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Author Topic: common ordering FAQs  (Read 127224 times)

Tim

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common ordering FAQs
« on: April 03, 2005, 10:56:52 AM »
Thought I'd post up common questions I get asked in the 150+ emails I reply to every day.
2 or 4 con?
If you want access to series/parallel, in/out of phase, or coil taps then 4 conductor is the hook up for you. 2 conductor allows series(normal humbucking operation) only. Traditonally LP style axes have always used braided 2 conductor.

50 or 52mm?
Again, traditionally Gibson spacing has been 50mm(49.5mm actually) and Fender 52mm(again nearer 53mm) so as a general rule I advise wide space-52mm for trem equipped guitars and 50mm for fixed bridge guitars. If in doubt measure from the centre of the High E to the cntre of the low E pole screw.

Does fitting a humbucker cover effect the sound?

In a word, yes. It lowers the resonant peak slightly however we compensate for this with a small adjustment to the wind.
Covers are a great tonal shaping tool, fit one to an overbright pickup can just round the highs slightly and impart and more vintage tone. Similarly removing a cover from a pickup  that seems a touch closed off in the top end can open it out a touch.
Covers always need to be waxpotted on if you want to satnd a realistic chance of preventing microphonics. Likewise it's never a good idea to just prise a cover off as you can damage the windings underneath. Send them in and we'll do it for you.

I'll post more as I think of them. :D
Tim
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Tom

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« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2005, 05:00:22 PM »
Please excuse my ignorance but what then would you need (4-con/2-con) for a regular Epiphone Les Paul with (obviously) 2 humbuckers, 3 position switch and 4 pots (1 tone and 1 volume per pup)? Is there any way of converting a regular LP axe like this into a 5-position switch?

How about a guitar with two humbuckers (and 3 position switch) but only 1 volume and 1 tone for both? Would that matter what 4-con/2-con to choose? Could you add two extra pots (by drilling some holes etc) so that volume and tone could be independently controlled for each pup?

Having said all this I certainly won't be doing any installation of pups myself as I wouldn't have a clue of what to do - might as well pay somebody experienced to do the job properly!

Sorry for all these questions but I find it interesting and would like to know as much as possible about how pups work. Also I need to know before I buy some BKPs  :D !

T...

R/2e

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« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2005, 08:21:49 PM »
Quote
Please excuse my ignorance but what then would you need (4-con/2-con) for a regular Epiphone Les Paul with (obviously) 2 humbuckers, 3 position switch and 4 pots (1 tone and 1 volume per pup)? Is there any way of converting a regular LP axe like this into a 5-position switch?


You need to replace one or both of the pots with push/pull or push/push pots. Very simple as long as you're careful with the soldering - you can screw up a push pull pot if you're not careful, too much heat can kill them to paraphrase Queen, and don't ask me how I know that.......

PS - if you want to try an Epi LP with Nailbombs, give me a shout.
Just 'cos you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you

Tim

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common ordering FAQs
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2005, 09:07:02 PM »
Quote from: Tom
Please excuse my ignorance but what then would you need (4-con/2-con) for a regular Epiphone Les Paul with (obviously) 2 humbuckers, 3 position switch and 4 pots (1 tone and 1 volume per pup)?

2 conductor
Quote from: Tom

 Is there any way of converting a regular LP axe like this into a 5-position switch?

No easily-you'd be better off with push pull pots for coil splits etc
You'd need 4 conductor too.
Quote from: Tom

How about a guitar with two humbuckers (and 3 position switch) but only 1 volume and 1 tone for both? Would that matter what 4-con/2-con to choose?

No

 
Quote from: Tom
Could you add two extra pots (by drilling some holes etc) so that volume and tone could be independently controlled for each pup?

If you wanted although I'd get an experienced repairman/luthier to do the job.

T...
Tim
BKP - "Wound, made and played the traditional way --- by hand!" Amen.

Tom

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« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2005, 05:03:14 PM »
Thanks for that Tim and R/2e - all very useful! No worries about trying out the Epi LP thanks R/2e as I think I've decided to go for those anyway, now I've just got to wait for my new guitar to arrive and payday.......

T...

Shag101

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« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2005, 09:00:24 PM »
Quote from: Tim
Quote from: Tom
Please excuse my ignorance but what then would you need (4-con/2-con) for a regular Epiphone Les Paul with (obviously) 2 humbuckers, 3 position switch and 4 pots (1 tone and 1 volume per pup)?

2 conductor
Quote from: Tom

 

I got a Gibson SG Standard and my pickups are 490r and 498t.  Gibson's website says this
"Available with chrome, gold or nickel covers, or open coils, the 498T comes with four conductor shielded wiring for series/parallel/split coil variations. "

I'm confused now.  Should i get 2 or 4?  thanks
Mississippi Queen Set = Gibson SG Standard
Warpig = '88 Charvel Model 1

HJM

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« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2005, 07:21:23 AM »
Do you use coil taps?
Apache,VHII,Emerald,Nailbomb,MiracleMan,StormyMonday,BlackDog,Trilogy,Mothersmilk,Sultans+Sinner

Shag101

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« Reply #7 on: August 02, 2005, 12:39:11 PM »
Quote from: HJM
Do you use coil taps?


Sorry, I should have read more before I posted.  
"NOTE: Factory-installed 490R and 490T pickups have two conductor wiring. "

thanks for the reply!!!
Mississippi Queen Set = Gibson SG Standard
Warpig = '88 Charvel Model 1

big steve

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« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2005, 10:39:54 PM »
what is the difference between the 2 magnet/polepiece options on singlecoils? i think they are "flat profile" and "vintage stagger" but i can't just remember off the top of my head.
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PhilKing

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« Reply #9 on: September 14, 2005, 12:57:50 AM »
I think there are 3 options depending on the pickup.  

My Apache's have a 54 stagger. This has the G magnet lower and A higher than the vintage , but still has E&B lowest, then E & G then A and D highest.

The vintage stagger makes the top E & B lowest, then the bottom E & A, with the D & G tallest.

In the flat, all the magnets are the same length.
So many pickups, so little time

indysmith

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« Reply #10 on: September 14, 2005, 09:19:51 PM »
for a H/S/H guitar, what conductor wiring do i need for each pickup? (regular switching)
Sorry. I'm only a beginner with this pickup business!
LOVING the Mules!

Tim

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« Reply #11 on: September 14, 2005, 09:27:09 PM »
Each humbucker will need 4 conductor, the single coil will have 2 conductor.
Tim
BKP - "Wound, made and played the traditional way --- by hand!" Amen.

indysmith

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« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2005, 09:46:07 PM »
Heyyyyy, just what i thought, yay  :D
tim you're a legend, thanks a lot my friend.
LOVING the Mules!

big steve

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« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2005, 06:34:07 PM »
single coil wiring question: black to hot, white to ground? or white to hot, black to ground?
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Steve-Mr Pig 2U

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« Reply #14 on: September 27, 2005, 07:28:52 PM »
White= hot
Black= not!

Same as fender