NGD and thoughts on the “new” Gibsons Part 2

[Josh Brown]

Hi All again-
I appreciated everyone's input on the first thread, now I want advice on this last matter. I was under the impression ALL Gibsons were to be hand wired. Among the things wrong I felt with this guitar on arrival was a PCB board. I can not find ANYWHERE that says one way or the other about Gibsons in the Modern line having these. Does anyone know 100%?

My luthier with file the fret ends and scrape the nut for $75. I can live with that, but a re-harness would be pricey. Should I keep this guitar, or send it back. I think the frets on this guitar are also medium, but they sure don't feel like it. Here's whats inside-

 

[PierM]

If you don't like the PCB, change it with a harness, or return the guitar.

There is not that much to say.

 

[flamesarewicked]

I’ve had guitars with them and some without..and in some instances converting PCB to traditional wiring. I can’t say I could hear the difference.. if you plan to do a lot of pickup swaps then traditional wiring would make life easier.. otherwise it’s not a big deal unless you’re of the crowd who sleeps better at night to not have a PCB. 920D shop in Arkansas sells prewired kits on reverb for a very affordable price.. well under $100

 

[Benniator]

Did this really need a second thread?

 

[ARandall]

Absolutely no difference in tone compared with individual components using the same rated parts.

..........of course unless you find the taper or other artifacts require a change in parts.

 

[Gtarzan81]

The Modern ones have the switching options they removed from the regular standard. I thought that was clear in some of the videos I saw.

 

[jvin248]

.

Hand vs pcb wiring won't be a problem ... you may actually have fewer problems as hand wiring introduces more quality variation (shorts between soldering blobs, etc).

The key tonal variation with any guitar is the spec range on the pots - you might high/low measured kohms and than changes the tone even when dimed (pots have a 20% tolerance range). So it always depends if you got the lucky set of pots or not ...

.

 

[mudface]

Gibson has two model lines .....MODERN collection... and .... ORIGINAL collection........

MODERN is going to have modern features like the PCB,... check out the Gibson website.

ORIGINAL will have the hand wired electronics........

Like @Gtarzan81 mentioned ......... this was pretty clear a while ago.

 

[mudface]

I just noticed the route for the pickup and switch cables is flipping HUGE..... that's not a route that's a tunnel..... I guess it's a form of weight reduction.

 

[CaptainT]

MODERN is going to have modern features like the PCB,... check out the Gibson website.

Like @Gtarzan81 mentioned ......... this was pretty clear a while ago.

It isn´t that clear actually. I checked the whole Gibson website and didn´t find any mentioning of the PCB. They only mention the 4 Push Pull Pots and this:

It incorporates many contemporary updates that players have embraced, such as lighter-weight bodies, push-pull systems to switch between the Burst Bucker and P90 sounds, innovative slim-taper necks with asymmetrical profiles, shaved heels for effortless access to the highest frets as well as maximum sustain and stability



It might be clearly mentioned in some videos etc., but it isn´t clear from the website. I wouldn´t mind a PCB, but the OP is right in his assumption, that you wouldn´t know about it if you only checked the Gibson website.

 

[fleahead]

"push-pull systems "

Does not automatically mean "push-pull pots". It is the wiring harness "system".

And if you send your guitar to me, I'll do all that work for a lot less. Your repair guy charges a butt-load.

 

[Bemis]

What is the first 5 of your serial number?

Does the back of the headstock have a 2019 stamp?

Anything that start 19xxx will have pre-JC guts, PCB.

The "original" line is what introduced the hand wired standards. Those should use the 1xxx9 serial designation.

Check wildwoods and you will see they have almost 80 2019s in stock with the 19XXX serial. Then check their "original" selection, those are all wired and show the 1xxx9 format.

 

[CaptainT]

"push-pull systems "

Does not automatically mean "push-pull pots". It is the wiring harness "system".

The website states as follows:

The control assembly features 4 push-pull pots to switch between the Gibson humbucker and the single coil P90 sounds

Gibson | Les Paul Modern

The new Gibson Les Paul™ Modern incorporates many contemporary updates that players have embraced such as a lighter-weight body and innovative SlimTaper™ neck with asymmetrical profile. The Modern fingerboard is crafted with genuine ebony and a compound radius for lower, and cleaner action. The...

www.gibson.com

 

[Roxy13]

Replacing it isn't that big of a deal. There are nice, pre-made harnesses out there as well for reasonable prices if you'd rather save some time. Check Jackson Luthier on Reverb or ebay. His are quite affordable and very well done.

I've replaced 2 of them just because I prefer 50s wiring, and am about to do a third. But, if I preferred modern wiring I would just leave it there. As far as I can tell there aren't any issues with them.

 

[musicmaniac]

Send it back!

 

[Rick]

If you hadn't looked at the "PCB board" you wouldn't even know it's there. Copper is copper.

There are "2019" guitars and there are the "new" guitars (that don't have 2019 in the name - these were just released). You got a first half "2019" guitar. As much as you are complaining about it, I'd just go ahead and send it back. Seeing as how everything you've posted about are non-issues, I recommend just going to a store and picking out a guitar yourself.

 

[Jewel the Sapphire]

I just noticed the route for the pickup and switch cables is flipping HUGE..... that's not a route that's a tunnel..... I guess it's a form of weight reduction.

Wow thats roomy.. Even if you were to use a slew of vintage wire from the pickups and switch, nice

 

[Guitpicky]

This is a great example of finding flaws that aren't just because you've chosen to. You can blame that on Gibson if you want but theirs isn't the public image you're tarnishing here

 

[Rick]

Wow thats roomy.. Even if you were to use a slew of vintage wire from the pickups and switch, nice

It has to do with the weight relief. A guitar with no weight relief will have a smaller channel because that channel doesn't open up into a weight relief pocket.

 

[Gibsonrocknroll]

If you are going to keep it and change the wiring harness reach out to mylespaul member Jonseyblues. He makes great harnesses.