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HELP: What Is The Yellow Neck Pickup Wire For??? (Telecaster)

Discussion in 'Tele-Technical' started by Tele907, Jan 17, 2021.

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  1. Jan 17, 2021 #1
    Tele907

    Tele907 TDPRI Member

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    I jut got some Bootstrap Pretzel Pups (tele), and the neck comes with a yellow wire, along with the standard white and black. I know the white is hot, and the black is ground, but what's the yellow for? Sorry if this is in the wrong sub forum.
     
  2. Jan 17, 2021 #2
    DougM

    DougM Poster Extraordinaire

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    This took me ten seconds to find on their website. yellow is the ground for the neck pickup's cover. So, it should be connected to ground, just like the black wire, if you're using a 3 way switch. If you're using a 4 way, then the white and black go to the switch, and the yellow still goes to ground.
    https://bootstrappickups.com/pages/wiring-colors
     
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  3. Jan 17, 2021 #3
    Tuxedo Poly

    Tuxedo Poly Tele-Afflicted

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    Is the yellow soldered to one of the cover tabs?
    An extra wire on neck pickups is usually a cover ground and makes it earier to use in series wiring.. Pictures of the pickup bottom may help.
     
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  4. Jan 17, 2021 #4
    Steve Holt

    Steve Holt Friend of Leo's

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    The 4 way switch mods require the neck pickup to have its own ground wire. Take it from me that not having it isn't great.

    So @Bootstrap is just being a really nice guy and throwing it in so everyone has that option. At least that's what I think!
     
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  5. Jan 17, 2021 #5
    Tele907

    Tele907 TDPRI Member

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    Okay, thanks, I'm a total noob when it comes to this, never even soldered before!
     
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  6. Jan 17, 2021 #6
    Addnine

    Addnine Tele-Meister

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    A sep ground wire facilitates phasing mods. You might want to be careful about ground loops when installing the p/u. some do not think this matters, but I do.
     
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  7. Jan 17, 2021 #7
    Tele907

    Tele907 TDPRI Member

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    UPDATE: Welp, installed the PU's in a little less than an hour, was really easy, and they sound great, I just soldered the Cover Ground (yellow) together with the normal black ground, then shrink wrapped over it. Came out clean, and tidy! Thanks, everyone for the help.
     
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  8. Jan 17, 2021 #8
    medownsouth

    medownsouth Tele-Holic Gold Supporter

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    Lol, don't feel bad - I asked the same thing when I got my first set.
     
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