"Possibility" - Pearl White - HSH - Stratocaster

[HumanisHappy]

Hi everyone! The journey begins! I just placed my orders yesterday for my dream pearl white Stratocaster build! I’m beyond excited to call this guitar "Possibility" because, well, I’m totally new to this and it’s a whole new adventure. A little nervous, a lot excited, and absolutely thrilled.

Parts list:

Part	Description
Body	Stratocaster
Neck	Stratocaster
Tuners	Schaller M6 Locking Guitar Tuners, 6-In-Line Set - Black, Left Side
String Tree	String Retainers for Guitars, Pair-Black
Strap Buttons	Oversized Strap Buttons
Strap Button Felt	Felt Washers - Black
Pickup 1 - Bridge	Humbucker - Seymour Duncan Invader
Pickup 2 - Middle	P90 - Seymour Duncan Custom P90, Bridge
Pickup 3 - Neck	Humbucker - Seymour Duncan Sentient
Humbucker Pickup Mounting Ring	Metal Humbucker Mounting Ring - Black
Neck Plate	Neck Plate
Neck Plate Pad	Neck Plate Pad
Neck Plate Screws	Neck Screws-Black
Bridge	Hipshot Hardtail Bridge-Black
Wiring	Wiring Kit for Guitar or Bass
920D Custom Bourns 500k Potentiometer	920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft
920D Custom Knobs	920D Custom Dome-top Knurled Metal Knobs - Black (3-pack)
5-Way Switch Screws	Blade Switch and Pickup Mounting Screws, Countersunk - Black
5-Way Switch	CRL 5-Way Blade Switch
Output Jack Plate	Gotoh JCB-4 Square-shaped 4-screw Jack Plate - Black
Output Jack	Pure Tone PTT1BN Pure Tone Mono Output Jack - Black Nickel
Copper Shielding Sheet	Copper Shielding Sheet - 8" x 12"
Copper Shielding Tape	Copper Shielding Tape - 2" x 24"
Capacitor - Humbuckers	Emerson Custom Paper in Oil Tone Capacitor - 0.022uf Yellow and Cream
Capacitor - P90	Emerson Custom Paper in Oil Tone Capacitor - 0.047uf Red and Cream
Free-way 5B5-02 5 Way 10 Position Blade Switch	Free-Way 5B5-01 10-position Blade switch

Total: Priceless!

Body:

Feature	Details
SKU	GB-S
Construction	Solid
Core Wood	Swamp Ash (1-piece)
Lam Top Wood	No Lam Top
Right / Left Handed	Right-Handed
Control Cavity	Rear Rout
Neck Pickup Rout	Humbucker
24 Fret Reposition	No
Middle Pickup Rout	P90
Bridge Pickup Rout	Humbucker
Controls	Volume 1, Tone 1, Tone 2, Blade Switch
Jack Rout	7/8" (22mm) Side Jack Hole
Bridge Rout Type	Hardtail
Bridge Rout	Hipshot Hardtail Bridge
Mounting Holes	Standard 4-Bolt
Neck Pocket Shape	Strat®
Body Contours	Forearm Contour, Tummy Cut
Battery Box	None
Paint Category	Metallic
Top Color	White Pearl
Back Color	White Pearl
Satin or Gloss	Gloss

Neck:

Feature	Specification
SKU	GN-S
Construction	Modern
Shaft Wood	3A Birdseye Maple
Fretboard Wood	3A Birdseye Maple
Nut Width	1-3/4" (44mm) - Wide
Right / Left Handed	Right-Handed
Neck Back Profile	D
Fretboard Radius	9.5" - 14" Compound
Number of Frets	22
Scallops	None
Binding	Pearloid Binding
Fret Size & Material	SS6100 - Jumbo (Stainless)
Tuner Hole Size	Schaller/Modern Fender/Sperzel (25/64")
Inlay Shape	Split Block
Inlay Material	White Pearloid
Side Dots	Luminlay w/ Black
String Nut	Earvana Nut - GraphTech White TUSQ XL
Mounting Holes	Standard 4-Bolt
Neck Heel Shape	Strat® Shape
Finish	Clear Satin Nitro

 

[HumanisHappy]

To get:
Black Ferrules
Solder
Backplate Cover
Wiring Diagram(Definitely need help with this).

 

[stratamania]

Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[ragamuffin]

That's an interesting selection of pickups!

 

[HumanisHappy]

That's an interesting selection of pickups!

I thought so myself! I'm sure many folks will shake their head at it. and the capacitors I am sure!

 

[Strat Avenger]

I like hardtail Strats (I have 2). You must have big hands.

