Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

[Nookie]

Hello, this is my first post to this forum and I hope somebody could help.

I recently installed a set of Pearly Gates pickups in my 2014 Les Paul Standard - What I realized when I saw the wiring of the LP was that the original PU´was attached to the print card with a 5 pin connector into a socket (Not solded to the pots and switch as I was used to from older models). The colors of the cables corresponded to what the new PU´s have so I disregarded the wiring chart and simply cut the old cable and soldered the new PU cables to the corresponding colored cable and reassembled the guitar.

What I found when I initially tested the new PU configuration was a thin, metallic sound especially on the bridge PU, but obviously there must be something wrong in the configuration/wiring I guess. Pick up height is between 2-3mm and even with the true bypass function enabled (Bridge Tone knob pulled) there is weak output coming into the amp.

Has anybody experienced the same problem in replacing PU´s on a newer model LP (With Single coil split and phase inverter function) or have I a bad soldering somewhere maybe?

Looking forward to tips before I open the whole thing up and put the stock pu´s back in again

 

[JeffB]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

Gibson wire colors and Duncan wire colors are different.

I highly recommend scrapping the Gibson pcb molexconnector system and purchasing a quality wiring harness and solder away like normal. I did this in both my 2014s and I wish I had not waited so long to do so.

That said, there is a website out there with the various manufacturer wiring color codes and you can match them up if you want to stay with the pcb. I think it's on stewmac.com but google is your friend...just search for gibson pickup wire color codes..

 

[Nookie]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

Many thanks for clarifying this to me JeffB - I found the Gibson Color codes on stewmac.com so will have to study same before re-soldering the cables. Guess I should change the pcb molexconnectors, but dont think I would have to get a professional guitar tech to do that at some stage. For now will try to sort out the wiring
Any idea if I will still be able to keep the coil split or phase inverter possibility with the new pu´s ? (Not that I have ever used them....)
Again thanks !

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

Yeah - just get the wire codes right first to enjoy the amaze-tone that is a set of righteous Pearly's in a Les Paul immediately.

But always be looking to scrap that crap inside.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

no problem.

There are far better wiring gurus here. I use a simple 2v2t setup. With push pull pots you can do coil split with the 4 conductor leads on the PGs,but unsure with a "standard" wiring config about the straight to jack and phase reversal modes. Hopefully someone else will drop in here.

I would probably have a qualified tech do it, if you are unexperienced doing any kind of re-wiring. It's a big job for a novice with all that is going on under the hood in those 2014 standards.

That said with proper research, correct tools, care and patience it can be done by anyone.

 

[Nookie]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

Really appreciate the comments - If I was to change the electronics what hardware changes would you recommend please? Guess ditch all the extras and just go for 2 x volume and 2 x tone?

Btw think I sorted out the wiring codes just in case anybody else has same problem:

From SD :
Black to Red
Green to Black
Red to Green
White to White
Wire to Wire

Will do an re-soldering and give you a feedback - Thanks again for all help!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

you can wire all that stuff in if you want, its the pcb that people dont usually care for. i havent had the pleasure of working with one other than to pull them out and replace everything. there is no reason you shouldnt be able to keep everything close to stock and wire in the duncans. i have a pearly gates combo in my hamer monaco elite and i freakin love it!

 

[Nookie]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

So I re-solded the wires and Im simply blown away ! Man,what an improvement - just cant put the guitar away. Tone is crisp with so much more definition.
Coil split and phase inverter is also working !

I will for sure take the advise and scrap the pcb inside at some stage, but for now Im simply glued to my LP Godtop. Thanks guys for so great advise.

Just incase somebody else is stuck with same problem here is the Color coding for SD to Gibson connector:

From SD :
Black to Red
Green to Black
Red to Green
White to White
Wire to Wire

One last question : Is it worth putting the Burstbucker Pro´s removed into a Studio 02 I have or will it still be a guitar i rarely find a use for? Its fitted with the stock 490/498 combo.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

Just play the bejeebers out of that Pearly Gates loaded LP.

Our next suggestion is going to be mag swaps for the other guitar.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pearly Gates with Les Paul Standard 2014

Welcome to the forum

So I re-solded the wires and Im simply blown away ! Man,what an improvement - just cant put the guitar away. Tone is crisp with so much more definition.
Coil split and phase inverter is also working !

I will for sure take the advise and scrap the pcb inside at some stage, but for now Im simply glued to my LP Godtop. Thanks guys for so great advise.

Just incase somebody else is stuck with same problem here is the Color coding for SD to Gibson connector:

From SD :
Black to Red
Green to Black
Red to Green
White to White
Wire to Wire

One last question : Is it worth putting the Burstbucker Pro´s removed into a Studio 02 I have or will it still be a guitar i rarely find a use for? Its fitted with the stock 490/498 combo.

That depends on what kind of music you are trying to get out of it. The Burstbucker Pros have a similar midrange 'honk' like a Seth set / vintage PAF type sound and are good for music of the 50s-60s era (mainly), and the 498/490 are a more modern kind of sound good for 70s/90s music (mainly), but both of those stock Gibson pickups have a kind of 'smeared detail' in the middle when playing chords - compared to aftermarket and boutique wound pickups. Though you can play with the pickup heights and get some decent tone out of them. But usually it takes some really good amps to make them sound good. To get good tone, basically you'd want to fix it so the stock Gibson pickups end up being the only weak link in the chain, IME.