Pots for Left Handed Les Paul

[joelorigo]

I want to re-wire my left handed Les Paul from modern to 50's. Looking inside the back cavity, the easiest thing looks like it would be taking the tone pots out and getting 2 new ones. However, the volume pots are 300k and I think I want to have 500k, so that means getting 4 new pots. Currently they are standard pots so they turn in the opposite direction for me than for all of you right handers. To get them going the same way for me, do I get 500k C pots? Or 500k A and wire the opposite way?

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Yeah you want 500k reverse log pots and as far as I'm aware the wiring is reversed from standard wiring diagrams. I don't know where you're based but just Google CTS 500k reverse log potentiometer and you'll get someone near you who stocks them. These guys are in the UK

CTS 450 Series guitar & bass potentiometer - 500kΩ reverse / left hand

We love CTS pots, and these are great left handed taper pots for you southpaws! Left handed taper? Well with audio taper pots, the sweep is directional unlike with linear taper pots which could be wired either way. These are true left handed audio taper CTS USA pots, and prove to be really...

www.homeoftone.co.uk

 

[joelorigo]

Thanks! I'll do it. Not sure if I need short or long shafts.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Which model les Paul do you have? It's easy enough to find out

 

[joelorigo]

1992 Custom.

 

[joelorigo]

Here is a photo of the back cavity. What's that thing in the center? I don't see it on LP wiring diagrams.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I'd take the plate out tbh when you rewire it and just use wires for grounding.

Gibson Les Pauls that take long shaft pots:
Standard's
Faded's
Classic's
Studio's
Traditional's
50's & 60's Tributes
Historic '68 Custom RI
1977-current Custom's
1977-current Deluxe's
1977-1982 Pro's

Gibson Les Pauls that take short shaft pots:
Historic R4/R5/R6/R7/R8/R9/R0
1952-1977 Standard's
1954-1977 Custom's
1968-1977 Deluxe's
Historic R7 Custom
The Paul's
Les Paul Special's
Les Paul Jr.'s

 

[joelorigo]

Thank you!

 

[joelorigo]

So now it seems like it would be easiest to de solder the pickups and switch, pull the electronics out and add new pots and capacitors. Yeah? Just like this?:



Except in my case it would look like this?:

 

[joelorigo]

It seems long shaft 500k reverse log pots are not as common as the regular ones but I did find some here:

CTS 500K Long Shaft Left-Handed Reverse Audio Potentiometer

Our customers kept asking us, “Why doesn't anyone have left-handed CTS Long Shaft pots?” Well, here ya go! True Reverse Audio Taper 3/4" Brass Bushing 24 Spline "fine" knurled, split shaft Ideal replacement potentiometers for many post-1973 Gibson Les Paul models, and other USA- made, thick...

www.nachomusic.com

They also have .022uf orange drop caps, which is what it seems all the 50's wiring harnesses come with. I don't know what the guitar has currently so I should probably get new ones. Are these fine?:

Orange Drop .022uf 200V Polypropylene Film/Foil Capacitor

.022uf ±5%, 200V, Great Clarity Made using the finest polypropylene film Tinned copper-clad leads Proven reliability As of October 2012, Cornell Dubilier has taken over production of Orange Drop capacitors from Sprague. As a result, your capacitor may be marked with either SBE or CDE.

www.nachomusic.com

Or these are way expensive - eek!:

Honeybee Paper-in-Oil Capacitor .022uF 200V

Made in USA - Oil filled, Kraft paper and extended foil construction - Sealed with epoxy resin end-fills - 24 AWG, Tin-coated, oxygen-free copper - Tolerance ±5% - Wax potted coating for a classic finish

www.nachomusic.com

Am I going to hear a difference? Or is that one of those forever debated topics?

 

[SillyOctpuss]

It seems long shaft 500k reverse log pots are not as common as the regular ones but I did find some here:

CTS 500K Long Shaft Left-Handed Reverse Audio Potentiometer

Our customers kept asking us, “Why doesn't anyone have left-handed CTS Long Shaft pots?” Well, here ya go! True Reverse Audio Taper 3/4" Brass Bushing 24 Spline "fine" knurled, split shaft Ideal replacement potentiometers for many post-1973 Gibson Les Paul models, and other USA- made, thick...

www.nachomusic.com

They also have .022uf orange drop caps, which is what it seems all the 50's wiring harnesses come with. I don't know what the guitar has currently so I should probably get new ones. Are these fine?:

Orange Drop .022uf 200V Polypropylene Film/Foil Capacitor

.022uf ±5%, 200V, Great Clarity Made using the finest polypropylene film Tinned copper-clad leads Proven reliability As of October 2012, Cornell Dubilier has taken over production of Orange Drop capacitors from Sprague. As a result, your capacitor may be marked with either SBE or CDE.

www.nachomusic.com

Or these are way expensive - eek!:

Honeybee Paper-in-Oil Capacitor .022uF 200V

Made in USA - Oil filled, Kraft paper and extended foil construction - Sealed with epoxy resin end-fills - 24 AWG, Tin-coated, oxygen-free copper - Tolerance ±5% - Wax potted coating for a classic finish

www.nachomusic.com

Am I going to hear a difference? Or is that one of those forever debated topics?

