Here’s the first in a series of articles on wiring mods for electric guitars.
One of the simplest mods on a Stratocaster is what has become known as the Gilmour Mod. This is a simple, popular trick that gives you 2 extra pickup combinations - sometimes called the “7-way” mod - by adding the neck pickup to whatever the 5-way switch is doing.
What it does
Adds the neck pickup when you flip a separate switch, so:
Gives 2 more usable combinations without altering the 5-way feel.
How people fit the switch
David Gilmour used a tiny toggle tucked next to the volume and first tone. The switch sits on a bracket under the pots so only the toggle shows - clean and subtle.
Alternatives to avoid drilling the pickguard: use a push-pull pot or a Fender S1 switch to keep a stock look.
A cool variation - blend control
Instead of an on/off switch, convert the second tone pot to a blend for the neck pickup. That lets you dial in how much neck pickup is added (not just all-or-nothing).
Then rewire the first tone pot to control tone for the middle and neck (or all three), depending on how you want the controls to behave.
Other options
You can wire the mod to switch the bridge pickup in/out instead of the neck. It doesn’t change the number of sounds - but it might suit you better.
Diagrams are abundant online, but if you’d rather not tackle soldering yourself, contact Rabbit Guitars - wiring mods are one of our specialties.
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