 

[Spud]

Hi everyone! The journey begins! I just placed my orders yesterday for my dream pearl white Stratocaster build! I’m beyond excited to call this guitar "Possibility" because, well, I’m totally new to this and it’s a whole new adventure. A little nervous, a lot excited, and absolutely thrilled.

Parts list:

Part	Description
Body	Stratocaster
Neck	Stratocaster
Tuners	Schaller M6 Locking Guitar Tuners, 6-In-Line Set - Black, Left Side
String Tree	String Retainers for Guitars, Pair-Black
Strap Buttons	Oversized Strap Buttons
Strap Button Felt	Felt Washers - Black
Pickup 1 - Bridge	Humbucker - Seymour Duncan Invader
Pickup 2 - Middle	P90 - Seymour Duncan Custom P90, Bridge
Pickup 3 - Neck	Humbucker - Seymour Duncan Sentient
Humbucker Pickup Mounting Ring	Metal Humbucker Mounting Ring - Black
Neck Plate	Neck Plate
Neck Plate Pad	Neck Plate Pad
Neck Plate Screws	Neck Screws-Black
Bridge	Hipshot Hardtail Bridge-Black
Wiring	Wiring Kit for Guitar or Bass
920D Custom Bourns 500k Potentiometer	920D Custom Bourns 500k Push-pull Potentiometer - 3/8-inch Short Split Shaft
920D Custom Knobs	920D Custom Dome-top Knurled Metal Knobs - Black (3-pack)
5-Way Switch Screws	Blade Switch and Pickup Mounting Screws, Countersunk - Black
5-Way Switch	CRL 5-Way Blade Switch
Output Jack Plate	Gotoh JCB-4 Square-shaped 4-screw Jack Plate - Black
Output Jack	Pure Tone PTT1BN Pure Tone Mono Output Jack - Black Nickel
Copper Shielding Sheet	Copper Shielding Sheet - 8" x 12"
Copper Shielding Tape	Copper Shielding Tape - 2" x 24"
Capacitor - Humbuckers	Emerson Custom Paper in Oil Tone Capacitor - 0.022uf Yellow and Cream
Capacitor - P90	Emerson Custom Paper in Oil Tone Capacitor - 0.047uf Red and Cream

Total: Priceless!

Body:

Feature	Details
SKU	GB-S
Construction	Solid
Core Wood	Swamp Ash (1-piece)
Lam Top Wood	No Lam Top
Right / Left Handed	Right-Handed
Control Cavity	Rear Rout
Neck Pickup Rout	Humbucker
24 Fret Reposition	No
Middle Pickup Rout	P90
Bridge Pickup Rout	Humbucker
Controls	Volume 1, Tone 1, Tone 2, Blade Switch
Jack Rout	7/8" (22mm) Side Jack Hole
Bridge Rout Type	Hardtail
Bridge Rout	Hipshot Hardtail Bridge
Mounting Holes	Standard 4-Bolt
Neck Pocket Shape	Strat®
Body Contours	Forearm Contour, Tummy Cut
Battery Box	None
Paint Category	Metallic
Top Color	White Pearl
Back Color	White Pearl
Satin or Gloss	Gloss

Neck:

Feature	Specification
SKU	GN-S
Construction	Modern
Shaft Wood	3A Birdseye Maple
Fretboard Wood	3A Birdseye Maple
Nut Width	1-3/4" (44mm) - Wide
Right / Left Handed	Right-Handed
Neck Back Profile	D
Fretboard Radius	9.5" - 14" Compound
Number of Frets	22
Scallops	None
Binding	Pearloid Binding
Fret Size & Material	SS6100 - Jumbo (Stainless)
Tuner Hole Size	Schaller/Modern Fender/Sperzel (25/64")
Inlay Shape	Split Block
Inlay Material	White Pearloid
Side Dots	Luminlay w/ Black
String Nut	Earvana Nut - GraphTech White TUSQ XL
Mounting Holes	Standard 4-Bolt
Neck Heel Shape	Strat® Shape
Finish	Clear Satin Nitro

BIIIG neck!

 

[Hagwood]

Looks like a nice plan - will look forward to following the progress.

 

[Rick]

That's my kind of guitar! Will be watching!

 

[HumanisHappy]

The first small order of items has arrived! Hopefully, another one will arrive tomorrow. Also, I think I have the wiring diagram. I'm going to make it a bit clearer using DIY Layout Creator.

Now that I’m actually doing this thing, I keep having random thoughts like, 'Did I order that part right?' or 'Oh sheesh, what am I going to do if it doesn’t fit?' etc. lol!

 

[HumanisHappy]

Up early thinking about string ferrules. Does anyone know what size hole is pre-drilled for them?

