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Guitar pickups are basically the number one thing shaping the tone of your guitar.
That being the case, the wiring can also play a part in your guitar’s performance, and certainly its tone.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at the best wiring kits, solderless and soldering iron varieties, to help you find the best option for your instrument.
Table of Contents
920D Custom S5W-HSS Upgraded HSS Wiring With 5 Way Super Switch For S Style Guitars
920D Custom offers several options depending on the type of guitar you’re using as well as the upgrade you’re looking for.
The S5W-HSS Upgraded HSS Wiring Kit is for S style guitars. HSS stands for humbucker (bridge), single coil (middle), single coil (neck), meaning this kit is for guitars with that specific configuration.
The five-way super switch allows you to spilt coil between the humbucker and middle pickup.
Buyers said this kit worked well in Kramer guitars as well as Fender Stratocasters. They liked the quality as well as easy installation.
We couldn’t find any negative reviews of substance.
Item weight: 4.8 ounces
Package Dimensions: 4.8 x 2.3 x 1.8 inches
920D Custom SG50-PIO Upgraded Replacement Wiring For Gibson SG Style Guitars
Here’s another 920D custom solution. This one was made specifically as replacement writing for Gibson SG style guitars.
The kit comes with four 450G series CTS 500K pots, one Switchcraft three-way right-angle toggle, two blue paper oil tone capacitors, and one pure tone output jack.
Manufacturer claims this kit will give your guitar the classic sound of a vintage SG.
Buyers said it made their guitar come alive and loved the quality of the product.
Others said it didn’t perfectly fit their SG, so it’s worth checking the specs before committing.
Item weight: 6.4 ounces
Package Dimensions: 6 x 4.7 x 2 inches
EMG Solderless Wiring Kit For 1 – 2 Active Pickups
Some of our readers are sure to have active pickups, and if that is the case, this could be just the thing.
Here we have the EMG solderless writing kit, which comes with two volume pots, two tone pots, 12b output jack with battery clip, output cable, four interconnect cables, and three pickup cables.
Many users found this solderless kit easy to install and said it was a great upgrade overall.
Some users were concerned about failing wires, but they were in the minority.
Item weight: 3.52 ounces
Package Dimensions: 2.65 x 4.55 x 0.95 inches
920D Custom S5W-BL Upgraded 5 Way Wiring With Blender Pot For S Style Guitar
The 920D Custom S5W-BL wiring harness comes with a 250k master volume, 250k master tone, and a 250k “no-load” blender pot, which allows you to blend in the tone of the neck pickup when you’re in the bridge position. The kit comes with a standard five-way switch.
Again, the wiring is for S style guitars, so if you’ve got a different guitar type, you’ll want to scan our list for other options.
Buyers loved this easy and affordable upgrade.
Item weight: 4.8 ounces
Package Dimensions: 6 x 4.4 x 1.1 inches
920D Custom S7W Upgraded 7 Way Wiring Harness Mod For S Style Guitars
The 920D Custom S7W seven-way wiring harness mod is for S style guitars.
In case you missed that, this turns your standard five-way guitar into a seven-way, giving you two additional pickup configurations.
With the addition of the push/pull pot, you get the option of 1) having the bridge and neck on simultaneously, and 2) having all three pickups on at the same time.
If you’re looking to explore new tones and want to stand out from the crowd, this wiring kit might just give you access to something never experienced before.
This kit comes with two 920D Custom 450G Series CTS 250K pots, a Bourns push/pull 250K pot, genuine CRL USA five-way switch, 0.022 Sprague Electric Orange Drop capacitor, and one pure tone output jack.
Buyers found this wiring harness versatile and fun and loved the craftsmanship of it too.
Although they were in the minority, some users had issues with quality control. If you end up with defective kit, always send it back for replacement.
Item weight: 4.6 ounces
Package Dimensions: 5.83 x 4.61 x 2.09 inches
920D Custom Shop Les Paul Pre-Wired Harness Orange Drop Caps & Long Shaft CTS
This 920D Custom pre-wired harness is for Les Paul style guitars.
