dreamingGibson Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 (edited) So, I have a list called “Affordable Unicorns”. This is a list of guitars from different manufacturers from specific years of productions which I really like. They dont cost a lot, sometimes they do when they’re in pretty good condition, but they’re tough to find! At very near the top of the list is this, One of the rare reissues from Epiphone, Peerless Factory made in 1997. Ive been looking for one close to 4 years already!!! It’s one of the very first batch due to have a Single side-dot inlay on the 12th fret.. then some key features I like are; small F-hole and most importantly they got it right with the body shape and Florentine cutaway which is very close to Gibsons. I love Florentine cutaways and this has the more beautiful fish-hook shape than the second version (bigger f-hole) and the Premium one. Body depth is thinner and knob placements are not correct for this model, well, you cant have everything. Hehe. The consolation is the pickups have been changed to standard Lollar P90’s which sounds great! Rosewood fretboard is outstanding and not cheap looking! Resonance and overall feel is close the Gibson, but my 330 takes the cake for the overall build quality and feels better. Both put together well. The neck feels nice and fast. Its very rare to find one let alone, one in excellent condition with a price thats not bloated out of this world. So i think I got lucky with this one! Cleaned and oiled the fretboard, and polished the frets! Now it plays EVEN better! and the common sickness among P90 dog ear pickups! The volume balance between neck and bridge!! Good thing I still have spare shims from Lollar for my 330. that’s better! Bridge pickup is now rocking. Edited November 14, 2021 by dreamingGibson 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 Fantastic Score! I dig it! Is that the Ltd Edition? I’ve been looking for one too.. I believe they came with Gibson USA P90’s originally… Beautiful Guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share Posted November 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Larsongs said: Fantastic Score! I dig it! Is that the Ltd Edition? I’ve been looking for one too.. I believe they came with Gibson USA P90’s originally… Beautiful Guitar! I dont think it is, Its a 1997 Peerless made. So not sure if it came with USA P90’s, however previous owner replaced it with Standard Lollar P90’s already. one of the very first years of reissue, i think may as well be very first batch as it only has a single side dot fret marker on the 12th fret. The 1998 model I saw already has 2 side dot fret markers on the 12th fret. tuners are crumbling so I ordered a set of gold Gotoh SD90’s and will replace the bridge with a Gold Nashville tune o matic bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 Check this out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 14, 2021 Share Posted November 14, 2021 This is the model I was referring to… This one has long since been Sold but I was curious if this is the same model you have? I’ve been watching for one to come along… What great Guitars! The Lollars are definitely a great choice I'm sure sound fantastic! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 14, 2021 Author Share Posted November 14, 2021 5 hours ago, Larsongs said: This is the model I was referring to… This one has long since been Sold but I was curious if this is the same model you have? I’ve been watching for one to come along… What great Guitars! The Lollars are definitely a great choice I'm sure sound fantastic! Enjoy! Hi sir, Ah, yes, the "Premium" models is not what I have.. I specifically want the older Peerless models because they botched the body shape on the "Premium" model.. in my opinion they look a bit ugly, especially the Florentine cutaway.. although they got the color and the knobs right, it's also deeper/thicker than older models and has US wiring and US P90's.. there's three versions. first one - small F-hole, wrong 4-knob position, nicest body shape and cutaway (IMHO) second one - larger F-hole, correct4-knob position, nice body shape and cutaway Third one - Premium model, nitro finish, US Pickups and electronics, ugly body shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB1 Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 Nice! I don’t have anything with p90s but I really like the sound of them. Sweet guitar, enjoy it! -Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 (edited) Beautiful guitars, I have 9 with P90's, Love the sound, I started getting rid of my MudBuckers in 05 and have no regrets.. Enjoy... Tasking my 339 to rehearsal today, that I upgraded with humbucker sized "Mean 90's".... Edited November 20, 2021 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 21, 2021 Author Share Posted November 21, 2021 16 hours ago, JimB1 said: Nice! I don’t have anything with p90s but I really like the sound of them. Sweet guitar, enjoy it! -Jim i used to be a die-hard fan of Telecaster single coils. but once I had a tele with P90’s, i never looked back! P90’s does it for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 21, 2021 Author Share Posted November 21, 2021 6 hours ago, mihcmac said: Beautiful guitars, I have 9 with P90's, Love the sound, I started getting rid of my MudBuckers in 05 and have no regrets.. Enjoy... Tasking my 339 to rehearsal today, that I upgraded with humbucker sized "Mean 90's".... i used to not get why people would play them! then I played a guitar with 2 of them. Im sold HB’s dont do it for me either! and beautiful guitars sir! