Telecaster Pickups for Vintage Tone

[TBurst Std]

Correct as I recall.

 

[Hodgo]

Have you seen the wiring diagram for a 3 Way Freeway Switch? I am attaching a pdf of it.

If I purchase a neck pickup which is uncovered or open top cover do I then not need the third wire for the Freeway switch? It seems like I wouldn't need it. I know Fralin offers open top cover neck pickups, which I really like. Not sure who else offers this.

Open top cover yes, no cover probably not unless it has a conductive metal baseplate.

Any metal on the pickup, ungrounded, is functionally an antenna. To fix that, we send that noise to ground with the ground wire, so you have to give the cover an additional path to ground if you intend to use series wiring.

Freeways are a darling of this forum in particular, but I think you’re veering off “classic Tele tones” a bit

 

[Hodgo]

By the way if you’re capable of soldering at all, adding a third wire to a pickup is easy.

 

[Ozopart]

By the way if you’re capable of soldering at all, adding a third wire to a pickup is easy.

Not very capable as of yet, but working on it. I just upgraded from a solder pencil to a Weller Soldering Station and will practice a bit before building the actual control plate with the Freeway switch.

 

[Ozopart]

Open top cover yes, no cover probably not unless it has a conductive metal baseplate.

Any metal on the pickup, ungrounded, is functionally an antenna. To fix that, we send that noise to ground with the ground wire, so you have to give the cover an additional path to ground if you intend to use series wiring.

Freeways are a darling of this forum in particular, but I think you’re veering off “classic Tele tones” a bit

True on the last. I actually bought the Freeway switch to rewire my Warmoth HH Thinline, but haven't gotten around to that yet. Perhaps I should either stick with a 3 way switch, or buy a 4 way switch?

 

[Hodgo]

Not very capable as of yet, but working on it. I just upgraded from a solder pencil to a Weller Soldering Station and will practice a bit before building the actual control plate with the Freeway switch.

Use lots of heat, clean and solder the tip between connections, use leaded solder as needed. The Freeway contacts solder like a dream compared the back of the pot. Of course, pre-tin everything and only solder once you have a strong mechanical connection. A set of helping hands goes a long way to that last point.

True on the last. I actually bought the Freeway switch to rewire my Warmoth HH Thinline, but haven't gotten around to that yet. Perhaps I should either stick with a 3 way switch, or buy a 4 way switch?

It’s your guitar but I think a classic Tele covers a lot of ground without any additional help!

 

[Ozopart]

Use lots of heat, clean and solder the tip between connections, use leaded solder as needed. The Freeway contacts solder like a dream compared the back of the pot. Of course, pre-tin everything and only solder once you have a strong mechanical connection. A set of helping hands goes a long way to that last point.



It’s your guitar but I think a classic Tele covers a lot of ground without any additional help!

You are right. For this one maybe I go with a standard 3 way switch and keep it simple.

 

[Spud]

True on the last. I actually bought the Freeway switch to rewire my Warmoth HH Thinline, but haven't gotten around to that yet. Perhaps I should either stick with a 3 way switch, or buy a 4 way switch?

NOW your on the right track!

 

[Spud]

 

[Scab Pickens]

Starwood Tele Guitar Pickups | TV Jones

Starwood Tele Pickups scream classic tele but with a dynamic and transparent top end. The right amount of punchy spank - everything you want from a tele & more!

tvjones.com

You're welcome!