"Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

[joegore]

After reading so many opinions about the ’50s Les Paul wiring scheme, I decided to get to the bottom of things via a semi-scientific approach. I put together a little article, complete with test recordings and measurements.

Research submitted for peer review here.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

Great topic, not to mention all the work put into the experiment!

I guess I'd also lump myself in with players that keep it modern, and primarily use the volume to control the tone. I'm also used to living in the 7 - 10 range on controls, and vintage style seems too open and clear in that range. I know I'm just a lazy creature of habit in this area though.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

Thanks!

 

[Simon_F]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

Great article, thanks!

I tried 50s wiring once but I went back to modern because I like the way it cuts treble when I roll the volume back a little for rhythm playing. It seems to me the treble comes back when the volume gets below 6. Anyone else noticed that? I'm talking about vintage output humbuckers, 500K audio taper pots, modern wiring, crunchy Marshall.

 

[Gypsyblue]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

For my style of playing (rhythm and lead combined - Hendrix and SRV style) the 50's style works best - especially with humbuckers. I can strum my guitar with the volume down on the guitar and get an almost acoustic sound. When I turn the volume of the guitar back up I can get the lead tones I like. When I play rhythm on a guitar that is not wired 50's style it seems muddier, in my hands, then when I'm playing rhythm on my own guitar.

For me, the 50's wiring is all about the rhythm tones.

 

[joegore]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

For my style of playing (rhythm and lead combined - Hendrix and SRV style) the 50's style works best - especially with humbuckers. I can strum my guitar with the volume down on the guitar and get an almost acoustic sound. When I turn the volume of the guitar back up I can get the lead tones I like. When I play rhythm on a guitar that is not wired 50's style it seems muddier, in my hands, then when I'm playing rhythm on my own guitar.

For me, the 50's wiring is all about the rhythm tones.

Good point! Though I'd go a bit further and suggest that it's a good choice for any sort of harmonically complex playing.

 

[voggin]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

I have a 339 with what Gibson calls its "memphis tone circuit". Is this just another name for vintage wiring?

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

I tried it once and I hated what it did to my tone knob. 22's and modern wiring work fine for me. LOL at "n00b project".

 

[Jeff5]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

Great article!

 

[formula73]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

50s wiring on everything, for me. Yeah, using the tone takes a bit of getting used to, but rolling off the volume and retaining all the clarity makes up for it, imho.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: "Vintage" Les Paul wiring: BS or BFD?

Definitely 50's wiring with independant vol controls for me.