Get INCREDIBLE Stratocaster Tones! - The 10-Way Strat Switch!

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 9. 09. 2020
  • This is one of the best Strat mods I've ever seen! So many awesome tones!
    If you enjoyed this video, be sure to like and subscribe to the channel :)
    FREEWAY SWITCH:
    www.freewayswitch.com/
    FREEWAY SWITCH STEW MAC:
    www.stewmac.com/electronics/c...
    FREEWAY SWITCH (CANADA):
    www.solomusicgear.com/brands/...
    LAKE PLACID BLUE STRAT:
    imp.i114863.net/95j3Y
    T-SHIRT STORE:
    teespring.com/stores/darrell-...
    TAB STORE:
    Songs, Lesson Worksheets, and Guitar Techniques!
    www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DarrellB...
    DARRELL'S GUITARS & GEAR LIST!
    imp.i114863.net/vM09j
    MY AMPS:
    H&K Grand Meister Deluxe 40 - imp.i114863.net/Na1gV
    Mesa Boogie - imp.i114863.net/xdVB1
    PATREON:
    Become a Patron to be eligible for exclusive Gear Give-Aways and Lesson TABs!
    / darrellbraunguitar
    ALBUM:
    iTunes:
    itunes.apple.com/ca/album/cel...
    FAVORITE FRET-END FILE:
    www.solomusicgear.com/product...
    OTHER FAVOURITE GEAR:
    *Obsidian Wire Solderless Kits - obsidianwire.com?aff=5
    *Guitar Parts & Build Kits - www.solomusicgear.com?ref=1931
    SOLI DEO GLORIA!
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 962

  • @DarrellBraunGuitar
    @DarrellBraunGuitar  Před 3 lety +191

    Absolutely LOVED this mod!
    Enjoy :)

    • @DBSG1976
      @DBSG1976 Před 3 lety +3

      A dream come true...a truly versatile Strat!

    • @jameswatts6512
      @jameswatts6512 Před 3 lety +2

      when is your next strat build

    • @holdenmew
      @holdenmew Před 3 lety +3

      I wanna be able to see more on the make ur strat that's like 70 dollars into a million bucks 0art 2

    • @jameswatts6512
      @jameswatts6512 Před 3 lety +1

      with the or just guitar build w/ the glass neck? love ur vids

    • @georgerigberg4335
      @georgerigberg4335 Před 3 lety

      Cool would it work on Godin Velocity. (Super Strat) which also has a 5 way?

  • @JessesAuditorium
    @JessesAuditorium Před 3 lety +509

    The way people keep innovating a piece of wood with strings never cease to amaze me.

    • @mayoneighspcandmusic
      @mayoneighspcandmusic Před 3 lety +2

      Now what are you suggesting?

    • @soulofash2112
      @soulofash2112 Před 3 lety +20

      Because music is an extension of the soul, and stringed instruments are some of the most expressive out there. So they allow you to express yourself better--ergo, stands to reason they'll continue to be innovated upon.

    • @saintrhoads3375
      @saintrhoads3375 Před 3 lety +4

      It has definitely ceased to amaze me

    • @donaldharris8826
      @donaldharris8826 Před 3 lety +2

      @Jesse's Auditorium That could be stated about acoustic percussion instruments with strings/wires attached underneath or above the heads of the instruments. IMHO, Stringed and wind instruments were some of the first Solo Instruments, such as the Violin, Piano, Harpsichord, Guitar, and ect. In Blues, Rock and Jazz era music before the Electronic Revolution and after to present even, the Flute, Saxophone and Clarinet, Guitar to the (Banjo exclusive to America), were the first real solo instruments. The saxophone was the first non-electric Overdrive-Gain/Distortion/Fuzz toned solo instrument. (Anything In All Creation can be used as a musical instrument ! ! ! ) The innovations of woods, strings, hardware, metal alloys, all other materials and electronics have kept me amazed for their uses that I have studied back to the time of NOAH, to the Present Days AD onwards into the Future . . . , even the STAR TREK "VULCAN SPOCKTAR" was not a working model, but was a studio prop, but it was later made into a Real Functioning Electric 6-String Guitar much like the electric guitar that Pop Music Artist, Virtuoso, Legend "PRINCE" designed and played ! ! ! GOD/MUSIC/INSTRUMENTS/MY WOMAN/MYFAMILY/MY FRIENDS they are the MAJOR LIFTS IN MY LIFE, especially when any MINOR comes to Fall ! ! ! Peace & Play 🎸 On . . . 👍🤘🎸😎🙏 DDH 9-17-2020.

    • @soulofash2112
      @soulofash2112 Před 3 lety +8

      @@saintrhoads3375 and that's your prerogative. Between this, and Relish Guitars, along with what's going on in the pedal world, it's a pretty exciting time to be a guitarist, at least as far as I'm concerned.

  • @ArturBrzozowski444
    @ArturBrzozowski444 Před 3 lety +159

    Me trying to sleep at 3AM
    *Sneaky notification*
    OH MY GOSH ITS 10 WAY SWITCH IN STRAT I'LL WATCH IT RIGHT NOW

    • @tammycoates7816
      @tammycoates7816 Před 3 lety +2

      Artur Brzozowski
      Hahahaha.. yep worth watching! it's only 9 p.m. for me!

