Carparelli Pre-Loaded HSS Strat Pickguard — CTS 500K Pots, CRL 5-Way, Vitamin Q Caps, HSS “Balanced Load” Mod

Make your HSS Strat sound right—no ice-pick singles, no muddy bridge.
This Carparelli pre-loaded HSS assembly runs 500K CTS pots across the board to keep the humbucker open and lively. Then we add a 470K–500K resistor from the neck and middle switch lugs to ground so those pickups “see” ~250K when selected (500K ∥ 470K ≈ 242K). Result: classic Strat chime in 1/2/4/5 and a powerful, articulate humbucker in 3 (bridge).

Each unit is handwired in the Carparelli Shop (Canada) with vintage-style cloth wire and clean, serviceable solder work. Every assembly is continuity-checked and audio-tested before shipping.

Components

• 3 × CTS 500K short-shaft audio-taper pots (Volume, Tone-SC, Tone-HB)
• CRL 5-Way selector switch
• Vitamin Q paper-in-oil capacitors: 0.047µF for the single-coil tone, 0.022µF for the humbucker tone
• 470K–500K balancing resistors on neck & middle switch lugs to ground
• Vintage push-back cloth wire, shielded and dressed

Controls / Function

• Master Volume (500K)
• Tone 1 (0.047µF) = Neck/Middle
• Tone 2 (0.022µF) = Bridge Humbucker
• Positions: 1 Neck, 2 Neck+Middle, 3 Middle, 4 Middle+Bridge, 5 Bridge

Note: Photos may show an optional mini-toggle for coil-split/neck-on. That feature is available on request (see Upgrades).
What’s Included

• Fully Loaded Pickguard: 11-hole S-Style pickguard (3-ply black shown), cream knobs & switch tip, complete wired assembly.
• you can choose any color pickguard we have in stock. Just let us know or send us a link from our listings of the pickguard you want and let us know color of pickup covers, knobs and switch. The photos are mainly to show you the HSS Set up.

Compatibility

• Fits most 11-hole Stratocaster bodies (USA/MIM spec).
• Short-shaft pots are for pickguard-mounted Strats; not for rear-routed bodies (contact us for long-shaft builds).
• HSS body rout recommended if installing a full-size bridge humbucker.

Upgrades (message to add)

• Coil-split for bridge HB (mini-toggle or push/pull)
• “Neck-On” 7-sound mod
• Treble-bleed on volume
• No-Load tone pot(s)
• Full-size HB pickguard cut or single-coil-size humbucker setup
• Pickup sets (HSS, Carparelli Brand)

Why the Carparelli HSS Mod Works

Humbuckers prefer 500K load for clarity; single coils are smoother around 250K. By adding 470K–500K resistors from the neck and middle lugs to ground, the singles “see” ~250K only when selected—no compromise to the bridge humbucker.

Lead Time

Built-to-order; usually ships fast once parts are confirmed. Message for current turnaround.

Shipping

Ships from Canada. (Note: US shipping may be temporarily paused due to tariff issues; contact us for the latest.)

Condition

Brand New • Handwired • Tested

Carparelli HSS Strat pickguard, preloaded pickguard, prewired Strat harness, CTS 500K pots, CRL 5-way switch, Vitamin Q capacitor, coil split, 7-sound Strat, balanced load mod, 470k resistor, handmade in Canada, luthier wired.Carparelli Pre-Loaded HSS Pickguard; HSS Balanced Load Mod; CTS 500K Pots; CRL 5-Way Switch; Vitamin Q 0.022µF; Vitamin Q 0.047µF; Cloth Push-Back Wire; Prewired Strat Harness; Coil-Split Upgrade; No-Load Tone Option; Treble Bleed Kit; 7-Sound Strat Mod; Handwired in Canada; Drop-In Assembly; Custom Pickguard Option