Seperation Anxioty

[ejb222]

So I brought my Tele into the shop for the first time. The nut need to be fixed as all the strings sat way to high. Only gonna be gone for a day, but I'm already nervous and my head is loaded with worst case scenarios.
But I do have a question.

The tech talked about either rewiring the middle possition to be hum canceling or adding a 4 way switch to do so. And possible changing to a 5 way switch for a final out of phase position...any thoughts? Or maybe anything else I should think of?

Thanks

[KevinB]

These are not difficult changes to make, but do you feel you need them?

What model of Tele is it?

[woodman]

the hum-canceling is totally worthwhile, but i'm surprised it's not wired that way already. as for out-of-phase, i'd suggest going series instead of parallel if you want a much more useful sound.

[ejb222]

It's an Ameican body with deluxe neck. The nut was pretty bad...horrible intonation in the first few frets. I don't have the tools or the experience to be screwing around with that. But what about the wiring? I could probably pick up a soldering iron and do that. What do you think?

[woodman]

i'm absolutely not a wiring expert, but it sounds funny to me that the mid position isn't hum-canceling. are the pickups stock, or did someone tinker with them before you owned it?

[surfoverb]

Did you suggest out-of-phase and/or hum cancelling or did he? I don't think you should do either of those unless you think you need it...Going series is a good usefull thing to have but also only if you feel you need it (it can give a quazi-humbucker sound) It seems he wants to do this work so he can get paid. (thats just an assumption sorry if I'm wrong)

My 52ri pickups are not hum cancelling and when I switched them out for Novaks I got hum cancelling but I don't use the middle much anyhow and it doesn't make that much difference to me.

I played a Nocaster that was wired in series and I dug that beefier sound.

[ejb222]

Funny you should ask...All the parts we bought seperately and then assembled by my Pops...I can't tell you if the pickups were pre wired or if he wired them himself when he installed them...

So would you suggest wiring them as hum canceling and may be an added switch position for out of phase? I do like both the out of phase sound like Albert King and the normal rockabily sound of parrallel.

[surfoverb]

Originally Posted by ejb222

Funny you should ask...All the parts we bought seperately and then assembled by my Pops...I can't tell you if the pickups were pre wired or if he wired them himself when he installed them...

So would you suggest wiring them as hum canceling and may be an added switch position for out of phase? I do like both the out of phase sound like Albert King and the normal rockabily sound of parrallel.

If that's what you like then go for it!

[ejb222]

Is that someting I could do myself?....I love the hands on. Do any of you have any wisdom to share with the first time do it yourselfer installing a 4 way switch, the 4th position being out of phase(same as in series?)
And is there a big difference in hum canceling other than no hum? Will I get different tones?

[KevinB]

You could absolutely do it yourself. There are numerous threads on the forum about this mod, and there are wiring diagrams.

There are also plenty of experts - not necessarily including myself! - who will help you.

[ejb222]

Just got her back today...What a difference! Now she's ready to sing.
Thanks for the advice.