I put my TV Pelham Blue ES-355 back together sans Bigsby [WARNING: pictures of TV Pelham Blue ES-355]

[Scott0]

This guitar had been disassembled for so long I had forgotten how good it is! It sounds fantastic and is a joy to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dennis G]

That is one sweet looking guitar!

[capmaster]

Very nice indeed!

 

Glad you like playability and sound. Did you reverse the pickups for looks or for tone?

[Scott0]

Very nice indeed!

 

Glad you like playability and sound. Did you reverse the pickups for looks or for tone?

 

 

DOH! I hadn't even noticed that! [laugh]

 

It sounds good actually, maybe I'll keep it this way.

[crust]

Looks cool, naked. lol What are you going to do to hide the screw holes ? Putting the screws back in without all the accompanying hardware or something else ? Or, just leaving it that way ?

[Scott0]

Thanks folks! Epi hit one outta the park with this ES.

 

 

 

 

Looks cool, naked. lol What are you going to do to hide the screw holes ? Putting the screws back in without all the accompanying hardware or something else ? Or, just leaving it that way ?

 

Crust, not sure about the screw holes, obviously the trapeze covers up the one decently, but the other, well, ugh. Any ideas? I had plans to fill them in but after exhaustively contacting guitar refinishers, I had to drop that idea. They can be filled in but there will be dark circles around them due to not being able to match up. No one would say how dark/noticeable, though. It will cost me $100 to find that out!

 

I had also planned on replacing the pickups with dimarzzio double cream bobbins 36th anniversay PAFs, but I have to say these stockers sound real nice, even with the one put in assbackwards! I've been playing my Gibbie and Epi guitars with 57 classics for a while now but these sound good, different from the 57s, but real good nonetheless.

[crust]

Yes they did

 

 

[crust]

If I was to remove the Bigsby unit, I would screw the retaining screws back into the holes they came out of. The screws, being screwed back in, will act as a plug, to keep crud or other pieces of dust or anything out of the screw holes. And, it will keep the holes from getting stripped, as well as also not losing the screws in some bag or wherever the place is you are going to store them. lol.

Again cool guitar.

 

Have you tried adjusting and modifying different pole piece heights on the 2 pick ups as well as adjusted the individual pick up heights separately ? Try fiddling around with adjustments until the "sweet spot" heights are properly adjusted for both pick ups and pole pieces on both pick ups.. This is not done at Epiphone as part of the inspection process. They leave those adjustments, which 90% of the time need to be done, and may make a substantial improvement in tonality when properly set, same as setting the string height, bridge saddle intonation, truss rod adjustment, nut string slot depth...All these things usually need to be done on a new guitar, nevertheless, an Epiphone electric.

[Scott0]

If I was to remove the Bigsby unit, I would screw the retaining screws back into the holes they came out of. The screws, being screwed back in, will act as a plug, to keep crud or other pieces of dust or anything out of the screw holes. And, it will keep the holes from getting stripped, as well as also not losing the screws in some bag or wherever the place is you are going to store them. lol.

Again cool guitar.

NICE! It took me a while to grasp why this guitar was priced so high, especially without a case. But I came to understand the work involved in the binding is not cheap, and this ES has 5-layer binding all over it. That alone could explain it.

 

 

Have you tried adjusting and modifying different pole piece heights on the 2 pick ups as well as adjusted the individual pick up heights separately ? Try fiddling around with adjustments until the "sweet spot" heights are properly adjusted for both pick ups and pole pieces on both pick ups.. This is not done at Epiphone as part of the inspection process. They leave those adjustments, which 90% of the time need to be done, and may make a substantial improvement in tonality when properly set, same as setting the string height, bridge saddle intonation, truss rod adjustment, nut string slot depth...All these things usually need to be done on a new guitar, nevertheless, an Epiphone electric.

 

Honestly, All I've done is set the intonation properly, eyeball the bridge height to a good spot for me, the nut is the stock one, I checked string height kinda, I did raise the pickups based on my Les Paul's, all in all it's far from a pro setup yet the dang thing still plays fine for me.

 

But after slamming the electronics back in, getting it soldered up (right), putting the tuners back on & a crappy old trapeze I had laying around and playing it over the last several days, I'm stunned at how good this guitar plays for me, wasn't expecting that at all. I don't have any probs getting it set-up properly and will soon, I'll prolly be floored playing it after that!

[Whitmore Willy]

Honestly, All I've done is set the intonation properly, eyeball the bridge height to a good spot........

Sure looks good to me. Setup is a personal thing, anyway.

If it sounds and plays as good as it looks, I know I would call it a keeper.

