Cool Rails For Strat

[stratman1994]

Ok so I just got my Cool Rail for my MIM 1994 Strat (SSS). And I was wondering if I need to route the body or make any mods to the body or if I can just pop it in. Also I have been reading some other threads and posts but I`m not sure if I need to install a 500k pot instead of the original 250k pot. This is the first upgrade i do to the electronics. I`m new to all this and I need some help with this. Thanks in advance.
-stratman1994

[Gearjoneser]

You'll be fine, just throwing the Cool Rails in there without changing the electronics.

However, if you use a real humbucker at the bridge and use the Cool Rails as the neck or neck and middle, then 500K pots becomes a better idea.

One thing I've done on all my strats, which I wish I'd done years ago, is rewiring the stock electronics to Eric Johnson wiring. Then, your 2nd knob is neck tone, and 3rd knob is bridge tone. No middle tone.

I like that best, so I can dial in the bridge pickup to taste while leaving the neck and middle full up.

[hareek]

You'll be fine, just throwing the Cool Rails in there without changing the electronics.

However, if you use a real humbucker at the bridge and use the Cool Rails as the neck or neck and middle, then 500K pots becomes a better idea.

One thing I've done on all my strats, which I wish I'd done years ago, is rewiring the stock electronics to Eric Johnson wiring. Then, your 2nd knob is neck tone, and 3rd knob is bridge tone. No middle tone.

I like that best, so I can dial in the bridge pickup to taste while leaving the neck and middle full up.

Aren't strats wired this way to begin with? My '99 American standard has the volume knob right below the high E, next is the tone for the neck pickup, and then the tone knob for the bridge pickup. The middle pickup is the one not connected to a tone pot, and I've seen re-wiring diagrams out there that let you connect this pickup to one of the tone pots if you wish.

[stratman1994]

Thanks Gearjoneser. And hareek... um my strat is a made in mexico so I`m not sure but thanks I`m going to look that up.

[Edgecrusher]

Aren't strats wired this way to begin with? My '99 American standard has the volume knob right below the high E, next is the tone for the neck pickup, and then the tone knob for the bridge pickup. The middle pickup is the one not connected to a tone pot, and I've seen re-wiring diagrams out there that let you connect this pickup to one of the tone pots if you wish.

I think it might be dependent on the strat. My MIJ 62 reissue and my MIJ pink paisley reissue were both set up so that the first knob is volume next is the neck pickup tone and next is the middle pickup tone with no tone control on the bridge at all.

[hareek]

I think it might be dependent on the strat. My MIJ 62 reissue and my MIJ pink paisley reissue were both set up so that the first knob is volume next is the neck pickup tone and next is the middle pickup tone with no tone control on the bridge at all.

Interesting, I've honestly never played a strat wired this way (Fender, Squier, copy cats). Maybe it's a Japan thing?

[Edgecrusher]

Interesting, I've honestly never played a strat wired this way (Fender, Squier, copy cats). Maybe it's a Japan thing?

I always thought it was associated with any of the vintage notstalgia ones. You only have to move 1 wire and the middle tone control also works for the bridge.

[hareek]

You only have to move 1 wire and the middle tone control also works for the bridge.

Yeah it's an easy mod. I've seen it for the other way around too where you you can connect the middle pickup to the tone pot that's wired to the bridge so the tone pot controls both pickups.

[stratman1994]

Whoa that sounds awesome! My first tone knob controls the middle pickup and my second tone knob controls the neck position. I was also thinking about installing a on/on/on switch so my cool rails can be both single and a humbucker.