Super Easy! Installing an Obsidianwire Solder-less Telecaster Wiring Kit in a Vintage BS52

[@landonbailey]

Get the same kit and parts here: obsidianwire.com/?aff=3 Timestamps: 0:00 - So Smoothe 0:10 - What's the plan today? 0:50 - Obsidian has sponsored the parts for this video 1:24 - This is what you'll get in this kit 2:25 - The other parts they sent me 2:50 - Surgery time. Let's pull out the old parts 3:20 - Cut it out 3:25 - Getting wired 3:34 - Remove the output jack 3:48 - Hi-jacks 4:05 - Un-Remove the output jack 4:30 - Assembling the control plate 5:15 - Tip on switch tips 7:00 - Wire it all up 8:48 - Suck it 8:58 - Tap that 9:20 - Shut it up 9:38 - Sum up. My thoughts

[@kid-hudi]

7:14 ! Oh god that wire strip killed my soul lol. I used to be an aviation electrician so wire repair, wire stripping, and soldering switches in tight places is all up my alley. Pro tip below if you want it. Obviously dedicated wire strippers are preferred, but if you need to do a blade job, get a folding blade. Let the wire run between the handle and the blade and slowly close the blade onto the wire so you can accurately pick where you want to strip. With the wire clamped between the handle and the blade folded down on top of it, you can literally just spin the razorblade around the wire with one finger while the other hand holds the wire, and you'll get a clean, almost stripper-like 360 straight cut. Because the blade is in the "closed" position of the folding knife, stopped only by a wire in the way, the blade is already pressing down and self-applying gentle pressure on the wire, and you really don't even need to press down yourself. Pressing down with the blade runs the risk of cutting up the core strands, and weakening the connection. You just need to score the outer jacket sheathing (and really only half way into the jacket on fine gauges), because after you scored the jacket you can use your fingernails to pinch the score line and cleanly rip off the jacket down the strands (just like a stripper would). No one can tell the difference that you used a blade and your fingernails, and it doesn't run the risk of cutting and hacking up the internal strands... Idk if I explained that well though. It's hard to write about it without showing it. I take pride in my by-hand wire repair jobs.

[@landonbailey]

If you found it painful to watch, imagine the pain of doing it 🤣 Thanks for the tips. That's the most work I've had on wire

[@kid-hudi]

Just saw that it was braided too.... that's rough. RIP in P

[@OldSilkRoad]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@seeker7774]

That vintage wire doesn’t need to be stripped. It just pushes back.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

Good to see you using another of those fine control kits Landon. They're great.

[@landonbailey]

ya they are top of the line :)

[@RetroPlus]

I appreciate that you put detailed time stamps in the description for ease of viewing, thank you

[@landonbailey]

ya no problem! they are super helpful

[@bobs_ya_runkle]

Tinning the ends of the old wires would probably help for future connects and disconnects but I guess this video was just showing that you don't need to even own a soldering iron to instal these kits. Great video as always Landon. Many thanks.

[@landonbailey]

ya pretty much cheers!

[@andrewnewbould6067]

Hey @Landon Bailey ... Just a little tip, when dealing with frayed ends on fabric / cloth cable sheaths, just flash the ends with a cigarette lighter. They melt and tidy up very quickly so no messing with the scissors.

[@landonbailey]

this is the first time I've come across this. thanks for the tip!

[@spiffymongo4030]

If it's cloth wire, that lighter trick won't work well. For vintage cloth pushback wire, i just use a drop of hot glue or a little heat shrink, a and tin the wire end

[@oldguy5381]

Good evening Landon, always a pleasure to see you. Thanks for the video, good stuff

[@landonbailey]

Thanks for watching!

[@Steve-B1965]

Very very very very and dare I say very good video. Clear, concise (ish) but without doubt would put anyone’s mind at ease. Thank you 👍

[@landonbailey]

Thank you kindly

[@jamesdalzell6741]

My most enjoyable part of an upgrade or build is the soldering part, but I'm sure those Obsidian kits are great to work with. I'd love to see you do a build with painting a body or staining, it can really be disconcerting experience for most humans.

[@landonbailey]

hey ya soldering is cool too if you can do it. takes a bit of practice and some steady hands. Maybe I'll try a body finish someday :)

[@Jay891F]

I use to really enjoy it but after doing so many I welcome this kit lol and it looks really nice and clean as well.

[@jamesadams1064]

My new go to guy for mods. Thanks Landon.

[@fabioa.565]

I installed the Obsidianwire Solder-less blender Wiring Kit in my S-S-S american standard strat a few years ago. The quality is good though I don't appreciate very much the Treble Bleed . The good thing is that you can change pickups in a very short time without soldering.

