Wiring Library

[siore]

Originally Posted by ScottB

I thought I would contribute some things I have archived as well as try out photobucket. Here are the schematics for the 4 main wiring options for an LP.

The qualifier "US Style" only refers to the orientation of the tone pot and cap, it makes no difference in the circuit on paper. The Black Rose Custom, the BB King Signature, and most all asian clones use what I call "Asian Style". If your tone cap touches ground on either end, you have "Asian Style" and should learn the ramifications before you start messing with things.

Pardon the use of the jack symbol, it was all I had available and should be obvious what it portrays.

Likewise pardon the three-way switch, it was the best I could do; imagine that in the middle position the "T" bar slides over to connect both coil circuits.

Maybe some of you will find them helpful. Print them off and scribble on them.

^^Nice diagrams to add to the collection!! Gives you a broader idea of how it really looks in the circuit.

[ScottB]

Thanks, I have to convert what I see into a mental schematic anyhow so for those who see it like that it may save some time.

Glad you got the edited version in the quote, call it a stealth edit LOL!

[Emiel]

Hi,

A question from my side. I noticed the first post in this threads shows a different '50s wiring than the one I used, which comes from www.singlecoil.com/docs/paula.pdf

Are there any differences tone wise between the two?

[thedonal]

Right- I'm having a bit of trouble with wiring on my Epi Black Beauty.

I've been working from the standard gibson 3 pickup design (as below) with a couple of intended mods-



I've got a push/pull switch at the bridge tone.

Basically, I want to wire it so that I can have bridge only, bridge and neck, neck only and switch the middle in with the p/p.

As far as I can see, if I want to add the neck in the middle setting, I need to bridge the neck lug on the toggle switch to the middle pickup lug.

I tried that with the switch between the middle pickup and the toggle, but with no success.

Another option might be to have the switched middle pickup to the bridge volume pot.

Am I on the right track? I think I've sworn enough for 1 weekend! The guitar is stripped and waiting to be wired again..

Cheers

D

[thedonal]

Right- I think I'm nearly there- I've had to completely rethink my wiring plan.

I've gone back to the way it was normally wired, but added a switched line from the 'output' of the neck volume pot to the same terminal on the toggle switch as the bridge volume output (2nd connection from the bottom on the above diagram).

This way, I'll have the standard switching on the toggle, but can switch the neck pickup in with either the middle or bridge switching.

I'm away at the folks so haven't finished it (having a pain with a 30w iron and trying to solder the grould wires to back of pots and yet to wire the pickups back in- my 60 watt iron died during the weekend!), so hopefully, should have it all finished later in the week. I had to improvise wiring, as I basically ripped the old wiring out of the guitar- used some 2 conductor OFC studio cable for the connections from the pots to the switch.

Fingers crossed- if this doesn't work, I'll have to give it to my local workshop to sort, but I'd rather avoid that as the idea was to learn something myself. Though I've learned an awful lot about the signal chain and taking the time to read the diagram properly before undertaking work!!

Ironically, I thought re-potting the pickups was going to be the nightmare part, but that went nice and smooth! I've taken a load of pictures along the way, so may post up the highlights...

[Jeremy]

Hi,

This is my wiring below for an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. I want to convert it to 50's style wiring and also get rid of the connector thingy. In the shots below I am not sure which wires for the switch goto what parts. Aka What is the green for? Is the white ground etc?

Also in the last photo, does this wiring look good so far for 50's wiring, just checking I am on the right track.

Cheers...

[armandodiaz]

I'm trying to get my LP Classic to also sound like a classic. I just bought a set of Burst 1 & 2 now I'm looking at the wiring. I decided on the standard 50's wiring. My only remaining question are the capacitors. From looking at the different websites it seems Les Pauls used either Jupiter Vintage Tone Capacitors or Hovland MusiCap Capacitors. Does anyone know for sure?

[CWeeD]

Like Jeremy, I too am curious about the wiring of the toggle switch. I want to rewire a new switch but with the stock wiring its a little difficult to tell whats what...its really a mess the way they wire these guitars.

