Tele 4-way to 3-way switch swop

nick

So I've had the Baja for a bit now, used it twice at practice so far and can safely say that I never use the 1st position or the out of phase S1 button.. It does annoy me slightly that when quickly switching pickups I need to go all the way to 1, then one back to quickly find the neck only switch.

Thinking of possibly turfing the 4-way switch and putting in a 3-way switch. People on tdpri forum recon the 4-way somehow introduces quite a bit of noise for some reason, and I have noticed that the Baja is quite noisy, especially in our practice venue.

Should I just get used to it and leave it in? And if I do want to swop it, what is the correct brand/make switch to buy? And can I find one in CT?

AlanRatcliffe

I got great results from a full shielding job on my Baja. It's still a single coil-guitar with all that pertains, but you can improve the situation considerably.

Any good 3-way will work - CRL, Oak Grigsby. The Fender or DiMarzio branded ones are CRLs.

You can also use a 4 pole 5-way superswitch and do away with the S1. Then you can have your normal Tele settings on 1, 3 & 5 and have your series and phased setting on 2 & 4. I find a 5-way is a lot more intuitive to use.

But...
You can also rewire the stock switch to reverse the series and neck-only settings. ? See below.

nick

Will Bothners/Marshall music stock a CRL/Grigbsy 3 way?

When you removed the S1, where did you source an exact replacement chrome knurled knob?

AlanRatcliffe

nick wrote: Will Bothners/Marshall music stock a CRL/Grigbsy 3 way?

Both should have the CRL, regarless of packaging - it's the standard switch. If you look at the metal body you'll see the diamond shaped CRL logo.

When you removed the S1, where did you source an exact replacement chrome knurled knob?

The flat top? I didn't - I replaced both knobs with domes.

makepeace

I think your noise is your pups. I used a 4 way with the keystones in my thinline, and with a completely unshielded large cavity there is no noise whatsoever. My humbucker in the archtop is noisier.

nick

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I got great results from a full shielding job on my Baja. It's still a single coil-guitar with all that pertains, but you can improve the situation considerably.

Did you shield under the pickguard aswell, or just the cavities?

AlanRatcliffe

Full shield - whole pickguard too.

nick

Right so I picked up a Fender branded 3-way vintage switch and a Fender branded 250k solid shaft audio taper pot (CTS). Removed the S1 and 4-way and soldered it up as per Seymour Duncans wiring schematic and wow.. its WAY quieter. Before at home and at practice there was a very noticable buzz when you took your fingers off the strings, now its barely audible (they are single coils after all). I left the green wire grounded to the pot as I couldn't be bothered rmoving it from the pickup, which probably helped with grounding.

Very happy, I just need to get another tele knurled knob.. anyone got one lying around? ? The S1 knob without the top piece looks weird..

AlanRatcliffe

I think I still have the one from my Baja's tone control. I'll have a look tomorrow.

nick

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I think I still have the one from my Baja's tone control. I'll have a look tomorrow.

Wow, that would be great

nick

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I think I still have the one from my Baja's tone control. I'll have a look tomorrow.

Shameless reminder ?

AlanRatcliffe

Sorry! Yup. I think I have it - flat top, fine knurl. PM me your postal addy.

nick

For reference.

PM on its way