SD Broadcaster installation in Texas Tele . Help!

[Bender]

I'm putting a Duncan Broadcaster in my Texas Tele and wired it up following the instructions: yellow lead to switch and black lead grounded to the volume pot. The lead and neck pickups were out of phase using this configuration so I swapped the leads of the Broadcaster. Now the pickups are in phase but now there's a hum in the middle and lead switch positions. It stops if I touch the control plate so I guess the ground is screwed up. Any hints on how to fix this?

EDIT: Should I swap the ground lead at the baseplate?

[sidneystreet]

On the bottom of the bridge pickup you'll see that the black lead is soldered to the baseplate. Therefore, the baseplate and your bridge are grounded properly when you run the black lead to the volume control. If you switch the wires to correct the phase between the pickups, you still have to swap the baseplate ground to the yellow wire. Be CAREFUL doing this. It might be best to simply snip the connection between the baseplate and black eyelet, and run a new separate wire from the baseplate, away from the eyelet, to the back of the volume pot. This will solve both your phase and ground problems.

[Wild Rice Chris]

Originally Posted by sidneystreet

On the bottom of the bridge pickup you'll see that the black lead is soldered to the baseplate. Therefore, the baseplate and your bridge are grounded properly when you run the black lead to the volume control. If you switch the wires to correct the phase between the pickups, you still have to swap the baseplate ground to the yellow wire. Be CAREFUL doing this. It might be best to simply snip the connection between the baseplate and black eyelet, and run a new separate wire from the baseplate, away from the eyelet, to the back of the volume pot. This will solve both your phase and ground problems.

Yes, snip the connection to the baseplate and run a new ground wire. Two easier ways than soldering to the baseplate are to lay the stripped ground wire between the bridgplate and the body. Or solder the ground wire to a washer that is then put on the pickup mount screw next to the bridgeplate.

[fret buzz]

just curious, why are you switching out your pu? i have a texas tele myself and planning on changing too, i want a cleaner classic tele tone.

[Bender]

Well, I hooked it up the easy way, just running a separate wire from the baseplate to the volume pot & it works great! I'm finally able to thank you guys for the advice now that the website is back up!

Fret Buzz, I changed it because while I liked the way the guitar felt, the bridge pickup never really sounded right to me. At least, it never sounded what I expected a Telecaster to sound like so the guitar was always a second choice. I bought the Broadcaster because so many folks said it was a good pickup & I originally intended to put it in my 50s Tele. But I figured I might as well take a chance on the Texas Tele since the bridge PU just bugged me so much. Man, that was the right choice. The Broadcaster is a great compliment to the Texas' neck. It just sounds so much better now- like a Telecaster should sound! I think I just got a new #1 :D

Thanks again for the help guys!