I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

[FUH]

Hi there. First post. I wanna die.
I bought a Squier Telecaster with 2 humbuckers for 50$.
http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/image...9/50-guitars/part-2/squier-460-100-460-70.jpg
I wanted to use it for a hard rock project and my Strat was too clean and fancy. I scratched away the black paint and I decided to change it completely.
I bought a cheap 3 saddles bridge, an used Pearly Gates bridge and I recycled an old Hot Rail.
I tried to wire it using the Seymour D. wiring diagrams changing only what was needed but the tones became volumes and volumes didn't work, A MESS. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
So I decided to do everything from the beginning :flush: and now tones and volumes work fine. I have a new issue with the ground but I guess it won't be a problem to fix it but if you can help me it would be awesome.
THE MAIN PROBLEM is that I can't get both the pick up to work together.
When the switch is in the middle I still have the PG working alone.
I opened the switch and the contacts are fine.
It must be a problem with the wires...
I attach a picture. I used different wires so be patient and follow this to recognize them... http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=2h_2v_2t_3w

 

[MikeS]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

I assume both pickups work in their respective positions? Sometimes the contacts in those cheap import switches appear OK, but don't always make good contact in all positions. Do you have a higher resolution picture with the text? I can't clearly read the notes.

 

[FUH]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

I can't upload a better picture because there are size limits for the attachments. I can send you a mail if you give me your address.
So... volumes and tones are working fine. The problem is the switch. I opened it and try the 3 settings to see what happens, It looks like this...

left
\ U\

middle /U\

right
/U /

When it's in the middle position, the switch doesn't touch the / and \ so the 3 are all in contact, and when this happens the Hot Rail gets killed.

Since the volumes and tones work, but they're pretty low quality, like 1 to 5 nothing happens, then 6 BANG, 6-9 ok, 10 DEATH... I wanna buy new ones, any suggestions for a completely new FULL kit? And which wire do I have to use and where do I buy it? I'm writing from Sweden, so no stores, just shops online, thanks!
I'm worried about the switch though. I don't wanna have problems with the switch even with the new kit if the problem is in the wiring.
PG for the bridge (mounted on neck) and Hot Rail mounted on bridge are ok right?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

The original three-way toggle switch is a pile o' steamin' horse manure. Buy a genuine Switchcraft, preferrably, the "right-angled" type used in the Gibson SG.

FWIIW, the contacts on the OEM cheapo switch are pickup A in, Output, pickup B in with the ground lug opposite the output lug. If the switch cannot select between the two pickups or both, its internal contacts have failed or been damaged. The design is notoriously unreliable. Save yourself time, trouble and repair charges by upgrading to a better switch.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

volumes sounded like tones?
missing ground on one outside leg

tone acting like volume?
neither the outside legs should be grounded

when you removed the knobs you inadvertently swapped the pots

 

[MikeS]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

If you're certain the issue is the switch, replace it. Those cheap import switches are garbage. Buy a genuine Switchcraft toggle switch. I would not try a right angle switch in your guitar, as there may not be room for it. If replacing the switch doesn't solve your problems then we can look deeper into the wiring, but for now it certainly sounds like the switch is the culprit.

 

[FUH]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

The original three-way toggle switch is a pile o' steamin' horse manure. Buy a genuine Switchcraft, preferrably, the "right-angled" type used in the Gibson SG.

FWIIW, the contacts on the OEM cheapo switch are pickup A in, Output, pickup B in with the ground lug opposite the output lug. If the switch cannot select between the two pickups or both, its internal contacts have failed or been damaged. The design is notoriously unreliable. Save yourself time, trouble and repair charges by upgrading to a better switch.

Yeh. I opened the switch and try the 3 settings using my fingers to move the contacts. When all the contacts are in contact the Hot Rail gets killed by the PG.
I don't know anything about this but I'm very excited about fixing this guitar by myself. Following the Seymour Duncan wiring diagrams is pretty easy. I guess I just need to buy a new switch, at this point, I wanna buy a new kit. Any suggestion for a new kit for Telecaster Deluxe?
Including anything, from wires to pots. Thanks.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

Looking at the second attached photograph, where the output cable reaches the jack socket, I can see where the signal-carrying conductor reaches the hot terminal of the socket. I see no sign of the cable's insulation being grounded ANYWHERE.