    • @ArturBrzozowski444
      @ArturBrzozowski444 Před 3 lety +1

      @Soilent Green Hello zonemate! Greetings from Norway! :D

    • @bielik_2
      @bielik_2 Před 3 lety

      Been watching this at 5:30am, thanks Darrell

    • @kirkscobey3031
      @kirkscobey3031 Před 3 lety

      Soilent Green I was at work! Late morning comments

    • @Jnthnlws
      @Jnthnlws Před 3 lety +1

      same exact time right now smh

  • @nickmendlik5788
    @nickmendlik5788 Před 3 lety +165

    This mod might actually convince me to get a Strat

    • @GuitarJeff
      @GuitarJeff Před 3 lety +14

      Same, I love my humbuckers, and usually coil tap or split to try to get the tone of a strat. However, this might let me take a strat and get the tone of a humbucker. Definately going to do this my next warmoth build.

    • @davidriley4895
      @davidriley4895 Před 3 lety +6

      i was going to say the EXACT same thing.

    • @gerardmasmolla7371
      @gerardmasmolla7371 Před 3 lety +3

      Same, I use coil split in all my guitars and I find this like the same thing but reversed, and that's amazing

    • @gunkanjima3408
      @gunkanjima3408 Před 3 lety +12

      As a strat player, I assure you that single coils sound much better than coil splitting! Give it a try

    • @R87_W
      @R87_W Před 3 lety +3

      Wonder how it sounds with hotrails

  • @budgetguitaristcom
    @budgetguitaristcom Před 3 lety +218

    My first thought was "That's stupid." My second thought was "I wonder what the point is." My third thought was "I think I want one."

    • @joewalsh8217
      @joewalsh8217 Před 3 lety +3

      Hahaha nice Mr. Braun always delivers

  • @johnreid6581
    @johnreid6581 Před 2 lety +21

    Dirty:
    Neck: 4:31, 4:48
    Neck + Middle in series: 4:12, 4:55
    Middle + Bridge in series: 6:08, 6:41
    Bridge: 5:58, 6:35
    Clean:
    Neck + Middle in series: 7:25
    Neck + Bridge in series 8:08
    Neck + Bridge in parallel: 7:41
    Middle + Bridge in parallel: 8:27, 8:39
    Neck + Middle + Bridge in parallel: 8:20
    Middle + Bridge in series: 8:56
    Bridge: 9:05

  • @dragonhouse3100
    @dragonhouse3100 Před 3 lety +57

    I really like how they switched between normal strat switch mode and the mod mode itself. Instinctively I thought they were going to make you flip a switch or use a push pull to activate the mods but the fact they were able to make the switch move like that is crazy!

    • @stevenclarke5606
      @stevenclarke5606 Před 2 lety +8

      It’s a great mod , I love the new tones and as you mentioned a genius move in the design of the switch it looks absolutely stock.

  • @daviddequasie6816
    @daviddequasie6816 Před 3 lety +53

    This should be the new standard Strat switch.

    • @donnyraines3781
      @donnyraines3781 Před 3 lety +1

      Why? So that they can charge us 2-3 hundred more per guitar? Lol

    • @valebliz
      @valebliz Před 3 lety +5

      @WF yeah you wish lol, fender charges 50 bucks for a damn treble bleed.

    • @flintdavis2
      @flintdavis2 Před 3 lety

      David DeQuasie as much as they cost should be the norm! Marketing they want you to buy a whole new guitar. No brainer upgrade.

    • @donnyraines3781
      @donnyraines3781 Před 3 lety +1

      @WF They may, but, all I was really trying to say was that if Fender offered it as a factory option, it would have a 200% markup. They would also most likely try to just buy the patent- then a 45 dollar part that we can install in any brand guitar we wish would potentially become proprietary and inaccessible to us. Could happen...probably wouldn't, but it isn't outside the realm of possibility.

    • @franktaconelli9095
      @franktaconelli9095 Před 3 lety +1

      absolutely; as stated in the video, a no brainer; I just ordered one

  • @KoryMJohnson
    @KoryMJohnson Před rokem +15

    This was the best mod I've done so far. My 40 year old Strat was shuddering at the thought of being modded, but it had nothing to fear. OMG!!!!! I wish I would have done this years ago. I still have my standard, and amazing tones PLUS some new ones that I cannot and will not give back. They are all mine now.
    Thanks for letting the community know about this one.

  • @rudigerk
    @rudigerk Před 3 lety +75

    This should come as a Standard Feature on all Strats!

    • @sammccue500
      @sammccue500 Před rokem +6

      Fender would charge $300 more.😂

    • @ramencurry6672
      @ramencurry6672 Před rokem +1

      It’s amazing, I will add it. However in my opinion it’s not really necessary. That said, I would add it to my guitar

    • @harveycan5820
      @harveycan5820 Před 10 měsíci +1

      ​@@ramencurry6672"Not really necessary" is one of the best reasons to do anything! "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" as the poet said.

    • @ramencurry6672
      @ramencurry6672 Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@harveycan5820 An issue with the design is that there’s a circuit board inside. With the moving parts of the switch it is more prone to break in the future . In my opinion a better solution is to find out which pickups pattern is your favorite and rewire to your liking without that product so it can be more sturdy

  • @adamgreenhill110
    @adamgreenhill110 Před 3 lety +130

    Me watching this after building a 7-way strat:
    .......rewiring time again boys

    • @jeffsguitarrepair2498
      @jeffsguitarrepair2498 Před 3 lety +4

      ... on a different Strat!

