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How to guide - How to install a Les Paul full wiring harness harness/loom
In the previous posts for this series we've looked at the right tools for the job, selected the right parts, making the harness and making any alterations to the Les Paul to prepare for installing imperial spec parts. So it's about time we got to installing it all right?
If you missed the previous posts they are all linked to on the origin post HERE
How to guide - Making your own Les Paul 3 way toggle switch harness with traditional braided wire
So you've wired up your pots and they're ready to go, now it's time to pre-wire your new switch. There's a couple ways I like to do this, but first up I'm going to look at the more traditional style braided two conductor wire.
Before we dive in, I wanted to highlight the different types of Switchcraft 3 way toggle switch that are available and suit Les Pauls. There are the traditional 'long frame' switches or the slightly more recent creation of the 'short frame' version. Both operate and are wired up the very same way, but are different sizes and feature different mounting thread lengths so felt it is worth discussing both and hopefully help you in deciding which would suit your guitar or install best.
Before we dive in, I wanted to highlight the different types of Switchcraft 3 way toggle switch that are available and suit Les Pauls. There are the traditional 'long frame' switches or the slightly more recent creation of the 'short frame' version. Both operate and are wired up the very same way, but are different sizes and feature different mounting thread lengths so felt it is worth discussing both and hopefully help you in deciding which would suit your guitar or install best.
How to Guide - Wiring a Les Paul
Replacing, or in some cases, upgrading your Les Paul’s wiring may be a matter of necessity if there are niggling faults like noisy pots or a faulty switch perhaps. But you may also have considered replacing it as a way of improving or modifying the guitar to suit your personal tastes too, whether it’s a traditional 50s style re wire or adding push pull pots for coil splitting for further versatility. I have decided to put together this article, with each aspect of a re-wire pieced together as sub-articles, to help point out some details which will hopefully help you in re-wiring your Les Paul, whether that's with individual components, or with a pre-wired harness kit. As there is so much to cover here, I quickly realised that attempting to do this all in one would be too much, so I have decided to have one main article here and link to smaller articles for each task. That way you don’t have to read through every detail if you are only taking on a specific task.
How to Guide - Les Paul Re-Wire Pt.1 Removing cavity covers and original wiring loom
Let's dive right in, because we have already covered the tools we'll need in the main article HERE.
I highly recommend a nice clear workspace, dining table if the family allows, or if you have a dedicated workspace even better. You don't want to be banging elbows in a tight space, or running out of space to put parts. I also recommend having some spare tubs around, these are handy for putting parts in that you need to keep safe such as cavity cover screws or any wiring parts you happen to be re-using.
I highly recommend a nice clear workspace, dining table if the family allows, or if you have a dedicated workspace even better. You don't want to be banging elbows in a tight space, or running out of space to put parts. I also recommend having some spare tubs around, these are handy for putting parts in that you need to keep safe such as cavity cover screws or any wiring parts you happen to be re-using.