[@landonbailey]

ya the pickup swap quickness is really nice to have.

[@deronwitmer3937]

That's what I was thinking. Swapping pickups quickly would be awesome - and for some reason, even though I am okay with soldering, I always kind of wonder if my connections are good.

[@rico4772]

Those are actually really cool! I also recommend the kits from 920D, they have such high quality parts in it. Even the wires in their are so much better than some Fender stock guitars have .

[@landonbailey]

nice! thanks for sharing I'll have to look them up

[@briannelms158]

Nice review Landon! Those electronics look to have really good quality!

[@landonbailey]

They are! Super nice stuff

[@Gottaloveguitars427]

Love these wiring kits, they are top quality. I have one in my tele and strat!

[@landonbailey]

Yes they are!

[@johnulrich5572]

That's a nice product. You make very entertaining and funny videos.

[@landonbailey]

Thank you very much!

[@fawkesandhound]

Want this for my MX Tele upgrade project. Need new pickups, compensated saddles/bridge and a wiring upgrade.

[@landonbailey]

cool. it fits made in Mexico models just fine. I've worked with a few

[@deronwitmer3937]

Thanks Landon - I'm strongly considering one of these for my ASAT Tribute Bluesboy because they have one that supports a HS tele style and sends 250K to the single but 500K to the humbucker (which for some reason didn't come stock in the guitar.) Frankly, even if it did come stock in that guitar, I'm always wanting an upgraded feel in the hardware since I play it next to my American Strat.

[@JamesWalshBristolKids]

Landon , use a small rubber hammer to get the jack cup flush with the body. I few taps should do it. You can also put scrap wood over the cup and tap the wood avoiding direct contact with the cup. This is to protect the jack cup from damage.

[@landonbailey]

thanks for the tip!

[@Togglefree]

I just now placed my order. BTW, you done a great job explaining how to install.

[@landonbailey]

Awesome! Thank you! and thanks for supporting them. They are a small business and make great stuff.

[@BrianAlexSinger]

Great video. I wonder if this assembly could work with a control plate that has mounting to angle the switch.

[@landonbailey]

I don't think so. But you could email Obsidian Wire to ask and they are good at answering

[@SuperFurry100]

I love those Obsidian wiring kits and I know this was an affiliate video but it would also be cool to see you heat up a solder iron and wire up new pickups and electronics on a guitar too

[@landonbailey]

have a look at this video for soldering kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZu2nYmLo76Xh5o

[@MrAntpre]

Hi Landon, tks for the video. Does a good quality control kit like this change the sound of the guitar in any way ???

[@landonbailey]

I can't say it would change it or not. I'm just a customer and user as well, so I don't want to make false promises :)

[@MrZootalores]

no,regular playing & practice does that... but it makes you feel like you've improved the guitar!

[@williamfreeman9995]

Thanks!

[@landonbailey]

Cheers!

[@jeffrob073]

Now I’m thinking if I should take apart my CV Tele and upgrade the switch and pots. I’ve used the obsidian on My Tele build and a Strat build. They are awesome 😎

[@landonbailey]

I did it for my Purple CV 50. Good upgrade for sure :)

[@jeffrob073]

@@landonbailey Will I have to change the knobs, and the chrome switch plate? I just ordered the vintage switch from obsidian. I was thinking of doing the 4way switch for my other Tele and swapping, but I didn’t feel like soldering an extra wire for the ‘62 neck pup. Maybe down the road

[@Malediction99]

I'm just about to buy one of these to convert my SSS strat to HSS, so this is perfect timing for me to use your affiliate link.

[@landonbailey]

awesome! appreciate it. let me know how it goes

[@hillaryknox]

The solderless terminal on these things is a lifesaver in an HSS if you suck at soldering (like me), and if you put in a humbucker and you have bad information about the wire color scheme and have to do a lot of trial and error to get the right wires in the right places (also like me).

[@malcolmgibbs-e5c]

superb video buying mine now cheers Landon

[@landonbailey]

No problem 👍

[@wendellwhite5797]

You need a proper and sharp wire stripper and it is best to tin the wires. Lovely kit!

[@landonbailey]

I have one somewhere 😄 I was showing my best hack job :)

[@koDaffi]

You should be able to roll your knobs with pinky. Before pedals were popular you would roll your gain and volume to play. I still do because I can't afford pedal and I actually find it funner while playin. Robbie Robertson used to put telecaster knobs on all of his guitars to be able to do it easier.

