Les Paul® Install

ObsidianWire Vintage MKII for Les Paul®

  • Easy. Not Instant.

    For a secure connection, take your time, and follow directions carefully.

The Complete Guide to Wiring your Les Paul

Here you will find

  • A layout guide
  • Wiring diagrams
  • An install demo
  • Install instructions
  • A braided wire guide
  • Links to more helpful info
ObsidianWire for Les Paul hole spacing & layout guide

Will It Fit?

Layout Guide: ObsidianWire for Les Paul®

Fits most genuine Gibson Les Pauls.

Fits most Epiphone Les Pauls with hole size and knob adjustments (Requires 9.52mm Hole & US Spec 24 Spline Knobs)

Always Check Hole Layout
(Measure from inside cavity)

  • Hole Size: 9.52mm (3/8”)
  • Cavity Depth: Minimum 32mm (1.26”)
  • Pot Length: Long Shaft 19mm (3/4") - Can be used in Epiphone with included height adjustment nuts
  • Knob Size:  Split Shaft 24 Spline US SPEC ONLY
  • Switch Tip: Metric M3.5 x .6 thread

DOWNLOAD LAYOUT GUIDE

Wiring Diagrams for Les Paul®

  • MKII for Les Paul®

    Four Conductor Pickups

    1 = Neck Hot
    2 = Neck Ground
    3 = Neck Series 1
    4 = Neck Series 2
    5 = Bridge Hot
    6 = Bridge Ground
    7 = Bridge Series 1
    8 = Bridge Series 2
    9 = Switch Red
    10 = Switch Green (or Yellow)
    11 = Switch White
    12 = Switch Black
    13 = Output White
    14 = Output Black

  • MKII for Les Paul®

    Two Conductor Pickups

    1 = Neck Hot
    2 = Empty
    3 = Empty
    4 = Empty
    5 = Bridge Hot
    6 = Empty
    7 = Empty
    8 = Empty
    9 = Switch Red
    10 = Switch Green (or Yellow)
    11 = Switch White
    12 = Switch Black
    13 = Output White
    14 = Output Black

    For extra help with vintage braided wires see our guide below

  • CUSTOM SC

    Four Conductor Pickups

    1 = Neck Hot
    2 = Neck Series 1
    3 = Neck Series 2
    4 = Bridge Hot
    5 = Bridge Series 1
    6 = Bridge Series 2
    7 = Switch Red
    8 = Switch Green (or Yellow)
    9 = Switch White
    10 = Switch Black
    11 = Output White
    12 = Output Black

    Pickup and other grounds to ground posts

  • CUSTOM SC

    Two Conductor Pickups

    1 = Neck Hot
    2 = Empty
    3 = Empty
    4 = Bridge Hot
    5 = Empty
    6 = Empty
    7 = Switch Red
    8 = Switch Green (or Yellow)
    9 = Switch White
    10 = Switch Black
    11 = Output White
    12 = Output Black

    Pickup and other grounds to ground posts
    For extra help with vintage braided wires see our guide below

Getting Ready

  • 1) Check the fit

    • Check the Pro-Wired Electronics will fit your Les Paul.
    • You can print the below diagram as a guide. Be sure to print this to 100% scale.
    • Ensure - control holes are 3/8" / 9.52mm.
    • Ensure - Knobs are US Spec 24 Spline models. Metric or Import models will damage your harness.
    • DOWNLOAD LES PAUL LAYOUT DIAGRAM

  • 2) Find your diagram

    • Find the appropriate install wiring diagram above.
    • These diagrams are specific to each product so ensure you use the correct one.

  • 3) Identify your pickup wires

    • Checkout our guide for popular pickup builders below.
    • For those not listed, you can use your pickup builders install manual to identify the correct wires.
    • PICKUP COLOUR CODES

Remove Your old Harness

  • 4) Clip the wires

    • Clip the pickup, ground output jack and switch wires from the harness.
    • Cut these cleanly, and as close to possible to the existing wiring harness, to ensure there is enough length to reach your new Pro-Wired Electronics.

  • 5) Remove knobs

    • Gently remove your knobs from the harness.
    • Undo all of the existing mounting nuts for the control pots (potentiometers), switch and jack. 

  • 6) Remove old wiring

    • Remove the pots, jack and switch from your guitar and set them aside.

Install Your New Harness

  • 7) Set nut height

    • Set the nut height on your control pots.
    • The correct height will depend on your cavities depth.
    • As a guide set the nuts around halfway for an Epiphone® or just a touch off the harness for a Gibson®. 

  • 8) Install the switch

    • Feed the wire through the body so the cable reaches through to the control cavity.
    • This should be pushed through, not pulled. Pulling can cause the cable jacket to slip off.
    • Install the switch & secure with the hardware provided.

  • 9) Install the jack

    • Secure your new jack to the jack plate.
    • Feed the cable through the jack cavity.
    • Fix the jack plate to the body.

Install The Wires

  • 10) Prepare the wires

    • Strip pickup and ground wire insulation leaving 6mm (1/4”) of bare wire.
    • Be Precise
    • Twist loose strands of wire between your fingers to create a firm tip.

  • 11) Press & hold connector button

    • Use a fine screw driver to press and hold the connector button above the wire slot.
    • For a full guide on using the solder-less connectors, check below
    • FULL CONNECTOR GUIDE

  • 12) Insert wire & release button

    • Insert the wire to the correct slot at a 45° angle.
    • Release the button and the wire should hold firmly.
    • Test the wire by giving it a gentle pull before moving on to the next wire.

  • 13) Insert ground wires

    • Insert ground wires to the screw down connectors and screw down to secure.
    • These connectors can handle multiple wires.

  • 14) Enjoy...

    • Re-assemble your guitar with knobs and back plate, and enjoy...

Install Demo

Vintage braided pickup wire being installed correctly in an ObsidianWire harness for Les Paul

A Guide For

Vintage Braided Wire

ObsidianWire Pro-Wired Electronics for Les Paul® are designed to also work perfectly with vintage style braided shield cable. For these pickups:

  • Inner core wire = Hot
  • Outer Braid = Ground

Strip the outer braid (ground) from the end of the cable, to ensure good separation from the inner core (hot).

The entire cable can then be fed through the screw down ground connector.

More Help?