This harness comes with Orange Drop capacitors, which claim to give your guitar a vintage style tone, combined with the reduced treble cut.
Included are four 920D custom 450G series 500K long shaft pots, two 0.022 Sprague Electric Orange Drop capacitors, and one pure tone output jack.
Users loved the rich sound offered by this kit, and noted it was easy to install.
The kit doesn’t come with a three-way switch and input jack, and some less positive reviewers thought it should.
Item weight: 5.6 ounces
Package Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 2 inches
ToneShaper Guitar Wiring Kit For ES-335
Here we have the ToneShaper Guitar Wiring Kit for ES-335 guitars.
This kit comes with OEM component brands, and CTS 500K audio-taper, low-torque pots with ½” bushing lengths. Also included are all the hardware you need to get set up, and a professional wiring diagram.
The ToneShaper kit should work for U.S. made guitars, but if you’re using an imported guitar, you may need to make a modification (hole enlargement).
Users loved the parts and wiring diagram. They even found it easy to install.
Item weight: 5.6 ounces
Package Dimensions: 5.2 x 4.88 x 0.55 inches
ToneShaper Guitar Wiring Kit For Fender HSS Stratocaster
This ToneShaper guitar wiring kit is for Fender HSS Stractocasters (that means humbucker, single coil, single coil).
It comes with a 500k volume pot for the bridge, and 250k for positions two through give. You also get a professional wiring diagram. The tone control is for bridge pickup use only.
Users said the wiring kit was well made and exactly as expected. They loved the wiring diagram as well.
Some reviewers found the instructions insufficient, but there weren’t too many of them.
Item weight: 3.99 ounces
Package Dimensions: 8 x 1.4 x 6 inches
ToneShaper SSS1 Guitar Wiring Kit For Fender Stratocaster
For standard Strat style guitars, we’ve got the ToneShaper SSS1 guitar wiring kit.
The Blender wiring allows neck/bridge combinations not found in standard wiring. Included are OEM component brands, along with all the necessary hardware and professional wiring diagram.
The kit comes with 0.047µF Orange Drop capacitor, Switchcraft ¼” mono jack, two CTS 250k pots, one CTS blender pot, treble bleed kit, and more.
Most users liked the mod and said it worked perfectly for their axe.
Some users said this did not fit their guitar, but there weren’t many of them.
Item weight: 3.2 ounces
Package Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 0.3 inches
ToneShaper SSS2 Guitar Wiring Kit For Fender Stratocaster
The ToneShaper SSS2 guitar wiring kit is much like the one already introduced, except that it has modern wiring configuration. That means the tone control works like an American series Strat.
Hardware and professional wiring diagram are included.
Users said the kit was high quality and some even said it proved a massive upgrade for their axe.
So, overall, this product is excellent bang for buck!
Item weight: 3.2 ounces
Package Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
ToneShaper SS3 Guitar Wiring Kit For Fender Telecaster
The ToneShaper SS3 guitar wiring kit is for Fender Telecasters and comes with four-way ToneShaper wiring.
Custom parts include 0.047µF Orange Drop capacitor, Switchcraft jack, CTS 250k Audio, Low Torque pot, treble bleed kit, professional fully illustrated wiring diagram, and all the other hardware you need to make this work.
Reviewers loved the sound and quality of this wiring kit, and some loved the four-way blade switch as well.
One user noted the switch stopped working after about a month. This shouldn’t happen in most cases.
Item weight: 0.352 ounces
Package Dimensions: 8 x 1.4 x 6 inches
Qfauto 1 Set Circuit Wiring Harness Kit
Now we’re starting to get into budget options. The Qfauto guitar circuit wiring harness comes with two volume pots, two tone control pots (A500K and B500K) and one toggle switch. This kit also comes with a wiring diagram.
Several positive reviewers said they thought this kit was good for the price.
