Re : Les Paul Standard 2008 pots!!

[guitarworld]

Hi Forum,

 

Just wondering are the pots on the standard 2008 really plug in? I read this on a review, where they mention that they actually are, but they look soldered in on my Guitar!! Also the pots on my Guitar, which was made in 2009, also have Gibson written on them, and are not gold looking but black, as on other pictures i've seen.

 

Just curious!!

[Guest BentonC]

hi guitarworld,

The pot lugs are actually soldered to the PCB. There was a small design change to the pots in mid-2009, so you won't see the gold backcasing on them from that time and onward.

[guitarworld]

Hi bentonC,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Firstly, This is my first LPS, and it is a beautiful instrument. It also sounds so good. I am however a little bewildered by the PCB/pot issue.

 

Concerning the Pots, does this mean that they will not be easily replaceable? Also are the pots still low noise high quality "bourns" types? I would find it very disappointing if I could not replace the pots when needed, say on upgrading the Pickups, and if they were now not the same quality as in 2008 when the guitar was launched. All Gibson sales literature I have read prior to buying this guitar gives a different picture to what I now know. I wonder if I bought the right guitar or not, maybe I should have bought the traditional. At least then I'd have something genuine in a Gibson Guitar.

[guitarworld]

Hi bentonC,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Firstly, This is my first LPS, and it is a beautiful instrument. It also sounds so good. I am however a little bewildered by the PCB/pot issue.

 

Concerning the Pots, does this mean that they will not be easily replaceable? Also are the pots still low noise high quality "bourns" types? I would find it very disappointing if I could not replace the pots when needed, say on upgrading the Pickups, and if they were now not the same quality as in 2008 when the guitar was launched. All Gibson sales literature I have read prior to buying this guitar gives a different picture to what I now know. I wonder if I bought the right guitar or not, maybe I should have bought the traditional. At least then I'd have something genuine in a Gibson Guitar.

 

Taylor 424ce-SL (2007).

Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008 (Iced Tea)

Marshall AS100D Acoustic Combo.

Mesa Boogie Express 5/50 112 Combo.

[Yaff]

If your not happy and want to replace the pots, I suggest you also replace the PCP. You can cut the connectors off the Pickup and switches and solder them in the same way you would with any other LP.

 

I must admit, I can not see why you want to replace the pots, as they are quality parts and I think you would struggle to find anything significantly better.

 

The Pickups plug in, but as I believe Gibson don`t supply alternatives with the connectors, if you want to change them, you would simply cut the connector off the stock pickup and solder it on your new Pickup cable. That way you would not need to replace the PCB.

 

I personally think that apart form the locking jack (with is only a minor pain), Gibson has got the 08 Standard spot on. The only work I have had completed, was a quality Pro Set Up and added strap locks.

 

So if you want to make changes to the components, you can, but I think you should just enjoy it as it is. If you do make any changes, please post the results, as it would be interesting to know if it was time any money well spent.

[guitarworld]

Thanks for the reply Yaff,

 

As I originally said I am very pleased with the Les Paul , I love the neck profile and all the other refinements!!

 

I was not advocating ripping the pots out, as I feel the PCB layout is a major improvement in reducing noise in the guitars circuitry, (as with the pots). I am certainly not going to butcher such a beautifully well made instrument. I've only had the Guitar 3 weeks, and it was never played before I got it!

 

Thank you for your suggestions which have been duly noted.

 

I have booked "her" in for a pro setup and I am fitting some quality strap locks. This guitar is and will always be the favourite guitar in my collection.

 

Thanks again,

[Guest BentonC]

To address your concern- the pots are still indeed the very high quality Bourns models.

 

The nature of our current wiring really demands that these pots be soldered in. The pots are an extremely crucial component to the signal flow, and soldering is the best option in order to maintain the fidelity of sound. You might be able to find someone skilled in electronics who could remove these for you, but as Yaff suggested, it may be easier to remove the PCB entirely and rewire with new components- point to point.

 

(I do however think you'd be sorely disappointed with replacement pots on your guitar though. The pots in these guitars are of a quality that the guitar industry really hasn't seen before. Very cool advancement for such a simple component!)

 

Glad you're enjoying the new guitar!