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 Finally new gold parts came in to replace some crappy hardwares.. I never use the Bigsby so out it goes and Allparts Trapeze in. Just FYI, it’s not a direct fit. The top 2 screw holes on the trapeze plate are 0.5mm wider than the existing holes, so i had to kind of skew the screw a bit. It fits okay. The strap button screw however needed to be elongated. As the trapeze plate bottom screw hole is about 2-3mm lower than the existing hole. I had to get my metal rasps and slowly shave away and make a vertical oblong shape hole so i can screw in the new strap button. It wont be seen anyway due to the strap button covering it. The original bushings were pushed so tight that when I tried to wiggle it out, no matter how slow and careful, it still took some damage off. The areas where the A, D and high E strings got the finish flaked off. Its bugging me, but I did my best, oh well, i think Id keep the guitar anyway. I’ll have it fixed when it’s time for a refret or refinish. Lol. Gotoh SD90’s are also not a direct fit. The original bushings are smaller so i had to enlarge the holes a bit to fit the new gold bushings. Also, i think the Gotoh’s posts are shorter. I use 11-52’s and the low E string cant be wound more than 2.5 wraps. Other strings are fine. Screwing in the tuners, i made a mistake of screwing it tightly that it cracked the finish and I broke one of the screws in half on the G string tuner. So the other half is buried. The other screw is fine and tight. This might be an expensive fix to match the finish, given it’s metallic gold, so I’ll probably have it done in 3-4 years or never. Its securely in place, but just worried about the tuner itself. Lol. Anyone know a good solution/fix to broken screws buried in a hole? Lol My goodness, i didnt know Bigsby screw diameters are so big. Lol. Its a gaping hole! Id probably get some short gold screws to put into these holes, or I’ll just leave it as it is. There’s really nothing I can do about it. i also had to use existing chrome bridge posts. The Gotoh GE103B bridge is the only part that drops right in, however the posts included in this is soooo ridiculously long. And I have no saw to shorten it. So, i used the existing posts. Lol. Overall, not much work done, made some booboos but, I didnt destroy the guitar.. maybe needs a fix here and there, also I didnt drill new holes for the trapeze- which I’m happy with - and I like this so much better. Uncluttered, simple and stable. It looks great with gold on gold. Only one big screw hole is visible, but really not an issue. It is what it is. Heheh. happy how it turned out. I like the aesthetics of the Trapeze rather than the busy looking Bigsby. And I just wished I was more careful screwing the tuners in! LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 (edited) You might want to look at Grover 135G tuners which have a larger post hole because they use threaded bushings and a washer that could cover the chips from removing the old pressed in bushings. Also they are look like the same stamped metal housings but are actually cast, the Grovers are nice high quality tuners I have used the Grover 135's on a few of my Epiphones that I have upgraded, they are very nice, the post hole does need to be enlarged but the screw holes all line up. These are Nickel Grover 135's on my Blueshawk, notice how large the area is covered by the hex nut bushing and washer. Edited November 23, 2021 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 3 hours ago, mihcmac said: You might want to look at Grover 135G tuners which have a larger post hole because they use threaded bushings and a washer that could cover the chips from removing the old pressed in bushings. Also they are look like the same stamped metal housings but are actually cast, the Grovers are nice high quality tuners I have used the Grover 135's on a few of my Epiphones that I have upgraded, they are very nice, the post hole does need to be enlarged but the screw holes all line up. These are Nickel Grover 135's on my Blueshawk, notice how large the area is covered by the hex nut bushing and washer. Thank you! i will consider this option! