• Registered: 2012-06-13
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

Hi
Does anybody know if JBs two 59 Les Pauls got the 50's wiring or the modern wiring? Would be interesting, because it is said that a lot of the 58 and 59 Les Pauls had modern wiring.

IMO a quite big flaw with the 50's wiring is, when the tone control is set to about 5 or lower, the volume control shows some annoying ramp characteristic when you back it up. Its almost a jump from full to very low between 10 and 8 on the volume.
I never heard something like that when watching JBs videos or performances, so I suppose he either doesn't turn down the tone control a lot, or his LPs got the modern wiring.

Anybody out there who knows something?

thanks

  • From: Glasgow, Scotland
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 170

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

I have no idea, sorry i can't be more helpful, just dont want to see your post go unanswered smile

Even if they do have 50's wiring, Joe seems to be able to get the best out of them regardless

Me playing Joe's actual Ibanez Tubescreamer pedal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76jk58_vl2s

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3 Reply by rythmplaya (edited by rythmplaya 2012-06-13 17:53:00)

  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 121

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

TiPiMods wrote:

Hi
Does anybody know if JBs two 59 Les Pauls got the 50's wiring or the modern wiring? Would be interesting, because it is said that a lot of the 58 and 59 Les Pauls had modern wiring.

IMO a quite big flaw with the 50's wiring is, when the tone control is set to about 5 or lower, the volume control shows some annoying ramp characteristic when you back it up. Its almost a jump from full to very low between 10 and 8 on the volume.
I never heard something like that when watching JBs videos or performances, so I suppose he either doesn't turn down the tone control a lot, or his LPs got the modern wiring.

Anybody out there who knows something?

thanks

Hi,
This is just my guess but I wouyld say they have stock 50's wiring, that's why they sound so good...and if you watch Joe play live he works the volume and tone controls a lot.
RP

Guitars: 2002 Gibson R8, 2008 Gibson SG Standard, 1977 Fender Statocaster, 1979 el Degas Les Paul Custom, 2011 Epiphone JB Les Paul
Amps: 1982 Marshall 4010
  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

Joe's always spoken about them being stock or him restoring to stock pretty much so I'd be shocked if he's updated the wiring to 'modern'.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

His signature models came stock with 50's wiring from the Custom shop.  Just saying.

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  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

Joe has said time and again he is against any changes in a guitar other than a fix for playability like a refret, worn tuners or changing a noisy pot. I'd say they are original.
Rick

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  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

To the OP: I wonder if your problems with 50's wiring stem from modern pots with an incorrect taper. Try some vintage spec (proper taper) 500k pots with 50's wiring. Make sure you use .022 PIO caps as well.

  • Registered: 2012-06-13
  • Posts: 3

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

Thanks for all your replies smile
There are a lot of fotos and information especially on the les paul forum, which say: it's quite common to see 58 and 59 LPs with original modern wiring, that's why I wondered.
But probably only Joe himself can tell us.

@wharris: I got CTS 500k log pots.

9 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-06-14 08:38:09)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

I think Joe himself starts will all guitar knobs on 5, and adjusts the amplifier to taste from there.
More gain? roll up on guitar volume knob
More tone that cuts through? roll up on guitar tone knob

I at least know for sure joe is a huge endorser of using the tone/vol knobs to adjust gain and tone as opposed to leaving all knobs on '10' all the time. hmm

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: BC, CANADA
  • Registered: 2010-12-29
  • Posts: 121

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

TiPiMods wrote:

Thanks for all your replies smile
There are a lot of fotos and information especially on the les paul forum, which say: it's quite common to see 58 and 59 LPs with original modern wiring, that's why I wondered.
But probably only Joe himself can tell us.

@wharris: I got CTS 500k log pots.

Take a look at the pots and upgrade kits offered by RS Guitar Works. Very smooth taper and worth every penny IMHO. I put a kit in my Epiphone JBLP, wired 50's style and wow! Like night and day!
RP

Guitars: 2002 Gibson R8, 2008 Gibson SG Standard, 1977 Fender Statocaster, 1979 el Degas Les Paul Custom, 2011 Epiphone JB Les Paul
Amps: 1982 Marshall 4010
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

My burst are stock except for the tuning machines... I replace the originals with high quality reproductions and keep the originals at home...  The buttons break off over 53 years...   
Joe B

  • Registered: 2012-06-13
  • Posts: 3

Re: Plain Top and Skinner Burst

Hi Joe
thanks a lot for taking your valuable time answering in this forum.
The question is: are your bursts originaly wired with modern wiring (cap is wired to the outer side of the volume pot) or 50's wiring (cap is wired to the middle lug of the vol. pot), both used at that time.

Living in Vienna, I'm looking forward to your acoustic gig on July 3rd, got the tickets already smile
regards