The fourth 'in-series' position, achieved through a 4-way blade
This wiring mod is typically related to the Telecaster setup. You could, of course, use this for other wirings, like two P90s or for a single humbucker, controlling the two coils separately – which makes a lot of sense for example using the Seymour Duncan P-Rails pickup, where the two single coils are not identical.
The standard Telecaster configuration includes three pickup positions: bridge, neck, and both pickups in parallel in the middle position of the 3-way switch. This 4-Way Telecaster Wiring Mod represents a simple yet effective modification that expands the instrument’s tonal palette without compromising its inherent design principles.
The addition of the fourth “in-series” position, achieved through a 4-way blade switch and a wiring modification, increases the overall output. Being the typical humbucker wiring (in-series, I mean) this position is also emphasizing midrange frequencies. The result is a more powerful and focused sound.
In my preferred wiring shown here, position 3 introduces the new configuration by wiring both pickups in series.
Note: the neck pickup of a Telecaster often has the metal cap and the ground wire combined in one. In order to use this wiring mod, you need to run the ground of the metal cap separately from the ground wire of the coil.
Click and learn
Click a position in the table and see how the current runs through the pickup combination related to that positions of the switch.
| Pos. | Click Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bridge pickup only |
| 2 | Both parallel |
| 3 | Both in series |
| 4 | Neck pickup only |