Installing Fender Custom Shop Twisted Telecaster Pickups with a Solderless 4-way Obsidianwire Kit

[@nickwooldridge3187]

Those twisted tele pickups are the nicest sounding single coils I’ve heard so far.

[@landonbailey]

they are great!

[@lynguist]

check out dearmond style single coils as well, they sound unbelievable

[@bobfiddlesticks4240]

One way to run the cables through the channel is feed them through a straw first then the straw through the channel. Works really well for a Les Paul as well as a Telecaster.

[@learningguitar7948]

I'm laughing, the only other video I watched on installing tele neck pickups and the guy said "heig-TH" ... what is with that!?? You're the man! Good instructions, humor, AND proper grammar lol

[@mycromancer]

Dude.. tele mods and Radiohead riffs.. I think I just found my favorite KZbin channel. Thanks!

[@landonbailey]

cheers!

[@josephliptak]

The twisted tele pickups are my favorite telecaster pickup. They sound awesome in my telecaster.

[@landonbailey]

🎸👍

[@bobbymehta1006]

I am about to install them! How do you like the bridge pickup though? Would you say it has a thicker hotter sound than usual? How do power chords sound to you? I play with a bit of tube break up and minor distortion ... not a country guy but the twang is nice to have

[@ThomasMoore.1]

Hi Landon, I thoroughly enjoyed listening too and watching the entire video with all details left in. Very humorous at times. Music is good too.

[@landonbailey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ThomasMoore.1]

@@landonbailey Certainly did. Very enjoyable, laid back and informative format.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I bought an Obsidianwire for my MIM Strat, largely because of your previous video. Didn’t want to get involved with soldering (yet) and also just wanted an entirely new harness. I put Lollars into that guitar. Th process was clean and simple, and the Obsidianwire piece is really well-designed and built. Because of that experience, I’m already planning a full guitar build (assembly). Thanks.

[@landonbailey]

ah nice! ya I wouldn't recommend the kits from Obsidianwire unless I really liked them. I've used at least 4 or 5 and all of them have been solid

[@mikestroud9969]

Right on I'm right behind you. 👍👌💯🎸🎸

[@TheBigChumpKilla]

Awesome. That ambient music pulled me through the entire video and I’m certainly a better man because of it. So refreshing.

[@zale4135]

Hey Landon...Thank you soooo much! I watched the entire video without any fast forwarding. It's easy to watch because it's interesting and your commentary is really entertaining. Keep up the great work! ✌😎 Zale

[@landonbailey]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@yobanyhernandez125]

feels good to watch this dude screw in a bridge

[@dragan4658]

"Fly by night away from here" ... A nice ending! Interesting and informative video as usual, giving ideas on various options is always helpful! 🤟

[@landonbailey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dragan4658]

@@landonbaileythank you, always enjoy your videos, until the next video, play and stay safe! 🤟

[@gregmonk9037]

Still appreciated buddy, watching you screw like a pro before I go to work, hope all are well :)

[@paulwilson8367]

I did buy the obsidian switch after watching your vids. I can't believe I was ready to test out the soldering gun. I don't know if I clicked on your link in time to get you a buck. If not, apologies. I have never done this, so first I was confused that old neck pickup had 3 wires while new one has two, and neither are white. Oh well, I know hot's not the black one. There are also 2 body grounds to the pots. Since I'm a newby, I will do the tap test before I even screw stuff back in, if possible. Waiting on the new obsidian to come via the pony from St. Paul. Thanks for vids, I subscribed.

[@landonbailey]

oh cool have fun!

[@johnwelch557]

No particular favorites here. If the pickups are not overwound so they are clean with normal play, then I'm happy. If needed for recording, I can raise the pickup a small amount to scramble the magnetic loops for some light growl, then back 'em down afterwards. Pickups that aren't inherently clean are useless to me. Thanks Landon!

