# Help me wire my electric guitar **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702 "2017-08-03T16:06:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![No\_Way\_Jose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@No\_Way\_Jose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Way_Jose)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/1 "2017-08-03T16:06:49Z")
Hello, I’m going to wire up my guitar and could use some guidance on what to solder and where. [Here](http://i.imgur.com/2LC99zF.jpg)is a diagram that I am using for reference and [here](http://i.imgur.com/GhI14Kg.jpg)is a picture of the electronics cavity. Most of this is straightforward and I’m only really curious about several components. 1. The bridge pickup is an EVH humbucker with a single wire. How do I utilize both the volume pot and on/on switch and not to mention the ground? Can I split the wire between the pot and switch? And, if I ground the volume pot does the pickup itself need to be grounded as well. 2. Each pickup has it’s own on/off switch(it’s called an on/on switch though)[Here](http://i.imgur.com/WLCj31L.jpg)is a closeup of one of them. Do these need to configured in a specific orientation and use specific points to solder to? In the wiring image it looks like it’s using a specific point in the middle of each switch but is this depending on which way the switch is positioned? Any other tips/advice on soldering would also be greatly helpful… specifically I’d like to know the, “Whatever you do, DONT DO THIS” kind of tips. Thanks, Jose ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/2 "2017-08-03T16:11:42Z")
One, get some practice soldering first. Two, don’t use that wiring diagram. It is really basic, and you can do a lot better. Three what do you mean by “single wire”? Four, the switches you have are on/off/on which is really nice for a three pickup system. You can wire them so that not only can you select each pickup, but you can swap the phase, and you can select humbucker and spilt humbucker. If you can answer question 3, a really nice wiring can be worked out. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/3 "2017-08-03T16:14:46Z")
It looks to me like that “single wire” is actually a co-axial wire. So it’s got the signal wire in the center and the outer braid is the ground. ETA: You need to tie all of your grounds together, ideally at a single point if possible. Don’t make ground loops. ---
**Author:** ![Francis\_Vaughan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/francis_vaughan/32/3093_2.png) [@Francis\_Vaughan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_Vaughan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/4 "2017-08-03T16:21:15Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > It looks to me like that “single wire” is actually a co-axial wire. So it’s got the signal wire in the center and the outer braid is the ground. > > ETA: You need to tie all of your grounds together, ideally at a single point if possible. Don’t make ground loops. Yeah, I think you are right. What I was hoping was that they brought the two coils out individually. Looks as if they are bridged inside the pickup. Shame, otherwise you can do a coil split or single coil wiring to get a wider tone variation. Grounding in guitars is an evil problem. I would also invest in some adhesive copper tape and line the cavity. Everything you can do to reduce noise pickup is worth doing. ---
**Author:** ![No\_Way\_Jose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@No\_Way\_Jose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Way_Jose)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/5 "2017-08-03T17:28:01Z")
Thanks for the replies so far. > [@](#): > > It looks to me like that “single wire” is actually a co-axial wire. So it’s got the signal wire in the center and the outer braid is the ground. I believe this is correct. One wire enclosed in a braided sheath. So where should I solder this wire to? I’m guessing it’s going to the on/off switch and then from the switch to the volume pot? Or separate the wire from the sheath and solder these to two different points? > [@](#): > > ETA: You need to tie all of your grounds together, ideally at a single point if possible. Don’t make ground loops. Could you kindly elaborate on this point? There is a ground wire starting in tremolo cavity that was soldered to the metal tremolo back plate. Would this be the single point of ground? > [@](#): > > Grounding in guitars is an evil problem. I would also invest in some adhesive copper tape and line the cavity. Everything you can do to reduce noise pickup is worth doing. I’m ordering the adhesive foil as I type… any other noise reducing tips would be greatly appreciated… Thanks! > [@](#): > > Four, the switches you have are on/off/on which is really nice for a three pickup system. You can wire them so that not only can you select each pickup, but you can swap the phase, and you can select humbucker and spilt humbucker. These are two way switches(like a light switch) so it’s either on or off. Each pickup has it’s own switch and can be turned on/off independently. > [@](#): > > Two, don’t use that wiring diagram. It is really basic, and you can do a lot better. Given the information above do you still believe this should be done differently? Thanks again… this information is greatly appreciated. Jose ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/6 "2017-08-03T18:43:45Z")
Where’s the filter cap for the tone control? Typical value is 047μf > **[Amazon.com: Capacitor - Orange Drop, 100V, Polyester - Capacitance: .047 µF :...](https://www.amazon.com/Capacitor-Orange-Drop-Polyester-Capacitance/dp/B071WQFK59)** > > Buy Capacitor - Orange Drop, 100V, Polyester - Capacitance: .047 µF: Pickups & Pickup Covers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Seymour Duncan article > **[Guitar Pickups, Bass Pickups, Pedals](https://www.seymourduncan.com)** > > Hand-crafted electric guitar pickups, acoustic guitar pickups, bass pickups and pedals. Helping musicians find their signature sound since 1976. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/7 "2017-08-03T18:50:06Z")
