Wiring a Les Paul from scratch can be a difficult task, but with the help of the right tools, it can be done quickly and easily. In this article, we will walk you through the basics of wiring a Les Paul guitar, from pickups to the bridge. So whether you’re a beginner looking for a step-by-step guide or an experienced player looking for new inspiration, this article is for you!
What You’ll Need
Tools Required:
-Guitar Cable stripper
-8-gauge wire (or thicker)
-Wire cutters
-Round file or sandpaper
-Strip cable jacket
-Lighter
When wiring a Les Paul, be sure to use the correct gauge of wire. A lot of guitar players use 8-gauge wire when wiring their guitars, but some guitars, particularly vintage models can require thicker string. For example, 50’s Les Paul wiring loom can be found at MontysGuitars. Thicker cords will require more voltage to heat up and make a connection, so be prepared for increased heating and soldering needs. Additionally, be sure to file or sand down the ends of the string until they’re smooth so that they won’t snag on the tuners or strings.
Once you have all your tools ready, it’s time to start wiring! Strip off the insulation from one end of the cable and begin stripping away the plastic sheath. Be careful not to cut into the metal strings inside the cable. Once you’ve removed all of the insulation, you’ll see four metal wires inside the cable. Solder one end of each one to the lug on the back of the headstock. Do this for both lugs on the headstock.
Wiring Tip: When soldering strings to a metal surface, you’ll want to use a heavy-duty Soldering Iron and lots of solders. If your solder doesn’t heat up quickly enough, you may end up with a cold joint – a solder joint that doesn’t melt together.
How to Wire a Les Paul
The simplest and most common way is to use a standard 5-way switch. First, remove the back plate of the guitar. You’ll then need to expose the four screws that hold the switch in place. Remove the screws and set them aside.
Next, unscrew the cover of the switch and remove it. Note that there are three wires coming out of this assembly: black (hot), white (neutral), and green (ground). The white one is usually connected to the input jack on your guitar, while the black and green ones are connected together in series (one goes to each side of the pickup) and are usually plugged into an output jack on your guitar. If you’re not sure how these connections work, consult your owner’s manual.
Now it’s time to connect the wires to the Switch. Start by soldering one end of each wire onto one of the screw terminals on the switch. Make sure that the black one goes to terminal 1, the white one goes to terminal 2, and the green goes to terminal 3. Repeat this process for each remaining screw terminal. Once all four wires have been soldered onto the switch, screw the cover back on and you’re ready to rock!
How do I wire a guitar pickup?
Wiring a pickup to a guitar is a fairly simple process. There are a few different ways to do it, depending on the type of pickup you’re using and the wiring scheme your guitar has. Here’s an overview of each method:
- Standard Wiring: All you need is a standard 9-volt battery, some wire, and a pickup selector switch. Plug the negative end of the battery into one input on the pickup selector switch, and plug the positive end into the other input. Turn on the power to the guitar, and select your desired pickup from the selector switch. The output from the pickup will now be routed into your amp.
- Jack-plugged Wiring: If your guitar only has one jack for pickups, you can use this method instead. Find a ground string (usually green or black), plug it into one of the unoccupied jacks on your guitar, and plug each pickup lead into that same jack. Then turn on the power to your guitar and select your desired pickup from the selector switch. The output from each pickup will now be routed through its own ground wire and into your amp.
- Switch-wiring: If your guitar has multiple pickups (or if you just want to experiment), you can wire them together using switch-wiring. Find a switch that controls all of the pickups, and plug each pickup lead into the corresponding terminals on the switch. Then turn on the power to your guitar and select your desired pickup from the selector switch. The output from each pickup will now be routed through its own ground string and into your amp.
What are Les Paul pickups?
Les Paul pickups are a type of pickup that is used on the electric guitar. They are named after the musician Les Paul, who invented them in the 1950s. Les Paul pickups are typically smaller in size than other types of pickups, and they are used to provide a more “twangy” sound to the guitar.
How to mount Les Paul pickups?
There are a few different ways to do it. One way is to use the “hot” and “neutral” wires that are coming out of the amp. The other way is to use a switch to toggle between the hot and neutral wires. Whichever way you choose, make sure you follow the correct wiring order.
Start by connecting the black (hot) string to the black (hot) lug on the pickup’s input jack, and connect the white (neutral) wire to the white (neutral) lug. Then connect the red (hot) one to the red (hot) lug on the pickup’s output jack, and connect the green (neutral) one to the green (neutral) lug. Make sure these connections are made in reverse if you’re using a switch.
To do the same thing using a switch, start by connecting one end of the switch wire to one of the pickup’s black (hot) lugs, and connect the other end to one of the pickup’s white (neutral) lugs. Then connect one end of your guitar cable to this connector, and connect the other end of the guitar cable to the pickup’s output jack. Make sure these connections are made in reverse if you’re using a switch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to build your own Les Paul guitar, or just want to learn a little more about how they’re built, this guide is for you. In this article, we walked you through the basics of wiring a Les Paul from scratch, including the types of wires and pickups that are used in these iconic instruments. If you read this guide carefully, you should have a good understanding of how to wire up your own Les Paul guitar, and be able to make some modifications if necessary.
