Strat® Install

Install guides and advice for your ObsidianWire Strat® harness
A close up shot of the switch, tone and volume controls on a Fender stratocaster. The image shows out of focus pedals in the back ground.

  • Easy. Not Instant.

    For a secure connection, take your time, and follow directions carefully.

Install Info:

Below you will find:

  • Layout Guide
  • Wiring Diagrams
  • Install Instructions
  • Demo Videos
  • Links to More Help
 Download Manual
ObsidianWire Control hole layout / hole spacing diagram for Stratocaster

Will It Fit?

Layout Guide:

Fits most genuine Fender MIM and MIA Stratocasters

Fits most Squier and Fender Japan Strats // Requires hole size and knob adjustments (9.52mm Hole & 24 Spline Knobs) Push Pull loaded harnesses require full size cavity (min depth - 33mm)

Always Check Hole Layout

  • Hole Size: 9.52mm (3/8”)
  • Cavity Depth: Minimum 34.5mm (1.3”) // (30mm depth required around push/pull pots)
  • Knob Size:  Use Split Shaft 24 Spline US SPEC ONLY
  • Switch Tip (Oak Type): Imperial / US Spec / Oak / CRL type
  • Switch Tip (Schaller Type - as used on Custom HSS // HSH) Schaller Tip

DOWNLOAD LAYOUT GUIDE

Wiring Diagrams:

Match your wiring diagram to your Pro-Wired Electronics model.

Check carefully.

Notes:

  • Slot 1 - Always Closest to Jack
  • Spare ground wires go to screw down connector
  • Ground all metal parts including tremolo / bridge and cavity sheilding

  • Blender 250k // Custom 7 G2 // Vintage G2

    1 = Spare Ground
    2 = Spare Ground
    3 = Output Jack Black
    4 = Output Jack White
    5 = Neck Ground
    6 = Neck Hot
    7 = Middle Ground
    8 = Middle Hot
    9 = Bridge Ground
    10 = Bridge Hot

    All other ground wires to screw down ground connector

  • Blender G2 // Universal Blender

    1 = Output Jack Black
    2 = Output Jack White
    3 = Neck Ground
    4 = Neck Hot
    5 = Neck Series 1
    6 = Neck Series 2
    7 = Middle Ground
    8 = Middle Hot
    9 = Middle Series 1
    10 = Middle Series 2
    11 = Bridge Ground
    12 = Bridge Hot
    13 = Bridge Series 1
    14 = Bridge Series 2

    All other ground wires - to screw down ground connector

    For two wires pickups - leave SERIES slots empty

  • CUSTOM HSS / HSH GEN2

    1 = Output Jack Black
    2 = Output Jack White
    3 = Neck Pickup Ground
    4 = Neck Pickup Hot
    5 = Neck Pickup Series 1
    6 = Neck Pickup Series 2
    7 = Middle Pickup Ground
    8 = Middle Pickup Hot
    9 = Bridge Pickup Ground
    10 = Bridge Pickup Hot
    11 = Bridge Pickup Series 1
    12 = Bridge Pickup Series 2

    All other ground wires to screw down ground connector

    Two Wire Bridge & Neck Pickups - Leave 'Series' slots empty

  • Lambertones HSS

    1 = Output Jack Black
    2 = Output Jack White
    3 = Neck Ground
    4 = Neck Hot
    5 = Middle Ground
    6 = Middle Hot
    7 = Bridge Ground
    8 = Bridge Hot
    9 = Bridge Series 1
    10 = Bridge Series 2

    All other ground wires to screw down ground connector

    Info Sheet

  • CUSTOM HH

    1 = Output Jack Black
    2 = Output Jack White
    3 = Neck Ground
    4 = Neck Hot
    5 = Neck Series 1
    6 = Neck Series 2
    7 = Bridge Ground
    8 = Bridge Hot
    9 = Bridge Series 1
    10 = Bridge Series 2

    All other ground wires to screw down ground connector

Install Instructions:

  • 1) Prepare your space & set aside some time

    • A clean install is a good install
    • Take your time, and be precise
    • Wiring parts can be fragile. Be gentle.

