Can I wire a 4way w/ parallel out of phase?

[Newfie_J.]

Hi. Heres one for all you wiring geniuses out there.

I have a 62 tele reissue w/ Duncan Antiquities and a Fender 4-way mod switch. The switch in the new "parallel position", (#4),blows away the stock "both pickups in series position"(#2).

So I want to know is there any way to convert the #2 pickup position (both in series), to out of phase and in parallel.
I want that stratish in between sound without to much volume loss.

I know there are other ways to get it but I dont want to use mini switches or push pull pots. A mini switch will get in the way of volume swells, and my volume and tone pots are realy worn in and fast with a great taper so I dont want to replace them with a push pull.

Is it possible? Tonewise, is it worth it? Any way to keep the volume loss from being too severe? Thanks for looking. Any opinion is appreciated.

[bajabuster]

You have to reverse the polarity of one of your pickups, and I can't think of a way to do that without using a double pole double throw switch. The only thing you could do is make positions two and four out of phase all the time, and I know you don't want that. The #2 position on my Baja sounds great out of phase, but the parallel #4 position out of phase sounds like a guitar played through an old transistor radio. I haven't found a song to use it in yet. Maybe for reggae, or something like that. Actually, I just stopped and played "Stir it up" Bob Marley, it sounds great for that. The #2 posiyion is very Strat like, but more beefy, when out of phase. Maybe, just change the phase on one of your pickups, play with it like that for an hour, and see if the sound makes you have to have it. Then, go from there. you won't have ruined anything.
Put a mini-switch back by the tone control, out on the way of the volume pot. Or you could buy a pull switch and take it apart and try and put your carbon strip from your old tone control inside of it.
I don't change my tone setting that often, so changing the tone pot wouldn't be that big of an issue for me.
A guy I know, Steve Piticco, sawed off his tone pot flush to the guard. He never uses it, never uses his volume pot, uses a pedal. He's a good player.
Best of luck at getting the six different sounds out of your Tele. I love mine for having that ability.
Buster

[denny]

Welcome to the TDPRI!

You will probably have to disconnect the ground from the cover of the neck pickup and run a new ground wire.

I have the Deaf Eddie 5-way on my Tele and the out-phase position is used least of all. I think it sounds a bit weak and lo-fi, good for some rythm or funk. The 5-way uses a superswitch, and gives the traditional 3 positions plus in-series and out-of-phase.

Here is a link to Deaf Eddie's web site with instructions:
http://www.deaf-eddie.net/guitars/5-tone.html

If you really want the parallel out-of-phase instead of series, give Deaf Eddie a shout - he is a regular on this board, and is always helpful.

Edit - just found this link on TDPRI:
http://www.tdpri.com/wiring5wayStrat.htm

denny

[Newfie_J.]

Thanks Guys. Cool ideas.
I still think I would like to find a way to replace the now rarely used #2 position on the 4-way. I do like the idea of switching the wires on the neck pickup around just to see if it will realy give me the tone Im looking for.

I may also have to atleast try a DPDT on a mockup control plate to see how much it does get in the way of my volume swells. If all else fails maybe a 5-way superswitch will do, but I will have to widen my control cavity.

So what sounds better, Series out of phase or parallel out of phase? I want whatever sounds more stratlike.

Like Denny said, Mabe Deaf Eddie knows how to magically wire this one up.
Also will a 5-way superswitch hold a tele barrel knob tightly, I dont like the look of strat tips on Teles. Vain I know.

[Newfie_J.]

Thanks Guys. Cool ideas.
I still think I would like to find a way to replace the now rarely used #2 position on the 4-way. I do like the idea of switching the wires on the neck pickup around just to see if it will realy give me the tone Im looking for.

I may also have to atleast try a DPDT on a mockup control plate to see how much it does get in the way of my volume swells. If all else fails maybe a 5-way superswitch will do, but I will have to widen my control cavity.

So what sounds better, Series out of phase or parallel out of phase? I want whatever sounds more stratlike.

Like Denny said, Mabe Deaf Eddie knows how to magically wire this one up.
Also will a 5-way superswitch hold a tele barrel knob tightly, I dont like the look of strat tips on Teles. Vain I know.