Stratocaster Wiring Diagram

The standard wiring for three single coil pickups, a 5-way switch, one volume and two tones. Use the full circuit to rewire or modify a guitar, or see how our ST-style kits plug together with no soldering.
  • 3 single coils
  • 5-way switch
  • 1 volume, 250K
  • 2 tones, 250K

Full circuit diagram

Swipe sideways to see the whole diagram.

Full circuit diagramNeck pickupMiddle pickupBridge pickupNeckMiddleBridgeCommon5-wayswitch123Volume250K B123Tone 1250K A123Tone 2250K ACapCapOutputjackTipSleeveBridge ground: tremolo clawShared ground: one connection, usually the back of the volume pot
  • Hot (signal)
  • Ground
  • Tone capacitor, typically 0.022–0.047 µF

Pots are shown from the back, with the lugs on top and numbered 1 to 3. Volume is 250K B and the tones are 250K A. Wires in your guitar may not match the red and black used here, so follow what each wire does. The order of the lugs varies between switch makers, so check yours with a multimeter before soldering.

Left-handed guitar? The circuit is the same: only the positions of the parts change.

Stratocaster wiring diagram: three single coil pickups, 5-way switch, one 250K volume and two 250K tonesOpen the diagram as an image

What each switch position does

PositionPickups onTone control connected
1: BridgeBridgeNone
2: Bridge + middleBridge and middleTone 2
3: MiddleMiddleTone 2
4: Middle + neckMiddle and neckTone 1 and Tone 2
5: NeckNeckTone 1

How an ST-style kit plugs together

Our ST-style kits are solderless. The pickguard arrives with the pickups, switch and pots already wired, so there are only two connections to make.
How an ST-style kit plugs together: one plug from the pre-wired pickguard to the jack, and a ground wire clamped under a tremolo claw screwNeckMiddleBridge5-wayVolT1T2Pre-wired for you: pickups, switch and potsOutput jack1Push the plugs togetherTremolo claw screw2White ground wire: clampit under the screw, no solderHow an ST-style kit plugs together: one plug from the pre-wired pickguard to the jack, and a ground wire clamped under a tremolo claw screwNeckMiddleBridgeVolT1T25-wayPre-wired: pickups, switch, potsOutput jack1Push theplugstogetherTremolo claw screw2White groundwire: clamp itunder thescrew, nosolder
  1. Connect the jack. Push the plug on the pickguard lead into the plug on the output jack lead.
  2. Attach the ground wire. Clamp the white wire under one of the tremolo claw screws. No soldering needed.
  3. Test before closing. Plug into an amp and gently tap each pickup with a screwdriver in each switch position.
  4. Fit the pickguard. Tuck the wires into the cavity and screw it down.
Pre-wired pickguard of an ST-style kit with its jack and plugs
The electronics of an ST-style kit, with the red plugs and white ground wire. The wires in your kit may look different.

Parts for this wiring

Need help?

No sound or a loud hum? See our wiring and electronics answers, or read how to wire a guitar. Spotted a mistake in this diagram? Please tell us. See all wiring diagrams.

Stratocaster is a trademark of its owner. The Guitar Fabrik is not affiliated with or endorsed by the trademark owner. The name is used only to describe the wiring layout.