HSS - Humbucker on the bridge and two single coils (middle and neck)

Oct 25, 2026

HSS switching systems are presented for a Stratocaster variant using a bridge humbucker together with two single coils (middle and neck). Five configurations (HSS1–HSS4) describe how standard switching and different humbucker-splitting methods can create fuller warmth, parallel combinations, and buzz-free operation. Detailed wiring and connection guidance is given for Megaswitch S and Megaswitch E, including required magnetic polarity and how to integrate the circuit with one tone control.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

HSS1. Standard switching, no Humbucker splitting, Megaswitch S

HSS2. Humbucker splitting via pickup selection switch, Megaswitch S

HSS3. Humbucker splitting via pickup selection switch, Megaswitch S

HSS4. New combinations with Megaswitch E

HSS HSS: Humbucker on the bridge and two single coils (middle and neck) Overview HSS1. Standard switching, no Humbucker splitting, Megaswitch S HSS2. Humbucker splitting via pickup selection switch, Megaswitch S HSS3. Humbucker splitting via pickup selection switch, Megaswitch S HSS4. New combinations with Megaswitch E HSS5. New combinations with Megaswitch E Detail drawing HSS1. Standard switching, no Humbucker splitting, Megaswitch S On some Stratocaster versions the bridge single coil is replaced by a Humbucker. In switching position 1 this creates a fuller sound with less brightness in the high end, more warmth in the mids and louder basses. A Megaswitch S is used here. If a buzz-free sound is required in position 4, both single coils must have opposing magnetic polarity. If you want to use this circuit in a guitar with only one tone control, then connect this to the right stop of the volume control (or contacts 4 and 8 on the Megaswitch S) . Switching functions: Electrical switching principle: Wiring diagram: Connections: Positions 1 bridge humbucker 2 bridge and mid parallel 3 mid 4 mid and neck parallel 5 neck Connections 1 mid hot wire 2 neck hot wire 3 bridge hot wire 4 to 8, output 5 tone pot mid 6 tone pot neck 7- 8 to 4, output ground all three cold wires HSS2. Humbucker splitting via pickup selection switch, Megaswitch S This is a variation on the HSS1 switching system. In position 2, the Humbucker is split; the outer coil remains in operating mode and the inner coil is short-circuited. This also works with the Megaswitch S. If a buzz-free sound is required in positions 2 and 4, the following magnetic polarity (from the bridge to the neck) is necessary: NS-S-N or SN-N-S. If you want to use this circuit in a guitar with only one tone control, then connect this to the right stop of the volume control (or contact 4 on the Megaswitch S) . Switching functions: Electrical switching principle: Wiring diagram: Connections: Positions 1 bridge humbucker 2 bridge outer coil and mid parallel 3 mid 4 mid and neck parallel 5 neck Connections 1 mid hot wire 2 neck hot wire 3 to 5, bridge hot wire inner coil 4 output 5 to 3, bridge hot wire inner coil 6- 7 bridge outer coil hot wire and inner coil cold wire 8- ground: bridge cold wire outer coil, mid and neck cold wire HSS3. Humbucker splitting via pickup selection switch, Megaswitch S This is a slight variation on the HSS2 switching system. Similar to the HSS2, the Humbucker is split in position 2. Here, the inner coil remains in operating mode. The coil closest to the bridge is shortcircuited onto the earth/ground. This also functions with the Megaswitch S. If a buzz-free sound is required in positions 2 and 4, the following magnetic polarity (from the bridge to the neck) is required: NS-N-S or SN-S-N. If you want to use this circuit in a guitar with only one tone control, then connect this to the right stop of the volume control (or contact 4 on the Megaswitch S) . Switching functions: Electrical switching principle: Wiring diagram: Connections: Positions 1 bridge humbucker 2 bridge inner coil and mid parallel 3 mid 4 mid and neck parallel 5 neck Connections 1 mid hot wire 2 neck hot wire 3 bridge hot wire inner coil 4 output 5 ground 6- 7 bridge outer coil hot wire and inner coil cold wire 8- ground: 5, bridge cold wire outer coil, mid and neck cold wire HSS4. New combinations with Megaswitch E With this switching system, the neck and the bridge pickups in position 3 are in operating mode, although the latter (the bridge pickup) is spilt. The inner coil remains in operating mode and the outer coil is open. In position 2 the Humbucker is split; the outer coil remains in operating mode and the inner coil is short-circuited. This enables a buzz-free sound in positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. The magnetic orientation of the coils (from the b

FAQs

What sound characteristics does HSS1 produce when the bridge single coil is replaced by a humbucker?

In switching position 1, it creates a fuller sound with less brightness in the high end, more warmth in the mids, and louder basses.

How can a buzz-free sound be achieved in HSS1 position 4?

Both single coils must have opposing magnetic polarity in position 4.

What differs between HSS2 and HSS3 regarding which humbucker coil is short-circuited?

HSS2 short-circuits the inner coil in position 2, leaving the outer coil active, while HSS3 short-circuits the coil closest to the bridge to earth/ground and keeps the inner coil in operating mode.

Oct 25, 2026

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