Two notable guitarists who used this setup in their teles were Bill Kirchen (Hotrod Cadillac) who loved doing volume swells and Terry Kath (the original guitar player for Chicago). Terry Kath was one of my favorite guitarists. RIP
Nice to see the master at work on the project. It plays so much easier now Steve while adjusting pickups as well as the adjustment of the action makes it far more enjoyable to play. Thanks for your professionalism and expertise and precise attention to detail.
I made a tele for my brother as a gift for making me play guitar when I was a kid. It is now how I define myself:) I put the plate on backwards to make it easier to do volume swells. Thanks, Mike. You started me on the journey to find my joy:)
Or you can just change out the switch tip and/or knobs for clearance. The problem on the switch being close to the knobs isn’t solved with this mod, some like it for ergonomics but the switch distance is still the same
@Morningstar. It seems you are missing the point of this mod. It's not about the distance between the switch and the tone control it's about making the volume control more accessible for quick adjustments and volume swells. If your issue is the amount of space between the tone knob and the selector switch (not something I hear people complain about) you will need to do a more invasive mod than this to get what you are after. Maybe a Strat or Jazzmaster would be more your style?
I have this exact same guitar. 92' MiM Lefty, cherry red/white pickguard. I purchased a complete 50's wiring harness with left handed pots and a treble bleed circuit. The reversed layout is perfect for volume swells. Puts the knob right where you want it.
I've done this for a few of my Teles. If you want to do lots of volume swells and tone swells I would suggest replacing the CTS (or stock) pots with full sized Bournes pots. They roll quicker and the swells are more like a pedal steel with a volume pedal. A great reason to do a plate flip is if you are adding a Bigsby. This helps to get the switch out of the way for the end of the Bigsby handle. The last reason is more basic. If you hit the switch a bit, this is the easiest mod and is 100% reversible. Also it makes your Tele look aesthetically different. That said once you do the flip, you will probably do this to all your Teles.😉👍✨
@guitar-niche Of course. Actually the Tele plate flip is where I think that particular pot shines. Otherwise they roll to quickly in other guitars when you expect me ore of a stiffer, steady roll like a CTS.
Doctor, I concur. Pay attention to how often you use the volume and tone and compare that to how often you switch pickup selections. For me, the volume and tone adjustments are happening every few seconds; but, the pickup switches are only happening 3 to 4 times per song on average. Plus- unless you’ve got freakishly long pinky fingers, swells are a drag without the panel reversed. I also like to use a 250k audio taper pot for the volume and a 500k linear tone pot with .047 treble bleed which gives a more evenly distributed sweep to the volume and a sharp cut off point of about 20% to the tone. The entire sweep of the tone knob becomes more usable with about 6 on the knob becoming home base and the sharp cut off point allows you to whip the knob for a wah-like effect.
Thought about doing this, it's a logical mod that nicely improves a couple things on a Tele. Looks like since the switch grounds to the control plate, all you need is a jumper for that one signal wire you clipped at the switch lug. And as you pointed out, aim the switch the correct way putting it back together. Good video! (Edit- new subscriber too)
@@guitar-niche I checked my own Squier Tele and it has plenty of wire to disconnect switches and pots, spin the plate and put everything back together without having to solder or add wire. Awesome. This is on a Cor-Tek Indonesia 'Affinity Squier' and it's a very good one all-around. I'll probably be doing this control plate mod soon, next time I have two or three guitars ready to work on. Looking forward to it, letcha know how it goes.
Kudos to Fender for their staunch traditionalism ;) Also, the Strat volume pot is 'too close' imho while the Tele Thinline controls are in a different zipcode but squished together.
In about 2010 Fender actually produced a Telecaster with this configuration, with dual humbuckers. It was called a Blacktop Tele made in Mexico. I had one in Candy apple red. The series only lasted about 4 years.
@ Oh yes you’re right. I actually liked it more than any other Telecaster model, although I’m a Strat guy, I’ve always WANTED to like Teles. I just can’t seem to bond with them. I’ve had about 4 on & off gathering dust so gave up.
Good mod. I always think it's funny when people say Leo got everything right the first time around. He did do damn well but he did miss a couple of things and in my opinion this is one of them. Fender started out thinking he didn't need a truss rod (that changed quickly) and Leo didn't remain happy with other "original" choices either. Eventually offering a rosewood board was due to his dislike of how the maple wore in over time, those fret wear marks that many find so cool and classic looking nowadays didnt make Leo happy about his product. The five way selector switch wasn't part of the original design either as the early Fenders only had three way switching unless you were smart enough to figure out how to carefully put the selector to get those in-between 2 and 4 positions.
i have a MIM 2012 FSR tele and the previous owner put a pair of Van Zant pick ups in so im not sure if he changed the wiring around or not. I simply took the two screws out and swapped ends and put er back in It works great
Since I typically use the pickup selector way more than I do the volume knob, this isn't an improvement for me. Volume swells are handled by my expression pedal.
