Solderless Pre-Wired Volume harness | DeLonge Strat kit | Right Handed
£29.99
Order times
I usually make harnesses to order, due to the variety of spec options that could be chosen across the whole range. The current turnaround time for a harness orders is around 5-7 working days depending on quantity of orders in at the time and your order will be updated accordingly when it is dispatched. This turnaround time doesn't include the transit time. Thanks for your patience whilst I get your harness made!
Description
This kit is as simple as they can come, but it is a tip of the Hurley Cap to one of my most favourite signature Fender guitar models and is incredibly nostalgic for me, the Tom DeLonge Signature Stratocaster. I spent countless hours staring at the Fender Frontline catalog back in the day wishing I had one of these guitars, super back to basics design but nonetheless wicked guitars. With the originals increasing in value, I know a lot of us are making partscaster replicas instead, so I wanted to offer a pre-wired volume pot kit to help with those projects! After having the privelege of working and inspecting an all original 2001 TD Strat thanks to one of my regular customers and supporters, I was able to have a closer look on an early example before finalising my own kits specs.
This factory Fender TD signature model had a CTS 500k pot as expected, as well as a treble bleed, which featured a 680pF capacitor and 220kOhm resistor wired in parallel. This spec was also noted on the original Fender manual/parts list for the TD strat too. It's not a totally common treble bleed cap and resistor spec, so I thought that was quite interesting and liked how it sounded with the original Seymour Duncan Invader too. So I did a little further testing of that spec on one of my own SD Invader loaded pickguard guitars and I think it suits it really well, so happy to continue on with those specs. The all new re-issue Delonge Strat launched in July 2023 also features a Treble Bleed as noted in the Fender press release info/spec. After being able to inspect one of these reissues, they have a new/different treble bleed spec which is a PCB with SMD, 1.1nf capacitor, a 150kOhm resistor in parallel with an additional 47kOhm resistor in series. This sounded and worked great but for my delonge kit, I have decided to stick with the original TD treble bleed spec. Prefer it made without the treble bleed at all though? Sure, just drop me a message prior to ordering and I can sort that no worries. I make it with the best components I have available to me, CTS 450 series audio taper pot, Gavitt 22awg wire, my treble bleed mod and the brilliant Pure Tone multi contact jack socket.
Pot shaft type
The first drop down option is the choice of split shaft or solid shaft control knobs. If you wish to fit a push-fit style control knob, you'll need the split shaft option and a control knob that will suit a CTS 5.95mm 24 spline split shaft pot. OR if you intend to fit the true to original Telecaster style barrel control knob, they usually need a solid shaft pot so you choose the solid shaft option and install your grub screw fixed control knob on a 6.35mm solid shaft pot.
Bridge/vibrato claw ground wire
I have decided to make this option available, as many of you may be using this wiring kit on a new, partscaster type build for example. If you are fitting this kit into your existing guitar, and re-attaching the guitars original bridge or vibrato claw ground wire then simply select without. If you have had to remove the original perhaps, or it’s for a new build altogether and would find having a ground wire pre soldered, simple select with! Hope this option helps with your specific project.
Installing
The Solderless system makes life an awful lot easier if you're perhaps not comfortable using a soldering iron or worried about damaging components etc. So the install is more straight forward, but care is still needed to to ensure it all works as it should and stands the test of time. I have written some handy install guides for the solderless harness kits, and that can be found over on the wiring diagrams & helpful info page here on the website as well as the 'wiring' diagram you'll need to follow for which of your wires attach to the relevant solderless connections.
The solderless kits use a simple colour coding system to help instruct on which wire connects where. These are all detailed on the relevant wiring diagram, but for reference here too, on the Delonge kits the ‘copper’ coloured dot is for the pickups hot wire, the black dot/s are for any ground wires so these can be used for the pickup ground wire, bridge ground wire or jack socket ground wire. The green dot is for the jack socket hot wire only. Hope this helps!
The parts I use, in particular the pots, are CTS branded pots which are imperial measurements. If you're fitting this harness to a far east built variant for example such as a Squier or similar, then you may have to widen the holes in the pickguard to accommodate for the imperial measurement pot. Or alternatively, purchase a new pickguard that is already suited to the US spec components.
