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Telecaster players have long debated the merits of having their pickups wired in parallel vs. series. In the traditional parallel wiring configuration, pickup output is relatively consistent across all three positions. A Telecaster with its pickups wired in series differs in that when both pickups are on at the same time, the combination produces fatter tone and higher output. The 4-position switch allows players to have both wiring options at once. The resulting pickup combinations are:
- Position 1: Bridge Pickup (standard Tele)
- Position 2: Bridge & Neck Pickups in Parallel (standard Tele)
- Position 3: Neck Pickup (standard Tele)
- Position 4: Bridge & Neck Pickups in Series (fatter tone than position 2, and more output than positions 1, 2, or 3)
The ground must be lifted from the rhythm pickup cover (if there is one), and an additional ground wire added to maintain its shielding capability. Players with reverse wound, reverse polarity pickups will enjoy the added benefit of hum cancellation in positions 2 and 4. A wiring diagram is available here.
Few wiring options give you such a useable enhancement so elegantly. Most add clutter or complexity, but the 4-way adds neither. In our minds, it is a no-brainer for Tele players. This is the same switch that Fender uses and sells. It is made in America by Oak Grigsby.