By Ed Malaker
Posted 04/07/2026
Here at Humbucker Soup, we love to answer reader questions, and when we get one that might interest our readers, we like to share it. Recently, we received a question that involves a modded Eldred modification that is a perfect example. Keep reading while we make a popular Esquire mod even better for some players and discuss what’s different about it. We’ll also discuss different types of switches and provide the complete wiring diagram to get you going.
What is the Esquire Eldred Mod?
The Eldred Mod is a popular Fender Esquire modification that gives the single-pickup guitar three distinct tones to work with while keeping the original sound that many people love. Traditionally, the Eldred Mod provides you with the following configuration:
· Bridge pickup through volume only — tone control bypassed, a little hotter/brighter.
· Bridge pickup through volume and tone — the normal working position.
· Eldred preset “cocked wah” — bridge pickup through a small capacitor and the volume control, with the tone control bypassed. A common cap value is 0.0047 µF.
Most versions use a three-way switch, like the one you find in many telecasters, but some use a four-way switch. This added position allows players to select bridge pickup direct to output jack, for even more tonal options.
How are we modifying the Esquire Eldred Mod?
Our reader has the four way Eldred mod installed using an Oak Grigsby four-way switch that he wants to convert to a Kaish import three-way switch for the higher quality/heavy-duty manufacturing. The three-way switch also allows him to tighten up the controls a bit and lose the Bridge pickup through volume only option that he doesn’t use.
Another way the readers’ setup deviates from the traditional Eldred mod is that instead of using just a 0.0047 µF capacitor to create the cocked wah effect many players love, he uses a 56k resistor and 0.022uF cap wired in series to create a warm fixed bass tone.
Therefore, our version will have these positions:
· Bridge pickup straight to the output jack – This bypasses the tone circuit and volume pot for the most immediate, aggressive sound. It is perfect if you want the raw sound of the pickup, and it’s a great choice for leads.
· Bridge pickup through volume and tone – This is your normal working position. The pickup goes through the volume and tone controls just like a typical single-pickup guitar wiring scheme.
· Modified Eldred Bass Boost – This routes the pickup through a 56k resistor and 0.022uF capacitor wired in series to create the fixed preset tone. This is the signature “Eldred” sound and gives the guitar a thicker, more focused voice.
Parts Used in This Build
- Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound bridge pickup (Any single coil should work)
- Kaish import-style 3-way blade switch (most import-style switches)
- 250k volume pot
- 250k tone pot
- 56k resistor
- 0.022uF capacitor
- 0.047µF capacitor (or .022 for tone control)
- output jack
- cloth or PVC hookup wire
- solder and soldering iron
Wiring Diagram
Reference Images
Summary
The Eldred-style Esquire setup can be a great way to get more range out of a single bridge pickup, but if you don’t like that cocked wah sound, this simple modification will change that third position into a beefy bass boost that might be just what you’ve been looking for. While we have been discussing installing this onFender Esquire or single-pickup Telecasters, it will work perfectly on any single-pickup guitar that needs more tonal variation. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