For reference, the CTS pots I use in this harness have a shaft diameter of 9.52mm, so I tend to say a 10mm mounting hole does the trick for a comfy fit.
You may also require new control knobs to fit the CTS pot, the solid shaft version is 6.35mm diameter, these pots usually suit control knobs secured in place with a grub screw. If you choose the split shaft version, you'll need a control knob that suits a 5.95mm 24 spline CTS pot.
If you do require a US spec control plate or control knobs, we do carry a selection of popular options in stock and they can be viewed in the hardware & plastic hardware categories on the store.
If you’re buying this kit for a USA made Strat, then chances are it will be a direct, no modifications required install process for you.
What types of pickup wires will fit into the connector blocks?
The RS Pro connector blocks will fit ANY pickup wire type, so if you have traditional single coils with cloth covered push-back style individual hot/ground wires, simply push back the cloth covering to expose around 5/6mm of central core wire and insert it into the connector. Tighten up, and push the cloth covering back down.
If you have thinner, plastic insulated/coated wires, you will need some wire strippers so you can trim back the coating to expose around 5mm of central core wire. Very often these plastic coated wires are stranded wire, so if this is the same for yours, then simply twist the wire so it forms a nice tight portion, then insert that into the relevant connector block and tighten.
If your pickups are vintage/traditional style 2 conductor 'braided' wire, then these will also fit the connector blocks, you just need to prepare them to do so. First step is to push back some of the outer metal braiding. Then using some needle nose pliers or a small screwdriver, separate some of the braiding so you can twist and form a off-shoot of wire. This will be your ground, so with that twist of wire pop that into the connector block and tighten. Then your central core wire is the 'hot' signal wire and goes into the relevant connector block via the same methods as prior, exposing around 5mm of core to ensure a nice firm seat in the connector. For much more detailed information on all of this, please check out the guide HERE
As always, if you have ANY questions or concerns about whether your pickup wires will be suitable, please just drop me a message or call and I'll be happy to help guide. I have tested these connectors with all varieties of pickup wires and they worked great so happily will advise on how to correctly install with you :)
Specs/parts used
- CTS '450' Series +/-10% Tolerance short shaft pots - 500k
- Pure Tone multi contact jack socket (nickel finish)
- Gavitt USA made cloth covered 22AWG wire
- Cermaic 680pF capacitor & Carbon Film 220kOhm parallel wired treble bleed
- Soldered using Rapid 22SWG lead-free solder
- RS Pro connector blocks
Please note - wiring kit does not include new control knobs/control plate etc but does include the pot/jack mounting nuts and washers.
Why these spec parts over others available?
Simply put, component choice has been one of the most important parts of my product development. I have worked on guitars for many years, and built these kits professionally since 2015, and as a result have been able to see and experience working on the majority of components available on the market. In my findings, A/B testing and more, I have found the components I decided on for my Signature Series to be the most reliable, best tolerance and great functioning parts to use to help customers get the most out of their instruments. I use CTS '450' series premium spec pots as they have a tight tolerance, and will consistently provide me with accurate value, as well as very solid build quality. I use trusty 'Mustard' style polyester film 'tone' capacitors as in my opinion they simply can't be beat for great value, solid construction, solid lead-outs, super tight tolerances and reliable tone/function. I would personally much rather use a trusty Mustard for example over something like a paper in oil, as from experience that are so much more reliable to use. This is from carrying out a lot of A/B testing, both tonally, as well as armed with the multi-meter for testing values and actual tolerances, as well as handling them to test construction quality for long lasting reliability in use. I use the brilliant 'Pure Tone' Multi Contact Jack sockets as they are incredibly reliable, due to their additional contact points for both tip and sleeve. I use CRL, Oak and Switchcraft brand switches across the range as these are built very well, with care will last for many years to come and have long since provided me with reliable use professionally. All kits are wired up with quality USA made Gavitt wire, it's great to work with, super consistent gauge and provides me with a very reliable quality item for my kits. I totally understand that with anything guitar, it is subjective, but I have, with an open mind, thoroughly tested a broad variety of components over the years and these have all become the items I trust to use every day.
