Gibson circuit board wiring - all the same?

[Hoboman]

I have a 2019 Les Paul with the circuit board wiring. It's just the standard two volumes, two tones.
Will a push/pull Les Paul circuit board drop right in or were their any differences that I should be aware of?

 

[MSB]

it should drop in, but make sure your plug in pickups are the 4 wire type or they won't split. I haven't messed with the circuit boards in a few years, but iirc some pickups with the plug in are only 2 wire

 

[Hoboman]

it should drop in, but make sure your plug in pickups are the 4 wire type or they won't split. I haven't messed with the circuit boards in a few years, but iirc some pickups with the plug in are only 2 wire

Ah, good point. I haven't even checked my PUs to see if they are wired for splitting.

Thanks,

 

[Hoboman]

Well, my stock 57 classics are wired for splitting BUT unfortunately it looks like the Push/Pull circuit board is too tall to fit in my Les Paul Classic Lite.

 

[MSB]

Well, my stock 57 classics are wired for splitting BUT unfortunately it looks like the Push/Pull circuit board is too tall to fit in my Les Paul Classic Lite.

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I don't see why it wouldn't. My '14 MM had the same thin body and had a PCB, it was tight, don't get me wrong, but it fit. You would probably want to adjust your nuts though

I am somewhat curious why you want to swap IN a PCB?

 

[Hoboman]

I don't see why it wouldn't. My '14 MM had the same thin body and had a PCB, it was tight, don't get me wrong, but it fit. You would probably want to adjust your nuts though

I am somewhat curious why you want to swap IN a PCB?

My Les Paul has a PCB but I would like to install one with Push/Pull pots for coil splitting but the PCB requires more depth in the control cavity because of the stacked pots.

 

[ReWind James]

Why not just put in a non-PCB harness? It'll probably cost you less than sourcing a Gibson PCB one and you could end up with better components, component brands/models/values of your choice, and the wiring schematic of your choice, as well as opening you up to easily swapping in any pickups, and being easily serviceable.

I've never heard of someone wanting to put a PCB harness into a Gibson.

 

[Hoboman]

Why not just put in a non-PCB harness? It'll probably cost you less than sourcing a Gibson PCB one and you could end up with better components, component brands/models/values of your choice, and the wiring schematic of your choice, as well as opening you up to easily swapping in any pickups, and being easily serviceable.

I've never heard of someone wanting to put a PCB harness into a Gibson.

Dropping in a PCB would be A LOT easier. I think there are four things to unplug, remove the PCB, drop another in, plug things in and be done. Probably a 10 minute install.

Also, I see one on reverb right now at decent price.

 

[ReWind James]

You're exchanging a small amount of labor for a great amount of limitation.

 

[Hoboman]

You're exchanging a small amount of labor for a great amount of limitation.

Definitely saving on labor. Not sure about the limitations.
Pretty much a mute point since it doesn't look like the PCB is going to fit and I don't feel like spending a whole evening cutting and soldering wires and trying to figure out the wiring. At this point I'm not even sure that a standard push/pull pot will fit in my guitar because of the depth.

 

[ReWind James]

Well, I can at least help with some measurements.

A full size CTS push/pull pot needs 1" from the inside of the cavity to the back of the control cavity cover plate.

One of the Alpha mini push/pulls is only slightly longer, needing 1 3/32" clearance.


You can try wiring your guitar up "50's style" (the way the tone pots/caps are connected to the volume controls) and you should get some more brightness and clarity. Might find you don't even need coil splits. It's certainly difficult to do that on a PCB, but I think some have cut traces and put in jumpers to do it. You can find a drop-in 50's style harness, too, if that's more your speed.

 

[Hoboman]

Well, I can at least help with some measurements.

A full size CTS push/pull pot needs 1" from the inside of the cavity to the back of the control cavity cover plate.

One of the Alpha mini push/pulls is only slightly longer, needing 1 3/32" clearance.


You can try wiring your guitar up "50's style" (the way the tone pots/caps are connected to the volume controls) and you should get some more brightness and clarity. Might find you don't even need coil splits. It's certainly difficult to do that on a PCB, but I think some have cut traces and put in jumpers to do it. You can find a drop-in 50's style harness, too, if that's more your speed.

Those measuerments are very helpful. I'll check to it CTS pots will fit.

Thanks!

 

[Charlie51]

Why not just put in a non-PCB harness? It'll probably cost you less than sourcing a Gibson PCB one and you could end up with better components, component brands/models/values of your choice, and the wiring schematic of your choice, as well as opening you up to easily swapping in any pickups, and being easily serviceable.

I've never heard of someone wanting to put a PCB harness into a Gibson.

I have what I call the "dreaded PCB" in mine. Only thing I despise more are the Robo-tuners. So many good options if it ever fails or for anyone wanting to upgrade. Stew-Mac sells a complete "drop-in" harness as do several others with push - pull pots. Just need to get an accurate wiring color code for the specific Gibson pickups you're dealing with. Not a difficult job.

You're correct...most likely you would end up with better pots/caps also.