[@landonbailey]

What's your fav Telecaster pickup? Can you name all the Radiohead riffs throughout the video? Content and Timestamps: Intro discussion: 0:30 Guitar Pickup Swap: 3:22 String Removal: 3:34 Control Plate Removal: 4:28 Wiring Removal: 4:57 Pickguard Removal: 6:06 Neck Pickup Removal: 7:41 Neck Pickup Install: 8:39 Strings Removed: 11:46 Bridge Plate Removal: 12:09 Bridge Pickup Removal: 13:13 Bridge Pickup Install: 13:49 Bridge Plate Install: 14:32 Wiring Install: 16:15 Control Plate Install: 21:23 Wiring Testing: 22:36 Pickguard Install: 23:04 Tone Samples: 24:36 Summary: 26:47 Links to parts: ObsidianWire 4-Way Tele Kit: obsidianwire.com?aff=3 (Affiliate link) Twisted Tele Pickups: amzn.to/3cKXR4X (affiliate link) Tele Body: amzn.to/2zlByEz (affiliate link) Tele Neck: amzn.to/2zu6VwW (affiliate link)

[@grahamhodgson9154]

Yep, the twisted’s are a winner, I’ve had a Baja with them and it sounded the ducks nuts. Definitely my favourite.

[@jeffrob073]

I have 3 teles now, 50’s CV butterscotch blonde, Deluxe Nashville brown sunburst , 50’s Classic Series lacquer maple, and a fourth one that I will be assembling. I kinda like the highway 1 pickups in the 50’s CS lacquer Maple. I know people like the Tex-mex which I have in the Nashville. But I’m ready for anything.

[@MFPick]

I watched the whole thing. You are certainly a pro with the screwdriver.

[@landonbailey]

hey thanks! lol

[@CHlEFFIN]

I would love to buy these pickups for my 40th anniversary Tele… I’m holding off in hopes of stumbling upon deal, unlikely but I can wait! Also, I love your sense of humor Landon😂 great video as always!

[@lebojay]

I agree with you. Maybe you didn’t “make” a guitar, but you definitely built one. 🇨🇦 🎸 👍

[@landonbailey]

Exactly!

[@scottcapodice4066]

LOVED THE NARRATION! Well done man! :)

[@landonbailey]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@44scoots]

Awesome video Lando!!! I did a similar thing on my 2017 Fender MIM Telecaster... I installed Tonerider Hot Classic pickups and a 920D Custon 4way wiring kit. Very happy, the tele is a monster now! Love you videos.

[@landonbailey]

Hey thanks! Ya 4way is awesome to have

[@LoveOneAnotherHeSaid]

Thanks, for standing up for rationality.

[@intotheblue50]

Hi Landon, I watched you swopping the pickups and It was really helpful, thank you.

[@landonbailey]

no problem!

[@jamessterritt1261]

You just sold me on the Obsidian kit.

[@landonbailey]

nice! have fun

[@mathieubarrette4962]

Twisted tele neck pickup is phenomenal

[@landonbailey]

they've been great!

[@AllThingmac]

I love that Olympic White finish.

[@landonbailey]

same!

[@peterschattmann8298]

Thanks Landon, this video will come in handy when I swap my pickups.

[@landonbailey]

Glad to help!

[@smack6293]

Sounds great! I’m about to do the same mod basically. A squier classic vibe with twisted tele pickups with a Emerson pre loaded wiring harness with 4 way blade! Compensated brass saddles too. Pumped for it all to come in! Great vid! Greetings from Kirkland lake! 🤙😉🎸

[@SmokeFlame1]

I did not take your advice. I watched the entire video and enjoyed it. I almost spit on my keyboard when you gave the proper pronunciation of "height." It reminded me of an incident many years ago when my eldest brother corrected my 2nd eldest brother on the proper pronunciation of that word. It almost sparked a fistfight. That happens in big families with lots of boys. By the way you look a lot like another Bailey. Bob Bailey who played for the Montreal Expos many years ago. One of my favorite power hitters. As a matter of fact he hit the longest home run ever at Montreal's Olympic stadium. I was at that game and I can assure you that ball reached great Heighth, er, height, not to mention distance.