Edit: It seems like the pre-drilled holes is 5/16” or 7.95mm, but I am not 100% as of yet. This just seems to be the consensus.

I’m not sure if these Gotoh TLB-1’s will work or not.

 

[HumanisHappy]

More parts!!! I think only ferrules will be next, and then all the stuff I ordered with the body/neck. + solder

 

[HumanisHappy]

The wiring I’m planning to use is shown below, from the Free-Way Switch folks. I’m not sure what I’ll do with the pull function on the three pots yet. I'm open to ideas. I'm not very good at understanding how this stuff is wired. I'm trying to learn, but this is where I’m at right now. I haven't decided if I will do the G3 to GD terminal link to split the inner single coils. I originally had a local tech draw up a schematic for me, but it's rough(to me) to read. I went into DIY Layout Creator last night, and there wasn't push/pull pots in the selection so it kinda threw a wrench into that. Evidently, I could put a DPDT switch there in the creator and it's essentially the same thing. I have yet to try this, but I still might too. Just takes time. I've been speaking with a fellow member through DM, and they have been helpful. I won't name them here, but thank you so much!

 

[stratamania]

I haven't decided if I will do the G3 to GD terminal link to split the inner single coils.

If you are using that Freeway switch, I am not sure what you plan to do with the push pulls. You could for example use a push pull for the G3 to GD for position 3, when it is engaged to take the G3 to GD and when it is not you would have position 3 as B + N humbuckers.

 

[HumanisHappy]

If you are using that Freeway switch, I am not sure what you plan to do with the push pulls. You could for example use a push pull for the G3 to GD for position 3, when it is engaged to take the G3 to GD and when it is not you would have position 3 as B + N humbuckers.

That sounds awesome! I honestly wouldn’t have the slightest how to wire that up though. I’ve timed out on ChatGPT so many times trying to get a wiring schematic. I’m hoping to try to do Seymour Duncan’s free course ASAP to try to get a handle on all this. Would you happen to know how to wire that up?

 

[stratamania]

That sounds awesome! I honestly wouldn’t have the slightest how to wire that up though. I’ve timed out on ChatGPT so many times trying to get a wiring schematic. I’m hoping to try to do Seymour Duncan’s free course ASAP to try to get a handle on all this. Would you happen to know how to wire that up?

Yes, I do know and it is not difficult.

The first thing though is you need to map the SD wiring colours to the ones that Freeway use.

Report back and we can help you out.

 

[Tretgeraet]

If you are using that Freeway switch, I am not sure what you plan to do with the push pulls. You could for example use a push pull for the G3 to GD for position 3, when it is engaged to take the G3 to GD and when it is not you would have position 3 as B + N humbuckers.

This is kinda funny, 'cos that 10 pos switch would already be way too much for me, but my brain still has ideas on "how to make it worse?":

How about using the other push pulls for series/parallel of the humbuckers?

 

[stratamania]

This is kinda funny, 'cos that 10 pos switch would already be way too much for me, but my brain still has ideas on "how to make it worse?":

How about using the other push pulls for series/parallel of the humbuckers?

Theoretically that could be done, but with the 5b5-02 I am not sure in all positions how that would interact. In some of them it would be fine.

On the 5B5-01 it would work. Update it will work.

 

[Rick]

The few times I have had a wiring question about a Freeway switch I sent Alistair at Freeway an email, with the schematic from his website that might work, and ask him if it can be tweaked to the way I want it. At least 50% of the time it can be done, and he sends me back a diagram. They'll get back to you within two business days. Their address is on their website. Unlike stratman whose really knowledgeable, I'm not too good when it comes to how electricity flows, but I can follow the diagrams from Freeway and they are always correct.

 

[HumanisHappy]

The few times I have had a wiring question about a Freeway switch I sent Alistair at Freeway an email, with the schematic from his website that might work, and ask him if it can be tweaked to the way I want it. At least 50% of the time it can be done, and he sends me back a diagram. They'll get back to you within two business days. Their address is on their website. Unlike stratman whose really knowledgeable, I'm not too good when it comes to how electricity flows, but I can follow the diagrams from Freeway and they are always correct.

Thank you so much for the advice. I did email them and received a diagram! I still need to convert it to Seymour Duncan wiring colors. I’ve started a few times but got stuck.

I’m trying to figure out whether the yellow circles indicate wires grounded to the pot or if they’re just wired together. The other thing that’s driving me crazy is the bottom-right pot with the criss-crossing wires. I’m not sure my soldering skills are up to that. lol!

I’m still not completely sold on this one. I like the one I put in here before so I might actually go with it and lean on stratamania’s help. It is cool though that they provided a diagram for 3 push/pulls.