    • @earlycuyler8719
      @earlycuyler8719 Před 3 lety +5

      @@jeffsguitarrepair2498 use a blender circuit and you can get 12 tones with the ten way switch.

    • @Dukerdr
      @Dukerdr Před 3 lety

      @@earlycuyler8719 Whoa !! Mind blown !!

    • @GillesJFP
      @GillesJFP Před 3 lety +4

      I made one with 3 independent Tone and Volume control for each PUs on my cheap Strat. Sound amazing and making a lot of fun

    • @adamgreenhill110
      @adamgreenhill110 Před 3 lety +2

      @@GillesJFP Sounds awesome. I love guitars with tons of controls on them, they look techy

  • @davidheilman1613
    @davidheilman1613 Před 3 lety +54

    As a very long time Strat Player, I have "Wished" for a bit Thicker Sound from time to time, and never did I think of doing anything other than dropping a Humbucker into the Guitar. OK, so I am only a Guitar Player, and Not an electrical engineer or an inventor.
    But this 10 postion Switch is a fantastic idea, and I am on my way to the Web Site to purchse one. Can't wait to drop it into my best Strat.

    • @stephanematis
      @stephanematis Před 3 lety

      Now imagine it for a HSH model ... awesome.

    • @JohnShalamskas
      @JohnShalamskas Před 3 lety +3

      @@stephanematis HSH calls for a different switch, the 5B5-02 for HSH / HSS / HHH

  • @stewmac
    @stewmac Před 3 lety +115

    Nicely done! Sounds great.

    • @ZaneDalton
      @ZaneDalton Před 3 lety +9

      Wow! A comment from StewMac!

    • @sasmitha8446
      @sasmitha8446 Před 3 lety +5

      Please figure out a similar system for 10 way switch for a 2 humbucker guitar!

    • @topsecret519
      @topsecret519 Před 3 lety +1

      @@sasmitha8446 ya could...but you'd need to re wire each single pickup to a switch. Simply...a lot of screw'n around. You'd also have more combinations cause there'd be 4 single coils.

    • @johnleahy9862
      @johnleahy9862 Před 3 lety +3

      @@sasmitha8446 They have a 6 way switch for Gibson toggle switches

  • @RC32Smiths01
    @RC32Smiths01 Před 3 lety +57

    The strat is already legendary as it is! The thought of enhancing it is surreal! Awesome work

  • @nomaddag4402
    @nomaddag4402 Před 3 lety +22

    I would have loved to hear this clean.

    • @STSGuitar16
      @STSGuitar16 Před 2 lety +3

      Same! I bet the Jerry Garcia tone options just flow out of some of those settings through a little cleaner amp.

  • @maggiepie8810
    @maggiepie8810 Před rokem +5

    The series wiring of the neck and bridge is such a cool and unique tone. It's so balanced, almost giving me slightly acoustic vibes.

  • @adiiqbal8010
    @adiiqbal8010 Před 3 lety +52

    I always preferred humbuckers to single coils but hated the way humbuchers look on strats so I think this is the perfect alternative!

    • @donnyraines3781
      @donnyraines3781 Před 3 lety +3

      This was exactly what I thought also

    • @countblue
      @countblue Před 3 lety +7

      Have you ever tried humbuckers in single coils shape? I have them on one of my Strats and I love them.

    • @adiiqbal8010
      @adiiqbal8010 Před 3 lety +1

      @@countblue will definitely check them out thanks for letting me know

    • @countblue
      @countblue Před 3 lety +1

      @@adiiqbal8010 To go into it further. Dont expect a signal like from a true single coil. It will be always more of a crossbreed between the two types of pickups. I for myself use "Ultrasonic" OBL pickups from the 90s. There are various other new contenders too of course.

    • @byronofcalgary6985
      @byronofcalgary6985 Před 3 lety

      found a Nashville Tele by Squier - basically a Tele SH Custom with a Strat Middle reverse phase pickup added... with a 5 way switch - takes a while to realize why the combos are diff than a 2 pickup in phase Tele Custom - mainly makes you wonder why Teles dont have 5 way switches with hard wired combos

  • @MarcCoteMusic
    @MarcCoteMusic Před 3 lety +11

    This is so cool and might be the most innovative Strat mod I've seen. Thanks for introducing us to this, Darrell.

  • @lucasaguiar9816
    @lucasaguiar9816 Před 3 lety +4

    This is the solution I've been waiting for... didn't think twice about buying it. Just awesome!

  • @alexanderbjornfot1088
    @alexanderbjornfot1088 Před 3 lety +2

    This could possible be the best mod ive ever seen for a strat. No extra buttons, switches, push/pull etc. A simple flick on the 5way switch and BAM! 5 extra super useable sounds. Thnx Darren for shining a light on new "less known" products. Ordered one before even completing your vid 😂🤘

  • @TcSomers
    @TcSomers Před 3 lety +2

    I've had the 6-way Tele switch they make for about a year now, still holding up great. It's a great way to give a Nashville style tele all the pickup combinations you want without having to add push/pull pots.
    Glad you finally tried one out and liked it!

