Pre-wired harness makes no sense.

[StudioFromHell]

I’m trying to install new Duncan alnico2 pros into a les Paul. I ordered a pre-wired push pull pot kit for coil splitting. I have a feeling this is all wrong. I’ve watched 50 YouTube videos on wiring and not one video does it this way. The coil splits are on the tone pots and the location of the resistors is confusing me as well.

 

[StudioFromHell]

Another photo.

 

[PFDarkside]

It’ll be fine.

Duncan Black = 920D Blue
Duncan White/Red = 920D Red
Duncan Green = 920D Yellow.

You still need to add the wiring to the three way switch and to the output Jack.

 

[StudioFromHell]

Thanks. I was about to tear it apart and re-wire it.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Agreed Darkside.

Studio, here's a Duncan example of coilsplitting. It is very similar to what the harness diagram is doing. What's your concern?

 

[StudioFromHell]

It’ll be fine.

Duncan Black = 920D Blue
Duncan White/Red = 920D Red
Duncan Green = 920D Yellow.

You still need to add the wiring to the three way switch and to the output Jack.

And I add the 3way switch wires to the volume pots like normal right?

also, is this wiring normal? Why would they have done it this way? Why are they the only ones that do it this way? Is there a benefit of this? Or a hinderance?
i have not found one video of coil splits being used on the tone pots like this harness did.

 

[StudioFromHell]

Agreed Darkside.

Studio, here's a Duncan example of coilsplitting. It is very similar to what the harness diagram is doing. What's your concern?

I was just confused because out of 50 videos I watched, every one of them put the resistor on ground of the tone pot, and push pulls wee on volume pots. Even the Duncan designs that came with my pickups said coil split on volume control.

 

[StudioFromHell]

Agreed Darkside.

Studio, here's a Duncan example of coilsplitting. It is very similar to what the harness diagram is doing. What's your concern?

The coil splits are on the tone controls. That’s what confuses me.
you saw that right?

 

[PFDarkside]

The coil splits are on the tone controls. That’s what confuses me.
you saw that right?

The switch that splits is independent from the pot, so it could be on the volume or tone.

 

[StudioFromHell]

The switch that splits is independent from the pot, so it could be on the volume or tone.

Ok. I’ll trust ya. I really hope this works. I don’t want to have to re-do it.

 

[jeremy]

i almost always, if not always, prefer the push/pull pot to be the tone control rather than the volume. i use the volume control much more than the tone control

 

[CaptainWhizz]

i almost always, if not always, prefer the push/pull pot to be the tone control rather than the volume. i use the volume control much more than the tone control

Exactly what I was thinking; the volume pots
are likely to get used more frequently, which increases the chance of accidentally pushing a switch in. Plus, low-friction volume pots are more likely to slip and alter the volume when you use the switch, whereas tone pots are more likely to be higher friction.

 

[beaubrummels]

Those are not resistors. They are the tone caps. It’s 50’s wiring, so the cap links from the volume outputs to the tones. That is a good setup. I would not mess with it. Just install as specified and enjoy. Don’t get hung up on comparing other wiring diagrams. There’s more than one way to wire a Les Paul.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Many guitars that come with factory-installed split wiring use the tone pots for push-pull rather than the volume pots.
Pehaps even most of them - including Gibson. Also PRS and I think Epiphone too.

 

[alex1fly]

Have you tried it yet and found it doesn't work? Or is this pre-install analysis? If it's wired wrong, and you re-wire it, you may lose your ability to get a return/refund.