One less enthusiastic reviewer said they couldn’t find the included schematic.
Item weight: 3.13 ounces
Package Dimensions: 6.06 x 3.31 x 1.1 inches
VGEBY Guitar Wiring Harness
The VGEBY guitar wiring harness is made of premium quality materials. The prewired kit should prove easy to install.
The kit comes with one volume, one tone, one jack, and three-way switch. As you would expect from this configuration, the pots are 500K.
The good – users found this to be good replacement wiring.
The bad – nothing of note!
Item weight: 1.58 ounces
Package Dimensions: 5.91 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches
Vbestlife Guitar Harness Prewired 3 Way
The Vbestlife prewired guitar wiring harness comes with a three-way chrome box toggle switch, and 500K pots for two humbuckers.
This product promises to be durable and made of high-quality materials.
Reviewers confirm the materials were quality and thought the kit was simple to install.
One user found there was too much wire and ended up having to stuff it in the cavity.
Item weight: 2.11 ounces
Package Dimensions: 5.91 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches
What Should I Look For In A Wiring Kit?
Choosing a wiring kit is relatively easy if you know what you’re looking for, and what type of guitar you have. Basically, you just need to match the specs of the wiring harness to the specs of your guitar.
But depending on what you’re trying to achieve, you might purchase more expensive custom kits to give the sound or functionality of your guitar an upgrade.
Here, we’ll cover all relevant factors to ensure you end up with a product you’re completely happy with, including:
- Upgrades
- Compatibility
- Durability and reliability
- Budget
Here’s what you need to know:
Upgrades
You may have noticed that some of the wiring kits come with additional pickup configurations, or split coil functionality.
If you’re thinking about adding anything to your guitar, then it’s certainly worth looking at the options available before committing to a purchase.
You’ll also need to ensure compatibility, as a SSS (single, single, single) isn’t going to work on a HSS (humbucker, single, single) guitar, and even if it does, it probably won’t sound quite right.
Although there isn’t a wide selection of upgrades to choose from, if this is something you’re thinking about, this would be the right time to address your needs and choose a kit that will do what you want it to do.
Compatibility (500k, 250k, etc.)
With wiring kits, you always need to ensure compatibility.
To be fair, there are only so many pickup configurations out there, which is generally what wiring kits are catering to.
Does your guitar have single coils? Double coils (humbuckers)? A combination thereof?
You must select wiring that’s appropriate for your guitar. To that end, most manufacturers offer some guidance by noting which guitar types their wiring is intended for.
You may have noticed terms like “500k” and “250k.” This refers to the resistance rating of the volume or tone pots.
Basically, 500k is for humbuckers, while 250k is for single coils.
Assuming you keep this in mind, you shouldn’t encounter too many issues overall.
But buying a wiring kit that isn’t compatible with your guitar is basically pointless and can even be a frustrating experience trying to install it. Do your homework before diving into a purchase.
Durability & Reliability
Ensure that the wiring kit you’re thinking about buying is made of quality materials.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked the best available in different price ranges, so to that extent, you shouldn’t run into any issues.
But we do hear reports of minor issues with some of the wiring kits, whether it’s too much wiring, or lack of fit. So, be sure to scan the reviews as well as specs to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need.
Budget
Wiring kits generally go from about $10 to $90. So far as guitar gear is concerned, they’re relatively inexpensive.
It’s only frustrating when you end up with a kit that doesn’t work for your guitar, or you receive a kit that arrives broken (always ask for replacement).
So, while we can’t imagine you’re planning to go into debt to buy a wiring kit, here’s a quick reminder to let you know that you should always spend responsibly.
Final Thoughts
Guitar wiring kits are inexpensive and can offer a significant upgrade to your stock guitar wiring.
Scratchy and non-responsive pots can become bigger issues over time, so swapping out the wiring on your guitar can make a big difference to the axe’s performance and tone.
With all the tips offered here, you should be able to find the exact wiring kit you need for your next upgrade.
Happy shopping!
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