Uh, .047 uf The decimal matters 😃 ---
**Author:** ![No\_Way\_Jose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@No\_Way\_Jose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Way_Jose)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/8 "2017-08-03T18:51:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Where’s the filter cap for the tone control? Typical value is 047μf [Got that over a month ago](http://i.imgur.com/is7ca8J.png). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/9 "2017-08-03T18:55:56Z")
Just wanted to check. Have you seen stewmac’s articles on tone controls? How they work and are wired? Stew Mac is a great resource. [http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online\_Resources/Learn\_About\_Guitar\_Pickups\_and\_Electronics\_and\_Wiring/How\_a\_tone\_control\_works.html](http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Guitar_Pickups_and_Electronics_and_Wiring/How_a_tone_control_works.html) [http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online\_Resources/Learn\_About\_Guitar\_Pickups\_and\_Electronics\_and\_Wiring/Which\_control\_pot\_to\_choose.html](http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Guitar_Pickups_and_Electronics_and_Wiring/Which_control_pot_to_choose.html) ---
**Author:** ![No\_Way\_Jose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@No\_Way\_Jose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Way_Jose)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/10 "2017-08-03T19:01:23Z")
Thanks, aceplace57… I’ll check them out and I appreciate the info. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/11 "2017-08-03T20:10:30Z")
The braided wire on the pickups is the negative (ground) and the inner is the positive. You want to tie all the grounds in the diagram to a single point, even something as simple as a short finishing nail tapped into a solid bit of the body in the inner cavity will work fine, especially if you copper tape the inside and access cover of the cavity so your grounding point makes solid contact with it . FWIW, the switches you have are double pole, double throw in the on position at the ends and off in the middle with each side being a single switch. 1 4 ON 2 5 OFF- Signal goes in here and comes out either end depending on sw. position 3 6 ON So in the up position signal would go from 2 to 1, and from 5 to 4. In the Down position the signal flows from 2 to 3, and from 5 to 6. Since you only need one pole to make the pickup turn off or on you only hook up the wire from the pick up to 2 (or 5) . The output can be either 1 or 3 (4 or 6). I can clarify further if it’ll help. I would also do as recommended above and practice on some other stuff until you are comfortable making nice, clean solder joints. ---
**Author:** ![No\_Way\_Jose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@No\_Way\_Jose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Way_Jose)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/12 "2017-08-03T20:47:42Z")
Thanks, Swampspruce. I believe I understand what you are saying regarding the switches but as you stated, I’m only using it as an on/off switch and will only utilize two of the points. As I stated there is a tremolo plate in another cavity that was being used as the ground but I think I might just keep it all in this cavity with the copper foil as you suggested. I know a few people who know how to solder so I may ask them for a favor and i"ll supervise and provide some adult beverages for afterwards. Thanks again everyone for the great advice/suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/13 "2017-08-03T21:54:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Uh, .047 uf > > The decimal matters 😃 You mean this isn’t what you had in mind? [![](https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/productImages/400/3e/3e534d71-cf06-451f-a596-fda2fb9306f2_400.jpg) ](https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/productImages/400/3e/3e534d71-cf06-451f-a596-fda2fb9306f2_400.jpg) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/14 "2017-08-03T21:59:50Z")
> [@No\_Way\_Jose](#): > > As I stated there is a tremolo plate in another cavity that was being used as the ground but I think I might just keep it all in this cavity with the copper foil as you suggested. If the guitar has a tremolo, then typically a ground wire is run to the tremolo plate, as is in your guitar. This will end up connecting the guitar strings electrically to ground, so as long as you are touching the strings or the tremolo or the bridge, your body will help to ground out the guitar and drastically reduce noise. There’s also a ground connection on the guitar’s jack, which connects through the guitar cable to the amplifier’s ground. Always make sure that your amplifier is grounded properly. If it’s not, then the amplifier ground can float up to the supply voltage, and you can get shocked and possibly killed while holding the guitar and touching anything that is electrically grounded. Do not disconnect that tremolo ground. It’s important. Guitars that don’t have a tremolo will typically have a ground connection to the bridge instead, which serves the same purpose. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-wire-my-electric-guitar/792702/15 "2017-08-04T15:18:47Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > You mean this isn’t what you had in mind? > > [http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/3e/3e534d71-cf06-451f-a596-fda2fb9306f2\_400.jpg](http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/3e/3e534d71-cf06-451f-a596-fda2fb9306f2_400.jpg) > > 😉 He’ll have to router out the cavity a bit to accommodate that…😃