup PRS...

 

[garrettb]

If they had gotten the Seattle Super Switch funded, it mighta been a cool option for this kind of 3-pickup PRS...

Interesting idea, though I have a couple problems with / questions about it.

Electroswitch (parent of CRL and Oak Grigsby) makes a six-way blade switch, though I'm not sure how well it's catching on. It requires lengthening the rout for the blade a little bit to accommodate a longer throw (not a big deal with a pickguard).

http://www.electro-nc.com/6wayblade.shtml

 

[garrettb]

Have you considered an "ADD BRIDGE" circuit on a mini switch or P/P pot? With that, all you have to do is use your 5-way as designed and get the neck/bridge combo in position 5 with the ADD BRIDGE engaged. You can also get all three on in position 4.

The stock middle position on these is outside pickups, so the switch would still need a minor bit of rewiring for the 7-way mod.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Oh, so you were not going to glue suede to the top?