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 I broke a tuner screw the same way back in 2018. It has to be drilled out to get it out. I tried doing it myelf with a Dremel-type tool but I couldn't control it; you need the neck in a secure cradle and the tool held precisely in position somehow (and a much steadier hand than mine). Or you could try enlarging the hole very slightly with some sort of needle so it loosens enough to slowly work it out. Potentially more damage, however. I took my guitar (which was new) for a good setup - quite costly as he not only drilled out the screw but also levelled some frets and more. Yes it will take the paint off around it but there are probably ways of minimising that. In my case any mark is concealed by the tuner. Good luck - nice guitar btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 10 minutes ago, jdgm said: I broke a tuner screw the same way back in 2018. It has to be drilled out to get it out. I tried doing it myelf with a Dremel-type tool but I couldn't control it; you need the neck in a secure cradle and the tool held precisely in position somehow (and a much steadier hand than mine). Or you could try enlarging the hole very slightly with some sort of needle so it loosens enough to slowly work it out. Potentially more damage, however. I took my guitar (which was new) for a good setup - quite costly as he not only drilled out the screw but also levelled some frets and more. Yes it will take the paint off around it but there are probably ways of minimising that. In my case any mark is concealed by the tuner. Good luck - nice guitar btw. Yeah, I get you. I'm actually dreading what my luthier will charge for this.. I've already set it up, luckily the frets are good and levelled as I was able to set up the same way my Gibson 330 is, and that was professionally done (fret work, nut, etc etc).. Id still take it some time when I've already tested this guitar in a live performance and be quite sure that I want to keep this, then it goes to my luthier for proper work, maybe a refret as the frets are lower than my 330, and some nut work.. Id get a huge bill for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 (edited) 22 hours ago, dreamingGibson said: Thank you! i will consider this option! The Grover 135 marines look identical to the one on you 330 except they have antique style keystone knobs. Edited November 24, 2021 by mihcmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 5 hours ago, mihcmac said: he Grover 135 marines look identical to the one on you 330 except they have antique style keystone knobs. okay! Thanks for the tip! I think i need to get the half screw thats stuck inside one of the holes in the G string tuner. Then probably change to Grovers to cover the flaking finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 Looks great with Gold Hardware.. I’d put a Gold Bigsby on it too… Man that would Pop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamingGibson Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 7 hours ago, Larsongs said: Looks great with Gold Hardware.. I’d put a Gold Bigsby on it too… Man that would Pop! I’m in the process of looking at options while I use the Trapeze for now. I didnt want to drill new holes. Towner sells a B6 with a hinge replaced and strap button adaptor, so i can just use the strap button to hold it all, but I’m afraid that the B6 might be too long and I’ll lose the break angle over the floating bridge making it lose and move. probably a B7, but I’m not sure if the screw holes match the existing holes on top of the guitar. i like the guitar a lot, and the bones are good, but i guess repairing the screw breaking in the tuner screw hole and finish cracks is what I’m prepared to spend at the moment. Hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 7 hours ago, dreamingGibson said: I’m in the process of looking at options while I use the Trapeze for now. I didnt want to drill new holes. Towner sells a B6 with a hinge replaced and strap button adaptor, so i can just use the strap button to hold it all, but I’m afraid that the B6 might be too long and I’ll lose the break angle over the floating bridge making it lose and move. probably a B7, but I’m not sure if the screw holes match the existing holes on top of the guitar. i like the guitar a lot, and the bones are good, but i guess repairing the screw breaking in the tuner screw hole and finish cracks is what I’m prepared to spend at the moment. Hehe Call Bigsby & ask if it’s the same as the B7 just has the included Epiphone name.. Bigsby does it for Gretsch too.. If it is just get a Gold B7! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mihcmac Posted November 25, 2021 Share Posted November 25, 2021 On 11/23/2021 at 4:08 PM, mihcmac said: The Grover 135 marines look identical to the one on you 330 except they have antique style keystone knobs. Hmm this was supposed to say " The Grover 135 machines look identical to the ones on your 330 except they have antique style keystone knobs." My Macs spell checker strikes again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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