The best Telecaster mod

When it comes to a Telecaster, you can change the pickups, change the neck, change the bridge, machine heads, pretty much anything, but the only thing you actually need to change is the control plate cover.
The Telecaster control plate has the volume knob so close to the pickup selector switch that very often, you knock the volume when changing pickups. This mod will fix that issue.
Here is a link to the Telecaster Control plates I mentioned in this video, no affiliate marketing here : www.rockinger....
Other great mods for your Telecaster include a 4-way switch or a 5-way switch: These add additional functionality to your Telecaster in the form of a series setting - so the pickups work together like a humbucker. And an out-of-phase setting - can be handy in certain situations. Here's videos on those mods:
4 way Telecaster switch mod : • 4 way telecaster switc...
5 way Telecaster switch mod : • 5 Way Telecaster switch
On top of that, other great upgrades for your Telecaster include changing the standard steel bridge saddles to brass ones, and dressing the end of the frets - you may have noticed that Fender Player Telecasters come with scratchy or rough fret ends. Fixing this greatly improves playability.
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[@richardryan8462]

Nice control plates. To take even more advantage of them, re-wire the controls so the plate can be installed upside down. That way for both pickups you can more easily use the volume knob for fade and swell effects and on the bridge pickup you can more easily use the tone knob for wah effects. Check out Bill Kirchen’s setup and playing technique.

[@groovezilla79]

Been playing for a very long time. Tele's have been my instrument of choice for at least 10 years. Just when I thought I wouldn't change anything about any of them, I stumble across your video. You've taught this old timer something new today. Appreciate you sharing.

[@klonklone7787]

I like the angled pickup switch slot added too. Even more space & more easily reached when strumming

[@S_Tadz]

Dude, thank you SO MUCH for that link! Ordered one right away. Can't wait to finally switch pickups safely with my big fat fingers!!

[@PherotoneStudios]

A pleasure mate.

[@crazywisdom2]

I found 2 places here in the states that offers the control plate mod. For the life of me I can't figure out why Fender hasn't done this already !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Brillant !

[@WordupG]

Who offers these in the USA? I can’t find one. Thanks

[@ScottsGuitars]

Holy crap the finger comment had me laughing so hard. Extra funny because it was so unexpected. Nice job!!

[@PherotoneStudios]

I had to rewatch the video to find the comment. Childish 😂

[@metricdeep8856]

My god!!!!...you're the only person to mention this!!!!! How was this tolerated for over half a century....it's the most obvious shortcoming of a Tele. I'm moding my own to put a gibson style 3 position. Would be nice if I could put it up top where gibson has theirs....but is more work than I need to do. I'm mounting mine so it works vertically but will still be mounted on the "normal" switch plate.

[@jordanmorille9560]

Just ordered mine for my bullet and player (both purchased after watching your videos on each)! Can’t wait to add to their playability. Excellent vids; lovely bloke, indeed! Got a big fan from all the way in Texas.

[@PherotoneStudios]

Epic! Let me know what you think when they arrive. I’ve ordered so many of these now. It’s just such a great upgrade but I do find the price a bit offensive

[@AFistfulOfVinyl]

Any idea where to source this mod in the USA?

[@CarloRegadasGuitar]

I've got a Squier Telecaster that I'm tinkering around with, it already has a scalloped neck, reverse bridge, reverse control plate with slanted pickup selector, new string tree etc. Apologies in advance if it's a daft question - I have a spare Seymour Duncan SSL-6 pickup and would like to try it out in the bridge position on the Squier Telecaster mod project. Is it possible to modify a regular single coil by adding a Telecaster bridge pickup base plate, so it then has the three screws, instead of the screw on either ear? I was just wondering if it was at all possible and whether or not to try it out and see if I liked it more than the stock Squier bridge pickup. Many thanks. Carlo 👍🏼🎸

[@AndyX]

i just bend the switch lever up tword the strings it makes a big difference as well. I do like the modded plates especially the one that puts the switch slot on an angle . thanks for the video

[@yobanyhernandez125]

dude why I didnt find your channel sooner. Thank you!

[@PherotoneStudios]

Thanks mate. Glad you enjoy it. Can see you working your way through the content 👍

[@sadie376]

My (Taiwan, 2001) Squier already has this spacing... I bought it used. Do you recon it was modded by the last owner, or did some of them leave the factory that way? I want to do the 4-way switch mod. When I do, I plan to flip the plate & move the volume to the front. I may well add a kill switch too, while I'm in there.

[@PherotoneStudios]

Oddly I’ve seen a couple of squiers with this spacing. Lots of company just source the cheapest parts so the guitars are inconsistent. This spacing as standard would be incredible

[@sadie376]

@@PherotoneStudios This one had been fitted with a funky purple pick-guard at some point & was nicely setup with fresh strings when I bought it. It definitely had the vibe of a 'cared-for & played' guitar, unlike a lot of used Squiers... Maybe I'll see some clues when I take it apart.

[@apophispnw5717]

I want to flip the whole thing backwards so the volume and tone are closer and do this as well.

