Final Questions
I am thinking of replacing the the wiring and PUPs/Switches/Pots. How much of a lift will I get from Tonerider Hot Classics?
I am getting a big volume drop in the middle position - is this a wiring issue?
I've never used the kit pickups so can't comment on what they sound like. However, I have had two sets of (still got 1 somewhere) of the Tele Hot Classics and can say they sound great. All in all I don't think you can go wrong with Toneriders for value for money. Despite not hearing the kit set, I would go out on a limb and say the TR's would sound noticeably better.


As for the volume drop in position 2, a slight drop is normal with passive pickups wired in parallel (happens with strats in 2 & 4 positions). Not hearing what you're hearing makes it hard for me to say whether it's "normal" drop or not. A slight drop to me might be a big drop to you.

That said, two things I would look at are that the pickups may be out of phase, or the switch is wonky.
Try swapping the hot and ground wires on one of the pickups (doesn't matter which one) and see if that fixes it.
If not, you might try replacing the switch.

Report back and let us know!

Oh, and guitar looks great too!