  • @jakethebard
    @jakethebard Před 3 lety +36

    Luthier here, I was actually just talking about the free-way switch with one of my colleagues a few hours ago at work. He's a die-hard traditional Strat guy and thinks this switch is fairly superfluous. I agree to a point, but for the cost of this switch, it's really a pretty awesome mod. It definitely brings SSS Strats up to the versatility of a good set of humbuckers with coil splits. I would be very interested in putting this mod on a Strat if I were inclined to deviate from my tried and true PRS's.
    The only learning curve I can think of is committing to memory the additional five tone options. But that is really a small price to pay to get those different tones out of a guitar.

    • @chrisb8075
      @chrisb8075 Před 3 lety +4

      @Jake R exactly why does your colleague think the switch is superfluous? That would mean it has no purpose or function or that the same outcome can be had more easily by other means. Baffled....

    • @billdyke9745
      @billdyke9745 Před 3 lety +2

      @@chrisb8075 Colleague clearly an idjit...

    • @valebliz
      @valebliz Před 3 lety +4

      Considering how unusable is the strat bridge tone in most cases, i'd sat this switch is must instead.

    • @roundersounds
      @roundersounds Před 3 lety +1

      @@EricM1711 you could use a push pull to reverse the phase of, say, the middle pup. Or a couple to give you more options. But the hum cancelling would be lost (except in the bridge + neck positions, which don't have noise cancelling without a phase switch, but would have with a phase switch). I'm making some assumptions there based on my own Strat wiring experiences, so don't quote me :)

    • @codeman99-dev
      @codeman99-dev Před 3 lety

      Committing to memory? 1, 3, 5 line up with the 6, 8, 10 series tones. Only the 7 & 9 parallel setting would be the learning curve.

  • @Rednef
    @Rednef Před 3 lety +5

    I'm always looking for an excuse to buy another Strat in another color. This gives me a "practical" reason for doing so. Thanks! (And to anybody who suggests I mod a Start I already have, I'm sorry, but I've already left and can't hear you.)

  • @luwullewa
    @luwullewa Před 3 lety

    Love the channel Darrell - long time subscriber, first time commenter.
    I love this mod - I totally agree it is probably the best (and simplest) tone mod on the market. It's like adding a Gilmour switch+++++. And once installed it's like a secret weapon!
    I installed a Freeway 10way switch into a Schecter Hellcat about 18months ago,, and along with the additional parallel/series options the 10way gives, the Hellcat has Jaguar slider selectors for half output/full output per pick up - it effectively doubles the 10way tones, giving me 20 tonal options before even touching the tone or volume knobs! Mental, but so much fun!
    I bet when you first installed the Freeway, you thought 'why hasn't anyone thought of this before now... WHY didn't I think of this!! I know I did!
    Thanks for another great video, and for spreading the word about this great switch!
    Cheers,
    Luw

  • @cornelius5595
    @cornelius5595 Před 3 lety +1

    Super glad you showed us this one! I've been wanted to experiment with crazy strat combinations like these. Looks like this makes much of those a lot easier to accomplish 👏

  • @oliverlambson
    @oliverlambson Před 3 lety +6

    We literally ordered the toggle version of the freeway switch this week to try in our carbon fibre guitars, nice to see them getting recognition!

  • @drjeffbroadhead
    @drjeffbroadhead Před 3 lety +3

    Just installed the switch. I don't love all the additional tones, but a few of them are beyond awesome! Very cool. Thanks, Darrel.

    • @mihailodavidovic018
      @mihailodavidovic018 Před 8 měsíci

      Did you lost tone control to bridge pickup and did bridge pickup sound the same as on original switch?

  • @heycisco
    @heycisco Před 2 lety +2

    I accidently watched this video and impulse-bought the switch. I completely agree, this is the best Strat mod. £40 bought me a second guitar. Fender practically charges you $400 for that with their S1 switching system and it is not as well thought as this one. After installing it on my American Standard, I couldn't stop playing it. The guys from Free-Way are super helpful and responded my questions within hours. Six String Supplies have a great installation video.

  • @jamesbridgman5223
    @jamesbridgman5223 Před 2 lety +5

    I really enjoyed watching this video so much so that I decided to try one of these on a custom build. While the switch is well made, easy to install and works well, it has a serious limitation for me. You cannot double up on tone controls i.e. neck and middle on one tone control and bridge on the other. According to the manufacturer, this will conflict with the way the switch works internally. If you wire your strat so that you only have two pickups on tone controls you will be fine. That's a pretty common wiring scheme. Just remember that you cannot double up on tone controls. This is something that I wish I had known before I purchased one. I tried it with the neck and bridge pickups on tone controls and the middle without one. That was their recommendation. That was ok, but In the end, I went back to a 5 way switch and push pull pots. I'll probably end up dropping this into one of my traditional strats since it's very nice and too expensive to waste. YMMV. Kind Regards.

    • @AlanCath
      @AlanCath Před rokem +1

      I can't quite think through what you mean by "double up on tone controls". I have a theory but I'm not sure - can you clarify?

    • @toiletbowl04
      @toiletbowl04 Před rokem

      @@AlanCath i think he means have multiple pickups on one tone pot

  • @chrisphobia
    @chrisphobia Před 3 lety +22

    I love them so much. I have this in my Strat, a 6 way in my 335 and the 6 way blade in my Strandberg with 2 push pulls for splits. Great seeing you cover it. I personally think it should be standard on everything.

    • @hamdog8872
      @hamdog8872 Před 2 lety

      I've got a strat I was thinking about getting one for. You think it's worth the time and effort to install? I'm handy so I'll do it myself.

