Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: gamesandy135 on April 09, 2008, 06:04:02 PM
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Hello all,
I recently took it upon myself to upgrade the electronics in my Epi Les Paul. I purchased new pots, jack, switch, caps etc, you know the stuff.
This is the first time I've ever done something like this but I figured that I'm capable, I can do this. How wrong I am.
My main problem, is that Epiphone use a quick-connector for "convenience" which can be seen here - http://www.epiphone.com/news.asp?NewsID=556
(Sorry, not quite sure on inserting pictures, the pics in the middle of the page called "quick-connector")
Now, I'm sure that it is very convenient for those that are wiring all the time, but I'm new at this and it means that every wiring diagram I find doesn't relate to what I see in the guitar.
I had wanted to wire it like a '59 'Burst Les Paul, using the diagram on http://www.singlecoil.com/docs/paula.pdf - I'm sure I've seen this diagram suggested on here before and it looks easy enough to follow, if only I could relate it to my guitar.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here can offer some advice or explain that wiring in relation to the quick connector/my guitar.
Thanks for reading
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I would say that if you are going to go through all the trouble of changing out all the electronics then you should go ahead and change the cheap cr@p Epiphone wiring as well. When I rewired my Epi I switched out all the wiring as well with vintage braided wire. It'd be a shame if you upgraded all your electronics except the wire. I think you would be best to get that cheap tone sucking Chinese wiring out of there. :D
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Thanks for the reply dude,
yeah, that was one option I was considering, just try and keep it as easy as possible for myself. Got any tips for this job? I know that there's a lot of info on here and elsewhere, I'm just taking in all I can.
Oh yeah, how much wire do you think I'll need?
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I'd rip the lot out and start again. What you want is the "ALPHA LES PAUL KIT" from AxesRUs:
http://www.axesrus.com/axeknobs.htm
Everything you need for £21, then follow the wiring document in the PDF file you mention above :D
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The braided wire is pretty cheap so I would just go ahead and buy 3 or 4 feet. You will also need wire to ground in the circuit. I always use the typical black cloth wire. Grab a foot or two while you're ordering it.
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Thanks guys, I've taken everything out, and I have some braided cable and cloth covered cable. I've been reading up on it all and one thing that is still a bit confusing is the "hot" wire. This is a wire that shouldn't touch anything else, is that right?
Or is it just that I should use a certain cable type for it. Speaking about cable types, can I just go ahead and wire all this up with either of the cable types I have? Or, as before, is it a case of certain cables for certain solders?
Appreciating all this help.
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The hot wire is just the pickup output, it wont kill ya or anything. A cable is a cable, use the same stuff for all guitar wiring.
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Thanks guys, I've taken everything out, and I have some braided cable and cloth covered cable. I've been reading up on it all and one thing that is still a bit confusing is the "hot" wire. This is a wire that shouldn't touch anything else, is that right?
Or is it just that I should use a certain cable type for it. Speaking about cable types, can I just go ahead and wire all this up with either of the cable types I have? Or, as before, is it a case of certain cables for certain solders?
Appreciating all this help.
The braided cable should be used to wire the toggle switch to the pots and to the jack. That way you can use the outer braid as a ground. The black cloth cable you can use to ground the circuit.
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The hot wire is just the pickup output, it wont kill ya or anything. A cable is a cable, use the same stuff for all guitar wiring.
Use a length of heatshrink sleeving over the cable you can get it at places like Maplins, or any electronics spares shop