Tinkercaster
DiMarzio wiring

Les Paul 50s wiring (659)

Two humbuckers · Toggle · Two volumes · Two tones

Les Paul 50s wiring (659). Transcribed from the manufacturer wiring sheet and checked against the engine.

Open interactive diagram ↗
Les Paul 50s wiring (659)Les Paul 50s wiring (659): Two humbuckers · Toggle · Two volumes · Two tones. Original Tinkercaster drawing with labelled terminals.Neck pickupNeck pickupBridge pickup (DP100F shown)Bridge pickup (DP100F shown)Toggle (right angle)Neck volume 500K custom taper · 500k500kNeck tone 500K custom taper · 500k500kNeck .022µF · 22nF22nFBridge volume 500K custom taper · 500k500kBridge tone 500K custom taper · 500k500kBridge .022µF · 22nF22nFOutput jackBridge groundredgreenblackwhitebareredgreenblackwhitebareT1T2T3T4T5lug1lug2lug3lug1lug2lug3ablug1lug2lug3lug1lug2lug3abtipsleeveground

Viewed from the back of the controls, as you solder them. Open the interactive diagram to zoom, move components and try the switches.

Parts and values

In the drawingValuePart
Neck pickup—Humbucker (four-conductor, DiMarzio colours)Generic
Bridge pickup (DP100F shown)—Humbucker (four-conductor, DiMarzio colours)Generic
Toggle (right angle)—Switchcraft 3-Way Toggle (two output tags)Example part
Neck volume 500K custom taper500kCTS 500k Audio PotExample part
Neck tone 500K custom taper500kCTS 500k Audio PotExample part
Neck .022µF22nFOrange Drop .022µFExample part
Bridge volume 500K custom taper500kCTS 500k Audio PotExample part
Bridge tone 500K custom taper500kCTS 500k Audio PotExample part
Bridge .022µF22nFOrange Drop .022µFExample part
Output jack—Switchcraft #11Example part
Bridge ground—Bridge ground wireGeneric

“Example part” means any part with the same value and lugs will do; the source does not name a brand. “Generic” stands in for an unspecified pickup: check your own pickup's lead colours before you solder.

Specific to this wiring

  • Capacitor-before-pot 50s tone topology as drawn.

Connections

In soldering order: grounds first, then the switch, the pickups and the signal path.

#FromToHow
1Neck GREEN runs along the top to the neck volume casing (left solder dot).Neck GREEN runs along the top to the neck volume casing (left solder dot).Wiregreen
2Neck BARE runs with the green to the neck volume casing.Neck BARE runs with the green to the neck volume casing.Wirebare
3Bridge GREEN runs right to the bridge volume casing (lower solder dots).Bridge GREEN runs right to the bridge volume casing (lower solder dots).Wiregreen
4Bridge BARE runs with the green to the bridge volume casing.Bridge BARE runs with the green to the bridge volume casing.Wirebare
5Black wire from the neck volume's top lug up and back to the neck volume casing.Black wire from the neck volume's top lug up and back to the neck volume casing.Wireblack
6Second black wire from the neck volume's top lug across the top to the neck tone casing.Second black wire from the neck volume's top lug across the top to the neck tone casing.Wireblack
7Short black link from the neck tone's middle lug to its casing.Short black link from the neck tone's middle lug to its casing.Wireblack
8Black wire from the neck tone casing right, down the right side and left to the bridge tone casing.Black wire from the neck tone casing right, down the right side and left to the bridge tone casing.Wireblack
9Black wire from the bridge volume's top lug up and back to the bridge volume casing.Black wire from the bridge volume's top lug up and back to the bridge volume casing.Wireblack
10Second black wire from the bridge volume's top lug across the top to the bridge tone casing.Second black wire from the bridge volume's top lug across the top to the bridge tone casing.Wireblack
11Short black link from the bridge tone's middle lug to its casing.Short black link from the bridge tone's middle lug to its casing.Wireblack
12Black wire from the toggle's frame tag round the bottom to the jack sleeve.Black wire from the toggle's frame tag round the bottom to the jack sleeve.Wireblack
13Black wire from the bridge tone casing (lower dot) down the right side to the jack sleeve.Black wire from the bridge tone casing (lower dot) down the right side to the jack sleeve.Wireblack
14'TO BRIDGE GROUND' line ends at the jack sleeve.'TO BRIDGE GROUND' line ends at the jack sleeve.Wireblack
15Light-grey wire from the neck volume's middle lug (lower dot) down and left to the toggle's top tag.Light-grey wire from the neck volume's middle lug (lower dot) down and left to the toggle's top tag.Wirewhite
16Light-grey wire from the bridge volume's middle lug (lower dot) down and left to the toggle's bottom tag.Light-grey wire from the bridge volume's middle lug (lower dot) down and left to the toggle's bottom tag.Wirewhite
17Short dark-grey jumper joins the toggle's two output tags.Short dark-grey jumper joins the toggle's two output tags.Wirewhite
18Dark-grey wire from the toggle output tag across to the jack tip.Dark-grey wire from the toggle output tag across to the jack tip.Wiresignal
19Neck BLACK and WHITE run together to one taped end below the cable: joined and insulated.Neck BLACK and WHITE run together to one taped end below the cable: joined and insulated.Wireblack
20Neck RED runs right and down, then up to the neck volume's bottom lug.Neck RED runs right and down, then up to the neck volume's bottom lug.Wirered
21Bridge BLACK and WHITE run together to one taped end: joined and insulated.Bridge BLACK and WHITE run together to one taped end: joined and insulated.Wireblack
22Bridge RED runs right and down, then up to the bridge volume's bottom lug.Bridge RED runs right and down, then up to the bridge volume's bottom lug.Wirered
23Capacitor lead from the neck volume's middle lug (upper dot).Capacitor lead from the neck volume's middle lug (upper dot).Wirewhite
24Capacitor's other lead to the neck tone's bottom lug.Capacitor's other lead to the neck tone's bottom lug.Wirewhite
25Capacitor lead from the bridge volume's middle lug (upper dot).Capacitor lead from the bridge volume's middle lug (upper dot).Wirewhite
26Capacitor's other lead to the bridge tone's bottom lug.Capacitor's other lead to the bridge tone's bottom lug.Wirewhite

What each position does

SettingThe sourceEngine result

Not simulated: this circuit is drawn for reference only.

  • 50s-style volume/tone routing fails volumeMutes on the generic pot model; wiring matches the capacitor-before-tone drawing.
  • Capacitor-first tone wiring fails toneReachesSignal without adding undrawn grounds; topology matches the source sheet.

Before you solder

Ticks are kept in this browser only, as a reminder. They are not a check of your joints. New to soldering? Read the soldering cheat sheet.

Check before plugging in

    Measure across the output jack with a multimeter on its resistance range. No exact readings are given where the source does not specify the pickups.