    • @claudiocruzat8777
      @claudiocruzat8777 Před 2 lety

      @@hamdog8872 If you have a stratocaster guitar that sounds and works properly dont touch it. With good pots you can do exactly this same 10 or 40 tone thing.

    • @hamdog8872
      @hamdog8872 Před 2 lety +1

      @@claudiocruzat8777 too late. Tone knobs don't cover what the sixth position does. Nobody has time to tweak an amp for an hour when you can click to next position in half a second. It's an awesome product.

    • @hamdog8872
      @hamdog8872 Před 2 lety

      Six way switch kicks ass.

  • @michael_caz_nyc
    @michael_caz_nyc Před 3 lety +21

    Darrell always showing Something-else . . . that I have-to-have. Great idea. Enables Strat players to use Higher-gain and Reduce the Hum - "I'm In" - love this channel.

    • @TcSomers
      @TcSomers Před 3 lety +1

      Position 2 and 4 already kill hum so long as your pickups aren't super vintage correct. Also wiring your pickups in series has been a mod pretty much since forever.
      Being able to get a 7-way strat mod plus the series combinations without changing anything but the pickup selector is the crazy thing lol.

  • @Music.is.my.Fuel.
    @Music.is.my.Fuel. Před 3 lety +2

    Got this installed in my partscaster with noiseless pickups, just amazing !

  • @ricmel8008
    @ricmel8008 Před 3 lety +25

    Oh my, just when I thought I was satisfied.

  • @JaOzrenRadovanovic
    @JaOzrenRadovanovic Před 3 lety +18

    With this mod, switching feel like switching gears on manual transmision in car!!!

  • @amca755
    @amca755 Před 3 lety +4

    I received this guidance about the two SSS wiring option from Free-Way : Scheme A is probably the most popular choice as it is hum-cancelling (assuming you have a rw/rp middle pickup as is normal) and provides a tone more similar to a humbucker. Scheme B is a higher output fat tone, not what you might expect from a Strat, but very useable in certain styles and works well with overdriven tones.

  • @bobbylloyd773
    @bobbylloyd773 Před rokem +1

    First time I’ve learned about this. Thanks, super informative! I love that there’s a way to get humbucker sound when needed without replacing my pickups. Definitely gonna get one of these!

  • @franktaconelli9095
    @franktaconelli9095 Před 3 lety +1

    Love this! Perfect timing as I am in the middle of a Strat build! As you said, a no brainer; just ordered it!

  • @picksalot1
    @picksalot1 Před 3 lety +5

    That is a very well thought out and designed switch. I once set up my Strat so I could get 7 pickup configurations using a 5-way switch and a blender knob. I found I had to think too much to remember what position produced which pickup combination, so I ultimately went back to a simpler wiring. I don't think I'd have that problem with the Stew-Mac 10-way Switch. Good demo of its versatility and ease of use. Thanks

    • @AlanCath
      @AlanCath Před rokem

      Haha I had the same concern

    • @Dreamdancer11
      @Dreamdancer11 Před rokem

      Lol actually in this one you have more to..remember(although its still a great mod) but a blender knob its easier,more flexible and still cheaper...cause if you think for example that the sound the bridge is a bit icepicky all you need to do is roll the knob a bit to bring a bit of the neck and its not all the neck but just the amount you need....

  • @rayschoch5882
    @rayschoch5882 Před 3 lety +5

    Good review, Darrell. The sounds are useful for a variety of music styles, and it's hard to beat the price to get those features.

  • @VPicksGuitarPicks
    @VPicksGuitarPicks Před rokem +1

    I have been using this switch for a couple of years now. WONDERFUL

  • @Exact3193
    @Exact3193 Před 3 lety

    I recently switched out my five-way switch on my 2019 Fender Stratocaster Performer with a factory push-pull knob. It came with seven tones. Now it has 10 tones and the switch company suggested I turn the push pull knob into a phase switch which I did. Thanks for the video, it inspired me to do it. Love the addition of the humbucker tones.

  • @duraidh7299
    @duraidh7299 Před 3 lety +8

    Nice piece of engineering. Very well thought and implemented.

  • @MrElopez55
    @MrElopez55 Před rokem

    Thank you so much for your insight, Darrell!! Thanks to you, I have one installed on my HSS Kramer. Lower row I use as a regular strat (all single coil sounds), The additional sounds I get from the upper row (humbucker sounds from both bridge and neck pickups, plus tele like single coil combinations and so much more!) are really nice sounding. So now (in addition to other mods I did too), my budget guitar has become a tone monster and my favorite one to play thanks to its multiple choice of pickups. Thanks!!!

  • @flyingbeaver57
    @flyingbeaver57 Před 3 lety

    Thanks for showing this, Darrell. It puts me in mind of a mod I copied from the 1980 Schecter Strats used by Mark Knopfler in Dire Straits. (He actually had 3 of them, I think - 2 red and one dark sunburst). Schecter used 3 small 3-position DP3T switches instead of the 5-way. Surprisingly, I had no trouble finding those from a U.S. manufacturer. When it was done, there was an amazing set of extra tones available. I did the same mod on a Greg Bennett "Malibu" strat from 2011, and added single-coil tapped-coil pickups. Those were hard to find; in the end I wound my own). With that, I also put in 1 Volume and 1 Tone pot, with push-pull DPDT switches to accessed still more sounds. It was actually not that hard to do - the most annoying part was that the 1V 1T pickguard I'd special-ordered came with a 5-way slot (although advertised as having no slot). A local trophy shop helped me out with a small rectangle of brass plate. I know most people don't want to get into wiring mods to that extent, but the result was worth it. Now, looks like I'll have to hunt up one of these. I hope that was $45 Canadian dollars . . .