Is there a diagram that shows the full connection paths from the switch to the pickups, jack, grounds etc?

[darkr_reaver]

What exactly does 50's wiring do and what's the difference from that and 50's w/ind. vol.?

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by darkr_reaver

What exactly does 50's wiring do and what's the difference from that and 50's w/ind. vol.?

Ok here we go again, if you spend some time studying wiring diagrams you will see the different ways that LP's can be wired....50's wiring allows a bit more treble and clarity to come through and modern is a bit darker and warmer. Some guitars sound better with one or the other, and it will vary depending on pots and capacitors used.
I currently have my Gibson SG wired traditional 50's style.
Look at how the wires from capacitors connect to volume pots. Also note how switch wires and pu wires connect to lugs on volume pots. By changing these you achieve the different kind of wiring options.

[jonesy77777]

anybody tried 50's wiring with a 335? I am going to be putting in some new pup's, caps and 50's wiring. Anybody have pictures or tips, I guess it's a bit of a chore.

[if6was9]

Originally Posted by jonesy77777

anybody tried 50's wiring with a 335? I am going to be putting in some new pup's, caps and 50's wiring. Anybody have pictures or tips, I guess it's a bit of a chore.

Check out this thread:

335 Electronics Installation (a.k.a. How to take years off your life)

[Dino]

Originally Posted by ashbass

Here is a detail of the gibson 50s wiring:




* The tone pot changes have been discussed as not necessary unless you want the full vintage vibe. It can't hurt, anyway.

The key to this is the moving of the tone pot connection from the pickup to the switch. The typical quote of "just move the cap wire from the outside lug to the inside lug" is not accurate. The truth of this of this mod is moving the cap wire from the pickup wire to the switch wire. * This is an important distinction as some users have their pickup and switch wires reversed so as to attain independent volume controls (turning one pup to zero when in middle pos only kills that pup instead of killing both).

-

1) So it does not matter which lug is used for "ground" or "capacitor" on the tone control?

2) So which wiring allows you to turn one pup to zero when in middle pos and only kill that pup instead of killing both? Sorry, but the way that is written is a little confusing.

[FF_Pedals]

Originally Posted by Dino

1) So it does not matter which lug is used for "ground" or "capacitor" on the tone control?

2) So which wiring allows you to turn one pup to zero when in middle pos and only kill that pup instead of killing both? Sorry, but the way that is written is a little confusing.

Independent. You can do modern or 50s. Connect the pickup to lug 2 of the volume pot, connect the output to lug 3. Look on the first page for the layouts.

[Dino]

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

Independent. You can do modern or 50s. Connect the pickup to lug 2 of the volume pot, connect the output to lug 3. Look on the first page for the layouts.

Thanks for the help.

[Slapjaw]

Hey guys, just wanted to say this thread has been a wealth of knowledge. Thanks alot.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Slapjaw

Hey guys, just wanted to say this thread has been a wealth of knowledge. Thanks alot.

[duff]

Originally Posted by Paul

I had been searching for new wiring diagrams for my V to fix the modern styles control problems, the volume and tone controls seemed to have multiple functions which really messed with me. the tone didn’t seem to do much of anything except for suck on the volume when it was turned down along with only removing any tone when it was at three or lower and it wasn't the cap (a repo BB) the volume controls messed with the tone and i never bothered to touch it. the 50's style wiring delivers so much more from the pickups if you have a V you should try the 50's or 50's with independent volume control wiring.

hi, what's the difference between 50's style and 50's style independent volume control. I did a search but nothing came up.
On my V, when i'm in the middle position and one of my volume controls in on zero, i have completely no signal.
Will the "independent volume controls wiring" take care of this ?

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by duff

hi, what's the difference between 50's style and 50's style independent volume control. I did a search but nothing came up.
On my V, when i'm in the middle position and one of my volume controls in on zero, i have completely no signal.
Will the "independent volume controls wiring" take care of this ?

