Standard Tele wiring, three-way, volume and tone (WIR-4001)

Parts and values

Every pickup is the maker's own. “As specified” means the sheet names that part. “Example part” means the sheet names no model: the pickup shown is one of the maker's with the same leads, and any pot, cap or switch with the same value and lugs will do. “Generic” is a plain part such as a ground wire. “Not on the sheet; stand-in” means the sheet prints no value for that part, so the value shown is the usual one, not the maker's.

Connections

In soldering order: grounds first, then the switch, the pickups and the signal path.

What each position does

Not simulated: this circuit is drawn for reference only.

• The sheet prints no capacitor value ("CAP"); the .047 µF part is a stand-in, so tone behaviour is not verified.

Before you solder

• Identify every lead on your pickups against the source's colours.
• Sheet title: "STANDARD TELE WIRING 1 VOL / 1 TONE / 3-WAY BLADE", code WIR-4001. Printed values: Volume Pot 250kA, Tone Pot 250k; the capacitor is labelled only "CAP".
• Switch: the neck pickup's yellow lead lands on the top lug of the right row and the bridge pickup's white lead on the bottom lug of the left row; these diagonal end lugs are the two commons (T8, T4). Black loops join the left row's top two lugs, run diagonally to the right row's third lug, loop to the right row's bottom lug and run on to the volume. The third left lug and the second right lug are unused. Lugs are mapped by function: left row top to bottom T3, T2, T1 (unused), T4; right row top to bottom T8, T7 (unused), T6, T5, which gives neck, both and bridge.
• Volume (lugs down): the switch output lands on its left lug, its right lug is bent onto the casing solder, and its middle lug feeds the jack tip through the thin white wire.
• Tone (drawn lugs up): its left lug is wired to the volume's left lug, its middle lug carries the CAP, whose other lead runs to the tone casing solder; the right lug is unused.
• Grounds as drawn: both pickup blacks and the From Bridge Ground wire land on the volume casing solder; a black wire joins the volume and tone casings and the tone casing solder runs to the jack sleeve.
• Use a small amount of solder, heat both surfaces, and hold the joint still as it cools. Lead-free solder may have a matte finish.

Ticks are kept in this browser only, as a reminder. They are not a check of your joints. New to soldering? Read the soldering cheat sheet .

Check before plugging in

Measure across the output jack with a multimeter on its resistance range. No exact readings are given where the source does not specify the pickups.