Stratocaster HSS to SSS

Rewqap

Hi all, 

I have a Fender Elite Stratocaster HSS that I’m looking to convert to SSS. What’s the easiest way to do this? I have a replacement pickguard already, and ideally I’d just swap the wiring across but I’m assuming that I can’t just swap the shawbucker for a single coil without changing the wiring? Would it be easier to buy a new wiring harness? If so, any tips on a good place to buy one would be great. 

Thanks in advance,

Nathan

Rewqap

Forgot to mention, it does currently have the S1 wiring. Cheers

prowla

A lot of Strats bodies were cut for either and some even have a big "swimming pool" trough, so it's just a matter of plonking the pickguard of your choosing on.

Funkfingers

The Elite Stratocaster will be routed HSH. 

Rewqap said:

I’m assuming that I can’t just swap the Shawbucker for a single coil without changing the wiring?

You assume correctly. The HSS circuit offers a slightly different set of coil permutations than the SSS circuit. 

Minor wiring conversion is still simpler than constructing a new harness from scratch. The connections on the underside of the S-1 pot switch differ. The following Fender schematic diagrams are out of date but they should give the general idea.

HSS - https://p4.zdassets.com/hc/theme_assets/549136/200076499/010-1590_92Aupg1_SISD.pdf

SSS - https://p4.zdassets.com/hc/theme_assets/549136/200076499/010-1200_02A_SISD.pdf

First things first. Photograph your stock wiring before altering anything.