 

Willy

[crust]

Epiphone makes a lot of different guitars. I do believe the Pelham Blue Epiphone ES 355 currently being offered is the finest Epiphone being made today, if not the most fancy.. But that's just me

 

I do not believe Gibson is presently offering an ES 355 guitar as of 2014. A few others that have also obtained this particular guitar have stated it (the Epiphone) is certainly a "pro level" instrument (after a proper "set up").

[capmaster]

Epiphone makes a lot of different guitars. I do believe the Pelham Blue Epiphone ES 355 currently being offered is the finest Epiphone being made today. But that's just me

In my opinion, it is the Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus. I think this is because Epiphone makes lots of very different very fine guitars, thus matching very different tastes.

[crust]

In my opinion, it is the Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus. I think this is because Epiphone makes lots of very different very fine guitars, thus matching very different tastes.

 

Yep

[Scott0]

In my opinion, it is the Les Paul 1960 Tribute Plus. I think this is because Epiphone makes lots of very different very fine guitars, thus matching very different tastes.

 

 

I'm fortunate enough to have both guitars, the LP 60 tribute plus is a fantastic guitar. It compares very much to my Gibson Sig T.

 

It's not as much fun to photograph as the ES-355!

 

[lengle1981]

This guitar had been disassembled for so long I had forgotten how good it is! It sounds fantastic and is a joy to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have the 355 in white, would love a pelham blue one to go with it. Love the idea of removing the bigsby and adding a trapeze tailpiece. That may be amid I might look into in the future. Looks great though, very dave grohl looking guitar

[kjeokiedog]

Scott0

Don't fill the holes, you might at a later date decide to change it back!

 

Or, find another junk guitar with the same finish and cut n fit a small piece so it matches up with the grain

altho that could take abit of hard and very delicate work.

 

and yeah, the 1960 tribute is growing on me the more I play with it! Twas a great choice!Thats it in the avatar spot.

[Scott0]

Thanks folks!

 

I have the 355 in white, would love a pelham blue one to go with it. Love the idea of removing the bigsby and adding a trapeze tailpiece. That may be amid I might look into in the future. Looks great though, very dave grohl looking guitar

 

Please post some pics of your white 355, I'd like to check that out!

 

 

Scott0

Don't fill the holes, you might at a later date decide to change it back!

 

Or, find another junk guitar with the same finish and cut n fit a small piece so it matches up with the grain

altho that could take abit of hard and very delicate work.

 

and yeah, the 1960 tribute is growing on me the more I play with it! Twas a great choice!Thats it in the avatar spot.

 

Isn't that tribute a steal of a guitar? Thanks for the suggestion on the holes, I'm going to do what you and crust suggest- I'm putting the screws back in, at least for now.

[Thomse]

Nice Guitar Scotto. I would put some little plastic black plugs in the holds . I have the SG in that color really like the wood grain coming threw the finish . Get playing that baby that 355 is one nice guitar

[Scott0]

Nice Guitar Scotto. I would put some little plastic black plugs in the holds . I have the SG in that color really like the wood grain coming threw the finish . Get playing that baby that 355 is one nice guitar

 

 

I was just thinking about this, perhaps a plug or rubber stopper would look better than the screw. What might be cool is get a light colored plug or stopper and find some nail polish similar to the Pelham blue to dab on the top of the plug to get it to blend a bit.

 

 

thanks for the suggestion and all!

[Whitmore Willy]

.... perhaps a plug or rubber stopper would look better than the screw. What might be cool is get a light colored plug or stopper and find some nail polish...

Scott0,

 

As Others Have Said,

I would either leave it alone or put the screws back in......BUT..

 

I hope I don't regret this. But hey, we're all adults here.

I agree with plugs on larger holes. I don't do anything on tiny ones. I usually use tooth picks for small ones or small Hard Wood BBQ skewers for larger.

They are easily sanded to any size above a tooth pick.

 

If you even consider this, try it on a practice piece of wood that is the same thickness.

 

Put the semi-finished plug into the hole.

Spin it while you hold a pencil against it.

Remove and cut slightly below the mark. Dip in Elmer"s and insert into hole. (clean off any slop.) Let sit.

 

OK....here is where you think I'm nuts.

Here is a great filler for some SMALL holes.

 

 

Take a few shavings and rub them in with your thumb. Work in and polish over.

I do this all the time when changing one type of tuner for another.

 

You will see the hole. On the other hand, If you don't like what you see, It's only wax.

 

Willy

[dougg330]

I had a Casino that has an interesting solution you might consider. A previous owner had swapped the P-90s out for humbuckers and added a Bigsby.. then someone else took off the Bigsby and re-installed the P-90s. This owner then filled the visible holes with little pearl or MOP dots, which looked very cool.

