OpenTube

How to Wire a Telecaster 4 Way Switch

Northwest Guitars UK

58,436 views

The Telecaster 4 Way Switch offer a powerful tone upgrade to a regular Telecaster, adding an extra position to your tone arsenal. With the switch in position 4 the pickups are wired in series, resulting in a full and fat tone. A series circuit feeds the signal of one pickup into the other, doubling up the signal which results in a boost-like quality to your Tele's guitar sound. The rest of the positions work the same as a regular Telecaster.

In this video Kev shows you how to wire a Telecaster 4 Way Switch from start to finish, explaining all the components you'll need and techniques required to undertake this task.

🎸 Check out all our electrics here - https://bit.ly/3cHxa6o

⚡ Need a different wiring diagram? - https://bit.ly/3aYK2VD

🛠️ Need to upgrade your guitar? Shop Guitar Parts - https://bit.ly/3rlpj1L

Give us a follow on our social channels:
» Instagram | Instagram: northwestguitars
» Facebook | Facebook: northwestguitarsuk
» Twitter | Twitter: NWGuitars

Make sure to subscribe for more great guitar content!

#northwestguitars #guitarbuilding #telecaster

20 Comments

@scott301ss 4 years ago

Two tele's iv followed this video to now - both work fine , a very clear and straight to it video - thank you

@tosseroon 13 years ago

I was just considering doing this very mod to my Telecaster,following wiring diagrams has never been my strongest point so this video was a revelation ! thank you ! i just have to get the same 4 way switch as you so it all goes together the same as yours.
Thanks again

@TheGreenmanblues 11 years ago

Followed your suggestion about no need to use heat sink for caps, buggered up my vintage cap. Thanks!!!!

@TheForce_Productions 6 years ago

Very clear and informative. Thank you a lot for making these videos!

@paulgould6730 11 years ago

i wish all the vids were as good as this thanks

@toneclassics 13 years ago

Excellent job with the instructions. Good Q and A above too.

@TheWGLOVER 12 years ago

I have just completed this modification on my Squier CVC and fitted the 'Vintage' wires.
That 4th position gives a great extra sound.
I have cosidered doing the modification to my Japanese '52 reissue, but chickened out, as I have just fitted Fender Vintage pickups, and don't want to mess about with them. This guitar comes with small pots and a cheapo switch. I am upgrading with parts from Northwest Guitars. Great value and service.

@PaulIp0202 11 years ago

I successfully changed my Lindy Fralin Blues Special overwound +2% with 4 way switch on my Telecaster by following this video~~~~~THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

@agateenchantmentrockwizard5969 4 years ago

Great tutorial 👌 👍 thanks so much 🙏

@jakesdaddy08 12 years ago

Hi! Longstanding northwest guitar customer (and northwest resident) great instructional vid. Especially loved the cheeky tip about taping up the spanner!

@bilbobaggins2083 8 years ago

Nice job mate! Was an easy mod thanks to you and your kit.

@guitarded1524 7 years ago

New sub in the States. thank you for the info.

@gRosh08 10 years ago

Well done!

@scott301ss 10 years ago

great video, did my telecaster no problem following you, thanks for supplying the four way switch.
well worth doing

@jrsmoots 9 years ago

VERY helpful!!

@patrickwatters7555 10 years ago

Just fitted the four way switch with some seymour duncan's on my tele all works fine, thanks for the video.

@anthonyskellern5968 12 years ago

Thanks a lot, that's a great tutorial - very thorough and informative. I think even a ham-fisted amateur like me could attempt this - my Squier CV50 deserves an upgrade!

@eduardobarboza7629 10 years ago

OK, man, I got !!

@scottnewton4753 10 years ago

Just did this mod on a tele style guitar with P90s. All I had to do was flip the pickguard and replace the switch, wiring it as instructed in this video. P90s already have a seperate ground so it worked out fine. This is a very good tutorial.

@northwestguitarsUK Creator 13 years ago

We solder the ground to the tone pot on this particular mod just because the wiring diagram says to do it that way. We've found that if we try to ground it to the volume pot it doesn't work correctly.

It's not usually necessary to wire the bridge to the ground as the bridge pickup in a tele usually has a brass plate on the bottom, which is then connected to the bridge by the mounting screws, therefore grounding the whole thing.