Stereo Wiring diagram...

[chazjaz]

Hello, I need a wiring diagram which will guide me to wiring my Ibanez ES335 style guitar like a Gibson ES 345 / ES 355 Stereo with Varitone switch.

Also need to know where to buy the Varitone switch?

I'm not an engineer, so the diagram will have to be pretty graphic in nature, I can't read a complicated schematic type diagram.

peace & kindness, Charles

 

[Artie]

Re: Stereo Wiring diagram...

I'm just heading out the door, so I can't do a diagram, but stereo wiring is actually easier than "normal" - with the exception of the varitone. I'll come back to that.

Basically, just wire up the bridge as if it was a single pickup guitar. Use a stereo output jack and connect the hot to the "ring" terminal. Now do the exact same wiring for the neck, only connect the hot out to the "tip" terminal instead.

You realize, of course, that for stereo you'll need dual volumes and tones. Thats where the varitone problem comes in. You'll need two. Thats a lot of expense. Unneccessary expense, if you ask me. But we can get back to that.

See what others say.

 

[greco]

Re: Stereo Wiring diagram...

Welcome to a great forum.

:bowdown: ArtieToo is THE MAN for wiring:bowdown:

Have you ever tried a Varitone?

Personally, I found it to be quite disappointing. I tried a Gibson BB King Lucille that I had on loan for a while and ended up not bothering with the Varitone after messing with it.
This is just my opinion, Varitones don't seem to get much mention on this forum in general.

I'm a big fan of 335's and personally I'd consider keeping it simple and trying some various SD pickups in your axe (unless the stereo approach/concept is real important to you). You can usually buy pickups used, try them and then sell them again (or keep them to have a change in the future...if you get a bit bored) and start over. There are many combinations that can be considered and the improvement in tone with the SD pickups will likely be significant.

There have been several posts recently about pickups for 335 style guitars.

Something to think about before you spend a lot of time and cash.

Dave