Two Additional Pickup Combinations with the Gilmour Mod
The ObsidianWire Custom 7 Way Gen2 takes traditional S-style guitar wiring and adds two additional pickup combinations. Inspired by the modification popularized by David Gilmour, this solderless wiring harness expands your guitar's tonal possibilities while retaining its familiar operation.
The system uses a push/pull potentiometer integrated into the tone control. Simply pull or push the knob to activate or deactivate the additional pickup combinations, without installing an extra switch or drilling into your guitar.
7 Pickup Combinations Instead of 5
The Gilmour Mod allows you to add the neck pickup to positions 1, 2 and 3 of the traditional 5-way selector. Thanks to the push/pull potentiometer, you can access 7 distinct pickup combinations instead of the usual 5.
| Position | Gilmour Mod OFF (Push/Pull Down) |
Gilmour Mod ON (Push/Pull Up) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridge | Bridge + Neck |
| 2 | Bridge + Middle | Bridge + Middle + Neck |
| 3 | Middle | Middle + Neck |
| 4 | Middle + Neck | Middle + Neck |
| 5 | Neck | Neck |
The two additional combinations are Bridge + Neck and Bridge + Middle + Neck. They open up new tonal possibilities while preserving all five traditional pickup combinations.
Two Volume Control Voices
The Custom 7 Way Gen2 features a switchable Treble Bleed circuit, allowing you to choose between two different volume control responses:
- Clear Mode: preserves more high frequencies as you turn down the volume.
- Balanced Mode: allows the treble frequencies to decrease gradually with the volume for a smoother response.
This lets you tailor the volume control to your playing style and personal preferences.
A More Intuitive Tone Control Layout
This second-generation model also features an improved tone control arrangement:
- Tone 1: controls the neck and middle pickups in selector positions 2 to 5.
- Tone 2: dedicated to the bridge pickup in positions 1 and 2.
This configuration allows you to roll off the bridge pickup's brighter high frequencies independently of the other pickups.
ObsidianWire has also refined the potentiometer response to provide smoother and more consistent volume and tone adjustments throughout their range.
Easy Solderless Installation
The ObsidianWire Plug, Play & Enjoy system allows you to connect your pickups directly to the wiring harness without a soldering iron.
The entire assembly is pre-wired and factory-tested. This design also makes future pickup changes easier, without having to resolder connections to the potentiometers.
Components and Technical Specifications
- ObsidianWire Custom 7 Way Gen2 wiring harness.
- Pickup configuration: three single-coil pickups (SSS).
- Oak Grigsby 5-way selector switch.
- Gilmour Mod with push/pull potentiometer.
- 7 distinct pickup combinations.
- ObsidianWire Custom CTS 250kΩ potentiometers, ±10% tolerance.
- Split shafts with 24 splines.
- 150 Series polyester film capacitor, 0.022µF, ±5% tolerance.
- Switchable Treble Bleed: Clear / Balanced.
- Pre-wired Switchcraft J11 or Pure Tone output jack, depending on the version.
- Solderless installation.
- 5-year manufacturer's warranty.
Compatibility and Dimensions
This wiring harness is designed for S-style guitars equipped with three single-coil pickups and a traditional electronics layout.
- Right-handed guitars only.
- Direct fit on compatible guitars with standard US-spec dimensions.
- On some entry-level or imported guitars, the potentiometer mounting holes may need to be enlarged to 10 mm.
- Minimum control cavity depth: 29.2 mm around the push/pull potentiometer.
- Requires US-spec knobs compatible with 24-spline split shafts.
- Not suitable for left-handed guitars.
Important: always check your guitar's control cavity dimensions, mounting holes and pickup configuration before ordering.
Why Choose ObsidianWire?
ObsidianWire develops pre-wired guitar electronics that combine quality components, advanced features and easy installation. The Custom 7 Way Gen2 is an excellent choice for guitarists who want to explore the possibilities of the Gilmour Mod without making permanent modifications to their instrument.
ADP Guitar Parts is an official ObsidianWire dealer. Discover the brand's solderless wiring harnesses, shipped from France, with expert advice to help you choose the right electronics for your guitar.