  • @philh27
    @philh27 Před 3 lety +2

    Ingenious! Makes you wonder why someone hasn't done it before now.

  • @jonwright8672
    @jonwright8672 Před 3 lety +14

    You forgot to mention "Made in England" Darrell 👍

  • @davidkastin4240
    @davidkastin4240 Před 3 lety +1

    Ingenious switch. 💙 it. It has every position I've always wanted on one of my Strats.Thank you for this video.

  • @vincelicas2422
    @vincelicas2422 Před 3 lety +1

    i was just learning about 5-way telecaster wiring and now this!? love your videos!

  • @waynesallee8045
    @waynesallee8045 Před 3 lety +2

    I went immediately to stew Mac and bought that switch. Can’t wait!

  • @galahad38
    @galahad38 Před 3 lety +3

    5:10 Canadian mode activated
    great video DBG! :D

  • @roundersounds
    @roundersounds Před 3 lety +1

    This looks like a way nicer approach than the other way I've tried using a four pole 5-way switch and a push/pull pot. Push/pull is fiddly to switch, but this looks easy. Well thought out, it looks well executed, and what a bold idea to wiggle the switch in that direction!

  • @oleyorkie
    @oleyorkie Před 3 lety

    Never heard of this until I watched this video. 48 hours later I had one installed. It's awesome !!!

  • @Michael.Farrell
    @Michael.Farrell Před 3 lety +8

    Aaaaand looks like yet another project on my to-do list.

  • @Default.Studios.
    @Default.Studios. Před 3 lety +3

    7:40 is a tone I have always been curious about in a clean setting! Definitely saving my pennies for this switch just for that tone alone :)

  • @DarkWafflesOfDoom
    @DarkWafflesOfDoom Před 4 měsíci

    I watched a few videos on this and your was the best one at explaining. Thanks!

  • @albertoz6765
    @albertoz6765 Před 3 lety

    Just had my Strat Plus modified with the Freeway switch (it's actually easy to get one even on this side of the pond), along with a few other bits. Huge thank you Darrell, for demoing this clever bit of hardware! It plays amazingly, definitely a worthy upgrade. The tech who did the mod for me was so impressed he immediately ordered two for his own Strats 😁👍🏻

  • @valebliz
    @valebliz Před 3 lety +3

    Ordered one even before the video finished. Cures the damn strat bridge pup but you still have a full on strat.

  • @cf8979
    @cf8979 Před 3 lety +5

    Hardly into the video yet and i already know i NEED one of these

  • @lucasformyduval1994
    @lucasformyduval1994 Před 3 lety +1

    I’d just like to say that I feel like Darrell’s videos are underrated. He does such awesome stuff in his videos and experiments with such unique brands that are unheard of. It’s awesome to see him supporting these smaller companies instead of the generic legends that everyone else uses (including myself). I’m currently waiting on a custom Body and Neck from Warmoth so that I can build my dream guitar. Although, Warmoth is a pretty big name, Darrell’s experience with them is what made me take a chance on them. If you personally don’t like his videos then you’re entitled to your own opinion, I personally just really like what he’s doing. Thanks for all your videos Darrell! I hope to see you hit 1 mil Subscribers soon my dude.

  • @oslogutt80
    @oslogutt80 Před 3 lety +1

    Amazing. I will definitely put this in my strat. Great content as always.

  • @andrewferrell5090
    @andrewferrell5090 Před 3 lety +37

    Cool how you can get close to that Tele middle position sound

    • @GregWallis
      @GregWallis Před 3 lety +4

      If you're interested, I've got a Strat with an S1 switch, and when I select the bridge and neck pickup together it's surprisingly close to a Tele - truly a wonderful sound. So this Freeway selector might be a great idea if you already own a Strat.

    • @jtn191
      @jtn191 Před 3 lety +1

      I can get that with my 5 way switch. Just physically switch middle & bridge pickups, don't rewire anything and you've got it

    • @eukariootti1
      @eukariootti1 Před 2 lety

      "Just physically switch middle & bridge pickups" -->
      1.) M (relocated Bridge PU)
      2.) B and M (as original, except swapped places)
      3.) B (relocated Middle PU)
      4.) B and N (relocated M in Parallel with N)
      5.) N
      I haven't checked recent situation, but at least traditionally stock Strat lacks Tone for the Bridge Pickup. If so, here the Middle Pickup lacks the Tone. If needed, it's relatively easy mod to either change it back, or to include Tone for all pickups.
      When pickup totally lacks the Tone, it sounds little bit brighter and louder. Just like with Fender No-Load Tone, when it's clicked to its max position (No load = Tone is detached from the circuit).
      In some Strats, all pickups are identical. While in some others, they aren't.

  • @jbognap
    @jbognap Před 3 lety +10

    I'd love to see the 6-way switch installed in a double humbucker.