[Thomse]

I was just thinking about this, perhaps a plug or rubber stopper would look better than the screw. What might be cool is get a light colored plug or stopper and find some nail polish similar to the Pelham blue to dab on the top of the plug to get it to blend a bit.

 

 

thanks for the suggestion and all!

I remember they made a guitar thet you could swap out different parts and they gave little plugs for the holes. I am going to see if i can find that guitar on the net and put a picture up . It looked finished with the little plugs in it . maybe they have some close to that blue

[lengle1981]

Scott0,

 

As Others Have Said,

I would either leave it alone or put the screws back in......BUT..

 

I hope I don't regret this. But hey, we're all adults here.

I agree with plugs on larger holes. I don't do anything on tiny ones. I usually use tooth picks for small ones or small Hard Wood BBQ skewers for larger.

They are easily sanded to any size above a tooth pick.

 

If you even consider this, try it on a practice piece of wood that is the same thickness.

 

Put the semi-finished plug into the hole.

Spin it while you hold a pencil against it.

Remove and cut slightly below the mark. Dip in Elmer"s and insert into hole. (clean off any slop.) Let sit.

 

OK....here is where you think I'm nuts.

Here is a great filler for some SMALL holes.

 

 

Take a few shavings and rub them in with your thumb. Work in and polish over.

I do this all the time when changing one type of tuner for another.

 

You will see the hole. On the other hand, If you don't like what you see, It's only wax.

 

Willy

 

That's a great tip willy. Does the wax not drop out and Does it do a good job on the hole? I have a white 355 which I absolutely love, the one thing that I sometimes wish is that it didn't have a bigsby. You know what it's like, always looking at swapping and changing things. The opening poster has done a great job, one that I'd love to do to mine but I want the option of going back to the bigsby if I want. A white crayon may be the answer to the holes on my guitar.

[Bender 4 Life]

Scott0,

 

As Others Have Said,

I would either leave it alone or put the screws back in......BUT..

 

I hope I don't regret this. But hey, we're all adults here.

I agree with plugs on larger holes. I don't do anything on tiny ones. I usually use tooth picks for small ones or small Hard Wood BBQ skewers for larger.

They are easily sanded to any size above a tooth pick.

 

If you even consider this, try it on a practice piece of wood that is the same thickness.

 

Put the semi-finished plug into the hole.

Spin it while you hold a pencil against it.

Remove and cut slightly below the mark. Dip in Elmer"s and insert into hole. (clean off any slop.) Let sit.

 

OK....here is where you think I'm nuts.

Here is a great filler for some SMALL holes.

 

 

Take a few shavings and rub them in with your thumb. Work in and polish over.

I do this all the time when changing one type of tuner for another.

 

You will see the hole. On the other hand, If you don't like what you see, It's only wax.

 

Willy

 

Willy beat me to the crayon suggestion......sharpen the tip super sharp and break it off in the hole.

[Scott0]

Scott0,

 

As Others Have Said,

I would either leave it alone or put the screws back in......BUT..

 

I hope I don't regret this. But hey, we're all adults here.

I agree with plugs on larger holes. I don't do anything on tiny ones. I usually use tooth picks for small ones or small Hard Wood BBQ skewers for larger.

They are easily sanded to any size above a tooth pick.

 

If you even consider this, try it on a practice piece of wood that is the same thickness.

 

Put the semi-finished plug into the hole.

Spin it while you hold a pencil against it.

Remove and cut slightly below the mark. Dip in Elmer"s and insert into hole. (clean off any slop.) Let sit.

 

OK....here is where you think I'm nuts.

Here is a great filler for some SMALL holes.

 

 

Take a few shavings and rub them in with your thumb. Work in and polish over.

I do this all the time when changing one type of tuner for another.

 

You will see the hole. On the other hand, If you don't like what you see, It's only wax.

 

Willy

 

 

I had a Casino that has an interesting solution you might consider. A previous owner had swapped the P-90s out for humbuckers and added a Bigsby.. then someone else took off the Bigsby and re-installed the P-90s. This owner then filled the visible holes with little pearl or MOP dots, which looked very cool.

 

 

I remember they made a guitar thet you could swap out different parts and they gave little plugs for the holes. I am going to see if i can find that guitar on the net and put a picture up . It looked finished with the little plugs in it . maybe they have some close to that blue

 

 

Willy beat me to the crayon suggestion......sharpen the tip super sharp and break it off in the hole.

 

Super tips guys, thank you!! I'm mulling them all.

 

Willy & Bender,

 

Would I still need to use a dowel if I sharpen the crayon and break the point off in the hole? Also, after the crayon, I just polish over that as I would polish the guitar normally?

 

 

Thanks again!!