Wiring Tele pickups into a Les Paul. Anything I should be concerned about?

Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by kingturkeylord, Jan 28, 2012.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jan 28, 2012 #1
    kingturkeylord

    kingturkeylord Member

    Messages:
    192
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    So because I am insane I decided to put some Tele pickups into my Les Paul. I already have the mounting rings and they are in place and ready to go.

    I was wondering if there's anything I need to change as far as soldering to the pots? I was just planning on wiring up the same way the humbuckers were instead of swapping pots and such. I know that since the LP has 500k pots the pickups will be extremely bright, but I am ok with that.

    So, am I going to explode my guitar by doing this? haha :bonk
     
    kingturkeylord, Jan 28, 2012
    kingturkeylord, Jan 28, 2012
    #1
  2. Jan 28, 2012 #2
    oldtelefart

    oldtelefart Member

    Messages:
    4,628
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2009
    Location:
    Tropical Oz
    You should seek professional help. (Not talking about a luthier either!)
     
    oldtelefart, Jan 28, 2012
    oldtelefart, Jan 28, 2012
    #2
  3. Jan 28, 2012 #3
    crgtr

    crgtr Member

    Messages:
    384
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2010
    Location:
    Nashville
    Doing this mod may cause you to break out in spontaneous twang!!
     
    crgtr, Jan 28, 2012
    crgtr, Jan 28, 2012
    #3
  4. Jan 28, 2012 #4
    kingturkeylord

    kingturkeylord Member

    Messages:
    192
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    I may be too far gone for help of that kind :rotflmao
     
    kingturkeylord, Jan 28, 2012
    kingturkeylord, Jan 28, 2012
    #4
  5. Jan 28, 2012 #5
    Whiskeyrebel

    Whiskeyrebel Supporting Member

    Messages:
    29,108
    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2007
    Location:
    Center Line MI
    I bet the tone pots don't stay on 10 too long.
     
    Whiskeyrebel, Jan 28, 2012
    Whiskeyrebel, Jan 28, 2012
    #5
  6. Jan 30, 2012 #6
    robertkoa

    robertkoa Member

    Messages:
    4,117
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2009
    Ha ! I disagree with this but it is very funny !

    I may have a Luthier put a single coil into an LP for an H-S-H- but it won't be a real '59 ( ! ) probably a Studio or Bonamassa if I do it.

    Of course converting a Les Paul to H-S-H will ADD to it's capabilities not change it completely into a Paulecaster.

    The actual Exploding Les Pauls from Tele Pickups are pretty rare- and they were small explosions, I heard- after the Mod, strum it hard and then run just to make sure......if it doesn't explode right away- you're safe- except from outraged LP Owners .
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2012
    robertkoa, Jan 30, 2012
    robertkoa, Jan 30, 2012
    #6
  7. Jan 30, 2012 #7
    cherrick

    cherrick Member

    Messages:
    2,534
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2007
    Location:
    Jeddo, Texas
    No worries. It will either work or it will not.

    Was there no routing necessary?
     
    cherrick, Jan 30, 2012
    cherrick, Jan 30, 2012
    #7
  8. Jan 30, 2012 #8
    L_Totti

    L_Totti Member

    Messages:
    1,068
    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2011
    Location:
    In the kitchen with the tombstone blues
    :worthless
     
    L_Totti, Jan 30, 2012
    L_Totti, Jan 30, 2012
    #8
  9. Jan 30, 2012 #9
    HurricaneJesus

    HurricaneJesus Member

    Messages:
    11,019
    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2006
    Location:
    Springfield
    Yeah, let's see this thing.
     
    HurricaneJesus, Jan 30, 2012
    HurricaneJesus, Jan 30, 2012
    #9
  10. Jan 30, 2012 #10
    Ed Alvarado

    Ed Alvarado Member

    Messages:
    1,902
    Joined:
    May 26, 2005
    Location:
    So Cal
    Go for it and let us know.
     
    Ed Alvarado, Jan 30, 2012
    Ed Alvarado, Jan 30, 2012
    #10
  11. Jan 30, 2012 #11
    AA864

    AA864 Member

    Messages:
    2,922
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2011
    Ahh, Yes, you are putting the wrong Pups into a LP.

    Seriously, have fun, take pics and post sounds clips so we can mock you further. :)
     
    AA864, Jan 30, 2012
    AA864, Jan 30, 2012
    #11
  12. Feb 1, 2012 #12
    kingturkeylord

    kingturkeylord Member

    Messages:
    192
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    A picture!! [​IMG]

    And now my question:

    So far it sounds great except for the middle position that is doing strange things. with the both volume knobs all the way up in the middle position it sounds tinny and quiet, but turn down either one of the volume knobs any little bit and it warms up and gets louder but doesn't have a whole lot of clarity. I THINK I know what the problem is but I want to make sure. I followed the pickup selector switch wire and saw that the wire for the middle of the switch is spliced in and going to the input jack. Should that wire be attached to the volume pots somehow?
     
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    #12
  13. Feb 1, 2012 #13
    Phoenix59

    Phoenix59 Member

    Messages:
    1,019
    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2011
    Location:
    South Dakota
    You should worry about being lynched. ;)
     
    Phoenix59, Feb 1, 2012
    Phoenix59, Feb 1, 2012
    #13
  14. Feb 1, 2012 #14
    Wake911

    Wake911 Member

    Messages:
    669
    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2011
    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Yeh, i tried changing my tele pots to 500 and WHOA it was way brighter, i expected it to get darker, and was i wrong, haha
     
    Wake911, Feb 1, 2012
    Wake911, Feb 1, 2012
    #14
  15. Feb 1, 2012 #15
    kingturkeylord

    kingturkeylord Member

    Messages:
    192
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    Oops did I forget to put "style" at the end of "Les paul"? Sorry, it is an Agile 2000 Les Paul Style guitar. The tone isnt too bad actually! I was expecting brighter but thr pickups aren't too bright to begin with so I think it balanced. Oh and no routing was required, just some filing of pickup rings
     
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    #15
  16. Feb 1, 2012 #16
    HurricaneJesus

    HurricaneJesus Member

    Messages:
    11,019
    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2006
    Location:
    Springfield
    It sounds like your pickups are out of phase. Try switching the leads on one of the pickups.
     
    HurricaneJesus, Feb 1, 2012
    HurricaneJesus, Feb 1, 2012
    #16
  17. Feb 1, 2012 #17
    ReddRanger

    ReddRanger Supporting Member

    Messages:
    3,044
    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2006
    A guy at Gibson actually came up with this idea back in the 50's when the Fender Telecaster started getting really popular.

    They fired him and to this day nobody at Gibson speaks his name. He's only referred to as "that guy".

    ;)
     
    ReddRanger, Feb 1, 2012
    ReddRanger, Feb 1, 2012
    #17
  18. Feb 1, 2012 #18
    kingturkeylord

    kingturkeylord Member

    Messages:
    192
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    Ok cool! I'll do that tonight then.
     
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    #18
  19. Feb 1, 2012 #19
    kingturkeylord

    kingturkeylord Member

    Messages:
    192
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    I feel like That Guy and I would get along real well ha ha ha ha
     
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    kingturkeylord, Feb 1, 2012
    #19
  20. Feb 1, 2012 #20
    rockonomics

    rockonomics Member

    Messages:
    516
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2011
    Location:
    Spokane, Wa.
    If the pots are too bright you can wire some 500K resistors across the outside lugs. Instant 250K's.
     
    rockonomics, Feb 1, 2012
    rockonomics, Feb 1, 2012
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice