Help - top/highest quality 4-way switch for Tele?

[Twinfan]

I fancy putting a 4-way switch in my new Tele so I ordered the genuine Fender part.  It turned up yesterday and it's a bit naff.  The quality is low as it's really flimsy, and the contacts are really close togther.  It looks like it'll start playing up after not much use  :(

Is there anybody producing a 'proper' high quality 4-way switch for a Tele?

The original 3-way on the guitar is seriously high quality and sturdy like this one, with big contact points which are clearly separated.  It's a USA made CRL switch:



The one that came in the Fender pack was labelled as a Custom Shop part and made in Mexico.  It looks like this one, which you can see is lesser quality and the contact points are dodgy.  I think it's also a CRL switch?:

[Fourth Feline]

Hiya mate,

I was thinking of the ' Callaham' stuff that Charlie Chandlers of London import from the USA. I once had  my eye on a complete pre-wired control plate ( huge knurled knobs, cryo dipped parts - but £77 ! ) .

Also I wondered what you thought of the 'unofficial'  alternatives at the foot of 'Axes 'r' Us' switches section ?  way below the badged stuff on the same page . A couple look very solid indeed.

 :)

[Twinfan]

Hi Derek  :)

The Chandlers site still has the Callaham parts but no picture of the actual 4-way unit.  They claim it's a CRL part, but I'm not convinced.  The BKP shop also lists a CRL 4-way but I think that's wrong too because after doing some more digging it seems that the Fender 4-way I bought is made by Oak/Grigsby, as are most of the Fender switches.  It also seems to be the only 4-way switch available  :(

The stock Fender 3-way in my Custom Shop Tele is in fact a CRL part and is much better quality.

I think I'll leave well enough alone and leave it as a traditional Tele then.....

[Philly Q]

There's the Oak Grigsby one WD sell:

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/4_WAY_LEVER_SWITCH_FOR_TELE_WDE4

It looks identical to the Fender one, I think, and Allparts also sell the same one.  I suspect CRL don't actually make 4-ways.

The Oak switches are fine anyway, IMO.  I've got a couple of their 5-way superswitches and they work very well.

(Edit:  You posted about the Oak switches while I was typing this, so I've not added anything to the debate!)

[AndyR]

The four way pic in your op looks pretty much like the one that'll be in your Baja - I nearly destroyed one of the lugs when I was trying to get the old pups out to put in the Blackguards the other week. As a switch I feel it's OK, but the lugs that you solder onto feel like you could bite through with your teeth!

BTW - have you shifted your Baja yet? I was sorely tempted :roll: - looks exactly the same as mine. But a) I don't have the money, and b) Manchester's a long way away... so luckily sanity prevails!

Now, if you'd brought it down to London the other week and arranged to meet outside V+R... I might not have been able to keep my hands in my pockets... :lol:

[dave_mc]

there's probably some reason why this wouldn't work, but why not just stick to the 3-way and fit a push-pull to the tone knob to get you both in series? i don't know about you, but i'd prefer that to a 4-way anyway, as it's easier to select the tone you want (i know that edwards teles are like this, so i assume it can be done)...

[Twinfan]

Andy - the Baja hasn't shipped yet but a friendly BKP poster will be sending me a cheque today  ;)

Dave - I thought about using a push-pull but the cavities in the Tele aren't massively deep.  Plus I didn't want to mess with the incredibly neat factory wiring TOO much  :roll:

I've decided to leave the guitar as is is for now and just enjoy it.  I couldn't put the flimsy Oak switch into an otherwise awesome guitar, it just doesn't seem right!

[Philly Q]

Andy - the Baja hasn't shipped yet but a friendly BKP poster will be sending me a cheque today  ;)

Indeed! 

[AndyR]

It's still too heavy for you Philly... :lol: ...what you want is a Dano, you hardly know you're wearing it...

[Philly Q]

No, I've checked out the weight situation thoroughly!  :lol:  That's what swung it, being able to get a Baja that I know in advance is a reasonable weight.

But if you're selling the Dano, Andy....



(kidding!  )

[AndyR]

OK, I'll waste my 400th post on this...

What you really need Philly is one of these. Pretty much a new guitar for the price of a decent set up and the BKPs that you'll want to retrofit. Only managed to find one model so far, and it's a little bit too "pointy headstock" for my tastes, but they do come in a variety of colours...

Tell you what, I'll get one, and if the Baja doesn't work out we can do a straight swap

... woohoo 400 posts!  :lol:

Sorry for the hijack Twinfan, sounds like you're finished though :D

EDIT: The Dano's not for sale btw :D - I hate to admit it, but it's my favourite guitar at the moment. For a £160 geetar, there's nothing it won't do, and there's a whole bunch of things it can do that I've been wondering about ever since I started playing, but I've never played a guitar that gets me there before...

[Philly Q]

For a £160 geetar, there's nothing it won't do, and there's a whole bunch of things it can do that I've been wondering about ever since I started playing, but I've never played a guitar that gets me there before...

Sounds like it plays itself!  Maybe that's what I should be buying after all. 

(I'll get back to you on the pointy yellow wind-powered one)

[dave_mc]

Dave - I thought about using a push-pull but the cavities in the Tele aren't massively deep.  Plus I didn't want to mess with the incredibly neat factory wiring TOO much  :roll:

oh ok, no worries. :)

[Fourth Feline]

Hi Derek  :)

The Chandlers site still has the Callaham parts but no picture of the actual 4-way unit.  I think I'll leave well enough alone and leave it as a traditional Tele then.....

Good move Dave,  :)  If  I had have shelled out  for  the Callaham Plate assembly, I would have deliberately  chosen a 3 way switch. I just love Telecasters as simple as possible. For me that is the 'magic' that is a Telecaster. I only bought my Baja for the lovely neck and 50s aesthetics - NOT the 6 way switching. 

[38thBeatle]

Well done Philly. I was sorely tempted myself and had, I think, talked Mrs 38th around but everyones a winner cos she has now committed herself to the idea of my getting another guitar.