Guitar wiring question

[TwilightOdyssey]

KAMIKAZE 4 UPDATE:

Pickups will be completed this week and on their way from merry old England.
I ordered the chrome Floyd yesterday.

It is now time to order the push-pull pot, output jack, and internal wiring.
The wiring is the one thing I know nothing about.

So, can anyone tell me what kind of wiring I need to go between the pot and the output jack?
I'm only doing the one guitar, so feel free to recommend something totally boutique and off-the wall. I'm not going to need much of it.

Many Thanx!!

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Guitar wiring question

i've heard of people using just plain old telephone wire.

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: Guitar wiring question

i've heard of people using just plain old telephone wire.

NO! Use sheilded cable, Stewmac has some good wiring kits. You don't need anything too special.


http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies/Basic_Wiring_Package.html

 

[rspst14]

Re: Guitar wiring question

If you're not familiar with wiring, I'd take it to a good luthier to have it done. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to track down a wiring mistake. As for the wire, I like the stuff they sell at www.smallbearelec.com. The main thing is to stay away from the cheap stuff they sell at Radio Shack. And speaking of cheap parts, stay away from the push/pull pots that all the parts resellers stock. Everyone sells the same cheap foreign-built pot. They have too loose of a rotation, and the switch is very cheap. Instead, get one of the audio tapered Dimarzio push/pull pots. These are custom made for Dimarzio, and of very high quality. Even if they look similar, all push/pull pots are not the same.

Ryan

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Guitar wiring question

Good info! Thanx!!!

Keep it coming, lads!!

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: Guitar wiring question

Also if you are going to be using a Single Coil in it I would shield everything you can. You probably already know this but, just in case.

 

[Pandemonium]

Re: Guitar wiring question

Yes, by all means use shielded wire and solder one end and one end only of the shield to ground.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Guitar wiring question

bump!!!

 

[rspst14]

Re: Guitar wiring question

Shield the whole thing with foil or paint...foil is best for top-routed guitars, paint works well for rear-routed guitars. I also recommend the 50's wiring mod to help retain some high end when you turn down the volume. The 50's mod works much better than a simple capacitor or capacitor in parallel with a resistor.

Ryan

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Guitar wiring question

I've used the multicolored rolls of wire (I'm almost certain it was 18 AWG) from Radio Shack and it works well. I agree RS doesn't carry the best pots and electrical components, but there isn't anything wrong with the wire IMHO.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Guitar wiring question

I've used the multicolored rolls of wire (I'm almost certain it was 18 AWG) from Radio Shack and it works well. I agree RS doesn't carry the best pots and electrical components, but there isn't anything wrong with the wire IMHO.

True...there's not really anything wrong with it, but the insulation has a tendency to melt and it's not as easy to work with as the prebonded hookup wire from Smallbear.

Ryan

 

[Artie]

Re: Guitar wiring question

Yes, by all means use shielded wire and solder one end and one end only of the shield to ground.

That might work in pro-audio interconnects, but it won't work in a guitar.
You must connect both ends to ground if you expect the signal to get out.

 

[7th Hell]

Re: Guitar wiring question

TO, You going to stick with the push/pull pot? It seems to be an Achille's heel of the ESP Lynches. I must've swapped out the cheap-o ESPs on all of my Lynches. What about developing a 3-way toggle switch knob? That way you can have both pups on for once! You can have the switch have a graduated click feel, that way you don't inadvertantly adjust the volume when selecting pups.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Guitar wiring question

I also recommend the 50's wiring mod to help retain some high end when you turn down the volume.
Ryan

Turn down the volume?! Who does that???!! :laugh2:
I pretty much keep my guitars dimed.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Guitar wiring question

TO, You going to stick with the push/pull pot? It seems to be an Achille's heel of the ESP Lynches. I must've swapped out the cheap-o ESPs on all of my Lynches. What about developing a 3-way toggle switch knob? That way you can have both pups on for once! You can have the switch have a graduated click feel, that way you don't inadvertantly adjust the volume when selecting pups.

Yeah, I'm keeping the push-pull pot. I've never had a problem using it; cosmetically, I think it looks better, too.
I am going to look into finding that DiMarzio pot today.