Wiring Diagram for Les Paul Style Guitar - The Definitive Guide

Are you ready to get to grips with wiring your Les Paul style guitar? Do you need to know more about the wiring diagrams that describe how it works? The definitive guide on wiring diagrams for Les Paul style guitars is here to help. Whether you’re looking to wire up a single- or two-pickup guitar, the basics of wiring diagrams remain the same.

We'll be exploring the essential components and their layout within the schematic, and explaining the various connections and terminations you may come across. The aim of this article is to give you all the information you need feel comfortable in wiring up your Les Paul style guitar.

The Anatomy of a Wiring Diagram

A wiring diagram for Les Paul style guitars is composed of different components that make up the guitar's electrical system. The layout of each component will depend on the type of pickup on the guitar, the type of pots being used, and the desired tone. Below are the primary components you can arise when referring to a wiring diagram.

• Volumes (pots): The volume pot allows you to adjust the electric signal from the pickups to the output. It determines the level of output and influence the tone.

• Tones (pots): Tone pots also affect the overall level of the output but are mainly used to shape the sound. They can help adjust the brightness, bass, or midrange frequencies in the overall tone.

• Pickups: Pickups are used to transfer the string's vibration into an electrical signal. For Les Paul style guitars, the two most common types are humbuckers and P90s.

• Switch: The three-way switch is usually used as a toggle between bridge, neck, and both. You can select different combinations depending on the tone you want.

• Output Jack: The output jack is where the guitar signal is sent when connected to an amplifier.

How to Read Wiring Diagrams

To properly read wiring diagrams for Les Paul style guitars, it’s important to understand the symbols and what they mean. Generally, wiring diagrams view the guitar's components from the top down, so all the knobs and switches are clearly represented. Each symbol used in a wiring diagram will have a specific meaning, helping you determine where the signals should connect. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common symbols:

• Dots indicate that the two components they link are connected together

• Arrows show which way current flows

• Brackets indicate ground wires

• Rectangles signify switches

• Circles usually represent potentiometers

Common Les Paul Style Pickup Configurations

Whether it’s a single-coil or humbucker pickup, the wiring for different Les Paul style guitars remains the same. Here are some of the most common pickup configurations you might come across:

• Single Coil: This is the simplest type of pickup wiring. Essentially, it connects the pickup directly to the output via a single volume control.

• Single Coil with Volume/Tone Control: A single coil pickup can also be wired to a single volume and tone control. This is slightly more complex than the simple single coil configuration, with the tone being affected by both the volume and the tone pots.

• Humbucker: Humbuckers offer more power than single coils and are often louder. They contain two coils that is wired to two separate output jacks and with a volume/tone control.

Les Paul Style Wiring Diagram Summary

By following the recommendations outlined above, you should now have a better understanding of the basics of wiring diagrams for Les Paul style guitars. We’ve covered the anatomy of the wiring diagram, explained the symbols used in most diagrams, and listed some popular pickup configurations. With this knowledge, you can begin wiring up your guitar with confidence.

Vintage 50 S Style Les Paul Guitar Wiring Harness