I've got both PIO and orange drops in guitars and honestly you won't hear a difference. Anytime I switch out a perfectly good cap for a PIO it's purely because they look cool.

 

[hamerfan]

I want to re-wire my left handed Les Paul from modern to 50's. Looking inside the back cavity, the easiest thing looks like it would be taking the tone pots out and getting 2 new ones. However, the volume pots are 300k and I think I want to have 500k, so that means getting 4 new pots. Currently they are standard pots so they turn in the opposite direction for me than for all of you right handers. To get them going the same way for me, do I get 500k C pots? Or 500k A and wire the opposite way?

I would not use log pots for volume. I don‘t like the audio taper on volume pots - only on tone pots, so i use linear pots or these special CTS TVT pots, which have a taper between linear and audio. For a linear pot left or right handed don‘t matter, you just have to wire them different.
If you are not a fiddler with pots (i set my pots and do not change them during a set), i doesn‘t matter at all.
I know there is a ongoing debate on Les Paul Forums about that.

 

[hamerfan]

Here is a photo of the back cavity. What's that thing in the center? I don't see it on LP wiring diagrams.

The thing in the middle is just a soldering terminal for the ground wires, it has no function and so does not appear in a schematic. Its like the star ground in amps, if you know that.

 

[andare]

Make sure you get the right pots too. CTS pots with a dimple are easy to turn, the flatbacks with a steel shaft aren't. And make sure you don't use linear for tone cause it it will act as an on/off switch.

For the cap only the value matters. If you can hear the difference between cap types your ears belong in a lab because you're the next step in evolution
Don't get ripped off!

 

[hamerfan]

Thank you!

If you are unsure what to do, you can also ask Jonesy. He is very responsive and does any kind of custom work (lefty). Highly recommended.

'59 Formvar Strat set

'59 Formvar Strat Pickups Jonesyblues '59 Formvar Strat Pickups Full length demo '59 Formvar Specs: Larger .195" Alnico 5 Magnets Vintage 1950's Fender Bevel Original Tall D Stagger 42 awg Heavy Formvar wire Neck 6.2K Ohms A5 Inductance 2.6 Henries Middle 6.3K Ohms A5 Inductance 2.6 Henries...

jonesyblues.com

 

[Deperduci]

only sillyness I'm gonna ask before goign back under my rock... WHY do you need a reverse rotation pot? clockwise and counter clockwise are the same which ever hand is on the fretboard...... I ask because either A) you can get by on cheaper knobs or B)spend the same cash and get even higher quality/longevity knobs for what to me feels like the scam pricing of changed orientation. Now, back to my rock, think the tubes are fully charged in the amp.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

only sillyness I'm gonna ask before goign back under my rock... WHY do you need a reverse rotation pot? clockwise and counter clockwise are the same which ever hand is on the fretboard...... I ask because either A) you can get by on cheaper knobs or B)spend the same cash and get even higher quality/longevity knobs for what to me feels like the scam pricing of changed orientation. Now, back to my rock, think the tubes are fully charged in the amp.

The pot taper is completely wrong for a left handed guitar. One of my friends is left handed and is always complaining about every major brand just using regular log pots wired up backwards. I don't see why manufacturers can't just use reverse log pots for their left handed instruments.

 

[joelorigo]

What makes it challenging for left handed folks is that there's no consistency in the market. My Fender and G&L turn CCW for volume up while my Gibsons go the opposite. So for right handers what I think should be a muscle-memory thing, I hesitate to think which way to tune the knob. If you're in the middle of a song and dealing with turning off and on pedals, it can be an extra hassle.

Thinking about this, based on the article in post #2, I'm going to decide which way I actually prefer it and move forward with that.

 

[Feral Feline]

I should play southpaw, but was forced to play righty.

If I'd been able to stick to my guns and play the way I should, lefty, I know I would want CCW for rolling on the volume.
Turning the pot towards the headstock for "more" just makes the most sense, but then again, maybe it only makes sense because that's what I'm now used to for righty.

 

[mnemonic]

Yeah you want 500k reverse log pots and as far as I'm aware the wiring is reversed from standard wiring diagrams. I don't know where you're based but just Google CTS 500k reverse log potentiometer and you'll get someone near you who stocks them. These guys are in the UK

CTS 450 Series guitar & bass potentiometer - 500kΩ reverse / left hand

We love CTS pots, and these are great left handed taper pots for you southpaws! Left handed taper? Well with audio taper pots, the sweep is directional unlike with linear taper pots which could be wired either way. These are true left handed audio taper CTS USA pots, and prove to be really...

www.homeoftone.co.uk

I’m a left also, back when I rewired my Les Paul studio (stupid backwards-turning stock pots) that site is the only one I could find long-shaft 500k reverse audio taper pots. Got some full-size alpha brand. CTS seem to not exist. Absolute unobtainium.

Looks like he still has them also

Alpha - Reverse / Left Handed audio taper pots - James' Home of Tone

AboutI've long stocked the CTS 'reverse' audio taper pots that are available, but in an effort to continue to offer...

www.homeoftone.co.uk

Fair warning though, they are stiff. I only used them for tone knobs though (I prefer linear for the volume) so I don’t really mind the stiffness.