50s wiring: vintage diagram and differences with modern
If you are looking for a 50s wiring guitar Clear and practical, you're in the right place. Here you'll find the diagram, explanations of the connections, and tips for avoiding common mistakes.
Introduction
This vintage scheme, historically used by Gibson, takes the tone control signal After the volume control (connecting it to the central wiper contact of the volume).7 It preserves the definition and presence of high frequencies when the instrument's volume is reduced, avoiding the need for a treble bleed circuit.20
Wiring diagram
Download the SVG diagram and use it as a reference while soldering. The star ground is the central point: all ground wires must converge there.
How to read the diagram
It requires (or ) logarithmic potentiometers and capacitors.8 Keeping the potentiometer terminals facing down: the tone capacitor does not solder to Input Terminal 1 of the Volume.7 Instead, it is soldered directly between Terminal 2 (center/wiper) of the Volume and the Input Terminal (Terminal 1 or 2) of the Tone.7
Practical steps
- Prepare the components and check the values of potentiometers and capacitors.
- I soldered the hot wires following the diagram, avoiding unnecessary jumpers.
- Connect all the masses to the indicated star point.
- Check the continuity between the bridge, jack and potentiometer covers with a multimeter.
- Test the instrument and fix any buzzing.
Tips to avoid buzzing
Avoid the ground loopIf the potentiometers are on a common metal shield, do not solder ground wires between their caps. Use an open "C" or "horseshoe" path and connect each ground to the star center. For more information on modifications, see also guitar modification guide.
FAQ
Which potentiometers should I use?
It depends on the pickup: single-coil generally 250k, humbucker 500k, active 25k.
Can I use a different capacitor?
Yes, but the value changes the cutoff frequency of the tone. Higher = darker sound.
See also
Wiring diagrams library
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