  • @irf888
    @irf888 Před 3 lety

    Hi. Many thanks again for this video. After watching it I bought 2 of the switches straight away, had to wait a few weeks for them to arrive located being down under. I just spent 3 hours installing it in my cheapest Strat first, taking the guard off at least 6 times before getting it right. It's amazing! In this guitar I run a Dimarzio tone zone in the bridge. The mod has given me all the Strat positions by automatically splitting the bridge humbucker to a singe coil (which I didn't have before), and then all the other serial and parallel combinations. Why it took me so long is modded my Strat 2nd tone to work on the bridge as well, this sent things askew. So in the end I made the 2nd tone work only for the bridge. Usually use the middle with either the neck or bridge anyway, so adjusting tone will be fine using t1 or 2. The Mother of all Strat mods. Thanks again as I would never had known about the switch without seeing your video. Regards.

  • @goonrick
    @goonrick Před rokem +2

    I love how when switched up to series (in either 1 or 5 position) there isn't a huge volume boost as there would be un-splitting coils on a humbucker. Amazing mod, for sure!

  • @johnryadsahib4351
    @johnryadsahib4351 Před 3 lety +3

    I literally just got mine installed and no lie....this makes a HUGE difference. It literally transforms the Stratocaster! Not only do you get the extra bank with 5 additional tones, it's a whole new guitar. Literally. And new position on the second bank is different. It's literally transforms the experience and is suited for any kind of music. In short, get it!

  • @MajRatbag
    @MajRatbag Před 3 lety +2

    tempted to pop one of those in my strat, it already has the S1 switching so I think I already have those options but it looks a lot easier to use.

    • @mirzallica
      @mirzallica Před 3 lety +1

      Same thoughts here... I need to check that diagram that came with my Strat to compare with this one here... :D

  • @halflovesband
    @halflovesband Před rokem

    Wow this is so cool! Loved the demo and especially how the mod settings reduce hum which has always been one of the main bummers about the otherwise great tones found in Strat bridge and neck settings. Cheers!

  • @skiprides8581
    @skiprides8581 Před rokem

    I've never heard of this mod. Absolutely amazing, thanks so much for sharing!

  • @seether99
    @seether99 Před 3 lety +3

    Awesome video! It didn’t seem like it in the video but did you notice much of a volume difference when you switched between the single coil positions and the in-series positions?

    • @AlanCath
      @AlanCath Před rokem

      I have the same question

  • @lunaleonem3378
    @lunaleonem3378 Před 3 lety +7

    These combinations look like the switching from the Ibanez AZ series.

    • @lunaleonem3378
      @lunaleonem3378 Před 3 lety +1

      @@sawyerc.6033 Oh you are talking about the HH version. I was talking about the HSS one, for me that's the best pickup combination. Your mod sound intresting but I would ad 2 more nobs so each pickup gets a volume and a tone.

  • @runningwithscissors0911

    WOW! Just LOVE it!! Soooo much better, I think, than a push-pull knob or a mini toggle. Must. Get. One. NOW. Thank you Darrell.

  • @KakuraZenom
    @KakuraZenom Před 3 lety

    Ordered one after seing your video, I have finally completed the installation and WOW that is awersome I feel having a brand new instrument out of my Fender Strat. Just try it you wont regret it !!

  • @soulofash2112
    @soulofash2112 Před 3 lety +3

    Well. I know what my MiM Strat is going to have on it by year's end.

  • @PaluGianni
    @PaluGianni Před 3 lety +3

    Darrell, tu est le meileur en fait de extravagance, :-)

  • @SidBonkers51
    @SidBonkers51 Před 3 lety

    Only just seen this after watching your tele Freeway switch video, cant believe Ive not heard about this mod before, its pure genius. Many thanks, off to Amazon now :)

  • @Sermondt
    @Sermondt Před 3 lety +1

    This is by far the coolest (guitar related) thing I saw this year! Great, Darrell, thanks!
    I'd like to know how it sounds with i.e. Texas Specials!
    And will you do a vid on how to install?
    Love ur channel!

  • @juyanine
    @juyanine Před 3 lety +5

    Almost perfect, but they still need to solve the treble roll-off when using in-series wirings due to 250k pots

    • @jeffsguitarrepair2498
      @jeffsguitarrepair2498 Před 3 lety +1

      I thought about that too, but there is no denying there is still ten useful sounds here.

    • @juyanine
      @juyanine Před 3 lety

      @@jeffsguitarrepair2498 Yes, I know. I use a "Fat-o-caster" switch on my partscaster and I believe this 10-way switch is a better alternative, but both would be better with a more advanced wiring. Using 2 single coils wired in series are very good for soloing, but doesn't work for power chords. In my next built I will try something with a 500k push/push pot and a 270k resistor. I know a HSS setting would be smarter, but I don't want to compromise the bridge+middle position, I think that's the most funky

    • @JohnShalamskas
      @JohnShalamskas Před 3 lety

      @@juyanine So you would put the 270k fixed resistor across the 500k pot to cut the impedance in half for single coils, but only when the switch enables it?

    • @JohnShalamskas
      @JohnShalamskas Před 3 lety +1

      Actually that would mean using a 500k resistor in parallel with 500k pot to get a 250k result. But why bother with that, just use the tone pot as a master tone and turn that up to reduce the treble on the "normal" positions due to the 500k volume pot.