[@SonofsamSJF]

Awesome mod. I’ve got the 4 way switch and when switching I’ve noticed it spins the volume pot down. And never thought for a moment about changing the plate. Great video man.

[@hobertgordon7465]

I modded mine and put a 3 way toggle switch in it, so much better, easier to wire, I don’t understand why more companies don’t do this

[@JoshSarwono]

What a lovely bloke. Thanks mate ❤

[@regnbean67]

Nice video and great mod. Thanks for sharing. Can you advise where in the UK I can get the modified control plate? Hope to hear cheers, 🎸👍

[@PherotoneStudios]

I haven’t found any in the UK but I get them all from the link in the description. It’s somewhere in Europe and the postage is quite a lot so I usually buy a few at a time and fit to friends Telecasters

[@regnbean67]

@@PherotoneStudios many thanks for your reply. I clicked the link you provided and the company selling the control plate appear to be based in Germany. As you as postage on a single item is quite a lot. If you ever learn of someone in the UK selling them or you yourself sells them on please do let me know. Thanks again 🎸👍

[@adethomas413]

The greatest Tele mod ever!

[@PherotoneStudios]

Ever ever!

[@williamf.9615]

Good mod. I got a Göldo one from Thomann for 14,90 Euros, whilst ordering some other parts I needed. I've got the white Player Tele with the maple neck. Great guitar. The best mod I've made is putting a 1 ply white pick guard on it. It just makes it look clean and elegant. Normally people put 3 ply's on to make it look better, but in this case it's the reverse. Check out the white Jimmy Page Tele and see what I mean.

[@joshuahek4564]

Thank you! I may just drill a hole in the plate to move the volume and put a shallow kill switch in the original volume pot hole. I'll have to see if that puts the tone and volume too close together...

[@theponyneverstops]

100% the best upgrade! 👍 Thanks for my control plate. Just makes it so much easier to switch pups. #nowmyteleisperfect 🐴

[@PherotoneStudios]

Perfiq Tele

[@X-boomer]

This should have been a rare opportunity for us to hear with our own ears what that bridge actually does to the tone. No such luck.

[@iebah1]

Good stuff! Have you ever tried the Artec Quadra QDD on a Tele? Seems like an interesting device, but there's only one tone control on a Tele. Please let me know. I'm just building a Tele shaped object. Also planning to use neck bolt ferrules and machine screws and Wilkinson pickups. Do you think these are good ideas?

[@TJEvans98]

I was intrigued by the video title....started watching, and looked at my Squier Affinity Tele hanging on the wall next to my head....not sure about different designs, but my squier doesn't have this issue at all. The gap between the selector and the volume knob is MUCH larger than what you showed on yours....interesting

[@PherotoneStudios]

Oddly when I was on the search for those spaced control plates, I did manage to pick one up from eBay that had a larger gap, which was from a squier. Maybe they use different suppliers and the gaps aren’t consistent. Just picked up a Chapman ML3 traditional with a tiny gap. Sigh.

[@bradmarden8392]

Yep same as mine - I have a squier affinity tele and the gap between the switch and the volume knob is adequate. When I ordered mine i started looking for a replacement control plate thinking I'd have this problem but when the guitar arrived i found that i didn't need to change anything 🙂

[@kentlangham5811]

Nice mod, I've been rewiring my Tele's and flipping the control plate so I can get better access to the volume knob. Now I don't have to do that in the future. The only other thing I find problematic is the output jack. I've switched to a machined piece that screws into the body and eliminates the chrome dish and that stupid press fit metal rectangle. Because the screws go into the body at an angle I can return the guitar to stock if needed. That's the beauty of the plate you demoed, looks stock and doesn't require a rewire. Thanks for the info.

[@doublebass]

I've been flipping my control plate around for a while too. Look into the electrosocket Jackmount, paired with a trutone output jack, it solved all my issues.

[@CP-mt1st]

Yeah and no need to upgrade pickups like he said. If you want a sound change just require tone pot to what they call “50s mod” (changes where capacitor attaches). Makes it sound bigger and more raw. Or try a different capacitor. Neck pickup is great with cover off too!

[@ubellubo]

Is there any benefit to upgrading the wiring (including the pots) on a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. I keep reading conflicting reports ranging between one of the best upgrades you can do to absolutely no benefit. Some people say the Squier pots are third grade others say they are fine. I have just bought a Classic Vibe 60s custom and I would like a four switch but I wasn't sure whether just to buy a 4 way switch or a wiring kit that includes a 4 way switch (so replacing the pots etc).

[@PherotoneStudios]

Most people don’t know what they’re talking about. Pots are pots. Also, a capacitor is a capacitor, it’s doesn’t matter how fancy it is. It’s only with changing the pots if there’s a problem, such as one crackles, or is broken, or for example the tone pot doesn’t really do much - on some guitars all the action is between 0-3 and 3-10 doesn’t do much at all. I’ve heard people say that smaller pots wear out faster but have never seen evidence for this as I’ve replaced all size pots. The replacements are normally due to damage or misuse rather than too much use. Almost everyone just leaves everything on full anyway. I ride the volume pots a lot and have never worn one out.

