Telecaster w/ Esquire Dark Position?

Ellum

New member
Is it possible to wire a telecaster with a 4-way switch so the extra position would yield the Esquire "dark" tone preset. I searched like crazy on Google. I found a few people who have asked, but couldn't get any answers.

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I THINK I got it! It only took me what, two weeks? I pretty much had to do this on my own. People told me it was possible, but never how to do it. This thing has really gotten out of hand. First I was gonna rewire my U.S. Standard Tele. I got frustrated, said the hell with it, and decided to get a Highway 1 Texas Telecaster and make it a dedicated Esquire. That turned into a AV '52 RI. Then this morning it became a Custom Shop NOS Nocaster. I just ordered it a little bit ago. :14: All this so I can play a few Johnny Cash songs. :eyecrazy:

It should work as follows...

1. Neck and Bridge
2. Neck
3. Bridge
4. Bridge Dark

Throw in a no-load tone-pot and I've got everything I was looking for. I think "Telesquire" is a much more fitting name for this conversion as opposed to people who add a neck pickup to an Esquire. I suppose I'll revise it so the switch positions will be opposite, but my brain has decided it needs a break.
 
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Re: Telecaster w/ Esquire Dark Position?

Anything is possible with M A G I C!!!

errrm but uh...there are some wiring wizzes around here who can probably help you. I've seen some schematics that I barely even understand on here so what you're asking for shouldn't be too hard.

Wasn't the "dark tone" just an extra capacitor? Look up a schematic for the Esquire wiring and see what value cap they use, then it should just be a matter of putting it on the fourth possition. But don't quote me on that, I'm no expert.
 
Re: Telecaster w/ Esquire Dark Position?

Is it possible to wire a telecaster with a 4-way switch so the extra position would yield the Esquire "dark" tone preset. I searched like crazy on Google. I found a few people who have asked, but couldn't get any answers.

You'd have to add a resistor as well as 2 more tone caps...it could be done but im not sure why you'd really want it....you ever try it???
 
Re: Telecaster w/ Esquire Dark Position?

You'd have to add a resistor as well as 2 more tone caps...it could be done but im not sure why you'd really want it....you ever try it???

I'm a Luther Perkins freak! Like I own www.lutherperkins.com level of freak. I REALLY dig that big boomy tone on the intro of "I Walk the Line". I could pull it off using a push-pull pot, but I am not sure about my stock knobs fitting. All I can find is splined knob pots.
 
Re: Telecaster w/ Esquire Dark Position?

Wire a compacitor of the desired size to the 4th position and the bridge pup to that position. If I can think up a wiring diagram for it I'll let you know.
 
Re: Telecaster w/ Esquire Dark Position?

Wire a compacitor of the desired size to the 4th position and the bridge pup to that position. If I can think up a wiring diagram for it I'll let you know.

That would be GREATLY appreciated!!! I have diagrams and failed sketches all over my desk at work. It's a phone job, so I do it in between calls. It would be hard if it wasn't two caps and a resistor. I PM'ed Lew and threatend to buy stuff if he knew a way to make it work. I wanna throw in a Broadcaster p'up and an STR-1 as long as I'm operating.

If I can't make this fly, I'm considering getting a Honey Blonde Highway 1 Texas Tele and making a decidated Esquire out of it. It would be close to Luther Perkins' Esquire from the late 50s.
 
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