  • @aaronmaiden3606
    @aaronmaiden3606 Před 3 lety +4

    Similar to fender s1 switch, but a more clever design

  • @EdmHistorEE
    @EdmHistorEE Před 3 lety

    Great stuff. Years ago in the late 80s, Guitar Player did the schematics for a "Super Switch" that replaced one of the tone knobs with a 4-way rotary switch that gave 8 new combinations in addition to the original 5. This is the same concept, but I like how it keeps everything looking "stock".

  • @EuropaMan
    @EuropaMan Před 10 měsíci

    Thanks Darrell for this excellent video. I'm picking up my guitar today with the upgraded mod. I can't wait to try it out.

  • @carsonstlh3998
    @carsonstlh3998 Před 3 lety +3

    me watching the entire thing going "that's so cool" over and over

  • @edcrows232
    @edcrows232 Před 3 lety +29

    Can't wait to leave comments like "Who was here before 1 mil?"

    • @jameswatts6512
      @jameswatts6512 Před 3 lety +4

      i was

    • @jameswatts6512
      @jameswatts6512 Před 3 lety +4

      his vids were great back then too

    • @ZaneDalton
      @ZaneDalton Před 3 lety +2

      This comment marks my place in history.

    • @edcrows232
      @edcrows232 Před 3 lety

      @@ZaneDalton people will tell their children about you

    • @erikthompson404
      @erikthompson404 Před 3 lety +1

      1,000,000th comment! Ooh my god, I can’t believe it’s actually me.!!

  • @WeirdErnie
    @WeirdErnie Před 3 lety

    I've just ordered a new custom strat from Warmoth. You convinced me that it needs to have this switch in it. Thanks!

  • @stephenguild5281
    @stephenguild5281 Před 3 lety

    Great video Darrell a great amount of tones can be had for cheap with switches!!!

  • @carloslourenco8130
    @carloslourenco8130 Před 3 lety +3

    This is like the former Fender S1 switch. No?

    • @filipkostovski873
      @filipkostovski873 Před 3 lety

      Similar thing. I have the S1 in my strat with a preamp. But the preamp is more of a voice/tone mod, that brightens and fattens the tone. And there's also no position to activate all 3 pickups. But with this added to the preamp, it could get even more interesting :)

  • @GoldenLionCarpark
    @GoldenLionCarpark Před 3 lety +15

    18 hrs later, they're completely sold out...

    • @JohnShalamskas
      @JohnShalamskas Před 3 lety

      The 6 position switches for Les Paul or Tele players is still in stock most places :-)

    • @roomofmirrorsbest
      @roomofmirrorsbest Před 3 lety

      They are back in stock! I just received their e mail notification

  • @donaldstier9747
    @donaldstier9747 Před 3 lety

    I already have a Freeway 3/6-way in a Modern Player Tele and have started a Strat SSH build with the Freeway 5/10-way. Love them!

  • @peterbishop9771
    @peterbishop9771 Před měsícem

    The switch is on order. This is really cool. Great video. Thank you.

  • @waldalwahsh7833
    @waldalwahsh7833 Před 3 lety +7

    u just turned your strat to a tele,a PRS 22 fret HH,and a HSS strat all in one bruh

  • @peterbishop9771
    @peterbishop9771 Před 9 dny

    The 10 way switch is AWESOME! Tele, Gibson, & Strat in one guitar. I have the Seymour Duncan Antiquity Texas Hot pickups and I am still discovering new sounds. It only cost me around $150.oo to have it installed. Thanks for the review.

  • @trevlocke1962
    @trevlocke1962 Před 3 lety

    Brilliant review as always, and i must get one of these switches, never knew about them until i saw this video yesterday.

  • @williamacuna3996
    @williamacuna3996 Před 11 měsíci

    What a great mod and demo! Thanks!

  • @Louis_Velliotes
    @Louis_Velliotes Před 3 lety

    That thing is killer man! Great demo of it!

  • @blaisevaughan5608
    @blaisevaughan5608 Před 3 lety

    I was already planning out a build that included this switch. I the title of this video, and I said out loud “they’re all gonna be sold out!!! Thanks Darrell.” It was a great video, but I was right about everything selling out.

  • @kenbunkley1167
    @kenbunkley1167 Před rokem +1

    I just added this to my 1989 Strat Plus Deluxe with silver, blue, & red Lace Sensor pickups. The 5 new sounds are all fantastic and I'm only beginning to see what they can do. Combined with the LR Braggs piezo I put in years ago, these new sound make my Strat as versatile as any guitar you can find. My PRS 513 is jealous.

  • @john-acellera
    @john-acellera Před 3 lety

    I’m blown away! What an amazing mod! I should do this in my future strat guitar, truly the strat is the best and versatile guitar! 🔥

  • @steveschenker1380
    @steveschenker1380 Před 3 lety

    This switch is simply perfect. Nothing gimmicky or goofy-looking; just double versatility. I will be buying one for my strat for sure.

  • @wosc
    @wosc Před 3 lety +1

    They also offer a 6-way version as a drop-in for a Gibson-style 3-way switch, which then offers some great options for coil-splittable humbuckers (e.g. PRS-style wiring, which has outer/inner coils in series or parallel). Such a great idea!

  • @zhou_sei
    @zhou_sei Před rokem

    really cool switch, awesome sounds

  • @racerdaveracerdave
    @racerdaveracerdave Před 3 lety

    Ok, I'm sold. Great video Daryl.