[@ubellubo]

@@PherotoneStudios Damn. I wasn’t sure what to do so I bought a wiring kit with a four way switch but it also has CTS pots, an orange drop capacitor and input jack. I read so many articles saying this is what to do. But having read more I think you are right. I wanted my guitar set up nicely by a luthier so I bought some compensated brass saddles and I figured that if there was some benefit to upgrading the wiring better to get it out the way. But I should have just bought the switch and the saddles and left it that.

[@PherotoneStudios]

It’s kind of easier sometimes starting from scratch if you just replace the lot. And with a Tele there’s only 2 knobs so it’s not much effort. If you mention to another guitarist that you’ve changed something, they’ll often ask if you’ve “upgraded” the pots and capacitor. If I change pickups for someone they almost always ask for the electrics to be upgraded. It’s a placebo thing. All guitar pedals use these cheap tiny pots and they never have problems. Let me know what you think of the 4-way mod

[@ubellubo]

@@PherotoneStudios I got my guitar back from the shop, set up with dressed frets and with compensated brass saddles, upgraded wiring and the 4 way switch. The wiring is good. Definitely more gradations of volume and tone too (I think). The thing that really stands out though is the 4 way switch. The two pickups in series has an excellent sound that is quite distinct from the other settings. Highly recommended.

[@PherotoneStudios]

@@ubellubo I do like a 4-way switch on a telecaster. That’s a really good shout actually. I should do it on this one as I’ve sold the previous one I did it on

[@Cacaarl]

Did you have to do a rewiring for that mod?

[@asimov647]

are the wires in the player telecaster long enough so that you could turn the plate around so that the knobs are in the front and the switch is in the back?

[@floydLmiller]

You may need to add some length to your wires. I did. I also had to route out the cavity deeper where the pots were to fit the switch.

[@fordhammie]

Love that tele; I have the CV50 in VBlonde. Most guitarists curl their pinky under the volume knob...

[@mrufino1]

I just turned the plate around on my cheap tele copy so the switch is at the back. I switched the volume and tone positions so that the knobs are still volume then tone when it’s turned around.

[@jaywells5283]

You sir, are awesome! Thank you for the vids, I’m wondering if you have tried the plate that has the slanted switch section?

[@TeeFetch]

Check out the Center Angle Telecaster Control Plate and the Fat Angle Control Plate at Rock Rabbit Guitars. I'm thinking of getting them. I'm a noob though and that spaciing is already pissing me off. Also had to shove some sticky poster tack into the switch tip/cap witha tooth pick and then press it down on the swtch to keep that thing from falling off every couple of seconds.

[@blindmac1]

Thanks for the video. Can’t stand that switch location. First problem for me. Gonna install a kill switch as well on mine when my plate gets replaced. Also a treble bleed I’ve heard is a helpful mod for a Telly.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Great idea but if its an emergency just pull the tip off and stick some gaffa tape over the sharo bit so you dont shred knucklesa

[@oddballsampler]

I’ve seen the diagonal slot for the switcher. I’d imagine diagonal would be more worth the effort.

[@ydlp7705]

Oh yeah you seem like a lovely bloke!

[@davidjohnston8566]

I'll go one better. I have the layout swapped round, so it goes volume first, tone then switch. Added to that, on my thinking it goes volume, tone then gibson style switch.

[@intuberably]

An advantage I saw on another video was to simply reverse the direction of the plate. This allows the side of a finger to rotate the volume knob in order to create a true tremelo, which is varying the volume without changing the pitch. Changing the pitch alone is a true vibrato. With a whammy bar (Bigsby 5B) and a little hand gymnastics, you could do both! You could even do them at different speeds, creating a vibremelo or tremato!

[@justinpaquette224]

Not a problem for me and I have 2 volumes and 1 tone knob... but I use strat knobs, so they sit lower and don't get in the way of the switch

[@PherotoneStudios]

Good shout.

[@MrBrunoline]

I bought a limited edition tele player (mex) with custom shop pics, I have the same issue. Furthermore the electronics on volume is showing some issues already

[@PherotoneStudios]

That’s not ideal, is it cutting out?

[@revengetragedy]

Just had to tease us with that Purple tele didnt you hahaha

[@PherotoneStudios]

It is a lovely colour in fairness

[@revengetragedy]

It totally is. I wish they would make more purple guitars.

[@canipetthatdog1005]

Just change the knob to a Strat style, problem solved! 😉

[@PherotoneStudios]

That’s actually a really good idea. Love it

[@Jpetersson]

That white tele looks taaasty af!

[@dpajc056]

Damn this never bothered me before...I wouldn’t expect this to be the best mod ever 🤔

[@freddiehandley278]

try a treble bleed!

[@powbobs]

I just use a Strat switch tip.

[@RedArrow73]

No wife-beaters, please.

[@msee383]

M

[@apophispnw5717]

That is annoying to have that switch like that such a shit design.