Expand the possibilities of your vintage Stratocaster with the No-Load Blender: the "quack" tone and a unique 6th position
Introduction
In the first part of this article, we explored how to use a blender pot to create series blends on a 3-way Stratocaster, expanding the classic sound with fatter, punchier tones. However, for those who want to capture the characteristic “quack” tone of positions 2 and 4 of a 5-way Strat, there is another interesting option: the No-Load blender configured in parallel. This option allows you to obtain not only the classic parallel blends, but also a unique 6th parallel bridge and neck position, which is not possible on the 5-way switch. With this type of wiring, lovers of the 3-way switch can access the classic sound of a modern Stratocaster without losing the vintage charm of their guitar. In this second part, we will explore the possibilities and advantages of this type of configuration.
---
What is No-Load Blender and how does it work in parallel?
The No-Load Blender is a special type of potentiometer that, when fully engaged (position 10), is deactivated from the circuit, allowing the signal to pass through without the additional load of the pot. This provides greater clarity and brightness, especially useful for preserving the characteristic tone of a Stratocaster. Wiring the No-Load Blender in parallel provides the characteristic pickup blend of the 2nd and 4th positions of a 5-position Stratocaster. This allows a guitar with a 3-position switch to access these characteristic "quack" tones, and also adds an additional parallel bridge and neck combination, creating a total of 6 tonal positions.
---
What advantages does the No-Load Blender offer in parallel?
With the No-Load blender, each position of the three-position switch can be expanded, providing a great deal of versatility in a single control, without losing the classic tone of vintage wiring. Some of the key advantages of this setting are:
1. Access the “quack” sound of positions 2 and 4: With the blender set in parallel, you can get the bridge + middle and neck + middle combinations, which are the 2nd and 4th positions on a 5-position Stratocaster. These parallel combinations produce a bright, defined, and articulate tone that’s ideal for rhythmic styles like funk, pop, and other genres that demand a clean, expressive tone.
2. A unique 6th position (neck + bridge in parallel): This configuration also allows for a unique combination of bridge and neck in parallel, which is not possible on a 5-position switch. This 6th position offers a balanced tone, combining the warmth of the neck with the brightness of the bridge, creating a full and versatile sound that is ideal for both full rhythms and unique lead tones.
3. Versatility with a vintage aesthetic: Keeping the 3-way switch allows you to preserve the classic aesthetic of a vintage Stratocaster. However, the No-Load blender expands the tonal palette by offering all the traditional combinations and more. With the blender at minimum, the switch acts like a vintage wiring harness; turning the blender to maximum, each position takes on a new tonal dimension in parallel.
---
Tonal combinations with the 3-way switch and No-Load Blender
Thanks to the parallel No-Load blender, you can access a 3-way Strat with the 5 tones of a 5-way Strat and a unique 6th combination. Here are the combinations you can get:
1. Position 1 (bridge):
Blender at minimum: Only the bridge pickup sounds, producing the characteristic bright and cutting tone.
Blender in No-Load (position 10): Engages a unique combination of parallel bridge and neck, an option not available on the 5-position switch. The resulting tone is balanced and full, ideal for rhythms with presence and depth.
2. Position 2 (center):
Blender at minimum: Only the middle pickup sounds, with a soft and rounded tone.
Blender in No-Load (Position 10): Activates bridge and middle in parallel, emulating the 2nd position of a 5-position Stratocaster. This quack tone is articulate and bright, ideal for rhythmic styles where definition and clarity are sought.
3. Position 3 (neck):
Blender at minimum: Only the neck pickup sounds, providing a warm, full tone, ideal for solos and melodies.
Blender in No-Load (Position 10): Activates neck and middle in parallel, achieving the classic “quack” sound of the 4th position on a modern Stratocaster. The resulting tone is bright and expressive, perfect for rhythm and clean sections.
This six-way configuration offers the guitarist tremendous tonal flexibility in a single control, achieving classic modern Stratocaster tones and adding an additional option unique to the 3-way switch.
When to use No-Load Blender in parallel?
The No-Load parallel blender is a great choice for guitarists who value vintage tone and want to get the classic parallel sounds of a 5-way Strat. Here are some scenarios where this setup is especially useful:
For styles that require “quack” sounds: If you play funk, pop or rhythmic genres that demand clarity, the No-Load blender allows you to access the bright, distinctive tone of positions 2 and 4 in parallel, without changing the 3-position switch.
For guitarists who want to maintain the vintage style: By keeping the 3-way switch, you can preserve the traditional aesthetic and sound of a vintage Stratocaster, while the No-Load Blender adds modern combinations and expands versatility without compromising the guitar's classic identity.
To explore a unique 6th position: The parallel neck and bridge combination is not available on a standard 5-position Stratocaster, but with a parallel No-Load blender you can access this unique tone. This sound is ideal for guitarists who want an additional option for rhythm sections with body and presence.
Conclusion
With the No-Load Blender in parallel, a 3-way Strat can achieve all the versatility of a 5-way Strat, plus a unique 6th parallel bridge/neck combination. This configuration allows for the signature quack sound while retaining the vintage style and tone that classical guitarists love.
Much like the first part of this article, where we explored series combinations, the parallel No-Load Blender provides a clever way to expand the possibilities of a 3-way switch. If you're a vintage Stratocaster lover looking to expand the tonal spectrum of your guitar, this setup is a great way to do so without losing the classic character of your instrument.