Les Paul Ultra

[Jonty]

Hello everyone, long time since I posted but I hope someone can help.

I've been given a Les Paul Ultra to fix up by someone at work. I didn't even know these things existed until I was given it but they seem to be very unusual guitars.

It has the conventional humbuckers plus a NanoMag acoustic pickup sitting behind the last fret.

My question is - how are these things supposed to work? It works fine conventionally, with the cable plugged into the mono socket, but I can't seem to get the NanoMag to work. I've connected the "Stereo" output to an amp but I only get a very faint sound. I know the inputs look a mess at the minute but all connections seem to be OK. The toggle switch wasn't working initially but I've fixed that. There's a new battery in the battery compartment. Am I missing something?

 

[Biddlin]

I know the inputs look a mess at the minute but all connections seem to be OK...Am I missing something?

A damp rag, perhaps. The nanomag uses a preamp, that's what the battery is for so I'd check the battery connections and contacts, and with the obvious damage to the jacks, I'd make sure they are solidly wired. contact Epiphone for a wiring diagram, if possible.

 

[Space1999]

It looks like by the schematic on the jack plating that you would have to plug in both jacks in to get the full “stereo” output.

It sounded like you just plugged in one cable to the nano-mag jack. That won’t work because it is part of a balanced circuit at that point and expects to see the other side.

It would be like you described, a faint sound. Like unplugging a stereo cable partially.

Hope that helps.

Pat

 

[Paruwi]

If you use the 'mono' output you can blend in (3 Vol pots - 1 Master-Tone) the nanomag to your humbucker pickups and go in your 'regular' amp

If you connect the 'stereo' nanomag output to an acoustic amp or into PA you'll basicly have a second guitarsound available
because the regular humbuckers still go into your regular amp

Electronics:

• Alnico Classic & Classic Plus pickups
• 1 Bridge & 1 Neck Volume
• 1 Nano-Mag Volume
• 1 Master Tone control

Nano-Mag:

• 1 Shadow Nano-Mag pickup mounted to fingerboard
• Bass, Treble & Gain controls on back of guitar
• Mono & Stereo output jacks
• 9 volt battery

here is the manual with wiring diagram

 

[Jonty]

It looks like by the schematic on the jack plating that you would have to plug in both jacks in to get the full “stereo” output.

It sounded like you just plugged in one cable to the nano-mag jack. That won’t work because it is part of a balanced circuit at that point and expects to see the other side.

It would be like you described, a faint sound. Like unplugging a stereo cable partially.

Hope that helps.

Pat

It does help - thanks very much!

 

[Jonty]

If you use the 'mono' output you can blend in (3 Vol pots - 1 Master-Tone) the nanomag to your humbucker pickups and go in your 'regular' amp

If you connect the 'stereo' nanomag output to an acoustic amp or into PA you'll basicly have a second guitarsound available
because the regular humbuckers still go into your regular amp

Electronics:

• Alnico Classic & Classic Plus pickups
• 1 Bridge & 1 Neck Volume
• 1 Nano-Mag Volume
• 1 Master Tone control

Nano-Mag:

• 1 Shadow Nano-Mag pickup mounted to fingerboard
• Bass, Treble & Gain controls on back of guitar
• Mono & Stereo output jacks
• 9 volt battery

here is the manual with wiring diagram

That's brilliant, thanks for wiring diagram. I've managed to get the NanoMag working, just need to get it looking a bit more presentable now.

 

[Space1999]

That's brilliant, thanks for wiring diagram. I've managed to get the NanoMag working, just need to get it looking a bit more presentable now.

LOL I was noticing that it looked like this guy pulled it out of his shed or something. Definitely has not been shown any love in a long time.

That is a seriously nice guitar with a figured AAA maple top.
Get that beast shining again!

Pat

 

[Space1999]

And don’t forget to bring us pictures.

Did you have a chance to check with Epiphone about possibly sourcing a replacement for the cracked jack plate?

Pat