[@landonbailey]

ha cool! I've been to the stadium a couple times to see the Expos in the late eighties :)

[@jakejuntilla1752]

obsidian kits are a beauty

[@landonbailey]

I tried one a few years ago on a Squier Bass, and I've stuck with them since

[@artamussumatra6286]

I really like the twisted Tele neck pickup they used to put in American Standards. I was very disappointed that they didn’t continue to use it on the American Pro - but I bought one anyway. 😉

[@christopherfleming6990]

Landon, I build... mod/assemble my guitars as well. I have three mods in the hopper now, one is a 4 way tele switch. I have generally used GFS equipment and products from amazon, as I am on a budget, and tend to take more affordable guitars, play them in, fix the frets, and think about mods. I really appreciate the content. I share a similar self deprecating/Dad humor (

[@landonbailey]

cool! 👍🎸

[@stratplayr6997]

I put an Obsidian 4-way Tele module with a set of '51 Nocaster pickups into my '98 AmStd Tele - it's the best thing I did for that guitar. I'm thinking of getting one of their Strat modules for an old HSS Strat I own.

[@landonbailey]

nice! they are my fav kits

[@asherplatts6253]

I am watching you screw in the bridge. 10/10 bridge screwing in

[@CJ-jh9ri]

“I drop screwdrivers...like there’s no hot cakes...are going out of business” something about that reminded me of Interdimentional Cable.

[@kjv444]

About a month ago I replaced the pickups in my Tele but my soldering is horrible. A three year old could probably do better. So after watching your video I've ordered an Obsidianwire 4 way kit rather than trying to re-solder everything.

[@landonbailey]

nice!

[@charlesdeal771]

I'm running a GFS lipstick in the bridge and a Filter'tron (Bridge pup) in the neck of my Vintage Vibe, Very versatile tone.

[@mikehickey6256]

Thanks for the video. I'm getting ready to build my first tele and found the demo helpful. Love those pickups too.

[@landonbailey]

Glad to help!

[@gabrieldelacruz1007]

I watched the whole video Landon!! from the screwing the bridge and from all your sponsors hahah!! I'd like to see you build a jazzmaster or if not how about a thinline tele since you love tele so much.

[@landonbailey]

thanks! I like Jazzmasters. maybe one day I'll try to build one

[@TheDeedeeFiles]

Awesome guitar playing my friend. Have a good day

[@landonbailey]

Cheers!

[@quo4ever1]

Landon..it`s aaalways intresting to see what you are doing with a guitar.Before i was just playing alot of them and not thinking abbout electronics...keep on what you do,and i`m still learning,thanks!

[@landonbailey]

cheers!

[@mikestroud9969]

I'm liking this Obsidian company. Looks like a good one. It's worth the money and time. Thanks man Let's Rock 😎👍👌💯🎸🎸. And of course, I'm good as long as it lasts. 😊😊

[@landonbailey]

I've used a handful of the kits and no issues to report

[@DieselCat18]

I'm watching the part where you screw in the bridge...well done Landon...be well, stay safe.

[@landonbailey]

ha cool!

[@martinjones3333]

I am in the process of putting together a telecastor, just need a few more bits, I have no experience what so ever and was wondering do I need to use ground tape or even ground the wiring, I will be using the twisted tele and obsidian wire kit.

[@landonbailey]

hey there! the tape is for shielding and not required, but helps with preventing excess EMF noise. The wiring should be grounded. Make sure to follow the instructions from the obsidian wire kit :)

[@martinjones3333]

@@landonbailey thanks, I will probably have a few more questions over the coming months.

[@RS2KR]

Squier Offset Tele build would be awesome. Plenty of room under the pickguard for a bunch of different pickup combinations.

[@marcellinden7305]

Love the Twisted Tele PU's.... getting a pair of Wicked T Tele PU's which are supposed to be similar... will soon find out.