[@landonbailey]

ya the stock pots were so tight that a pinky roll was not possible

[@chopper4484]

Thanks for the review if they had one with a 5 way switch for a telecaster I’d buy one in a heart beat.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

They have a four-way. I just fitted one to my guitar. The series position sounds great with my Mr.Glyn pickups.

[@landonbailey]

That would be cool!

[@chopper4484]

4 way doesn’t work for me as I have a SD quarter pounder with a tap in the bridge, effectively 3 pickups.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

@@chopper4484 Ahh, ok. Seems like you'll have to wire your own 5 way system then. ObsidianWire don't do a kit for a Nashville Telecaster.

[@AWZ1287]

Good thing I watched this video. I have to order a switch tip, before mine comes. For $90 you think they could throw in a plastic switch tip.

[@rondobondo6600]

That's cool stuff...thanks Landon

[@landonbailey]

No problem!

[@astewart9410]

Super-slick. Would you say the Obsidianwire set is better than the Classic Vibe 50s set-up, from a final user standpoint, or comparable to it? I don't feel the need to upgrade my CV Tele, just curious.

[@landonbailey]

I'd say it's better than CV50. I'd even say it's upgrade to even the Fender Player and Professional 2 series electronics. But it's probably not necessary if you like the stock setup.

[@astewart9410]

@@landonbailey Right on, thanks. I have no issues with the CV 50s set-up, but if it ever needs replacing I'll remember these. Cheers!

[@jasontele]

Hey Landon, I have a Fender jv 50's telecaster and am thinking of upgrading pickups to the Brad Paisley Le Brea set and control plate to Obsidian, but my tone control is a push/pull pot, do you happen to know if they offer this option? I would like to keep the guitar as close to its original pickup configuration as possible. Thanks!

[@landonbailey]

I'm not sure, check their site for the latest models! cheers

[@guitardude4700]

Word of advice for the newbies, get the obsidian control plate and knobs to go with it. It’ll make life easier.

[@darrelloxford7101]

If I got joe barden pickups can I install them they black for ground and green for hot and a silver for ground can I still use it

[@landonbailey]

I'm not familiar with this pickups but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to install them as long as they fit the physical specs

[@christophliebl1009]

Hey, is there a ground wire to the guitar? I didnt see this

[@Libra1059]

Great video. Did this improve the sound?

[@landonbailey]

hey thanks! I can't say this affect the sound at all

[@paulwilson8367]

Soldering is not one of my learned skills, though I was ready to try it until I saw this video. Cool. I have never had the switching out of the Tele but my neck pickup failed. I bought a TV Jones since it fits in the original routed socket. But then I was confused because my stock neck PU had 3 wires, yellow/black/white. I guess white is the hottie. But the new one just has 2 wires, black and yellow. Yellow must be the hot, they surely didn't intend for me to add a wire. What about the white wire that is soldered to 4 spots on the switch and then to the pots? That's pre-installed? As you can tell listening to me, experience is everything. Anyway, I figured I would just get one of these along with the new PU, otherwise when I do the tap test, I will find out it was the switch that was bad, right?

[@Zamn_daniel]

I plan on building a custom telecaster plus with lace sensors someday and I’m wondering if you are able to put a kill switch on the board? Edit : kinda realized that the place you put the wires in is under the area where the kill switch normally would be but maybe there could be another way around it

[@landonbailey]

you would have to put the killswitch somewhere else I think

[@Zamn_daniel]

@@landonbailey I wouldn’t mind putting it somewhere else:) thanks

[@thejonesboys3935]

What about a ground cable I’ve had harnesses in the past and it buzz like crazy because I forgot to run a ground

[@robertpowell5380]

Why did you change the cover place? Does it give a different (and hopefully improved) positioning of the controls?

[@landonbailey]

it was provided by Obsidianwire as a guaranteed fit. Some control plates won't fit their wiring kits. they detail it on their site

[@maxt774]

Hey Landon! This was a great vid! I definitely think I’m going to get one of these! How easy it is to upgrade the pickups later with obsidian wire? I want to put an obsidian wire kit in my strat but then in 6 months or so may upgrade my pickups. How easy will it be to unhook the old pickups from the obsidian wire kit when I later get new ones? Thanks for the help!!

[@landonbailey]

it's easier to remove the wires than it is to install them!

[@maxt774]

@@landonbailey that’s great to hear, thanks! I wanted to get the kit now but didn’t want to run into trouble later if I had to disassemble everything to install upgraded pickups!

[@nofuneral1790]

I installed a solderless kit in my Telecaster and I'm wondering, do you know of a way to bypass the volume knob, so that it does nothing? I keep accidentally lowering my volume when I grab the pickup selector change it from bridge to neck.

