Need Help on Wiring Duncan Design HB-102 Humbuckers(Done With Pixs)

[Platefire]

I picked these up cheap used and am going to install them in my Epiphone LP Special as an upgrade over the existing ceramic PU's. The pickups have four wires Green, red, white and black. The black wire has non-insulated braded wire wrapped around the outside of the black wire with stranded wire inside the black insulation(2 wires).

OK-I know the red and white wires tie the two separate coils together and are generally tied together if your not going to do any coil tapping. I'm not, so the red and white should be tied together. I got that.

That leaves the green or black wire as hot output that would go to the switch. I couldn't find a wiring diagram for my Duncan Design HB-102's but found a wiring diagram for a Symore Duncan HB but don't know if it would be the same being one is made in the USA and the other is China. I could use some help on which---green or black goes to switch as output and which one goes to pot body as ground??? Thanks, Platefire

[G._Hoffman]

I'm reasonably sure it will be the same as a real Duncan - though I can't be completely sure.  One thing to try is to see what the DC resistance is between each wire.  If you don't have the two wires tied together you can easily figure out which pairs of wires go together.  If the colors pair up like in the diagram, you're golden. 


Gabriel

[Platefire]

Gabriel, thanks!

Well let me share what I turned up from the Telecaster forum "just pickups" from a wiring diagram from a tele squire vintage modified with a DD 102 neck pickup. It shows the green going to switch and the black going to ground as per attached link:

http://support.fender.com/service_di..._Tele_SISD.pdf

So my thought is since I can mount my replacement pickups in their slots and run their wiring to the existing electronics access in the back of guitar---I could make temporary mechanical connections to switch/pots for testing purposes with a MM and through an amp to see whats working before soldering it up. But according to the attached link diagram, main lead connections are just opposite the previous SD diagram. Platefire 

[Platefire]

I will be doing the mod in a few days to install these pickups in the sunburst LP Special plus changing the trim theme from black to cream. Got all the parts on hand, just need to do it. Will post pictures when done. Platefire

[HotBluePlates]

But according to the attached link diagram, main lead connections are just opposite the previous SD diagram.

As long as both pickups are the same, and both are wired the same way, it shouldn't matter which is the hot or ground. The important thing is that you pick the same color to mean "hot" on both so the pickups aren't out of phase when both are on.

[Platefire]

Thanks HBP

That's kinda what I was thinking based on previous comments but nobody would come out and say it. Got it! Thanks, Platefire

[Platefire]

Well got r dun Wednesday. Had to deal with mounting the new cream trim PU rings, switch plate, switch tip and jack plate.
It all fit well except the cream switch tip threads didn't fit(larger Diameter), so I put the original black tip back on.

The pickup wired up pretty easy. Wired the greens leads to the switch terms and the two grounds to the side of the switch housing just like the old pickups were wired.

Wow! What a difference for the better in appearance and sound. I've been debating in my mind rather to pull the switch plate off or not. I kinda feel it would look better with it off. Anyway here are some pixs before and after. Platefire