[@landonbailey]

Nice! Let me know how it goes

[@johnwillard6198]

Thanks I have some planet tone pups comin soon for my bullett

[@landonbailey]

Have fun

[@quo4ever1]

Gone thru the video...feckin awesome sound to it....thumbs up!

[@landonbailey]

Glad you like it!

[@toddsell5460]

hey Landon love your vids, Do the guitar jack wires plug in to the control panel as well

[@landonbailey]

yes

[@Meowah122456]

Great video! To the point and entertaining. :-) Could instantly tell you’re Canadian haha.

[@landonbailey]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@greg77hot]

I think every DIY guy should learn and practice soldering. .

[@joanneshot4417]

Thank you. The width/height pronunciation thing always bugged me too. Great video.

[@SithTracy]

You should look at Warmoth for a neck and body. I'll add you will need to route a standard tele control pocket out to fit an Obsidian Wire kit (tele or Strat), but it is not hard with a dremel. My last one was a roasted maple neck with a Pau Ferro fret board, 12" radius and a 1¾" nut width (strings are spaced a little wider... I have larger than average hands) and stainless steel frets. And for pickups, look at Bootstrappickups. I have the Pretzel (similar to the twisted, but a fraction of the cost) and the Palo Duro (that I have for my next tele build). In my Strat, I use his Sun City Selects. Very pleased with them.

[@landonbailey]

ya Warmoth makes great looking stuff!

[@JamesWalshBristolKids]

Landon you are awesome. Please do a video where you install a GFS Humbucker in bridge position and GFS Single Coil pickup in the neck position using Obsidian 4 way and a Telecaster style guitar. Suggestion: Borrow your friends iPad or use your iPad for the 2nd camera and your good to go . Ya. ⚡BTW: Everyone likes Paul Rudd so sounding like him is ok.

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

I have purchaise a american performer limited butterscotch i love it love the bridge pickup , but the neck not enough "stratish" sound roound and more hot i wonder if i out twisted tele it will sounds lot better ?????

[@landonbailey]

it will sound different for sure. I can't say if it will sound better though. tone is a personal taste thing 😊

[@nicolasmayrand7157]

@@landonbailey youre right i want more twang out of it and highs

[@2dazetake]

Do a 4 way series parallel with a push pull pot on a tele Landon, would love to see how that is done, thanks for all your hard work.

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

I'm 3 years late.. Thanks For Sharing 🎉

[@landonbailey]

Thanks for watching!

[@NHail]

in your opinion how do twisted tele pickups compare to vmod ii?

[@williamdon3442]

Does the extra added ground wire get added to a spare plug in or is it tied together with the neck ground ????

[@landonbailey]

hey there, it's been a while since I've watched this. what is the extra added ground wire coming from?

[@wvillatoro]

wonderful sounds great what string gauge to use on that telecaster .... ????? Or what string gauge do you recommend ???

[@landonbailey]

I use a hybrid 9-46 NYXL. In this video I put on Fender strings to try them out. I prefer NYXL

[@wvillatoro]

@@landonbailey thank....

[@asherplatts6253]

How do you connect the ground on the obsidianwire control panel to the sheilding in the guitar? Does it just... connect through the panel itself?

[@landonbailey]

I'm pretty sure the control plate was grounded with the shielding tape edges. from memory

[@Miss_Pixie]

One question, where do you connect the extra wire from the neck? In the spare ground? Many thanks

[@richmaccario8829]

I'm watching it👍

[@amrit_chail]

Would the 4 way solderless kit work for a Squier Affinity Telecaster control plate?

[@landonbailey]

I don't believe it will fit perfectly. I've heard from other people that they had to route the control cavity slightly for it to fit

[@Corvette.Ronnie]

First thing I do when I get a tele is to flip the control plate. Is that possible with Obsidian wire set?

[@landonbailey]

ya that should be an option

[@DavidGarcia-pi9wn]

You should buy the bensonite fat saddles My action is low and my tele is almost perfectly intonated The difference is completely unnoticeable They look good and are every comfortable

[@RavioloComboli]

What kind of neck is on that tele? I love the look of it.