[@landonbailey]

I would probably just remove the volume knob

[@nofuneral1790]

@@landonbailey that's honestly what it might come down to. I'm trying the "rubber ring under the knob" it def creates more friction, we'll see if it's enough.

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

Can you just use the Fender control plate with this kit?

[@landonbailey]

I believe so

[@foruijiniokas]

Can i use Gotoh control plate cp 10 for this pre wire?

[@redrock1963]

Do Obsidian wiring kits effect tone at all ?

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Great Vid as usual man. Crap Landon I had a Blackface Tele I got rid of today and I feel like I should’ve offered it to you first. I got a Strat for it anyway. Sorry. It was HH. You might’ve liked it.

[@landonbailey]

I have enough guitars 🤪 but thanks and cheers!

[@deanmccaskill5495]

@@landonbailey Yeah I’m in the same boat. But I know you like Teles and it’s (was) a different one. AnywY I thought of you… just a bit late ha ha. Say you’re not interested in a Pink PRS are you? ;)

[@spynosaur]

Hey Landon, would you happen to know if this kit would fit on a Squier Affinity Tele?

[@landonbailey]

I believe you need to route the control cavity. I recall someone commenting on a previous video about that. hopefully someone else can confirm. They are guaranteed to fit made in usa and made in mexico Fender models

[@spynosaur]

@@landonbailey Thanks for the advice!

[@knizek4]

Not sure this will help a year later, but I recently used the obsidianwire vintage 3 way Tele switch in a 2021 squier affinity HH; it dropped right in, no routing needed.

[@SrJurado]

? Question: no Eldred mode one for Esquires?

[@landonbailey]

that's correct

[@evolutiaclassic8805]

Is there a slot for a bridge (not the bridge pickup)ground wire to avoir buzz ?

[@landonbailey]

I don't recall

[@brianrollins7275]

How long does it take to get it if you order directly from ObsidianWire? I heard it could be a month until it arrives.

[@landonbailey]

I don't recall

[@thorn_ziegler]

took me 4 days from their web site to my door. 1800 miles stateside.

[@JtJt-bg8rn]

Fantastic thanks, but I have tried this twice and it took me hours to do and so frustrating 😫😵‍💫 the wires just wouldn’t go in straight, hurts a lot to see you do it so easy 🤔

[@landonbailey]

ah that's too bad. ya it's pretty fast if your wires are good and your hands are quick

[@katiespade1647]

Thx I'll get one

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I hate soldering, the lead vapor always gets me intoxicated, my old amp tech lost his mind after inhaling too much lead vapor. But you do want lead in your solder they say, so solder less for me. The one thing I wouldn't have changed is the knobs, the heavier knurl and dome tops of the original knobs would be my preference. Other than that, good job!

[@dugbert5]

ElectroSocket is the way to go.

[@landonbailey]

totally agree. I use them quite often, most recently on my Esquire build from memory

[@PapaKnucklehead]

I think burning the frayed ends of the wires might help.

[@landonbailey]

with a lighter?

[@PapaKnucklehead]

@@landonbailey Yes.

[@sadzidsmajkic6181]

I installed the same ObsidianWire solderless 3 way kit on my Am Std Tele and changed the stock bridge PU to Seymour Duncan Broadcaster, and now my midle position sounds out of phase, the neck and bridge sound fantastic tbh. Can someone please help me. (I didn't add the third ground wire to baseplate)

[@landonbailey]

double check the wiring diagram. I once installed the neck and bridge wires in reverse

[@sadzidsmajkic6181]

@@landonbailey I'll try that maybe they are wired in opposite directions due to different manufacturing (neck is Fender and SD bridge) Thanks alot

[@sadzidsmajkic6181]

@@landonbailey And it worked beautifully. Thanks!

[@jefflynchguitar11]

What is the switch cap you used?

[@landonbailey]

I don’t remember

[@GuitarAdjacent]

Heyo! Am I late to the party? Oh...I was just, ya know, doin' some stuff and...pizza's really cold by now isn't it? Ah well, the Obsidian stuff is always hot...so there's that...got two Obsidian Blender mods for Strats and I'm kinda lost without them. That's probably where I was for three years. Anyway, thanks for sharing and bein' awesome, tho you really can't control that, UNLIKE Obsidian mods! Uhhhh, I'll see myself out.

[@raytorvalds3699]

"I told you a million times to stop exaggerating". lol, that's a good one.

