sparquelito

Jeremy, When I went to install some new Seymour Duncan pickups in my 2017 Les Paul, I had to purchase an adapter harness in order to use the existing Gibson Quik-Connect wiring. It was easy. All I had to do was follow the SD schematic to match their colors to Gibson's wire colors, and, using heat shrink, all was well and easy. Two wire pickups, that's a slightly different story. Follow these instructions, and all will go well, mate. You cut off the Gibson quick connect plug, and heat-shrink wire to wire, like so. https://lambertones.store/pages/p90jazzmasterwiring 😀

My given name is John Sparkman. Sparky is the nickname most of us Sparkman boys get from our friends or military buddies over the years. (If you visit a family reunion, and shout, "Hey Sparky!" nine or ten of us will perk up and try to respond.) I've also been called, over the years, Spark Johnny "you complete and utter bastard" and Señor Sparquelito. Thus the avatar name here. Okay, I'm gonna shut up now. 😑

Thanks, Hippydude. I was curious about where the intonation sliders were set on the tune-o-matic bridge, but that looks completely normal to me. I also wanted to see the two stud-tops for the tune-o-matic, but I really can't make out any detail there. One other thing (nothing at all to do with your original concerns) was the hardware for the scratch-plate. I like that they put a thick disc of felt padding under the nut/screw-head under there. I've never actually seen that done before. 😀

I relic'ed a Brownsville LP copy one time. But only because the pawn shop reject had been adorned with a bunch of stickers and fake metal studs, and I had to sand off a pound and a half of super glue residue once I pried them off. Before and after: It turned out really nice, and I sold it to a fellow who really dug the relic'ing vibe. Great playing guitar, all in all. Bottom line though, I would NEVER do this to a perfectly fine Gibson Les Paul. No way. Ever. 🙂

What model of Gibson Les Paul is it, Hippydude? Can you post a photo of the front of the guitar, full frontal of the body? I'm curious about two things. 🙂

I see that Musician's Friend has the polka dot one in stock, and ready to ship. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/kramer-nightswan-electric-guitar?source=3WWRWXGG&gclid=CjwKCAiAm-2BBhANEiwAe7eyFBPMkCna9EC-s4SeQ6JYrCAGvTf8WCPciKeMqicV5ZxJKsM13n3T4RoCmZsQAvD_BwE

Okay, I'll play. Coated strings. I'm not a fan. It's not about the cost, but rather the feel. And I don't care for the way the coating flakes up after awhile. Does wiping strings after each use make much difference? Yes. It only makes sense. Wipe off the salt and microscopic skin debris after each playing, and the strings have less of a chance of becoming corroded and dirty. Are the string maintenance products worthwhile? I use Finger Ease. And a soft terrycloth washcloth. The strings look better and feel better afterwards, and string life is extended. (And the fingerboards and frets seem to like it.) How often do other players change strings? I can't speak for anybody else. I change mine every six-to-nine months. I'm a fan of Ernie Ball Super Slinkys on Strats and Teles and Primo Slinkys on Gibson type guitars. My acoustics get D'Addario phosphor bronze, extra light. Are coated strings worthwhile? I couldn't tell you. That's like asking if being married is better than being single. You're bound to get a lot of opinions. Have I ever broken a string while playing, practicing, or gigging? Never, ever. Not once in 46+ years. Just lucky, I guess. Is being married better than being single? Depends upon the wife. If she's cheerful, amorous, and accommodating about all the guitars, then the answer is yes. If, on the other hand, she's testy and mean-spirited, and stingy with the poon-tang, it's best you cut her loose and go the bachelor route. 😑

Kevin, Can you provide a photo of the headstock of that guitar, sir? All our good wishes and blessings for the family member mentioned in the memorial. It's lovely. 🙂

According to The Guitar Dater Project, that serial number belongs to an Epiphone made at the Fine Guitars Plant in Korea. Produced in November of either 1986, 1996 or 2006. Any clues from the overall condition which year it might have been? You can't divine much from just a serial number by the way. (Model, specs, etc.) For that you'll have to email Epiphone. 😗

I have found that a lot of guitar players grow up playing a variety of other guitars, and come to covet the Gibson Les Paul for its iconic features and artist pedigrees. Many of those same players try them, and even own one, and find that they don't connect right away. Who knows what it is that doesn't click for them? The scale length, maybe. The heft and weight of the Les Paul. I myself owned quite a few over the years, and it was never easy to put my finger on why it is that I always ended up selling them. The reality is that the Les Paul isn't for everybody. And since there are a wide variety of models and features, there's no one pat answer to the question attraction versus lifelong ownership. Like you though, wind_stopper, I finally did find the right one. It took many trials and errors, but I finally found the one that met all my prerequisites; * Beat-up and dinged, so I won't want to be precious with it * Light weight, 7 lbs, 3 ounces and, most important of all, * Just one Volume Knob and one Tone Knob. (I have never much cared for the two-each set-up typical to the majority of Les Pauls.) 🙂

Agreed. I'm one of the 'send it back' guys though. I wouldn't drop over $2,000 on a guitar and settle for flaws that would niggle/nag in my brain for the life of the guitar. But then again, I wouldn't drop over $2,000 on a guitar that I hadn't handled, fondled, and played with my own hands either. I like and trust Sweetwater a LOT, but I have learned that if I'm going to spend over $700 on anything, I want to hold it and inspect it personally first. I'm weird that way. 😐

Very, very nice!! (I do wish the vocals were a bit louder in the mix though.) Thanks for sharing that, m-e. 😛

Well, for one thing, the seller is wearing sock with Adidas sandals. That's an egregious fashion faux pas that I can't forgive. 🙁

Photos. We need photos. 😐

Interesting. I have read a lot of interviews with Dave Mustaine over the years, but have rarely seen him on film like that. Seems like a nice guy. A nice guy trying to put his grandkids thru college. 😛

Well, you can't beat that deal with a stick! In that case, the pedigree of the guitar probably doesn't matter so much. If the playable-fretboard stretch of the neck is true, and not warped or twisted, then you have a great foundation upon which to resurrect The Phoenix of all old SG's. Sounds like a labor of love, and a lot of good karma going on there. Bravo. 🙂

Heavily repaired and modified is right. It's like a 1967 Buick Wildcat that has an Oldsmobile engine, Pontiac hubcaps, major frame damage, and sketchy wiring. What do they want for that thing anyway? Just curious. 😗

I'm jaded, so my opinion is of little value. If it seems too good to be true, it probably isn't. And since there has been an EXPLOSION of fake Gibson Les Pauls all across the internet, I don't trust anything found online anymore. My goal now is to never, ever buy another guitar that I don't hold, play, inspect, and fondle, in-person first. Ever again. Unless it comes from Sweetwater. Then I might trust it. 😑

I have long fancied installing roller nuts and roller bridge pieces on at least one of my guitars, but for some reason I have never pulled the trigger on that project. Seems like it would have to be better for the strings to go across rollers rather than hard edges and stick-worthy bone or plastic. 😬

They are way ahead of the rest of the guitar makers on this technology. 😐

Our opinions are all over the place, which is to be expected. I, for one, love the original look. Stark contrast of black and white, sublime. And I'm not a fan of the SG pick guards, at all, so the naked, unadorned look was right up my alley. Okay, I'm gonna shut up now. 🤔

"Mom, I have nut issues." "I know, Timmy. Go talk to your father about it though, okay? I have issues of my own." 😑

The sun came out today. My van got a much-needed cleaning and polishing with carnauba wax. The motorcycle got some love too, and I rode her out and about a bit, avoiding the lingering patches of ice and snow. 🙂

SITS ON MY LAP (a song) 1st verse Mine sits on my lap on my futon in my man-cave She gets a bad rap, there’s no denying that, Dave “Sitting around all day on SGT Pepper’s lap,” they all crow I really wish they’d shut their yap don’t you know (chorus) She sits on my lap I don’t put a strap on her Don’t give me no crap or imply some dishonor Mine sits on my lap on my futon in my man-cave 2nd verse I don’t care what other players do because my way is better I ain’t with R.E.M. or Hüsker Dü She wants to be unbound and I let her This guitar fits nicely on my thigh and I play her warm and gentle See, I’m a tender guitar playing guy so don’t think I’m mental (chorus) She sits on my lap I don’t put a strap on her I’m a sentimental sap and I’ll never ever pawn her Mine sits on my lap on my futon in my man-cave (bridge) You guys with your leather strap locks this isn’t a contest I ain’t into measuring cocks that’s something that I detest Go and bind yourself to your Deans and your Ibanez Me, I will just hold my Gibsons..... 3rd verse Mine sits on my lap and I don’t need a belt or fixture Do I have to draw you a map This is my own sublime mixture Of practicality and love passion and lust I polish her below and above so she’ll never ever rust (chorus) She sits on my lap I don’t fool with strap buttons right between my groin and kneecap rests her gentle wooden cut-ins Mine sits on my lap on my futon in my man-cave 😑 Okay, I'm gonna shut up now.

And for the record, that bad-a$$$ ukulele would be this motorcycle: 😜