wiring problem

[fruitbat04]

Hi guys,

I should start off by saying this is my first time trying to change pickups so I may be missing something obvious. This is on an Epiphone Les Paul by the way.

I have bought 2 pickups 2nd hand, an SH-11 custom custom and an SH-1 '59. I have soldered the neck one in by cutting the wire away from the stock pickup. There is a blue lead that is earth which I have soldered to the green lead from the pickup, and the white lead which I have soldered to the black on the pickup. The red and white from the pickup are soldered together and grounded. All acording to the diagram here

I have no issues there at all - the sound comes out fine when I select correctly with the switch.

The problem is with the bridge pickup. This only has 1 wire. I assume this must be soldered to the wire that goes to the pots, but what about the earth? Is this not needed or does it go somewhere else? This wire is insulated in metal rather than plastic coat it that makes any difference.

A picture of both pickups is here - as I say they were bought 2nd hand so no instructions

Thanks for any help

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring problem

Hi fruitbat; Welcome to the forum.

The red and white from the pickup are soldered together and grounded. All acording to the diagram here

You shouldn't ground the red/white wires. If you do so, the pickup will be locked in eternal "split" mode. Leave those two connected together, but tape them off so they don't touch anything. In that diagram, the red/white goes to a switch, which allows you to split them at will.

The problem is with the bridge pickup. This only has 1 wire. I assume this must be soldered to the wire that goes to the pots, but what about the earth?

Thanks for any help

Actually, that is two wires, just the hot lead is inside the ground shield wrapping. Carefully push back the braid, and you'll reveal the black wire thats inside. That inside wire goes to the switch, and the braided shield goes to ground.

Hope this helps.
Artie

 

[fruitbat04]

Re: wiring problem

Sorry, I hadn't actually gounded the red/white wires. I meant to say I taped them.

So with the other one, solder the inside wire to the switch, and just solder ground wire to the outside? Is this generally considered the best way round by the way? eg CC at the bridge and '59 at the neck

thanks

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring problem

Exactly.

A Custom in the bridge, with a 59 neck is a classic combo. My first, as a matter of fact. (Although, mine was a Custom 5.)

 

[fruitbat04]

Re: wiring problem

cheers dude! got it all sorted now, has transformed my epi it almost sounds better than my gibson SG standard now, I might have to think about chaning the pick ups in that!

 

[Artie]

Re: wiring problem

Cool. There's nothing like having a guitar project come together properly.