Gibson 2 Pickup Schematic
This is the standard circuit used by Gibson since the 1950s - it is used in the Les Paul, SG, Firebird, Flying 'V', Explorer as well as most thinline and full depth semi-acoustics.
In the 1980s Gibson started to use 300k audio taper pots. These tend to make the neck pickup in particular, sound 'flabby' and lifeless. If your guitar is one of these models give it a new lease of life by fitting 500k pots, which are available in standard and long shaft models to fit certain Les Paul models with encased electronics.
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Humbucker Colour Codes
Humbuckers comprise two coils wired in series which means that generally the beginning of the adjustable coil goes to earth, the finish of the adjustable coil is connected to the finish of the stud coil and the start of the stud coil is the hot output which goes to the volume pot. The different manufacturers use different colour wires for the various leads and these are summarised in the table, right.
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Fender Strat Schematic
This is the standard circuit used by Fender on the Stratocaster since the 1950s - as well as countless clones.
It has changed a little over the years. In c1970 the capacitor was changed from 0.1 mfd to 0.05 mfd to achieve a slightly brighter sound. In 1977 the 5-way switch became standard. In mid-1983 the circuit was changed to just one master tone control fitted with a 0.022mfd capacitor.
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Fender Tele Schematic
There have been several circuits used on the Tele since its launch in 1952. This is the circuit used by Fender on the Telecaster since 1967 which allows both pickups to be used together and which is the most versatile.
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Fender Precision Bass Schematic
This is the standard Precision Bass circuit used by Fender since the mid-50s.
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Fender Jazz Bass Schematic
This is the standard Precision Bass circuit used by Fender since the launch of the Jazz Bass in 1960.
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Gibson 2 Pickup with Coil Tap & Phase Switch
This schematic shows the most popular arrangement of coil taps and phase switch for a 2 pick-up Gibson style guitar. By using push/pull switches, the guitar is not damaged in any way and can be returned to its original configuration with ease.
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'59 Les Paul Wiring Harness
The holy grail of guitar electronics. This is an original wiring harness from a 1959 Les Paul Standard - CTS pots (500k audio taper), Switchcraft selector switch and jack socket, Bumblebee 0.02mf capacitors, shielded cloth wire - all for $3,500 on eBay. We stock the modern equivalents of all these components - for a tiny fraction of this price!
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Ibanez J Style Schematic
The Ibanez JEM and J Series guitars are a design classic and were the first guitars to popularise the H/S/H pickup combination.
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Gibson Les Paul Custom - Standard 3 Pickup Schematic
This is the standard circuit for the 3 Pickup Les Paul and SG Custom used by Gibson since the 1950s. This circuit gives either the bridge pickup, neck pickup or the bridge pickup and middle together - with the switch in the middle position. The middle pickup is out of phase with the bridge pickup and gives a thin hollow sound when used with the bridge pickup. Note the arrangement with the capacitor which puts the pot in front of the capacitor before earth rather than the standard circuit more commonly used on the rest of the Gibson range which puts the capacitor before the tone pot.
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Gibson Les Paul Custom - Modified 3 Pickup Schematic
This is a modified circuit for the 3 Pickup Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul and SG Custom. This circuit gives either the bridge pickup, neck pickup or both, and using a separate volume control for the middle pickup allows this pickup to be used in any combination with the other two pickups or on its own. The trade off is the loss of one tone pot but very few guitarists use the tone pots independently. The remaining tone pot acts as a master tone pot for all three pickups. This set-up is entirely reversible and does not damage the guitar in any way.
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Gibson Jimmy Page Schematic
The original switching circuit for Jimmy Page's Les Paul was designed by Steve Hoyland, the studio engineer at the Kinks Konk Studios in Muswell Hill, London. The original circuit used push/push switches attached to the underside of the guitar's pickguard. The Gibson Les Paul Jimmy Page Model uses push/pull pots.
Click here to download the Gibson Jimmy Page Schematic (119 Kb)
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