Problem...59s

[BlackMagic]

Whats happening, first time user here.
I installed two single conductor 59s on a customers Les Paul. This is my first pickup job i did, and all went well until I plugged it in. I used 18 gauge wires to the 3 way toggle (seemed like a bit too fat of a wire, but thats all we had at the shop)...i think this is where my problem is...I didnt use wire with sheathing, so there was no ground for the 3 way...and therefore the input jack has no ground on it.
is this whats causing my problem?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Problem...59s

What's the problem? If the input jack has no ground wire attached, that's a very big problem. Are you getting no sound, or just a lot of hum?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Problem...59s

It should be grounded from the bridge to the back of a pot, but a picture's worth 1000 words

Also, there's no such thing as "too fat" wire.

 

[BlackMagic]

Re: Problem...59s

Yep, just a big hum...thats all thats happening. I figured that no ground on the input jack would cause a big prob...what kind of wire should I use?

 

[Amateur]

Re: Problem...59s

What wire for grounding?
Any wire with insulation on it so that it does not ground out other components that are not supposed to.

 

[BlackMagic]

Re: Problem...59s

Cool, thanks...ill try that out tomorrow. Ill let you know what happens...also...is there a big difference in a .02 and a .01 capacitor? We only had one of each, I figured I should experiment a bit. Will this cause any problems?

 

[Amateur]

Re: Problem...59s

You'll notice your tone pot control is different if you use different cap values. Since you are hooking up a 59, I assume you have a 500k pot, I'll go with a 0.047 if you have one. If not, try the 0.02.

 

[Artie]

Re: Problem...59s

Hey BM; I hesitated to make this post because I don't want you to think I'm being a jerk, but I want you to be able to do a good job. Don't misunderstand my tone of voice. Its soft and mellow.

If you don't understand the basics of the ground of the output jack, you shouldn't be doing a "customers" guitar. Also, you shouldn't use 18-gauge and a you shouldn't use a .01 cap unless the customer specifically asked for it.

Go to Radio Shack or similar and get some 22 or 24 gauge wire, buy some .047uf's and .022ufs at a bare minimum. Then go to this page and look over the diagrams:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/schematics.shtml

If you study those diagrams for a short time, you'll be a "wiz" at guitar wiring. Thats how I learned.
And . . . practice on your own guitar.

I hope that didn't sound harsh, and welcome to the forum.

Artie

 

[Amateur]

Re: Problem...59s

Artie, you're such a gentleman!

 

[BlackMagic]

Re: Problem...59s

Thanks alot Artie, gotta learn somehow...

 

[Artie]

Re: Problem...59s

Yup. Just remember, you must have at least two wires to complete a circuit. Generally, all the grounds will connect together somewhere. Usually, the back of a pot, but be careful soldering there. You don't want to "fry" the pot. It takes practice. But those diagrams are gold to learn from.

 

[BlackMagic]

Re: Problem...59s

Cool man, definately good advice. It wasn't very clear because the schematics that came with the 59s were very different from the schematics on duncans website. I just opened up my own Les Paul and followed what was in there. I just gotta attach the ground tomorrow and it should be fine. Ill keep what you said in mind about the .045uf caps. First lesson learned.









Steely Dan rules...gonna be seeing them with my dad in May.