Les Paul pick up selector middle position...Please Help!

[TubeScreamer]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the Les Paul after being a Strat player until recently when I decided to give a Gibson a try. I love the new Gibson Les Paul Tradioional I purchased but I'm having trouble fathoming the operation of the guitars controls whilst in the middle position (ie; usung both pick ups).

I assumed that they would work exactly as they did individually. For example; with the guitar set to the middle position, the neck pick up could maybe be set to volume 7 with the tone set to whatever, then the bridge pick up could be rolled in from 0 (again with whatever tone setting), gradually increasing itself in the mix as the volume is turned up. this could also be used the other way round, starting by setting the bridge pick up volume first and then bringing the neck into the mix.

This is how I always imagined it would work, but whilst messing around with my Trad, it doesn't seem to opperate that way?

I can't seem to figure out how ths works. One minute, the bridge volume control seems to be opperating the guitars total volume and the next minute (after twiddling around a bit) the neck volume control seems to be controling it.

Also, when either of the volume controls are turned down below about 1 or 2, the sound seems to be cut completely?

Sorry for being thick guys but can someone please explain the correct operation for this middle pick up selection?

Thanks

Russ

 

[dwagar]

yep, when either volume is cut, the sound cuts out. That's normal.

 

[dspelman]

That's the traditional wiring setup for a Les Paul, for better or worse.

There are, of course, other ways to wire the pickups, and a lot of LP owners feel that some of these other options make a lot more sense for the way they play. Dig around online a bit and you'll find some alternate wiring diagrams.

 

[TubeScreamer]

Thanks guys, but how exactly do they work?

Using the middle pick up selection (both pickups), what do the four controls actually do?

When I was trying it yesterday, it all seemed a bit inconsistant and I couldn't really figure out what was meant to be happening?

Thanks

Russ

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Check this out, TubeScreamer, maybe it's of some help for you.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/48038-how-use-controls-les-paul.html

 

[weirdotis]

That's standard on every single Les paul

 

[RetropM]

I rewired my Les Paul Studio so in the middle position, the controls work individually just like using one pickup. So you can blend the pickups however you like, just like you are saying. It isn't hard and you can find the diagrams online for it.

 

[TubeScreamer]

Thanks for all the input, but I'm still not clear on the operation of the controls in this middle setting? You would think that Gibson would describe its operation in more depth in the guitars manual.

I have been searching around on google, trying to find the exact explaination on how this works and it seems that I am not the only one to be finding this confusing. There are quite a few people asking the same question as me on other forums and question pages etc, but no one seems to give them a very satisfactory answer.

I came across this paragraph on the Stewart MacDonald site talking about the controls of a Gibson Les Paul:

'The "middle" position of the pickup selector switch doesn't allow you to individually control the two pickups' volumes. If you have turned down the neck pickup's volume to "5" and then go to the middle position, both pickups will be at "5".'

Ok, I kind of understand that, but does this mean that whilst in the middle position, the neck pick up volume control becomes the master control?

It also goes on to say that the tone controls will not work seperately either. So if that is the case, which becomes the master tone control?

So, to summarize if I now have this right (and I would be greatful if someone could tell me if this is correct?); Once in the middle position, both pick ups are in use (unless either one of them is turned down in volume below about 1 and so all volume from the guitar is cut). They will both be at the same volume (which is controled via the neck pick ups volume control) and also, they will both be set to the same level of tone (I am unsure which control becomes the master tone?). So it seems that whilst using the middle position setting, there may as well be only one volume and one tone control which controls both pick ups at once.

Do I finally have this right?

Sorry to be a pain in the a**!

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

I think you don't find any satisfying because it's somewhat difficult to explain.
If you put the switch in the middle, both volume knobs still work for 'their' pickup except that when you roll either one of them to 0, both pickups are shut off.
I'll try it with an example. Let's say you have the switch in the middle position, bridge volume on 0 and neck volume on 10. You'll have the whole range of the bridge volume knob, from 0-10 to blend the bridge pickup into the mix but the neck pickup will be at it's his full volume at around 3-4. Same applies the other way round. That way you can play with the full fat tone of the neck pickup and add some amount of the bite of the bridge pickup. On the other hand, you can have the full bite of the bridge and blend in some mellow tone fom the neck. The tone knobs still work independently. You can get a great variety of sounds by playing with the controls in the middle position.
I hope the was a halfway comprehensible answer!

 

[jco.1]

Very good answer. Spot on!

 

[Tim Plains]

You damn Strat players

 

[Bellows1]

I think you don't find any satisfying because it's somewhat difficult to explain.
If you put the switch in the middle, both volume knobs still work for 'their' pickup except that when you roll either one of them to 0, both pickups are shut off.
I'll try it with an example. Let's say you have the switch in the middle position, bridge volume on 0 and neck volume on 10. You'll have the whole range of the bridge volume knob, from 0-10 to blend the bridge pickup into the mix but the neck pickup will be at it's his full volume at around 3-4. Same applies the other way round. That way you can play with the full fat tone of the neck pickup and add some amount of the bite of the bridge pickup. On the other hand, you can have the full bite of the bridge and blend in some mellow tone fom the neck. The tone knobs still work independently. You can get a great variety of sounds by playing with the controls in the middle position.
I hope the was a halfway comprehensible answer!

Thank you for explaining that. I've rewired my sons guitar twice and about to do it again trying to get it to work the way I thought it should.

Is there a reason for not having them work separate and independent of each other? What would it be called if they were to be independent?

 

[asher67]

Check this out, TubeScreamer, maybe it's of some help for you.http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/48038-how-use-controls-les-paul.html

Agreed. Splattle provided a great explanation of the basics of using both pickups.

As an aside, I have always considered the traditional two-pickup set-up to have interdependent controls, rather than independent controls. It provides a great range of tones - you just have to spend the time to find them.

 

[siore]

Also, might want to look at this.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tonefreaks/558-wiring-library.html

Different wiring schemes means different ways for the controls to work.

 

[George "M"]

Rewire according to this diagram.

 

[ZoSo0789]

Just re-wire it for independent volumes...... switch the "input" and "output" of the volume pots; and wa-la.... no more volume cutting out in the middle position. This is a very common mod to LPs