Chris Kinman invented the angled switch in 2002 and applied for a Patent.
This and the bent lever avoids interference of knobs and looks cool too. Scroll to see larger image.
4 sounds for Telecasters* with 2 pickups. Gen-2 upgrade model now shipping.
Accepts non-Kinman pickups also. The pickups now connect to the green screw-down connector block shown below, it accepts Kinman connectors as well as bare wires.
Screw-Down connector block
A FREE high quality screw driver to tighten the small screws is included with your harness
Use this ORDER CHANNEL only if you are buying a harness without pickups. If you are ordering pickup(s) there is provision to include a harness (same price as displayed above) after you click the BUY button for your pickup(s). Generally this will not increase the cost of shipping.
NOTE: Existing Kinman Tele neck pickups must have 3 conductor hook-up cable. Old style 2 Conductor hook-up cables are not suitable so you should upgrade.
Beautifully designed and brilliantly manufactured. The TK4 Harness comes with a 4 position pickup selector switch. In addition to the regular pickup selections the 4th position combines the two pickups in series to provide instant volume boost for a fatter tone and crunch sound (thanks to the increased output). This connection yields a sound not unlike a P-90/Humbucker in some respects, but with Zero-Hum.
Gen-2 upgrades Dec-2017: re-designed circuit board to mount the pickup sockets away from the selector switch so it's not so squeezy in the control cavity. A miniature slide switch changes the volume pot resistance between 250k for throaty sound and 500k for thinner sound. The Volume control has been moved 8mm further away from the selector switch further improving the separation of these controls. This and the slanted switch is clever ergonomic design (human engineering) at it's best.
Click for TK4 switching chart of the 4 pickup combinations (PDF file)
The volume pot has the famous Kinman treble bypass filter so you won't lose highs when you turn the volume down. Another sweet feature is a tiny slide switch on the harness that allows you to choose between my High Definition Tone control and a regular .022uF tone cap. The Hi-Def setting has a subtle effect on the highs, not nearly so profound as the Normal .022 setting and at first you might think it's not working. But once you get it you may just like it a lot. All it takes is 60 seconds of your time to easily reset that switch.
Shipped with pots set to normal torque but convert easily to Easy Turn pots (right hand only) for easy finger rolling (violinning), the Install Guide shows how. The Tone pot is the No-load type (without detent).
Soldering is eliminated 100% with this ingenious harness when Kinman pickups are included in order. Even other brand pickups will connect without soldering.
NOTE: Fits USA made Fenders and many MIJ and MIM models. Control cavity must have width of not less than 25.4mm (1"). Control cavity depth must be 36mm deep at both ends, cavities with a step in the floor where one end is 32mm deep are not suitable. This step can be removed but the cavity shielding should be restored (Navigate to >Technical >Perfect Guitar >Shielding)
Available for Right and Left hand.
* Fender and Telecaster and Tele are registered Trade Marks of Fender Musical Instrument Corp, Inc. Kinman is not associated with FMIC but they kindly permit us to refer to their Trade Marks to reference our products.
Under the hood of a Gen-1 TK4 .... Gen-2 picture coming soon
Chris Kinman invented the angled switch in 2002 and applied for a Patent.
This and the bent lever avoids interference of knobs and looks pretty cool too.
