Duncan STK-S2 - User Manual

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Strat and Fender are registered trademarks of FMIC, with which Seymour Duncan is not afﬁliated.

We’re not just pickups anymore.

Seymour Duncan also makes super

cool stomp boxes. And our sister

company, D-TAR, is turning out some

really hip products for serious

acoustic guitarists (d-tar.com).

Visit seymourduncan.com

for additional wiring diagrams.

5427 hollister avenue, santa barbara, ca 93111

tel 805.964.9610 fax 805.964.9749

www.seymourduncan.com

Wiring Diagram for

Pickup Models:

The basic steps include:

1. Remove the old strings from your guitar.

2. Unscrew and remove the pickguard and carefully turn it over, taking care not to

scratch your guitar’s ﬁnish.

3. De-solder the original pickup’s wires and make sure to remember where they

were connected.

4. Remove the original pickup from the pickguard.

5. Put the Seymour Duncan pickup into the pickguard.

6. First tin and then solder the Seymour Duncan pickup wires in the same spot the

original pickup’s wires were connected.

7. Put the pickguard back in place, taking care to tuck in loose wires.

8. Re-string your guitar and adjust the pickup height so that your new pickup

balances with the other pickups in the guitar. The bridge pickup should be

between 1/8” and 1/16” from the strings, when they are pressed down at the

highest fret, and the neck and middle pickups should be adjusted to achieve the

best balance with the bridge pickup.

Congratulations on your purchase of a ﬁne, hand-built, Seymour Duncan electric guitar pickup! Installing

this pickup in your guitar isn’t rocket science. And, if you’re already handy with tools, it’ll be a snap for

you–and fun too! But if you have no experience handling red-hot soldering irons, you’d be well advised

to take your new pickup and your trusty guitar to a qualiﬁed guitar tech.

Coil Splitting

STK-S2 Hot Stack

for Strat

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Summary

Seymour Duncan Pickup Wiring Guide

STK-S2 Hot Stack Pickup Installation

Covers general installation steps and wiring for the STK-S2 Hot Stack pickup.

Coil Splitting Functionality

Explains the coil-splitting function enabled by the push/pull potentiometer for single-coil mode.

Advanced Pickup Wiring Configurations

Series;Parallel Wiring Mode

Illustrates series/parallel wiring for pickups, often used with a push/pull switch.

5-Way Super-Switch Settings

Details the function of a 5-way super-switch and its various pickup position settings.

Overview

Function Description
Important Technical Specifications (Derived from diagrams and text)
Usage Features
Maintenance Features

This document provides comprehensive instructions and diagrams for installing and wiring Seymour Duncan STK-S2 Hot Stack® pickups for Strat® guitars, along with general guidance for pickup installation and troubleshooting. It caters to both novice and experienced users, emphasizing ease of installation while also recommending professional assistance for those uncomfortable with soldering.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Seymour Duncan STK-S2 Hot Stack® pickup is to replace or upgrade existing guitar pickups, specifically for Stratocaster-style guitars. These pickups are designed to enhance the guitar's tone, providing a "hotter" output and hum-canceling capabilities, which is particularly beneficial for single-coil configurations that are typically susceptible to hum. The wiring diagrams illustrate how to achieve various tonal options, including full hum-canceling, split (single-coil), and series/parallel configurations, offering significant versatility to the guitarist. The push/pull pot wiring allows for on-the-fly switching between full hum-canceling and split modes, effectively giving the player access to both humbucker-like power and traditional single-coil clarity.