Where does the black ground wire the selector switch ground lug reach ground in the control cavity?

 

[FUH]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

Looking at the second attached photograph, where the output cable reaches the jack socket, I can see where the signal-carrying conductor reaches the hot terminal of the socket. I see no sign of the cable's insulation being grounded ANYWHERE.

Where does the black ground wire the selector switch ground lug reach ground in the control cavity?

The ground wire coming from the selector is soldered to the first pot up to the left. I've followed the diagram. I think. Did I? :scratchch

 

[Stratman]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

Yeh. I opened the switch and try the 3 settings using my fingers to move the contacts. When all the contacts are in contact the Hot Rail gets killed by the PG.
I don't know anything about this but I'm very excited about fixing this guitar by myself. Following the Seymour Duncan wiring diagrams is pretty easy. I guess I just need to buy a new switch, at this point, I wanna buy a new kit. Any suggestion for a new kit for Telecaster Deluxe?
Including anything, from wires to pots. Thanks.

Here is a site that will help you understand this type of Telecaster.

http://lidbjork.homelinux.org/72cc/index.html

Here are some stores that sells parts that you can use to make the modifications / repairs:

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Electronic-Parts-C1.aspx

Here is a list of what you will need:

1. Four (4) 500K audio CTS pots
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/500k-Audio-Pot-CTS-375-Bushing-Split-Shaft-P25C15.aspx
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/250k-Audio-Pot-CTS-375-Bushing-Split-Shaft-P291C14.aspx (These are 250K)
   
2. One (1) Switch
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Switch-Switchcraft-3-Way-Toggle-Short-Straight-P1348C10.aspx
   
3. Two (2) 0.047 Capacitors
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/047µF-Capacitor-Orange-Drop-P41C205.aspx
   
4. One (1) Jack and cup
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Jack-Switchcraft-14-Mono-Long-Bushing-P2020C13.aspx
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Electrosocket-Clear-Anodized-Satin-P2882C13.aspx
   
5. Two~Three (2~3) feet of black cloth covered, pre-tinned wire (On bottom of webpage)
   http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm
   
6. Two~Three (2~3) feet of white cloth covered, pre-tinned wire (On bottom of webpage)
   http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm
   
7. 60-40 rosin core solder (Radio Shack)

PS: New pickguard
http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Fender-Pickguard-Tele-72-Custom-3-Ply-Black-P1095C55.aspx

 

[FUH]

Re: I need some help wiring a Telecaster. DO NOT LAUGH.

Here is a site that will help you understand this type of Telecaster.

http://lidbjork.homelinux.org/72cc/index.html

Here are some stores that sells parts that you can use to make the modifications / repairs:

http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Electronic-Parts-C1.aspx

Here is a list of what you will need:

1. Four (4) 500K audio CTS pots
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/500k-Audio-Pot-CTS-375-Bushing-Split-Shaft-P25C15.aspx
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/250k-Audio-Pot-CTS-375-Bushing-Split-Shaft-P291C14.aspx (These are 250K)
   
2. One (1) Switch
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Switch-Switchcraft-3-Way-Toggle-Short-Straight-P1348C10.aspx
   
3. Two (2) 0.047 Capacitors
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/047µF-Capacitor-Orange-Drop-P41C205.aspx
   
4. One (1) Jack and cup
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Jack-Switchcraft-14-Mono-Long-Bushing-P2020C13.aspx
   http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Electrosocket-Clear-Anodized-Satin-P2882C13.aspx
   
5. Two~Three (2~3) feet of black cloth covered, pre-tinned wire (On bottom of webpage)
   http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm
   
6. Two~Three (2~3) feet of white cloth covered, pre-tinned wire (On bottom of webpage)
   http://www.darrenriley.com/fenderparts.htm
   
7. 60-40 rosin core solder (Radio Shack)

PS: New pickguard
http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Fender-Pickguard-Tele-72-Custom-3-Ply-Black-P1095C55.aspx

AWESOME. THANK YOU.