[@jackblack2321]

That one is my favorite

[@jeffrob073]

Starting to “Assemble” a telecaster cv custom body. Trying to decide twisted tele or Texas specials thanks for the video

[@landonbailey]

have fun! 🎸🎸🎸

[@shaunw9270]

Great video. First class commentary 👌 I would like to see you build a Cabronita . I get the impression they fell out of fashion? I liked the idea of the single pickup Especial personally.

[@landonbailey]

That would be cool!

[@po5541]

Snuggley lmafao my God I'm choking....love your videos

[@landonbailey]

Glad you like them!

[@liamkeane4214]

Great....build Landon!

[@landonbailey]

👍👍 you should see it now!

[@liamkeane4214]

@@landonbailey don’t you get me excited now

[@landonbailey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mny6dnqim76dkK8

[@liamkeane4214]

@@landonbailey that neck is killer!, just bought my third telecaster this morning

[@OldSilkRoad]

I’ve heard that the 4-way Obsidian kit for the Tele does require one wire to be soldered, I believe to the neck pickup… is that true? Or is it completely solderless?

[@landonbailey]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2XWYpuggNSFn5Y

[@OldSilkRoad]

@@landonbailey I should have known you’ve got it covered! I’m your newest subscriber, and thank you!

[@SuperDolta]

Can anyone please help? I've just soldered the extra wire (pick up cover ground) to my two wire neck pu. Does this wire go to one of the spare ground ports?

[@landonbailey]

From memory that sounds right. Check Obsidianwire's site. there should be some instructions. cheers!

[@SuperDolta]

I used one of the spare ground ports and it works.🙂

[@maumex]

Good video! I was looking at this pickups. Do you think it will make much difference with stock American Standard 2011 Telecaster Made in USA? Thanks!

[@landonbailey]

thanks! I used to own a 2005 American Standard Telecaster. if the 2011 used the same pickups, then yes I think it will sound a bit different

[@jeffdugger3276]

Your intro made me think of a specific chick that does the whisper thing on KZbin. Landon, as ASMRtist. 😉 And ObsidianWire for the win!

[@landonbailey]

ha! search on my channel for ASMR. I did a video

[@nikezip]

I watched the bridge install.

[@2000SkyView]

did all that copper tape stop static noise on the pickguard?

[@landonbailey]

ya I think so, I don’t have it anymore on this guitar

[@2000SkyView]

@@landonbailey thanks! I have no clue what is even under the pickguard on my tele, next time I change the strings will have to take a look. Will have to give the copper tape a go, the dryer sheet trick works, but not for long, really want a permanent fix if possible. Thinking about this 4-way switch upgrade too, really like not having to solder.

[@brandonkoch3852]

Ive only taken apart a suire tele and it had a ground just placed under the bridge so it would contact when the bridge was screwed down.is there traditionally no ground to the bridge on a standard tele?because i didnt notice one or hear you mention it.

[@landonbailey]

the metal backplate on both bridge pickups grounds itself with the bridge plate. usually you would have a ground wire.

[@WarlikePeace]

Hello, I recently purchased the Squire offset Telecaster. I wanted to swap the neck pu into the middle position and add a Gretsh filtertron for the neck. This is my first time modding a guitar so the solder-less connections seem like a simple fix for a first timer, though I do have a soldering kit if need be. Could the Obsidian 4-way kit be used to replicate a Nashville Tele configuration? I haven't found a 5-way toggle with solder-less connections so I'm thinking either the Obsidian 4-way or a traditional 5-way toggle. I appreciate any suggestions.

[@landonbailey]

I wouldn’t know, would probably be best to email Obsidianwire the question. they know wiring! :)

[@noire1991]

Awesome video!

[@landonbailey]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@oldmanzen6682]

Great video. Would love to see you build a Jazzmaster with a roasted rosewood neck. Then I can drive up to your neck of the woods and buy it from you.

