MIMF

Hi,

First off to put you in the picture about what I would like to build.

A semi hollow body the size of a solid body, like a Gibson ES-339, but I can only get plans for a CS-336 style, which I think are the same except the 339 has a laminated top? Anyway I am going to have twin volume and tone pots, Golden Age Parsons Street Humbuckers: Alnico 2-neck & Alnico 5-bridge with a Free-Way 6 position selector switch so the outer coils can be split. I have already ordered the Nut, the pickups, the roller bridge and a Bigsby B7 tailpiece.

My question is, am I going to get a significant amount of change to the sound so as to make it like a strat in the 4,5,6 positions and a Gibson in the 1,2,3 positions, or am I just going to waste my time and money chasing that little bit extra for Versatility's sake.

Budgie (Graeme)

Hi Graeme,

If I'm not mistaken, the CS-336 has a solid carved back and integral block, all mahogany. The 339 is built like a 335, plywood back and sides, mostly solid block.

I've not used the Free way switch, but your guitar will never sound like a Strat, because it's not a Strat (materials, construction, pick-ups, scale etc). You might want to set up your coil cuts to use the slug coil of one pick up and the screw coil of the other so you are humbucking when they are both on.

I might be inclined to use switching pots for the coil cutting to retain the Gibson appearance, but I'm old and I'm trying to repent for the many mini switches I installed as a youth.

Joshua

Hi Greame,
I'm going to weigh in with Joshua, it will never sound like a Strat, but the 4-5-6 positions will be different enough that I think they would be worth it. I haven't used the Freeway switch yet, but I like the concept - it can provide a variety of options while remaining intuitive and simple, something I like.

Thanks Joshua & Greg,

I'm rapped, now I know I've got the right plans and The sound will be different enough I'll go with it. I probably should have said more like single coils (than a Strat).
Thanks again Fellas, now I can get the parts I need knowing that I won't be wasting my money, there's nothing worse than buying something and finding out later it wasn't what you needed.

Great, I'm a Happy Chappy