[@burrrrrrrrrrrrrrp]

Hey Landon.. really like the Chanel. Ever thought about doing some collaborations with other guitar gear related content creators like 60 cycle hum or something? Ryan seems pretty cool and would make a good guest to have on maybe, Just an idea 💡

[@landonbailey]

That would be cool! I have no idea what kind of collaborations to do though

[@burrrrrrrrrrrrrrp]

Maybe some kind of whacky podcast thing would be cool. Well.. good luck with the Chanel and keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@autistichead8137]

Hey Landon head on over to the Casino channel and check out the loaded nocasters on the thin line Baxter is demo ing , insane

[@landonbailey]

I'll check that out thanks

[@TheChristafershawn]

Aperture- What'd win????

[@landonbailey]

Aperture science

[@2000SkyView]

Not vs Hot, that ain't NO BS! :-)

[@landonbailey]

👍🤪

[@MrZootalores]

dude you put the control plate on upside down at 4:56! otherwise, very good video..

[@landonbailey]

oh no! you can totally hear it 😝

[@johnballinger5933]

tried this. All pickup positions sound the same. Checked troubleshoot on Obsidian site. Nothing helps.

[@anthonyporter5514]

i was actually planning on getting a kit for my strat

[@landonbailey]

cool! I've done a couple of their Strat kits. worked great

[@jimmyjames2022]

I'm sure I told you a million and one times if I didn't tell you at all, hyperbole is a guarantee of likes. An awesome detailed instruction video also helps!

[@landonbailey]

Thanks again!

[@joebutcher9642]

Thats pushback cloth wiring. You just push it back like a sleeve.

[@robertpowell7319]

For a guitar that cost $719 Canadian it has enough issues where I'd genuinely look for something else to purchase..... but that's just me. :-)

[@landonbailey]

ya I've been told it's way less expensive back in the UK

[@jamesadams1064]

Sorry Landon, called you Brandon.

[@abujog]

Haha, you don't have the wire skin, just push it to expose the wire.

[@landonbailey]

I'll try that next. I've had wires plastic that doesnt flex

[@abujog]

@@landonbailey only for the cloth ones

[@rodrich1644]

Maybe invest in a cheap wire srtriper.

[@landonbailey]

I know, I have one somewhere lol

[@rodrich1644]

@@landonbailey Can you tell much difference with a 7.25 radius fretboard over the 9.5? I'm considering a road worn and the neck is a holdup. I want a nitro butterscotch for the wear and look.

[@landonbailey]

@@rodrich1644 ya I prefer the 9.5 myself. I have one guitar with a fat 50s 7.25 inch radius and it's the toughest for me to play. But that's just me. it's this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZaWp6aOjZVghJo

[@johntoland3520]

No sound test,,,,,,,bummer

[@landonbailey]

are you looking to hear if there's an improvement, or just how the Vintage guitar sounds in general? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnOnmiilJeMnrs

[@robertcaporale9322]

push the cover back on the cloth wire do not cut what a mess you made!

[@landonbailey]

I agree!

[@bobtolley2234]

Dude you changed the electronics but you didn't play the guitar and say if it improved the pups and the sound or tone

[@landonbailey]

I didn't notice a change, but I also didn't A/B the change

[@Steven_SK]

Hard to watch.... so violent!

[@landonbailey]

I tried to keep it PG-13

[@Steven_SK]

@@landonbailey I may be scarred for life... I mean the way you just loped off those wires.... brutal!

[@georgelackey622]

Bullshit! Learn to solder and save lots of money, plus if something fails you know how to fix it! This is nothing but an ad!

[@landonbailey]

what's wrong with an ad? I'm promoting a product I like

[@bobs_ya_runkle]

Geez ..... I must have missed the part in the video that said installing one of these kits was compulsory?!? I actually enjoy soldering but I can still appreciate that some people don't.

[@bobs_ya_runkle]

Furthermore: I do lot of travelling with my guitars as many musicians do. Being able to do mods on the fly without having to carry a soldering iron kit would be very convenient. Before writing things off as "bullshit" you should open your mind and remember that not everyone's needs are the same as yours.

[@jonnyspade]

Didn’t explain anything about the wiring. This is basically a video on how to set up a control plate

[@landonbailey]

what would you explain abou the wiring?

[@jonnyspade]

@@landonbailey I’d go more into detail about the pickups you used, how you figured out the color code for your wires and how you figured out each slot to put them in

[@landonbailey]

i read the manuals

[@jonnyspade]

@@landonbailey I thought this was a how to video, not a go read the manuals video

[@ZitherBeast]

I'm trying to figure out what your native language is, I can't understand half of what you say. That's it buddy, I'm either subscribing or unsubscribing, I'm not really sure where I am with this. HMM.

[@landonbailey]

I speak Canadian. It's like American and Australian but more maple syrup