James' Home of Tone supports Blueprint For All Charity with a humble monthly donation on behalf of my supportive customers and myself. Thank you for helping make that happen
Blueprint For All Registered Charity Number 1102267. For more information on Blueprint For All and their work, please visit https://www.blueprintforall.org/
James' Home of Tone also supports 'Trees For Cities' charity with a monthly donation who are working hard to plant trees nationally and internationally within cities
Trees For Cities Registered Charity Number 1032154. For more information on Trees for Cities and their work, please visit https://www.treesforcities.org/
Order times
I usually make harnesses to order, due to the variety of spec options that could be chosen across the whole range. The current turnaround time for a harness orders is around 5-7 working days depending on quantity of orders in at the time and your order will be updated accordingly when it is dispatched. This turnaround time doesn't include the transit time. Thanks for your patience whilst I get your harness made!
Description
This kit is as simple as they can come, but it is a tip of the Hurley Cap to one of my most favourite signature Fender guitar models and is incredibly nostalgic for me, the Tom DeLonge Signature Stratocaster. I spent countless hours staring at the Fender Frontline catalog back in the day wishing I had one of these guitars, super back to basics design but nonetheless wicked guitars. With the originals increasing in value, I know a lot of us are making partscaster replicas instead, so I wanted to offer a pre-wired volume pot kit to help with those projects! After having the privelege of working and inspecting an all original 2001 TD Strat thanks to one of my regular customers and supporters, I was able to have a closer look on an early example before finalising my own kits specs.
This factory Fender TD signature model had a CTS 500k pot as expected, as well as a treble bleed, which featured a 680pF capacitor and 220kOhm resistor wired in parallel. This spec was also noted on the original Fender manual/parts list for the TD strat too. It's not a totally common treble bleed cap and resistor spec, so I thought that was quite interesting and liked how it sounded with the original Seymour Duncan Invader too. So I did a little further testing of that spec on one of my own SD Invader loaded pickguard guitars and I think it suits it really well, so happy to continue on with those specs. The all new re-issue Delonge Strat launched in July 2023 also features a Treble Bleed as noted in the Fender press release info/spec. After being able to inspect one of these reissues, they have a new/different treble bleed spec which is a PCB with SMD, 1.1nf capacitor, a 150kOhm resistor in parallel with an additional 47kOhm resistor in series. This sounded and worked great but for my delonge kit, I have decided to stick with the original TD treble bleed spec. Prefer it made without the treble bleed at all though? Sure, just drop me a message prior to ordering and I can sort that no worries. I make it with the best components I have available to me, CTS 450 series audio taper pot, Gavitt 22awg wire, my treble bleed mod and the brilliant Pure Tone multi contact jack socket.
Pot shaft type
The first drop down option is the choice of split shaft or solid shaft control knobs. If you wish to fit a push-fit style control knob, you'll need the split shaft option and a control knob that will suit a CTS 5.95mm 24 spline split shaft pot. OR if you intend to fit the true to original Telecaster style barrel control knob, they usually need a solid shaft pot so you choose the solid shaft option and install your grub screw fixed control knob on a 6.35mm solid shaft pot.
Bridge/vibrato claw ground wire
I have decided to make this option available, as many of you may be using this wiring kit on a new, partscaster type build for example. If you are fitting this kit into your existing guitar, and re-attaching the guitars original bridge or vibrato claw ground wire then simply select without. If you have had to remove the original perhaps, or it’s for a new build altogether and would find having a ground wire pre soldered, simple select with! Hope this option helps with your specific project.
Installing
The Solderless system makes life an awful lot easier if you're perhaps not comfortable using a soldering iron or worried about damaging components etc. So the install is more straight forward, but care is still needed to to ensure it all works as it should and stands the test of time. I have written some handy install guides for the solderless harness kits, and that can be found over on the wiring diagrams & helpful info page here on the website as well as the 'wiring' diagram you'll need to follow for which of your wires attach to the relevant solderless connections.
The solderless kits use a simple colour coding system to help instruct on which wire connects where. These are all detailed on the relevant wiring diagram, but for reference here too, on the Delonge kits the ‘copper’ coloured dot is for the pickups hot wire, the black dot/s are for any ground wires so these can be used for the pickup ground wire, bridge ground wire or jack socket ground wire. The green dot is for the jack socket hot wire only. Hope this helps!
