Wiring and Versatility

[Robert Delahunt]

I have an ESP LTD EC-1000QM with '59/JB.

First, I'm having trouble switching from neck pickup with tone all the way down to bridge with tone all the way up. This guitar has only one tone knob. Is there a better/faster way to switch back and forth? I had a few ideas like a push/pull volume knob for the bridge pickup that disabled the tone circuit, or a concentric tone knob setup so that there's two knobs in one so that I can control their tone individually. Did guitarists of yesterday just use a wah pedal to do this?

Second, is there a "most versatile" wiring for HH guitars with three knobs? I was thinking along the lines of the Jimmie Page wiring, but I honestly doubt I'd like to use the '59 split unless with the other pickup (and even then, we're talking pickup change and wiring change). I'm almost wondering if I should have a "lead circuit" setup so that I can just pull a push/pull and instantly get a specific configuration (such as woman tone, bridge full blast, and "third humbucker" with the inner coils).

Anyone care to comment? :-)

[Funkfingers]

Three suggestions.

1) If you only use the tone control on the neck pickup, only wire it into the neck pickup side of the control circuit.

2) Borrow an idea from the Fender P Bass Elite II. On this two pickup bass, a mini DP3T switch acted as a Tone Assign switch. It fed the signal from either or both of the pickups to the master tone pot.

3) Leave the wiring stock. Learn from Steve Vai and millions of Telecaster players how to spin that tone pot in the blink of an eye.

For maximum pose value, learn the old Speedy West trick. Simultaneously manipulate both the volume and tone controls on a Telecaster whilst playing notes or chords. (Probably no Speedy West on YouTube. Search for Roy Buchanan.)

[ehdwuld]

do you want no tone control on the bridge?

if so

your tone control is right now connected to the volume pot

move the single wire connecting the tone to the volume

to now connect the to the switch position of the neck hot wire (black)

it may still have an affect using both pickups

[Funkfingers]

ehdwuld, the ESP controls are N vol, B vol and master tone - like a Flying V or Explorer.

[Robert Delahunt]

Hey Lew, how much would you charge for a good factory-looking wiring job on my guitar? I'd like to mod it to have the SD pickup quick change system and convert the tone knob to concentric style (one for each pickup). How much can you get me in and out for? I'd be buying a '59 neck with the pickup change system since this '59 is probably one-wire (that and I want the quick change system).

[ehdwuld]

ehdwuld, the ESP controls are N vol, B vol and master tone - like a Flying V or Explorer.

Oh

Nevermind then

[Myaccount876]

Have you thought of doing something like the original telecaster wiring?



On the switch, it goes 1. Bridge 2. Neck 3. Neck with tone knob all the way down.

[Robert Delahunt]

Have you thought of doing something like the original telecaster wiring?



On the switch, it goes 1. Bridge 2. Neck 3. Neck with tone knob all the way down.

Nope, I'd rather not, but that's not a bad idea.