Alternate Timeline: Defner issues the CasterTele with volume and tone controls forward; pickup selector to rear. Also Alternate Timeline: TubeYou video hack on how CasterTele controls are problematic. Flip the control plate to move those pesky knobs where they belong--at the rear!
Wanna have some fun with Tele wiring ? Replace the output jack with a stereo jack and route both pickups to separate amps. Endless tone possibilities. Thanks for your vid. 👍
Legal or not I couldn't care less 😄😄😄 I've been modifying my Teles/Esquires this way since 1984 and I don't see myself going back to the "factory" installation...
Do it really right? Get a new plate and put 2 volume controls and 1 tone control with a gibson style switch on there. They will fit in there and then you you got "real" control. And it's an easy job!
Two notable guitarists who used this setup in their teles were Bill Kirchen (Hotrod Cadillac) who loved doing volume swells and Terry Kath (the original guitar player for Chicago). Terry Kath was one of my favorite guitarists. RIP
Nice to see the master at work on the project. It plays so much easier now Steve while adjusting pickups as well as the adjustment of the action makes it far more enjoyable to play. Thanks for your professionalism and expertise and precise attention to detail.
You're very welcome!
I made a tele for my brother as a gift for making me play guitar when I was a kid. It is now how I define myself:) I put the plate on backwards to make it easier to do volume swells. Thanks, Mike. You started me on the journey to find my joy:)
Or you can just change out the switch tip and/or knobs for clearance. The problem on the switch being close to the knobs isn’t solved with this mod, some like it for ergonomics but the switch distance is still the same
@Morningstar. It seems you are missing the point of this mod.
It's not about the distance between the switch and the tone control it's about making the volume control more accessible for quick adjustments and volume swells.
If your issue is the amount of space between the tone knob and the selector switch (not something I hear people complain about) you will need to do a more invasive mod than this to get what you are after. Maybe a Strat or Jazzmaster would be more your style?
I have this exact same guitar. 92' MiM Lefty, cherry red/white pickguard. I purchased a complete 50's wiring harness with left handed pots and a treble bleed circuit. The reversed layout is perfect for volume swells. Puts the knob right where you want it.
That's why I suggested the mod to the owner who's a Strat guy. He loves it.
I've done this for a few of my Teles. If you want to do lots of volume swells and tone swells I would suggest replacing the CTS (or stock) pots with full sized Bournes pots. They roll quicker and the swells are more like a pedal steel with a volume pedal.
A great reason to do a plate flip is if you are adding a Bigsby. This helps to get the switch out of the way for the end of the Bigsby handle.
The last reason is more basic. If you hit the switch a bit, this is the easiest mod and is 100% reversible. Also it makes your Tele look aesthetically different. That said once you do the flip, you will probably do this to all your Teles.😉👍✨
Good point on the Bournes pot. Thanks for sharing!
@guitar-niche
Of course. Actually the Tele plate flip is where I think that particular pot shines. Otherwise they roll to quickly in other guitars when you expect me ore of a stiffer, steady roll like a CTS.
That’s a great idea from an ergonomic standpoint, good job on this vid
Thanks!
Doctor, I concur. Pay attention to how often you use the volume and tone and compare that to how often you switch pickup selections. For me, the volume and tone adjustments are happening every few seconds; but, the pickup switches are only happening 3 to 4 times per song on average.
Plus- unless you’ve got freakishly long pinky fingers, swells are a drag without the panel reversed.
I also like to use a 250k audio taper pot for the volume and a 500k linear tone pot with .047 treble bleed which gives a more evenly distributed sweep to the volume and a sharp cut off point of about 20% to the tone. The entire sweep of the tone knob becomes more usable with about 6 on the knob becoming home base and the sharp cut off point allows you to whip the knob for a wah-like effect.
Great points! Thanks for sharing :)
Very interesting and thank you. I may do that to my tele too. I have a new set of controls to install anyway.
That's the way you want it! Everyone of my telecasters are done in that format!
Thought about doing this, it's a logical mod that nicely improves a couple things on a Tele. Looks like since the switch grounds to the control plate, all you need is a jumper for that one signal wire you clipped at the switch lug. And as you pointed out, aim the switch the correct way putting it back together. Good video!
(Edit- new subscriber too)
Thanks!
@@guitar-niche I checked my own Squier Tele and it has plenty of wire to disconnect switches and pots, spin the plate and put everything back together without having to solder or add wire. Awesome. This is on a Cor-Tek Indonesia 'Affinity Squier' and it's a very good one all-around. I'll probably be doing this control plate mod soon, next time I have two or three guitars ready to work on. Looking forward to it, letcha know how it goes.