The pickup wires and leads from switch are flip-flopped on the volume pot lugs for Independent wiring vs standard. (look at red & yellow wires in each pic they are in different lugs)
With Modern to 50's wiring the cap leads change from outside lug on vol pot to center lug. Hope this helps.

[if6was9]

Originally Posted by duff

On my V, when i'm in the middle position and one of my volume controls in on zero, i have completely no signal.
Will the "independent volume controls wiring" take care of this ?

Yes, independent volume control wiring, either 50's style or Modern, will prevent this.

[duff]

thank u jonesy and if6was9

i take it 50's style wiring without independent volume controls is what the original 58's came with ? i'll see if it makes a difference soundwise next time i change strings.

[jonesy]

Your welcome bro, yeah here is Vintage 50's wiring diagram...

[FF_Pedals]

Hey Jonesy, do you have any leads on the deal with all the different switch constructions? That last diagram you posted looks like the switchcraft switch?

I think the most confusing thing is the different switch construction styles.

I've only ever owned the modern style switches that have the pickups and output on one side and the ground on the opposite side.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by FF_Pedals

Hey Jonesy, do you have any leads on the deal with all the different switch constructions? That last diagram you posted looks like the switchcraft switch?

I think the most confusing thing is the different switch construction styles.

I've only ever owned the modern style switches that have the pickups and output on one side and the ground on the opposite side.

You mean this style switch bro?

[FF_Pedals]

Yeah, are there any other switch types or is just those two? The diagram you posted above that looks like it was a scanned in piece of folded paper is the first diagram I've seen with the old school switch. Thanks for posting.

The key is to learn how to follow the metal connections around on the bottom of the switch, that way you don't need a diagram you can just figure it out on your own.

[jonesy]

Those are the basic two types I use. Yeah agreed FF, following the metal around to the correct leads and understanding what each is for really gives you a better grasp on wiring up the 3 way toggle than just following the diagram

[Kølabrennern]

I'm having hard times wiring EMGs in an Ibanez RG here. I bought a 3-way lever switch from GFS, but its tabs are not the same as in the EMG Schematic (scroll down here to "1 vol, 1 tone, three-way lever switch), they're all in one row where tabs number 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7 are together, leaving one tab on each end free. I followed the GFS schematic for the switch hoping it would work, but the volume pot acts more like a blend pot with no volume at 10 and I'm not getting much output at all from the bridge pickup. I've checked my solder connections and tried different variations, but it doesn't work.

Any suggestions? I've just spend hours and hours fixing up this guitar and it's a little frustrating when a simple wiring issue is keeping me back.

[jonesy]

Can you post a pic of your switch? If you would have bought one from me it would have been CRL or Oaks and your guitar would be working by now

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Kølabrennern

I'm having hard times wiring EMGs in an Ibanez RG here. I bought a 3-way lever switch from GFS, but its tabs are not the same as in the EMG Schematic (scroll down here to "1 vol, 1 tone, three-way lever switch), they're all in one row where tabs number 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and 7 are together, leaving one tab on each end free. I followed the GFS schematic for the switch hoping it would work, but the volume pot acts more like a blend pot with no volume at 10 and I'm not getting much output at all from the bridge pickup. I've checked my solder connections and tried different variations, but it doesn't work.

Any suggestions? I've just spend hours and hours fixing up this guitar and it's a little frustrating when a simple wiring issue is keeping me back.

It may be wired like the switches on the Import guitars??? Here is a link to Squire diagrams...

http://www.squierguitars.com/pdf/cur...%20Service.pdf

[Kølabrennern]

Here's the switch:


And here's the schematic I'm trying to follow:


You're right, I should have gotten a switch from you. This is driving me nuts! I have no idea how to wire this switch and everything I try just turns out wrong. So far I tried soldering each of the pickups to the outer two paired lugs and the wire that goes to the lower volume pot lug to the middle paired lug on the switch. I'm guessing there should be some kind of wire running between the switch lugs as well, like in the schematic there, but I don't know where to solder it.