Les Paul Deluxe 2015_instal second tonepot and keep the toggle boost switch

[sinnedc130]

Hi all,

I'm Dennis and new here.
I bought a Les Paul Deluxe 2015 Goldtop cheap secondhand, because I like the wide neck, the clear mini-buckers and the look of that goldtop.
Also....the finish of that guitar is exceptionally good ... compared to my neighbor's Gibson which was almost 3 times as expensive and where was still lacquered adhesive tape at the neck/body connection.

This guitar is a keeper for me, but NOT in its original state.
I also don't care about 'it has to be original' .. i like to change things to my liking.

When I bought it the tuning system was already removed and the standard tuners were changed for locking. Fine to me.


I did this myself…
1) Replace the brass nut with an African Elephant ivory one. (brass had signs of wear in G and B)
2) string butler mounted (strings now run straight through the nut, better tuning stability)

In progress…
3) On its way... ABM Roller Bridge 2400nickel brass for replacement TOM
4) On its way... ABM 3020 nickel aluminum with locking studs
5) On its way... knob pointers

6) HERE I ASK YOUR HELP OR OPINION
This deluxe 2015 has only 1 tone capacitor and its not efficient for both pickups.
I removed the cap and experimented with a bunch of old bumble bees, Black Beautys, Vitamine Q,drops, Cornell Dubilier, and about 100 other caps.
I'm not going to start the discussion whether other caps make a difference or not.... because they certainly do… that they drift definitely plays a part.
Point is... I am impressed by different caps for the neck and bridge position.
So I will definitely install a second tonepot. This can be done at the position where the mini toggle (boost) is now…

BUT I do NOT want to lose the toggle boost.
MY QUESTION TO YOU...
Where can I best place that mini toggle?
Or is there another option to toggle that boost?

Thank you in advance …
Dennis



Translated with Google

 

[metropolis]

Can you use a push-pull pot to switch the boost? That's how some other guitars like Ernie Ball do it.

 

[c_wester]

Push-pull for the switch.

 

[c_wester]

I changed my 2015 bridge with an ABM. It just killed the tone I put the original back in about 11 minutes.. Same on my SG. The titanium saddles are really really good.
But they need the slots filed. My Les Paul changed drastically with the correct slots.

 

[rockabilly69]

why a roller bridge, you planning on using a Bigsby????

 

[Wilko]

That goldtop doesn't have two a tone pot for each pickup?!

 

[Wilko]

where did you get (and would you want) african elephant ivory?

 

[metropolis]

That goldtop doesn't have two a tone pot for each pickup?!

Not the 2015's. One of the weird choices they made across a few other models too. The hole for the boost switch is in the right place it just needs reaming out to fit the pot (because I did it on mine).

 

[sinnedc130]

Thanks all for the response..

A second push-pull tonepot for the boost would be ideal.
That gives me the idea… to also replace the first tonepot for a push-pull for a Peter Green extra sound.
Diagrams for both ? Has anyone applied this to a PCB yet?

C-Wester… I hope I will like that ABM (brass) and not kill the tone. I'll let you know. To be continued.
I'll file the titanium slots for now.. see if that makes a difference.

Rockabilly69 …why roller .. if it's all recommended for a bigsby it will definitely improve tuning stability without + is brass + has recess to tailpiece allowing it to stay low.
I hope the tone doesn't get worse.. but it's worth a try.

Wilko .. trade in raw elephant ivory is banned in Europe.
From 19/01/2023 it will therefore no longer be possible to sell or buy these items in the EU.
Certificates can only be issued for musical instruments containing ivory dating before 1975 and containing ivory.

I can get small pieces (surplus to carry out repairs) from a retired repairer of the Africa Museum Tervuren (B) , which is ivory from before 1975. They didn't kill an elephant for me
In any case, I'm happy that it replaces the nut. If I didn't have ivory I would definitely have used bone.


Photos..
1. String Butler version 2 .. with minor adjustments for the tuners (holes slightly enlarged + lips shortened) Doesn't look so clean, but is an improvement.
2. Original brass nut with tuning problem due to notches, especially the G and B string
3. Ivory nut… works in progress.

Translated with Google.

 

[c_wester]

Thanks all for the response..

A second push-pull tonepot for the boost would be ideal.
That gives me the idea… to also replace the first tonepot for a push-pull for a Peter Green extra sound.
Diagrams for both ? Has anyone applied this to a PCB yet?

C-Wester… I hope I will like that ABM (brass) and not kill the tone. I'll let you know. To be continued.
I'll file the titanium slots for now.. see if that makes a difference.

Rockabilly69 …why roller .. if it's all recommended for a bigsby it will definitely improve tuning stability without + is brass + has recess to tailpiece allowing it to stay low.
I hope the tone doesn't get worse.. but it's worth a try.

Wilko .. trade in raw elephant ivory is banned in Europe.
From 19/01/2023 it will therefore no longer be possible to sell or buy these items in the EU.
Certificates can only be issued for musical instruments containing ivory dating before 1975 and containing ivory.

I can get small pieces (surplus to carry out repairs) from a retired repairer of the Africa Museum Tervuren (B) , which is ivory from before 1975. They didn't kill an elephant for me
In any case, I'm happy that it replaces the nut. If I didn't have ivory I would definitely have used bone.


Photos..
1. String Butler version 2 .. with minor adjustments for the tuners (holes slightly enlarged + lips shortened) Doesn't look so clean, but is an improvement.
2. Original brass nut with tuning problem due to notches, especially the G and B string
3. Ivory nut… works in progress.

Translated with Google.

Yes, you should try my everything, my guitar does not have to react like yours.

 

[metropolis]

I can get small pieces (surplus to carry out repairs) from a retired repairer of the Africa Museum Tervuren (B) ,

It's a small world - I lived in Jezus-Eik for 5 years.

 

[Wilko]

string butler is a tone sucker, IMNSHO. Any added mass kills overtones. id rather have as much angle as possible on tring bearing surfaces. Better pressure to wood.

African Elephant Ivory is banned everywhere, and I'm not sure it's any better than bone for a nut. Isn't it heavier and more dense?

 

[Amp360]

Push/Pull would work but go full 70s and drill a hole for a mini toggle!

 

[Wilko]

Push/Pull would work but go full 70s and drill a hole for a mini toggle!

yep. Goes right between the two knobs.

 

[sinnedc130]

yep. Goes right between the two knobs.

looks good.. how are they connected?

yep. Goes right between the two knobs.

 

[sinnedc130]

string butler is a tone sucker, IMNSHO. Any added mass kills overtones. id rather have as much angle as possible on tring bearing surfaces. Better pressure to wood.

African Elephant Ivory is banned everywhere, and I'm not sure it's any better than bone for a nut. Isn't it heavier and more dense?

To my ears ... the stringbutler is a winner and not a tonesucker, but a new nut with straight string guide is required.

About tone suckers ... I installed Domed US Locking Tailpiece Mounting Studs Nickel from Crazy Parts last week. Passing was better, clamping worked well... BUT my tone was literally dead.
These studs are lighter than the standarts. The standarts have a 'kling' which these don't have and that is clearly audible. This locking studs are NOT a upgrade.

About ivory.
Weight is comparable to bone. Bone has pores and wears faster. Ivory has the grain of wood but has the density of soft metal.

translated with Google

 

[Wilko]

looks good.. how are they connected?

Series/parallel.