4-way tele wiring help!

[Andyfreddy]

Andyfreddy
TDPRI Member
Hopefully an expert here can help out.

Today I installed a 4-way 920D pre-wired harness and new Tonerider pickups (had Tonerider add a 3rd wire to the neck pickup).

After installed, the pickups sound good, and no weird buzzing, but….
a. positions1 and 2 are neck only,
b. Position 2 is neck and bridge,
c. Position 4 is bridge only.
(Position 1 is supposed to be both pickups in series.)

If I accidentally switched positions of the 2 black wires from the neck pickup, could that cause this issue? (It was unclear which wire was the “extra” one.). Would switching them fix it and open up all 4 positions?

Thanks so much!

[rockabilly69]

Originally Posted by Andyfreddy

Andyfreddy
TDPRI Member
Hopefully an expert here can help out.

Today I installed a 4-way 920D pre-wired harness and new Tonerider pickups (had Tonerider add a 3rd wire to the neck pickup).

After installed, the pickups sound good, and no weird buzzing, but….
a. positions1 and 2 are neck only,
b. Position 2 is neck and bridge,
c. Position 4 is bridge only.
(Position 1 is supposed to be both pickups in series.)

If I accidentally switched positions of the 2 black wires from the neck pickup, could that cause this issue? (It was unclear which wire was the “extra” one.). Would switching them fix it and open up all 4 positions?

Thanks so much!

The extra wire is the neck pickup wire for the cover

Read this, and rewire like Fralin, it makes the most sense to me and I've done plenty of 4 ways...

https://www.fralinpickups.com/2017/0...witching-tele/

[rokdog49]

My four way goes like this:
Position 1 Bridge
Position 2 Bridge and Neck Parallel
Position 3 Bridge and Neck Series
Position 4 Neck Parallel
(I think)

[davidd]

Make sure that in position one the switch has enough travel to actually make contact. I had the same issue and I ended up having to file the slot approximately 1/32" to get the switch to clear enough to engage correctly.

[svea]

Originally Posted by davidd

Make sure that in position one the switch has enough travel to actually make contact. I had the same issue and I ended up having to file the slot approximately 1/32" to get the switch to clear enough to engage correctly.

I had the same issue. A standard tele control plate may or may not accomodate the throw of a 4 way switch. I used a round jewelers file to elongate the switch slot to allow more movement.

Svea

[GCWaters]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

My four way goes like this:

Position 1 Bridge

Position 2 Bridge and Neck Parallel

Position 3 Bridge and Neck Series

Position 4 Neck Parallel

(I think)

Mine swaps positions 3 and 4….

[stokes1971]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

My four way goes like this:
Position 1 Bridge
Position 2 Bridge and Neck Parallel
Position 3 Bridge and Neck Series
Position 4 Neck Parallel
(I think)

Position 4 Neck parallel with what? Had the same problem with the slot on mine, had to file it longer to fit the switch.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by GCWaters

Mine swaps positions 3 and 4….

I was told most guys like position three to be the “humbucker” spot.
Who knows…

[Andyfreddy]

Thanks all! It was the switch slot…it just needed to be filed a little longer to allow full switch travel. I can confirm the positions are, in this order:

Bridge
Bridge/neck parallel
Neck
Bridge/neck series.

Works great now!