50's mod and other wiring variations

[Woody777]

Can somebody point me to a resource that discusses all the different wiring techniques? I think I'm most interested in the "50's mod" but I wanted to know what else was out there. I have a Les Paul if that matters.

Thanks!

 

[Artie]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

The 50's mod simply refers to placing the tone control between the volume control and the output jack, rather than between the volume control and pickup. Its discussed here, relevant to a Strat, but its the same for any guitar:

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=18842

As for general wiring, one of the best resources is to go to the SD main page, click on "support" and then schematics. Just download them and view them with your favorite graphics program, or view them online.

There's a wealth of info there.

Artie

Oh yeah - and here's a huge resource of wiring diagrams, although they aren't quite as easy to understand as the SD ones.

http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~dgb/index_e.htm

 

[Woody777]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

Thanks for the reply Artie.

I didn't ask my question very well. I'm not looking for wiring diagrams as much as I'm looking for wiring modification - what they are and what they do. Not just the typical S-S-S or H-H or S-S-H, but things like the 50s mod and the Jimmy Page mod. Is there some kind of comprehensive list of guitar wiring options that are somewhat out of the ordinary? Just looking for wiring options and modifications as I'm researching exactly what I want to do with my Les Paul. I hope that makes more sense.

 

[Artie]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

Hey Woody; I've done an awful lot of searching the web looking for, and learning about guitar wiring. I don't think I've ever seen one single website with all mods in one place.

The best thing to do is just start with SD's site, (look at the FAQ's and "Tech Tips"), and then look over any guitar pup retailers sites. Most offer wiring tips and tricks. If you click on the link in my sig, you'll find a lot of resources.

Guitar Electronics has some nice diagrams, along with Stew-Mac and many others.

Start surfing, right-clicking, and saving.

Artie

 

[rspst14]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

Here's a good site. The guy who runs it was nice enough to help me with a custom wiring diagram a while back.

http://www.deaf-eddie.net/index.html

Ryan

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

You might also check out GuitarNuts. Lots of good wiring info, though it's geared toward Strats & Tele's than LP's.

Also, go to some of the manufacturers' sites like Gibson, Ibanez, etc. They've got wiring layouts too.

Chip

 

[Aceman]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

Great question! I git into this issue with someone on here before. I wish I had kept the response - something about the 500K pots, bumble bee capacitors etc... Maybe the question is "what are some basic modifications to pickups and controls and how do they change/improve the sound" For example: 500k vs 250k volume pots, tap/parellel/series, inside coils vs outside coils, bumble bee caps, etc... Do the sites mentioned above address that stuff. That 50's thing really interested me. Not sure it would do much for a distortion pup, though.

 

[Woody777]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

Great question! I git into this issue with someone on here before. I wish I had kept the response - something about the 500K pots, bumble bee capacitors etc... Maybe the question is "what are some basic modifications to pickups and controls and how do they change/improve the sound" For example: 500k vs 250k volume pots, tap/parellel/series, inside coils vs outside coils, bumble bee caps, etc... Do the sites mentioned above address that stuff. That 50's thing really interested me. Not sure it would do much for a distortion pup, though.

Thanks guys! I think Aceman kind of summed up what I'm trying to ask. I understand the basics (with the basics being stuff in the Seymour Duncan FAQ), but the 50s mod really got me thinking. If the 50s mod is a fairly popular, fairly simple modification that slightly changes the basic wiring method, what else is out there along those lines?

(BTW, I think I'm going to post a seperate message regarding the 50s mod)

 

[rspst14]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

Thanks guys! I think Aceman kind of summed up what I'm trying to ask. I understand the basics (with the basics being stuff in the Seymour Duncan FAQ), but the 50s mod really got me thinking. If the 50s mod is a fairly popular, fairly simple modification that slightly changes the basic wiring method, what else is out there along those lines?

(BTW, I think I'm going to post a seperate message regarding the 50s mod)

I recommend three wiring modifications to every guitar, regardless of who makes it or what type of pickups it uses: the 50's mod, star grounding, and audio tapered pots. I like the 50's mod better than the treble bypass filter, as it maintains some of the treble when turning down the volume without sounding brittle and harsh. Star grounding is the best way to prevent noise caused by ground loops. If it's a single coil guitar, I recommend shielding with copper foil as well. Finally, I think all guitars work best with high quality audio taper pots for both volume and tone. Most American made guitars use high quality pots, but not all of them use audio tapered pots. I've tried linear pots for both volume and tone, and I simply don't like them. I use CTS audio tapered pots, or if I'm wiring up the guitar with push/pull pots, I use Dimarzio audio tapered push/pull pots, as they are of much better quality than the cheap foreign-built push/pulls most of the parts resellers stock.

Ryan

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

There's nothing that's simpler than the 50's mod. You don't have to add a thing. Just unsolder your tone caps and resolder them to the middle terminal of your volume pots.

That's it. You're done.

In a guitar with one tone control you can attach it to the hot terminal of the output jack.

Does the same thing.

Lew

 

[Woody777]

Re: 50's mod and other wiring variations

I recommend three wiring modifications to every guitar, regardless of who makes it or what type of pickups it uses: the 50's mod, star grounding, and audio tapered pots. I like the 50's mod better than the treble bypass filter, as it maintains some of the treble when turning down the volume without sounding brittle and harsh. Star grounding is the best way to prevent noise caused by ground loops. If it's a single coil guitar, I recommend shielding with copper foil as well. Finally, I think all guitars work best with high quality audio taper pots for both volume and tone. Most American made guitars use high quality pots, but not all of them use audio tapered pots. I've tried linear pots for both volume and tone, and I simply don't like them. I use CTS audio tapered pots, or if I'm wiring up the guitar with push/pull pots, I use Dimarzio audio tapered push/pull pots, as they are of much better quality than the cheap foreign-built push/pulls most of the parts resellers stock.

Ryan

Thanks! That's really helpful! Any particular reason you prefer audio taper vs. linear label? And what's the difference actually? What does Star grounding involve?

Thanks for the help!