Esquire Wiring PArt 2: Oops...

Ok, so today, I started working on my Classic Vibe Tele to Esquire mod. I followed this Diagram: http://www.tdpri.com/gifs/esquire_jotka_gto2.gif


I thought I was doing great, cause I did what the diagram said, but Now, I got NO SOUND at all! Can someone show me a picture of their esquire wiring to help me a long, or tell me what I need to change? I'm trying to go by the vintage settings, but I have a modern switch. This is gonna kill me!

I hate to say this but, this is exactly why I ordered a pre-wired harness. I don't know how to solder so I pay someone who knows how. Sorry for the negativity. But someone here will help, so relax.

RS Guitarworks:mrgreen:

That weak switch is probably the problem. And, no offense, the soldering looks terrible - probably a bad connection.

+1 on the soldering job

Soldering is pretty ugly, so a bad connection is definitely possible.

But your real problem is probably that switch. Get a real one (and learn how to solder well) ) and your problems should be solved.

+1 on soldering and +1 on the switch

well, probably gonna go get a switch. I know my soldering sucks. About an hour ago, I gutted it and started from scratch. No luck. 7 hours of surgery gone to waste. I need to get some sleep, but tommorrow, I'm gonna try and turn it back into a Tele.

im digging on the enthusiasm man! as a tip i would take all of the ground wires and braid them together so you can solder them all to the pot at the same time. the only thing i can think that would mess up your wiring would be something grounding out or the switch

most folks don't find the 'vintage' esquire wiring useful. there are much more functional, and easier, wiring schemes to try out first. but, it's yer guitar and surely not mine.

the junker asian switch should be replaced with a crl or oak or tritan - much better quality and reliability.

you need to learn how to solder, search the web for instructions.

I really like the so called Eldred mod on Esquire style guitars. IMHO far more useful than the vintage wiring but de gustibus est non disputandum. It is easy to wire an Esquire style guitar with an Eldred mod. Seems like you might need a soldering iron of higher wattage to make the soldering more fluid. For switches 15 watts is ok but for the pots you might need more. A soldering station with adjustable effect is a good thing. Do not give up on the Esquire style, it is fun and inspiring:-)

i wouldn't use less than 40watts for guitar circuits. once soldering chops are acquired, which isn't hard at all, you pre-clean, flux and pre-tin, a 40watt iron works best, imho. ymmv.

The leads on the caps and resistor also look way too long, maybe they're grounding out on something. Is it really no sound at all? Same thing with the control plate outside the guitar?

If you like to try an Eldred mod which is quite easy to solder here is a link http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/tele-home-depot/108697d1326250277-esquire-3-way-switch-wiring-w-eldred-mod-eldred-mod-esquire-jpg
Less wiring/soldering. And yes a 40 watt iron is good, but for the less experinced it is quite easy to destroy a switch, especially the Asian kind, due to too much heat for too long. On the other hand it is way easyer to solder back of a pot with a short and effective dash with 40 watt or more.

Anyway, try to make all wires just as long as requiered and not too long. Insulate bare wire to prevent them to short out if they get crammed inside the guitar. Also, a multimeter can be your best friend checking the circuit when done. Just my experience.

the problem with anemic solder irons is that there isn't enuf heat generated to solder wires to large metal objects, like the back of pots. what happens is that 15 or 25 watt iron spends too much time on that pot back in order to melt and flow the solder and you wind up frying a tone cap in the process. or you just get frustrated that it's taking over a minute to flow the solder. not enuf heat.

learning how to properly solder isn't rocket science nor specifically for the nimble minded. it's all about cleaning both objects to be bonded, fluxing both, pre-tining both. touch the objects together, then touch with the iron's tip that has some solder on it - within 1 to 2 seconds the solder will flow and you remove that 40watt iron. see, easy! :cool:

I agree Rob. Just have seen too many melted switches and been asked to fix them for people during the last 30 years;-) I prefer an adjustable soldering irion station doing any work on guitars, pedals or amps any day of week.

after decades of working with cheap 40watt irons, more than a few years ago i finally sprung for a full blown digital soldering station. for someone who solders every day of the week (me!) ... wow, what a blessing!

If I can do it, you can do it! Be patient and give it a shot.

Clean it up and start over. I have used a the GFS switch you have without any problems but if you are up to it, you may as well spend the $10 and get a new/better switch.

Take Rob's advice of clean, tin, flux and get a few alligator clamps to help you with wire control ( I always feel like I need another set of hands). Good luck!

I agree Rob. Just seen too many melted switches during the last 30 years and been asked to fix them. For pots yes anemic irons result in bad work and heat damage etc. I prefer adjustable irions/stations so I can get the work done properly. The right tool for the task will het you there. OP, hope you get it working. Try to get a good switch and tidy up the wiring and you will be just fine and enjoy an Esquire style guitar. It is worth the effort and the money spent IMHO.