    You will need

    • Wire cutters
    • Fine tip flat head screw driver
    • Phillips head screw driver for switch screws
    • Crescent or socket for potentiometer nuts

  • 2) Remove Your Old Wiring Harness

    • Cut the pickup, and ground wires from your old harness, and remove it from your bass.
    • Cut as close to the old harness as possible to maintain the length of your wires.
    • Remove the harness from your pickguard

  • 3) Mount your new Wiring harness to the pickguard

    • Use the hardware provided to install your new harness
    • DO NOT remove the nuts that come pre-loaded on your harness. These act as a spacer between your harness and the pickguard

  •  

    4) Find Your Wiring Diagram

    • Find the correct diagram for your Strat® & Harness above.
    • Ensure the diagram is the correct one for the harness you are installing.
    Download Manual
  •  

    5) Identify Your Pickup Wires

    • For most pickups:
      Hot = White
      Ground = Black
    • For different pickups you can check our pickup wire guide below, or check with the manufacturers install manual

    Pickup Color Codes

  • 6) Prepare Your Wires

    • Take your time & be precise
    • Strip pickup and ground wire insulation leaving 6mm (1/4”) of bare wire.
    • Twist loose strands of wire between your fingers to create a firm tip.
    • Cleanly prepared wires are essential for a good connection

  •  

    7) Press & Hold Connector Button

    • Use a fine screw driver to press and hold the connector button above the wire slot.
    • This opens an internal clamp so the wire can be inserted to the slot.
    • For a full guide on using the solder-less connectors, check below
    Connector Guide

  • 8) Insert Wire & Release Button

    • Insert the wire at a 45° angle.
    • Insert all of the exposed section of wire (6mm or 1/4")
    • Release the button and the wire should hold firmly.
    • Test the wire by giving it a gentle pull before moving on to the next wire.
    • Your solderless connector is made to fit a range of wire sizes, from standard Fender cloth wire down to tiny Seymour Duncan style wires

  • 9) Install knobs & Switch Tip

    • Use The correct size knobs & tips
    • Use Only US spec / imperial knobs (24 spline or spline-less)
    • Take time to align the knob splines
    • Press gently
    • Support the pot base as you press on the knob
    • Never force a tight knob, as this can damage the pot

  • 10) Mount your pickguard & String up for testing

    • Be careful to ensure that all wires are neatly tucked in to the cavity
    • Ensure that the switch and jack does not connect with the cavity wall as this can cause the signal to round out
    • Ensure that there is enough clearance at the bottom of the cavity, so the switch does not ground out on the cavity floor

Mode Switches

  • Treble Bleed Switch

    • The Gen 2 version of our ST Vintage and ST Custom 7 Way wiring for Strat features a 'Treble Bleed' switch
    • Turn this 'OFF' for a traditional Stratocaster volume control. This will roll off treble as you roll back the volume control.
    • Turn this 'ON' for treble retention at lower volumes, and a smoother volume control function.
    • For most installs, we reccomend the 'ON' setting.

  • Intelligent 'Mode' Switching

    Our ST Custom HSS G2 and ST Custom Blender G2 wiring features a 'Mode' switch, which allows you to perfectly optimize your wiring for different pickup setups.

    Easily optimize the wiring for your pickups.

    • SSS / 250k  For three single coils or most single coil sized humbuckers
    • HSS / Intelligent Switching (auto switches between 250k & 500k)
    • HHH / 500k For any pickup where more treble and output is required
    • HSH / Intelligent Switching (auto switches between 250k & 500k)

    Note: The ST Custom HSS has options for HSS & HSH only.

  • Coil Split Tuning

    The ST Custom Lambertones and ST Custom HH6 G2 feature coil split tuneability which allows you to achieve a full or partial split of your humbuckers

    • Set to 'Loud' for a reduced partial split and a louder, fuller single coil sound
    • Set to 'quiet' for a full traditional split, and a quieter, more treble heavy sound
    • The switch can be set anywhere between the two points for fne tuning

Install Videos:

The below demo videos are model specific. Always use the correct wiring diagram for your wiring model.

Custom Blender // Vintage

ST Custom HSS - Gen 1

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