@@markpell8979 Excellent and good luck!
Kudos to Fender for their staunch traditionalism ;) Also, the Strat volume pot is 'too close' imho while the Tele Thinline controls are in a different zipcode but squished together.
From the player's point of view, a little ergonomics goes a long way.
@@guitar-niche 100% It's just funny how some things about Fender guitars have never changed.
In about 2010 Fender actually produced a Telecaster with this configuration, with dual humbuckers. It was called a Blacktop Tele made in Mexico. I had one in Candy apple red. The series only lasted about 4 years.
Right!! Totally forgot about that model. I guess that was 4 years too long for the purists...
@ Oh yes you’re right. I actually liked it more than any other Telecaster model, although I’m a Strat guy, I’ve always WANTED to like Teles. I just can’t seem to bond with them. I’ve had about 4 on & off gathering dust so gave up.
Good mod. I always think it's funny when people say Leo got everything right the first time around. He did do damn well but he did miss a couple of things and in my opinion this is one of them.
Fender started out thinking he didn't need a truss rod (that changed quickly) and Leo didn't remain happy with other "original" choices either. Eventually offering a rosewood board was due to his dislike of how the maple wore in over time, those fret wear marks that many find so cool and classic looking nowadays didnt make Leo happy about his product.
The five way selector switch wasn't part of the original design either as the early Fenders only had three way switching unless you were smart enough to figure out how to carefully put the selector to get those in-between 2 and 4 positions.
Another one imo is the Tele Deluxe control layout.
Did this to my Tele in 1986 when I got it. Always thought it was the wrong way round.
And there you go, ergonomics 101 :)
Wired up a partscaster from scratch this way will never go back..... I'd prefer they came from the factory this way.....🤷
Brilliant, brilliant brilliant! I’m doing this mod as soon as I get home.
Have fun!
I prefer the Top Hat over Barrel but that's me. Edit: Just a FYI a Stratocaster Tip will also fit.
Good "tip" ✅
Love the Strat tip. It always stays on, unlike the top hat knob.
i have a MIM 2012 FSR tele and the previous owner put a pair of Van Zant pick ups in so im not sure if he changed the wiring around or not. I simply took the two screws out and swapped ends and put er back in It works great
Several manufacturers of T style guitars, including Dean Zelinsky, configure their guitars this way.
Since I typically use the pickup selector way more than I do the volume knob, this isn't an improvement for me. Volume swells are handled by my expression pedal.
Great stuff. Probably not illegal, but I’d stay off the Fender forums for a few days if this leaks out.
Finger wags from the purists, playing with fire...🔥
@ 😄
That's the only mod my 51 reissue needed
Alternate Timeline: Defner issues the CasterTele with volume and tone controls forward; pickup selector to rear.
Also Alternate Timeline: TubeYou video hack on how CasterTele controls are problematic. Flip the control plate to move those pesky knobs where they belong--at the rear!
Defner... LOL! 😂
@@guitar-niche Entirely too much sci-fi in my diet!
Listen to Bill’s version of hot Rod Cadillac. It’s awesome.
Gently bend the switch down ...works great, plenty of room between the knob and pickup selector.
Interesting...
I've lost a few top hat knobs but never a Strat tip, and it is easier to grab
@@guitar-niche I think Danny Gatton did that first?
@@Brett-v6t Noice!
As long as you make sure to flip everything around.
I do this all the time with the Teles.. So much better.. Now the guitar is more functional 🎸👍
Excellent!
Wanna have some fun with Tele wiring ? Replace the output jack with a stereo jack and route both pickups to separate amps. Endless tone possibilities. Thanks for your vid. 👍
Sounds like fun, and you're welcome!
Great. Thanks!
Welcome!
This is my preferred setup.
and mine.
No cavity shielding?
Nope. Lots of models without it. And I don't add it if it's not requested or otherwise unnecessary (humbuckers)..
Ac/Dc said it best just keep on breaking the rules (for those about to rock album)
Legal or not I couldn't care less 😄😄😄 I've been modifying my Teles/Esquires this way since 1984 and I don't see myself going back to the "factory" installation...
👏👏👏
The illegal part was just click-bait
uh-oh... 🚨👮♂
Sorry but I cant see what it has achieved.
The volume control is now able to be manipulated without the pickup switch in the way......
@@chiasson65 But now access to the pickup switch has been made problematic.
@@RideAcrossTheRiver I would disagree as this switch still has the ability to be fully accessible.
@@chiasson65 How is farther away the same?
Legal? Who cares, myself and hundreds of others use it that way
Fire! 🔥
Do it really right? Get a new plate and put 2 volume controls and 1 tone control with a gibson style switch on there. They will fit in there and then you you got "real" control. And it's an easy job!
Seen it, it works. ✅