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Author Topic: Quick question about wiring (LP copy)  (Read 3630 times)

Lazy_McDoesnothing

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« on: February 14, 2008, 07:03:57 AM »
I got my Warpigs in the mail today and they look amazing!  They're going into a Greco Les Paul copy with 2 volumes 2 tones and I'm gonna wire it with both humbuckers coil cut with one push/pull.  I just got done tearing apart all the old hardware/wiring to get ready for the install.  I plan on wiring it up tomorrow so I'm trying to get as prepared as possible.

I found this diagram:
http://static.zoovy.com/img/guitarelectronics/-/wdu_hh3t22_06

I've never wired a guitar before so I'm not sure if this is a good one or not.  If not and somebody has something better that would be great.  I was also reading up on vintage and modern wiring and for this guitar I'm going for modern.  Is that diagram vintage or modern?  I can't tell cause I'm a noob.:D  Any help is much appreciated!  This forum is great, horrible for GAS though. :twisted:

Lazy_McDoesnothing

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #1 on: February 14, 2008, 11:53:47 PM »
I'm itching to get started on this so sorry for the bump!  I should change my name to Patience_McDoesnthaveit  :P

WezV

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2008, 12:12:36 AM »
if you havnt done a guitar before the best way is to just remove the old pickups and install the new ones in there place.  i.e unsolder a couple of joins and re solder a couple of joins.

the diagram is a good one, use it and trace through the wiring thats already in the guitar to understand the flow.  it may use different tags of the pots because you can interchange the middle and first lug for slightly different wiring styles but the flow will be the same

the main signal part needs to flow like this

pickup  >>volume>>> switch>>>> output



each tone is an offshoot from the volume control and the coil split is an offshoot from the pickup.... worry about them once you understand the first part.  they can even be left off  if you want to get the main bit working first

Lazy_McDoesnothing

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #3 on: February 15, 2008, 02:48:08 AM »
Thanks, that'll definitely help.  I thought about just replacing the pickups with just a direct swap but the wiring that was in there was some kind of hack job, bad solder joints everywhere, neck position didn't work etc.  Somebody reworked it at some point and I knew going in it had non-original pickups.  Most of the parts were pretty rusted/corroded so I got a kit from stewmac and decided to start over with the option to coil-split.  I thought at the same time I'd get some more knowledge of the inner workings of guitars if I started from scratch.  Gotta learn sometime, well maybe not, but I want to.

I drew out a diagram of how the wiring was just in case I needed it for whatever reason and I took pictures with a digital camera.  I also kept most of the wiring as intact as I could so I'd would be easier to put back.  I've worked cars a bit so I know how things have a tendency to not go smoothly or as planned to say the least.

I'll give it a go tomorrow and if I hit any snags I'll post here.  Wish me luck  :drink:

Lazy_McDoesnothing

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2008, 03:48:25 AM »
Finally got new pots yesterday and wired it all up today.  

No signal.

It's exactly how it is in that diagram.  All connections look fine, good solder joins etc.  The only thing that I can think of that happened is the metal jacket on the shielded wire was too thin and it could've melted through the inside plastic and grounded to a hot somewhere.  When I first stripped one of those wires it looked very cheap and badly made to me.

Anybody have any clues?

kellar

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2008, 04:08:43 PM »
Very difficult to say where the problem is. If you have no signal, make sure all your solder joints are perfect. If the pots all appear to be in order then your problem is probably at the jack or switch.
Make sure on your switch than no wires are touching other portions of the switch. The soldering needs to be very clean at the switch or you can short out the entire signal. I am speaking from experience unfortunately. :D
Make sure the jack is properly grounded. Also very important.
Other than that, check all your points.
Quite frustrating, I know. I have been there.
Calibrated IV Mules, Stormy Monday/Riff Raff

Philly Q

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2008, 04:36:25 PM »
Can't add much - something's shorting somewhere by the sound of it.  

If the guitar is shielded, make sure the "hot" part of the jack isn't touching the shielding paint or foil, that's guaranteed to give you no signal.
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
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Lazy_McDoesnothing

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Quick question about wiring (LP copy)
« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2008, 06:31:34 AM »
I'm almost positive my problem is the shielded cable.  The metal part used to ground is SO thin that it probably melted the insulation and the solder got into the wire.

Does anybody know where to get good quality shielded cable?  I'm going to order some and try again.  Internet pictures make it hard to see what you're getting.  In the mean time I'll try to work with what I have while it's on order.

Thanks for the replies!

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