Epiphone Les Paul Special Wiring Diagram

Les Paul Wiring Diagrams: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Les Paul guitars are renowned for their versatility and iconic sound. A crucial aspect of achieving the desired tone from these instruments is understanding and properly wiring their electrical components. This article will delve into the intricacies of Les Paul wiring diagrams, covering both Gibson and Epiphone models, providing a comprehensive guide to help you achieve optimal performance from your Les Paul.

Gibson Les Paul Wiring Diagrams

Gibson Les Paul guitars typically feature a traditional wiring configuration known as the "50s wiring." This setup involves using two humbucking pickups, a three-way pickup selector switch, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a master tone control.

To wire a Gibson Les Paul in the 50s style, follow these steps:

1. Connect the ground wire from the bridge to the back of the volume pot.
2. Connect the hot wire from the neck pickup to the "hot" terminal on the volume pot.
3. Connect the ground wire from the neck pickup to the back of the volume pot.
4. Connect the hot wire from the bridge pickup to the "hot" terminal on the second volume pot.
5. Connect the ground wire from the bridge pickup to the back of the second volume pot.
6. Connect the output wires from the volume pots to the input and output terminals on the three-way pickup selector switch.
7. Connect the output wire from the pickup selector switch to the input terminal on the master tone control.
8. Connect the output wire from the master tone control to the output jack.

Epiphone Les Paul Wiring Diagrams

Epiphone Les Paul guitars often employ a simplified wiring configuration compared to their Gibson counterparts. They typically use a single volume control, a single tone control, a three-way pickup selector switch, and two humbucking pickups.

To wire an Epiphone Les Paul, follow these steps:

1. Connect the ground wire from the bridge to the back of the volume pot.
2. Connect the hot wire from the neck pickup to the "hot" terminal on the volume pot.
3. Connect the ground wire from the neck pickup to the back of the volume pot.
4. Connect the hot wire from the bridge pickup to the input terminal on the three-way pickup selector switch.
5. Connect the ground wire from the bridge pickup to the output terminal on the three-way pickup selector switch.
6. Connect the output wire from the volume pot to the input terminals on the tone control.
7. Connect the output wire from the tone control to the output jack.

Conclusion

Understanding and properly wiring a Les Paul guitar is essential for unlocking its full potential. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can achieve the desired tone and versatility from your instrument. Whether you prefer the traditional 50s wiring of Gibson Les Pauls or the simplified configuration of Epiphone Les Pauls, a thorough understanding of these wiring diagrams will empower you to customize and optimize your guitar to suit your musical needs.