Wiring a Les Paul?

[papersoul]

Any reason to pull the plate out of a Les Paul when gutting and rewiring? I am using all new pots in my LP and am thinking of removing the plate. However, I will have to ground all the pots together.......and deal with that center junction.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Wiring a Les Paul?

No reason to bother pulling it out IME. I don't think it can hurt anything. All it can do is sit around and get lost over the years, which may be unfortunate for the next owner, should you ever sell the guitar.

Out of curiosity, what years were those covers used? Mine is an '83, and it has one. What year is yours?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Wiring a Les Paul?

I think (I could be wrong) that if you discard the plate you have to remove some wood from the bottom of the cavity to get the pot shafts to exit the top straight. To replace any of the pots you have to take the plate out anyway so you could check how the pots exit without it. I've changed pots in both my LPs and I put the plate back.

Also, if you don't use the plate I think you would need short shaft pots (long shaft pots with the plate).

ItsaBass - I have '91 and '96 LPs and they both have the plate. Used to have a '71 and that didn't have the plate.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Wiring a Les Paul?

I think I am confused. I was talking about the shielding plate that goes over everything from the back side. Are youse guys talking about the mounting plate that the pot shafts go through?

 

[ErikH]

Keep the plate. With all the pots mounted to it, they are grounded together so long as the ground wire is attached to the plate. No need to run wires to connect them.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Wiring a Les Paul?

Are youse guys talking about the mounting plate that the pot shafts go through?

That's what I'm talking about! I've seen pictures of those shielding plates but I've never owned a guitar that had one.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Wiring a Les Paul?

No reason to bother pulling it out IME. I don't think it can hurt anything. All it can do is sit around and get lost over the years, which may be unfortunate for the next owner, should you ever sell the guitar.

Out of curiosity, what years were those covers used? Mine is an '83, and it has one. What year is yours?

My tech, said to leave it alone, no reason to remove it...just deal with it. LOL. Mine is a 2004. Right now there is the ground wire coming from the bridge to the neck volume pot and a center junction spot for grounding.

Thanks guys, you are always a huge help!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Wiring a Les Paul?

That's what I'm talking about! I've seen pictures of those shielding plates but I've never owned a guitar that had one.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Misunderstanding on my part.

I'd leave the grounding plate where it is.