software

Can someone post a photo of their Les Paul's wiring? I've printed out a few wiring diagrams, but none of them are working. Last night I looked at my friend's stock Standard and his caps were in a different position.

I need to know the right way to Wire a LP! Please help.

Well, it depends on if you want two master volumes (with the switch in the middle position, either volume works as a master volume) or two independent volumes (with switch in the center position, each volume works independantly).

Two master volumes:
from : localhost/guitarelectronics.zoovy.com/product/WDUHH3T2201

Two independent volumes:
from : localhost/guitarelectronics.zoovy.com/product/WDUHH3T2202

Either one will work. Some Les Pauls came with two masters, some with two independent, depending on the year.

Also, don't worry too much about the position of the caps. A tone control is simply a cap and a pot in series. It doesn't matter which comes first, and which comes second. Some manufacturers, use one way, some the other.

On my friend's Les Paul he has his caps soldered to a post then to the ground. That's how mine was when I got it.

You can also look at this diagram:
from : localhost//website...tics/humb.html

It just a simple 2-conductor humbuckers with 2 vol, 2 tone and 3-way switch. The caps don't go to ground.

This is another one. Ignore the split switch if you're not doing that.
from : localhost//website...way-w-spl.html

The cap does go to ground but via being in series with the pot. Got any pics to share?


Originally Posted by Third Eye VisionsOn my friend's Les Paul he has his caps soldered to a post then to the ground. That's how mine was when I got it.

On my Peavey's, the cap acts as the connection between the volume and tone pots, with the tone pot soldered to ground.

Electrically, its identical.

Maybe I'm an idiot but I have to ask.

If the hot wire get's connected to the volume pot, where does the other wiring go? I keep seeing instructions that say quot;solder and shieldquot;. Is the hot wire the only one that get's connected to the pots?

Also. Should the negative wires get placed in the ground loop or by themselves? I must be doing something wrong because all I am getting is humming and noise. No music!

Why are these schematics so different?If you have a four-conductor pickup (5 wires - red, black, green, white, bare), you solder the black wire to the lug of the volume pot, the green and bare wires to the case of the volume pot, and you solder the red and white wires together and tape them off. That's for standard humbucker wiring with no coil split, phase reversal etc.

If you have a single-conductor pickup (cloth covered central wire with braided metal sheath), you solder the central wire to the lug of the volume pot and you solder the outer metal braiding to the case of the volume pot.

If the guitar has no metal base plate in the control cavity (i.e. the pots are mounted direct to the wood) you need grounding wires connecting all the pot cases together, plus the neck volume pot grounded to the wire that comes into the cavity from the bridge. If the guitar has the pots mounted on the metal plate, then the inter-pot grounding wires are not needed and you just ground the neck volume to the wire that comes from the bridge.

Sorry, I don't have a photo, but there must be some out there. Have you tried searching on the Les Paul Forum?

My statement about four-conductor pickups refers specifically to s. Other makers may use different colour codes.

If you look closely at those two diagrams, you'll see that they are electrically identical. The only difference, as I mentioned earlier, is that the first one goes pot/cap, and the second one goes cap/pot. Since a pickup generates an AC signal, thats the same thing.


Originally Posted by Simon_FIf you have a four-conductor pickup (5 wires - red, black, green, white, bare), you solder the black wire to the lug of the volume pot, the green and bare wires to the case of the volume pot, and you solder the red and white wires together and tape them off. That's for standard humbucker wiring with no coil split, phase reversal etc.

If you have a single-conductor pickup (cloth covered central wire with braided metal sheath), you solder the central wire to the lug of the volume pot and you solder the outer metal braiding to the case of the volume pot.

If the guitar has no metal base plate in the control cavity (i.e. the pots are mounted direct to the wood) you need grounding wires connecting all the pot cases together, plus the neck volume pot grounded to the wire that comes into the cavity from the bridge. If the guitar has the pots mounted on the metal plate, then the inter-pot grounding wires are not needed and you just ground the neck volume to the wire that comes from the bridge.

Sorry, I don't have a photo, but there must be some out there. Have you tried searching on the Les Paul Forum?
Thank you man. After reading forever I think I've finally figured it all out. I will let you know how it goes. I plan to rewire everything again and sield using aluminum foil.

Atleast now I have a much better understanding of pickup wiring.

Thanks for all the help. Finally got it all hooked up with new pots and caps and it sounds ****ING AWESOME!!!!


Originally Posted by Third Eye VisionsThanks for all the help. Finally got it all hooked up with new pots and caps and it sounds ****ING AWESOME!!!!

Great. Glad we could help.


Originally Posted by Third Eye VisionsThanks for all the help. Finally got it all hooked up with new pots and caps and it sounds ****ING AWESOME!!!!


Les Pauls ROCK!

Another search and another great thread... Bump