Important Technical Specifications (Derived from diagrams and text):

Pickup Model: STK-S2 Hot Stack® for Strat®
Wiring Configuration: 4-conductor wiring (Black, Red, White, Green, and Bare) for maximum versatility.
Potentiometer Values: The diagrams consistently specify 250k potentiometers for Volume and Tone controls. This is a common value for single-coil pickups, providing a balanced tone without excessive brightness.
Capacitor Value: A .047µF capacitor is indicated for the tone control, a standard value for Stratocaster-style guitars, contributing to a smooth roll-off of high frequencies.
Switching Options:
- Coil Splitting: Achieved via a 250k push/pull potentiometer.
  - UP position: Split (single coil)
  - DOWN position: Full (hum-canceling)
- 5-Way Selector Switch: Standard for Stratocaster-style guitars, allowing selection of individual pickups or combinations.
- 5-Way Super-Switch: For more advanced wiring, enabling complex series/parallel and split combinations.
Output Jack: Standard mono output jack (Tip for hot output, Sleeve for ground).
Grounding: All ground connections (indicated by "Solder" symbols) are crucial for noise reduction and proper circuit operation. Green and bare wires from all pickups are typically soldered to a common ground point, often on the back of a potentiometer.

Usage Features:

Versatile Tonal Options: The STK-S2 Hot Stack® pickups, combined with the provided wiring diagrams, offer a wide range of tonal possibilities.
- Full Hum-Canceling Mode: Provides a thicker, higher-output sound similar to a humbucker, with the added benefit of eliminating 60-cycle hum. This is ideal for high-gain applications or situations where noise is a concern.
- Split (Single Coil) Mode: Replicates the classic bright, articulate tone of a traditional single-coil pickup, suitable for clean tones, funk, and blues. The push/pull pot makes this transition seamless.
- Series/Parallel Wiring: For advanced users, the series/parallel options (especially with a super-switch or mini-toggle) allow for further sonic sculpting, offering different output levels and tonal characteristics from the same pickup. Series wiring typically yields a fatter, higher-output sound, while parallel wiring offers a brighter, lower-output tone.
Compatibility: Designed specifically for Strat® guitars, ensuring a direct fit into standard pickguards.
User-Friendly Installation Guide: The document provides a step-by-step guide for pickup replacement, making the process accessible even for those with limited experience. It covers everything from removing old strings to adjusting pickup height.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Out-of-Phase Issues: If two pickups sound "thin and wimpy" when used together, the document advises reversing the black and green wires of the Seymour Duncan pickup (black to ground, green to selector switch) if combining with Fender® pickups. This addresses common phase cancellation problems.
- Online Resources: Seymour Duncan offers free installation videos and a User Group Forum for additional support and troubleshooting.
Pickup Height Adjustment: Critical for balancing the output between pickups and achieving optimal tone. The guide provides specific recommendations: bridge pickup between 1/8" and 1/16" from the strings (when pressed at the highest fret), with neck and middle pickups adjusted for balance.

Maintenance Features:

Durable Construction: Seymour Duncan pickups are known for their hand-built quality, implying robust construction that minimizes the need for frequent maintenance.
Soldering Skills Required: While the installation guide is user-friendly, it explicitly states that handling "red-hot soldering irons" is involved. Proper soldering techniques are essential for reliable connections and long-term performance. Poor soldering can lead to intermittent signals, noise, or complete circuit failure.
Regular Inspection: Although not explicitly stated as a maintenance feature, the nature of guitar electronics suggests that periodic inspection of wiring connections, especially soldered joints, can prevent future issues. Loose connections can develop over time due to vibrations and temperature changes.
Professional Assistance Recommended: For users uncomfortable with soldering or complex wiring, the document strongly recommends taking the guitar and new pickup to a "qualified guitar tech." This ensures proper installation, prevents damage to the guitar or pickup, and guarantees optimal performance. This is a key maintenance-related recommendation, as incorrect installation can lead to costly repairs.
Cleanliness: While not directly mentioned, keeping the guitar's electronics cavity clean and free of debris can prevent potential short circuits or interference. Tucking in loose wires, as mentioned in step 7 of the basic installation, is also a good practice for preventing accidental damage or interference.

In summary, this manual serves as a comprehensive resource for guitarists looking to upgrade their Stratocaster with Seymour Duncan STK-S2 Hot Stack® pickups. It not only guides them through the installation process but also empowers them to explore a wide array of tonal possibilities through detailed wiring diagrams and troubleshooting advice, all while emphasizing the importance of proper technique or professional assistance for optimal results and longevity.