Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram – The Ultimate Guide

Jimmy Page is known for his mesmerizing guitar skills and innovative guitar modifications. His guitar, famously known as the “Number One,” is considered one of the most iconic guitars in rock history. The guitar features a unique wiring setup that allows Page to create a wide range of tones and sounds that became his signature style. In this article, we will dive deep into the Jimmy Page wiring diagram and discover how you can recreate this legendary electric guitar setup on your own guitar.

What is the Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram?

The Jimmy Page wiring diagram is a modification of the traditional Les Paul wiring setup. Jimmy Page was looking for a way to increase tonal versatility and create unique sounds on his guitar. He came up with a wiring modification that allows him to switch between different pickup combinations, add a coil tap option, and even phase reverse the pickups. This wiring diagram became popular among guitar enthusiasts and is often referred to as the “Jimmy Page wiring.”

The wiring diagram consists of four push-pull pots and a three-way toggle switch. Each potentiometer controls a specific function, and by pulling or pushing them, you can activate or deactivate the selected function. The diagram is relatively easy to install and can be performed by experienced guitarists or guitar technicians.

The Components of the Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram

Before we dive into the diagram, let’s take a quick look at the components of the Jimmy Page wiring setup:

Component Description
Pickup Selector Switch A three-way toggle switch that selects the neck, bridge, or both pickups simultaneously.
Volume Pots Two push-pull pots that allow you to switch between series and parallel wiring for the pickups.
Tone Pots Two push-pull pots that activate coil tapping for the pickups.

How to Wire the Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram?

Wiring the Jimmy Page diagram requires some intermediate guitar knowledge and soldering skills. If you are not confident with your skills, we recommend consulting a professional guitar technician.

Tools and Parts Required

Here are the tools and parts you will need to wire the Jimmy Page wiring diagram:

  • Soldering iron
  • Solder wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire stripper
  • Small flathead screwdriver
  • Les Paul wiring harness

Wiring Instructions

Here are the wiring instructions for the Jimmy Page wiring diagram:

  1. Start by removing the strings and pickups from your guitar.
  2. Remove the control cavity cover and unscrew the old wiring harness from the guitar body.
  3. Attach the new wiring harness to the guitar body and solder the wires to the output jack, volume pots, and tone pots.
  4. Solder the pickup wires according to the Jimmy Page wiring diagram.
  5. Connect the ground wire to the back of the volume potentiometer and the bridge.
  6. Test the wiring by plugging in your guitar and playing through an amplifier.
  7. Replace the control cavity cover and restring your guitar.

FAQs

What is Coil Tapping?

Coil tapping is a technique used to change the output of a guitar pickup by tapping into a portion of the coil windings. This technique allows you to create a single-coil sound from a humbucker pickup and produce a brighter, cleaner tone. The Jimmy Page wiring diagram includes two push-pull pots that activate coil tapping for each humbucker pickup.

What is Phase Reversal?

Phase reversal is a technique that changes the polarity of a pickup. This technique results in a slightly different sound and can be used to further enhance the tonal variety of your guitar. The Jimmy Page wiring diagram includes a push-pull pot that allows you to reverse the phase of one of the pickups.

What are the Benefits of Using the Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram?

The Jimmy Page wiring diagram allows you to create a wide range of tonal options and sounds that are unique to your guitar. By adding push-pull pots to your guitar, you can switch between different pickup combinations, add coil tapping, and phase reversal. This setup is perfect for musicians who want to explore different musical genres and styles.

Do I Need to Modify my Guitar to Use the Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram?

The Jimmy Page wiring diagram requires some modifications to your guitar’s controls and wiring. You will need to replace the old wiring harness with a new one that includes four push-pull pots and a three-way toggle switch. If you are comfortable with soldering and wiring, you can wire your guitar yourself. However, if you are not confident with your skills, we recommend consulting a professional guitar technician to perform the modifications.

Can I Install the Jimmy Page Wiring Diagram on Any Guitar?

The Jimmy Page wiring diagram is designed to fit on Gibson Les Paul guitars. However, with some modifications, you can install this wiring diagram on any guitar that has two humbucker pickups and a similar wiring setup. Some guitar manufacturers even offer the Jimmy Page wiring diagram as a standard option on their guitars.

Conclusion

The Jimmy Page wiring diagram is a unique and innovative modification that allows guitarists to create a wide variety of tonal options and sounds. With this wiring setup, you can switch between different pickup combinations, add coil tapping, and phase reversal. The modifications require some intermediate guitar knowledge and soldering skills. However, with the right tools and parts, you can wire your guitar to replicate the legendary “Number One” guitar sound.