Epiphone Les Paul Special-II GT | Part 3

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Les Paul Special-II GT | Electronics

The electronics on this Epiphone Les Paul Special-II GT comprise two Epiphone/BHC humbuckers wired to an Epiphone three-way toggle switch, a master volume control, a master tone control, and an Epiphone mono open frame output jack. 

• Neck Pickup: Epiphone 650R, DCR 12.15K
• Bridge Pickup: Epiphone 700T, DCR 18.16K
• Controls:
• B500K Master Volume
• Integrated A500K Master Tone/Momentary Kill Switch
• 0.022uF Polypropylene Tone Cap
• Pickup Selector: Epiphone Three-Way Toggle
• Output Jack: Epiphone 1/4"

The master tone control also functions as a momentary kill switch. This switch is spring-loaded, and integrated into the bottom of the tone pot. Pressing down on the tone knob momentarily mutes the guitar's output. Then, as soon as you take your finger off the knob, it pops back to the way it was before you touched it; and output is restored.

Les Paul Special-II GT | Wiring Diagram

As we're discussing electronics, a wiring diagram would be a good start. In the image below, the grey, red and blue lines represent hot [+] wires; and all the black lines, grounds [-]. Also note that the bridge ground from the casing of the master volume pot is soldered directly onto the tremolo claw, and that the '223' on the tone capacitor signifies a value of 0.022uF.

Epiphone Les Paul Special-II GT Wiring Diagram

 

Les Paul Special-II GT | Pickups

Let's move on to the pickups, shall we? This guitar features two fully functioning Epiphone/BHC open coil humbuckers, a 650R in the neck position, and a 700T in the bridge. I've also taken the liberty of measuring the DCR of both pickups, just in case anyone's interested.

Neck and Bridge Humbuckers

Epiphone/BHC 650R Neck Humbucker

Neck Humbucker DCR is 12.15K

Epiphone/BHC 700T Bridge Humbucker

Bridge Humbucker DCR is 18.16K

Les Paul Special-II GT | Control Cavity

We're now looking into the control cavity, which is shielded with conductive paint. There should also be a foil-shielded control cavity cover, but it's missing. Next, let's focus on cables, starting with those two red ones. The first, plainly visible, is the neck humbucker cable. The second, which is partially hidden, connects the toggle switch output to the input of the master volume pot. 

Control Cavity Wiring

What's that black cable, then? Well, that's the bridge humbucker cable. Next is a grey cable, which connects the master volume pot output to the kill switch. Following this, we have a blue cable. This cable connects the toggle switch output to the input of the master tone pot. Finally, in the bottom right-hand corner, there's a short grey cable, which sends the signal from the kill switch to the output jack.      

Les Paul Special-II GT | Master Volume

The master volume control is a full-sized linear taper 500K pot, as indicated by the 'B500K' marking. Although there's dirt and tarnish all over, all soldered connections are secure and the pot functions as it should. This pot shall be retained after servicing.

B500K Master Volume Pot

Master Volume Pot Wiring

Les Paul Special-II GT | Toggle Switch

The Epiphone three-way toggle switch is missing half of its switch tip stem and the tip itself. So, screwing on a replacement switch tip is a no-go. To make matters worse, the switch itself functions intermittently, even after repeated servicing. This switch will definitely be replaced.

Epiphone Three-Way Toggle Switch

Toggle Switch Wiring

Les Paul Special-II GT | Master Tone

The master tone control is an audio taper A500K mini pot coupled to a 0.022uF [223] polypropylene tone capacitor, and forms the top half of the integrated master tone/kill switch unit. Notice that white wire from the blue cable? Well, that's the wire that carries the hot signal from the toggle switch to the input lug of the tone pot. As the master tone operates normally, it shall be retained after servicing.

A500K Master Tone Pot - Top View

A500K Master Tone Pot - Side View

Input Lug of Master Tone Pot

0.022uF Tone Capacitor

Les Paul Special-II GT | Kill Switch

This switch is, as mentioned previously, spring-loaded; and constitutes the bottom half of the integrated master tone/kill switch unit. It functions as it should, and shall be retained after servicing. For your convenience, I've snapped a close-up of the underside of the kill switch PCB. You can clearly see two white wires soldered to a single solder point on the PCB. One inputs the hot signal from the master volume pot, while the other sends the hot signal from the kill switch to the output jack.

Kill Switch Housing

Kill Switch PCB

Les Paul Special-II GT | Output Jack

The output jack on this Epiphone Les Paul Special-II GT is encrusted with a whitish powder, namely; salt. Despite repeated servicing and manual manipulation of the tip, contact is intermittent; and the signal to the amplifier keeps cutting in and out. As such, the only option would be to replace the jack. 

Epiphone Mono Output Jack