The parts I use, in particular the pots, are CTS branded pots which are imperial measurements. If you're fitting this harness to a far east built variant for example such as a Squier or similar, then you may have to widen the holes in the pickguard to accommodate for the imperial measurement pot. Or alternatively, purchase a new pickguard that is already suited to the US spec components.
For reference, the CTS pots I use in this harness have a shaft diameter of 9.52mm, so I tend to say a 10mm mounting hole does the trick for a comfy fit.
You may also require new control knobs to fit the CTS pot, the solid shaft version is 6.35mm diameter, these pots usually suit control knobs secured in place with a grub screw. If you choose the split shaft version, you'll need a control knob that suits a 5.95mm 24 spline CTS pot.
If you do require a US spec control plate or control knobs, we do carry a selection of popular options in stock and they can be viewed in the hardware & plastic hardware categories on the store.
If you’re buying this kit for a USA made Strat, then chances are it will be a direct, no modifications required install process for you.
What types of pickup wires will fit into the connector blocks?
The RS Pro connector blocks will fit ANY pickup wire type, so if you have traditional single coils with cloth covered push-back style individual hot/ground wires, simply push back the cloth covering to expose around 5/6mm of central core wire and insert it into the connector. Tighten up, and push the cloth covering back down.
If you have thinner, plastic insulated/coated wires, you will need some wire strippers so you can trim back the coating to expose around 5mm of central core wire. Very often these plastic coated wires are stranded wire, so if this is the same for yours, then simply twist the wire so it forms a nice tight portion, then insert that into the relevant connector block and tighten.
If your pickups are vintage/traditional style 2 conductor 'braided' wire, then these will also fit the connector blocks, you just need to prepare them to do so. First step is to push back some of the outer metal braiding. Then using some needle nose pliers or a small screwdriver, separate some of the braiding so you can twist and form a off-shoot of wire. This will be your ground, so with that twist of wire pop that into the connector block and tighten. Then your central core wire is the 'hot' signal wire and goes into the relevant connector block via the same methods as prior, exposing around 5mm of core to ensure a nice firm seat in the connector. For much more detailed information on all of this, please check out the guide HERE
As always, if you have ANY questions or concerns about whether your pickup wires will be suitable, please just drop me a message or call and I'll be happy to help guide. I have tested these connectors with all varieties of pickup wires and they worked great so happily will advise on how to correctly install with you :)
Specs/parts used
- CTS '450' Series +/-10% Tolerance short shaft pots - 500k
- Pure Tone multi contact jack socket (nickel finish)
- Gavitt USA made cloth covered 22AWG wire
- Cermaic 680pF capacitor & Carbon Film 220kOhm parallel wired treble bleed
- Soldered using Rapid 22SWG lead-free solder
- RS Pro connector blocks
Please note - wiring kit does not include new control knobs/control plate etc but does include the pot/jack mounting nuts and washers.
Why these spec parts over others available?
Simply put, component choice has been one of the most important parts of my product development. I have worked on guitars for many years, and built these kits professionally since 2015, and as a result have been able to see and experience working on the majority of components available on the market. In my findings, A/B testing and more, I have found the components I decided on for my Signature Series to be the most reliable, best tolerance and great functioning parts to use to help customers get the most out of their instruments. I use CTS '450' series premium spec pots as they have a tight tolerance, and will consistently provide me with accurate value, as well as very solid build quality. I use trusty 'Mustard' style polyester film 'tone' capacitors as in my opinion they simply can't be beat for great value, solid construction, solid lead-outs, super tight tolerances and reliable tone/function. I would personally much rather use a trusty Mustard for example over something like a paper in oil, as from experience that are so much more reliable to use. This is from carrying out a lot of A/B testing, both tonally, as well as armed with the multi-meter for testing values and actual tolerances, as well as handling them to test construction quality for long lasting reliability in use. I use the brilliant 'Pure Tone' Multi Contact Jack sockets as they are incredibly reliable, due to their additional contact points for both tip and sleeve. I use CRL, Oak and Switchcraft brand switches across the range as these are built very well, with care will last for many years to come and have long since provided me with reliable use professionally. All kits are wired up with quality USA made Gavitt wire, it's great to work with, super consistent gauge and provides me with a very reliable quality item for my kits. I totally understand that with anything guitar, it is subjective, but I have, with an open mind, thoroughly tested a broad variety of components over the years and these have all become the items I trust to use every day.