Seymour Duncan STK-S10 YJM Fury Signature Model for Strat

Today's pickup is a Seymour Duncan STK-S10B, the "B" indicating that it's meant to be installed in the bridge position of a Strat or similar guitar. Seymour Duncan also offers specific STK-S10 variants for neck and middle positions. STK-S10s are stock on the Fender Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster. Without going into too much detail, allow me to explain that STK-S10s are actually single coil-sized stacked humbuckers featuring Alnico 5 rod magnets, 4-conductor lead wire; and wax potting for "squeal free performance." Further information is available on the Seymour Duncan website. Now, since the pickup is already in my hands, let's take a closer look; shall we?

Mymozika Frankenstrat Build | Part One

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four

I seem to have a number of regular clients who are not only into run-of-the-mill kit builds; but also mix-and-match "Frankenstein" mutants. Fine with me, always give the client what he/she wants. I do get a thrill putting together one-of-a-kind instruments; such as the Frankenstrat Partscaster and Yamaha EG112C - OLP MM1 Hybrid.

So here we have an old Applause Strat copy, the body of which has been decorated front and back with Mymozika head honcho Wan's own sticker design. For those who aren't familiar with Mymozika, they're an up-and-coming local rock band. Do check out their Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

Back to the Applause, then. The sticker design is pretty intricate, and reminds me of the '60s for some reason. The body is all Wan wants retained. To complete this build, he's brought me a custom '70s Strat-style reverse-headstock Canadian hard rock maple neck, black pickguard, gold hardware; and three pickups. The neck and middle are from a Japanese Fender Stratocaster; while the bridge pickup is a used Fender SCN ST-BR Samarium Cobalt Noiseless.

As the leads on all three pickups are woefully short, I've removed them and soldered on longer hot (+) and ground (-) leads. And, for simplicity's sake, I've bridged the triangular and square solder terminals of the SCN for a common ground (black lead), and maintained the round terminal for the hot lead (white). 

At the owner's request, the stock black pickup covers on the neck and middle pickups have been swapped out for a pair of StewMac Parchment Pickup Covers for Strat. They do contrast nicely with the black pickguard, and more or less match the aged white SCN cover. Okay, that's taken care of. Now, on to the wiring.

I've upgraded the electronics with Alpha A250K pots, a Russian K73-16 0.022uF tone cap; and Neutrik/Rean NYS229 output jack. The neck and middle pickups work together well, and the middle is RWRP (reverse-wound, reverse-polarity) -- nice! So far so good; or so I think. Then, when I kick in the bridge pickup; all hell breaks loose. There's only the faintest of signals, drowned in hum and noise.

What do I do, what do I do? I decide to reverse the leads on the SCN. Now the square and round terminals are the common ground (black lead), and the triangular; hot (white lead). And, who would've guessed; the SCN is behaving as it should. No more weird noises and annoying hum. I heave a huge sigh of relief!

We've settled the wiring issue, but there's still lots more to be done. Do stay tuned for future updates on this Mymozika Frankenstrat Build. See ya real soon :)

Note: Fender®, Stratocaster®, Strat®, Telecaster®, Tele®, P Bass®, Precision Bass®, and the distinctive headstock designs of these guitars are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

 

2015 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker

Preamble
The inspection tag reads 'AM DLX STRAT HSS SHAW MN 3TSB' which translates into 'American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Maple Neck Three Tone Sunburst.' This Strat was sent in for a string change and setup. As I was granted permission to open her up, I did not waste the opportunity to have a look at the insides and take as many pictures as I could. It's not your run-of-the-mill Fender Strat, for sure; but ever having to work on the complicated electronics and wiring is not a task I would relish.

Specifications
Country of Origin: USA
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
Color: 3-Tone Sunburst
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Shape: Compound, modern "C" to "D"
Fretboard Radius: 9.5"-14" compound
Fretboard Material: Maple
Fretboard Inlay: Black pearloid dots
Number of Frets: 22, medium jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5"
Neck/Body Joint: Bolt-on, treble-side heel contour
Nut: LSR Roller Nut
Nut Width: 1.685"
Bridge: Two-point Synchronised Tremolo with pop-in arm
Saddles: Stainless steel
Tuners: Locking, staggered-height posts
Strap Buttons: Schaller Strap Lock
Switches: 5-Way Blade Switch, S-1™ Switch, Passing Lane Switch

Pickups
Bridge Pickup: Shawbucker™ Zebra
Middle Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Single-Coil Strat

Controls
Master Volume (with S-1™ Switch)
Tone 1 (Neck Pickup)
Tone 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickups)

Pickup Switching
Position 1: Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series
Position 2: Middle Pickup/Inside Coil of Humbucking Pickup in Parallel
Position 3: Middle Pickup Only
Position 4: Neck/Middle Pickup in Parallel
Position 5: Neck Pickup Only

S-1™ Switch
OFF: Normal Operation (pickups in parallel)
ON: Pickups in Series

Passing Lane Switch
OFF: Normal Operation
ON: Routes bridge pickup signal to the output jack, bypassing pickup selector, volume and tone circuitry

References
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker Review
Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker
Fender 2015 - American Deluxe Shawbucker Strat (Video)