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Post subject: Telecaster 4-way Switch & Noiseless Pickups
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 1:50 pm
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I have been trying to install a Fender 4-way selector switch on my Telecaster for quite some time now and have seeked advice online. I have seen different diagrams on different sites (also, the diagram that came with the selector itself) and they all differ in that: some say you should add a third ground wire to the neck pickup, some say to add it to the bridge pickup, and some don't show that addition at all. To top it all off, I have Fender Noiseless pickups installed and these are not the same as regular pickups so I don't know where I should solder this third ground wire (i.e., the diagrams show a "jumper wire" connecting from the black wire to the pickup cover that needs to be unsoldered but the Noiseless pickups don't have that "jumper", that I can tell). I'm wondering if someone can provide me with a definitive or foolproof diagram that I can work with to get this right. I have been trying on and off to install this for over 2 years now and have given up several times and gone back to the usual 3-way selector. I want to finally get it right and enjoy what this has to offer. Someone please help!


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Post subject: Re: Telecaster 4-way Switch & Noiseless Pickups
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:01 pm
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Welcome.

The two conductor Fender Noiseless pickups aren't designed for use with a 4 way switch. For a 4 way switch to work properly, at least one of the pickups has to be able to be reverse wired where the negative wire is limited to being in contact with the coil only. With the two conductor Noiseless, this is not the case. The negative wire is internally attached to the coil, frame and other associated metal hardware of the pickup. Further, Fender Noiseless pickups are of very frail construction. To attempt to take one apart in order to achieve the above virtually guarantees the pickup being ruined in the process.

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Post subject: Re: Telecaster 4-way Switch & Noiseless Pickups
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:34 pm
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I do, thanks. So would you recommend I either replace the Noiseless with the regular single coils in order to make the 4-way switch work properly or should I just leave the Noiseless with the 3-way? I know it's sort of a preference thing but I was just wondering.

I was, however, able to install the Noiseless with the 4-way switch yesterday (without adding the third grounded wire) and it sounds okay so far, except positions 1 & 2 sound exactly the same and positions 3 & 4 sound exactly the same (to each each other, of course).

I definitely appreciate your prompt reply. I've been searching for answers to this for a long time.


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Post subject: Re: Telecaster 4-way Switch & Noiseless Pickups
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:52 am
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Ntea6 wrote:
I do, thanks. So would you recommend I either replace the Noiseless with the regular single coils in order to make the 4-way switch work properly or should I just leave the Noiseless with the 3-way? I know it's sort of a preference thing but I was just wondering.

I was, however, able to install the Noiseless with the 4-way switch yesterday (without adding the third grounded wire) and it sounds okay so far, except positions 1 & 2 sound exactly the same and positions 3 & 4 sound exactly the same (to each each other, of course).

I definitely appreciate your prompt reply. I've been searching for answers to this for a long time.


You're welcome.

As you continue to experience, the 4 way switch is inappropriate for the Fender Noiseless. In order to properly utilize a 4 way, you can revert to single coil Tele pickups or you can venture outside of the Fender brand of stacked humbuckers where there exist many brands capable of utilizing the 4 way switch. You can also do this with single coils for that matter, outside of the Fender brand that is.

My 2 cents: IMO and to my ear, that 4th position (properly working) is similar to what position #2 sounds like only louder and much bassier, kind of like an SG neck pickup.

Regardless, the choice is ultimately your's.

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