Jimmy Page Mod - ADDED!

[number41dl]

I'm ECSTATIC right now - I just finished adding the Jimmy Page Mod to my Les Paul. I always thought it sounded good, but that was with cheap pickups from an online distributor. Well, to complete the Page mod I added the Seymour Duncan Silver Special set - a JB in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck, with Nickel Covers and Gold screws - they're gorgeous and the tone is AWESOME.

The real treat in this mod, though, is the amazing combination of sounds that come out of this guitar. At my fingertips, I now have the tone of a Les Paul, Telecaster, Tele Custom, Tele Special, Strat, and Rickenbacker, depending on the knobs up or down. It's amazing - the out-of-phase and series/parallel switching can generate some amazing retro-50s/60s, jazzy or country tones depending on the combination. I could barely tear myself away from the guitar to write this thread!

I used the Seymour Duncan wiring diagram for the template. It's spot-on, with the exception of the grounds. It doesn't explicitly tell you to link all of the grounds. That should be obvious, but if you follow the diagram directly, you will get some major buzzing if the grounds aren't linked.

Here's the diagram: http://www.seymourduncan.com/pdfs/support/schematics/jp_style.pdf

And here are a couple of pics of my LP after the pickup change:

The pickups, up close:

The final wiring cavity, after all was said and done (TOO many wires!):

 

[Skynyrdpicker]

Nice! I'd love to try that but I'm horrible with the electronics, so I don't dare screw around. Nice guitar too!

 

[Deftone]

Nice! I'd love to try that but I'm horrible with the electronics, so I don't dare screw around. Nice guitar too!

Very cool. I think one of the benefits of having multiple LP's is being able to try something like this on one of them.

 

[number41dl]

Nice! I'd love to try that but I'm horrible with the electronics, so I don't dare screw around. Nice guitar too!

Thanks! I took Computer Engineering in University, so I'm used to the electronics side of things.

I have the same mentality towards my guitars that some of my friends do when they mod their cars: If I screw it up bad enough, I'll just bring it to the shop.

 

[Jason]

Nice work!

On another note, white LPs sure look nice when they don't have gold hardware.

 

[number41dl]

Nice work!

On another note, white LPs sure look nice when they don't have gold hardware.

Agreed 100%! Plus, I still don't know why Gibson hasn't released a white LP with Black Binding.

I always tell people that while most white LPs have a tuxedo look, mine resembles the Oakland Raiders Away Jersey, except it actually plays well.

 

[Jason]

I always tell people that while most white LPs have a tuxedo look, mine resembles the Oakland Raiders Away Jersey, except it actually plays well.

lol

 

[Alligatorbling]

awesome! how is the nosie level with the different settings?

 

[number41dl]

awesome! how is the nosie level with the different settings?

The main humbucker settings are the standard LP sounds - the coil tapped settings are a little thin, volume-wise, but are really clear with lots of treble. The only drawback is that you do get some noise because you lose the hum canceling of the humbuckers. The out of phase mode doesn't affect volume but adds a bit of a nasal-y sound to the middle position, but no additional noise. The series mode adds a lot of volume and bass to the tone, really good for jazzier playing, but can generate some noise if the volume's loud to begin with.

The settings are super-clean, though, I find. The Duncans are infinitely better than the generic pickups I had in before.

 

[TheAlmightyPig]

I used the Seymour Duncan wiring diagram for the template. It's spot-on, with the exception of the grounds. It doesn't explicitly tell you to link all of the grounds. That should be obvious, but if you follow the diagram directly, you will get some major buzzing if the grounds aren't linked.

great thread man
and just to clarify, when you say to link all of the grounds, is this what you mean?

 

[number41dl]

great thread man
and just to clarify, when you say to link all of the grounds, is this what you mean?

Yep - that's it. The diagram for the Jimmy Page wiring doesn't show it, but other Duncan diagrams do. I found it odd that it didn't list it.

 

[Archer993]

Congrats on the mod - I'm doing the same thing to mine.
The out of phase is cool as is the split coil sound.

 

[Maximus Storm]

Cool!!! I think Stew Mac sells the same type of mod...not too sure.

 

[number41dl]

Cool!!! I think Stew Mac sells the same type of mod...not too sure.

Yup, they do. You can find the individual parts for a cheaper total if you go through eBay, but you might have to wait a little longer to get everything.

Here's the StewMac link: JPLP Wiring Kit for Les Paul at Stewart-MacDonald

Alternatively, if you want a pre-wired version, JonesyBlues on eBay (who I believe is an MLP member), sells short shaft and long shaft versions. The only thing there is that it takes away from the joy of doing the work yourself, which is very rewarding when it's all done.

 

[number41dl]

Congrats on the mod - I'm doing the same thing to mine.
The out of phase is cool as is the split coil sound.

Absolutely - the series sound is also pretty sweet if you're a jazz player. Really full sounding with a lot of bass.

 

[Maximus Storm]

Yup, they do. You can find the individual parts for a cheaper total if you go through eBay, but you might have to wait a little longer to get everything.

Here's the StewMac link: JPLP Wiring Kit for Les Paul at Stewart-MacDonald

Alternatively, if you want a pre-wired version, JonesyBlues on eBay (who I believe is an MLP member), sells short shaft and long shaft versions. The only thing there is that it takes away from the joy of doing the work yourself, which is very rewarding when it's all done.

That is true, but if you are new to guitar building, a kit ain't that bad, but well done.

 

[Harpozep]

You arte loving the sound, and that is an awesome wiring pile'o'fun! Did it and more to my Howard Roberts and My 335. The JB/Jazz set with the harness now sit waiting for a new doner body.
Push /pull delights for sure

I added a Stew Mack Black Ice to my extra toggle in my 335 ( it had the factory coil split ). This is a passive fuzz. kinda cool.
Glad you love your setup. Mine made me smile for years.

Here they sit, waiting............

 

[number41dl]

You arte loving the sound, and that is an awesome wiring pile'o'fun! Did it and more to my Howard Roberts and My 335. The JB/Jazz set with the harness now sit waiting for a new doner body.
Push /pull delights for sure

I added a Stew Mack Black Ice to my extra toggle in my 335 ( it had the factory coil split ). This is a passive fuzz. kinda cool.
Glad you love your setup. Mine made me smile for years.

Here they sit, waiting............

Nice work - those gold covers are gorgeous, very classy. I would adore a 335, and I could really see the Page mod coming in handy there. The series mode with a semi-hollow would be such an amazing combination.

 

[lynxpilot]

I just started a custom build and bought the JPLP wiring kit from stewmac. Hoping the quality of components is good and that all buttons down is just plain LP with volume and tone knobs. Can't wait to find out.

 

[Vintage_Burster]

What is the JP Mod?