[@landonbailey]

Cool idea! Maybe one day!

[@robertclarkguitar]

He said , screw.....Uhhhh...Uh uhuhuhuh..huh.huh..Yeah. He Hmmm hmmm. Dude love this calm sense of humor. Hahahah. Great video quality always. I'm wondering if I should obsidian my tele. Obsideous? Hehehe

[@landonbailey]

Beavis and Butthead for the win :)

[@jimweiss7940]

Could you build a Stew Mac tele?

[@Bizzmark1982]

I’m installing obsidian wire on my tele, I didn’t notice if you had a ground wire under the bridge. Do you know if you need this with obsidian wire? I’ve been searching and can’t find the answer

[@landonbailey]

depends on the pickups. some are self grounding into the plate, otherwise you would want to run a ground

[@Bizzmark1982]

@@landonbailey ok, thanks I appreciate it!

[@llillico]

Hey super late, but will this work with noiseless pickups?

[@landonbailey]

as far as I know yes. I'm pretty sure I've installed them in other videos

[@llillico]

@@landonbailey Awesome, thank you, I've seen contradicting info around the web so I wanted to double check. :)

[@landonbailey]

hopefully this helps kzbin.info/www/bejne/mourqaZ9q9GIfqs

[@davisgwynn4295]

Hey man love the video! I was wondering if you know how well one of these kits or the mojotone equivalent would work with a rails type humbucker for single coils?

[@landonbailey]

It should work fine. They have good diagrams on their site for all the wiring configs

[@68halfcab]

Watched it all :)

[@landonbailey]

cheers!

[@erickmo1188]

Watching this part

[@landonbailey]

that was my fav part

[@ScottGranbergRademacker]

So you didn't have to solder the extra wire onto the Twisted Tele neck pickup or did you do that at some point in the past (before this video)?

[@landonbailey]

no I didn’t have to. No soldering in the whole setup

[@johnbotsford6897]

I noticed that you didn't mention if any forced labor from Xinjiang was used in this Telecaster mod.

[@adammarshall80]

Good info, Good sense of humor. F the spectators making comments about producers and growing trees. Wrong videos nimrods; search Dendrology or Forestry, or leave the basement and ask mom and dad.

[@bartlettpsj]

Thanks for going thru. I just put c/s twisted tele pickups in and was concerned I got ripped off. In particular the neck pickup didn’t seem so good with plastic wires rather than fabric but you had same. Did u check resistance?

[@milesmusic33]

Watched the whole thing up to the last wire Connection. Are the connector system now standard on new guitars or always a post assembly add-on? I’m also curious about why you added the copper shielding. My Tele will play fine and then every once in a while will pick up a hum and the whole band looks at me like I did something wrong. It’s worse when I add in distortion.

[@landonbailey]

hey there! the obsidianwire kit is what I chose when I built the guitar. the copper tape helps reduce hum.

[@robertclarkguitar]

I'm watching this part. Screewing in the bridge.

[@robertclarkguitar]

2 E's ...Yes. I'm serious.

[@johnjacks5599]

Love that you kept the Lando peek a boo.

[@landonbailey]

as long as I can remember to :)

[@OhBHayes]

+1👍🏼 for the “Kelsey grammar” comment 😂

[@landonbailey]

I make so many off topic pop culture references. Sounds like something I would do :)

[@jamesdalzell6741]

Great video, i don't like when someone says their going to show how they changed pickups and skip the how part. I think the material on wires is a vintage thing.

[@landonbailey]

Ya same! That’s why I showed it all this time

[@mightythor9780]

Dude your hilarious!

[@darkshizuma2556]

lol, loved it! subscribed!

[@ThePaddedPedalroom]

Thanks for Another Great Video! My only complaint is that you did not have any slow motion parts when un-screwing and screwing in the pickguard, I think that could have been beneficial for people like me. :P Do you think your sponsor would be interested in sponsoring some of my videos?

[@landonbailey]

ha!