renin71 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 just picked on of these up, great guitar for the price. Wanted to do some mods. I don't like the pickguard and want to change to a black pickguard, like a L-5. ANy suggestions where I could get one of these? Also any suggestions on the pickups? they sound thin to me. I thought about 57 classic, but I already have them in my GIbby's and was thinking of either benedetto pickups or kent armstrong. any input would be appreciated and pics of any modded joe pass epiphone guitars, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epilover9568 Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 just picked on of these up' date=' great guitar for the price. Wanted to do some mods. I don't like the pickguard and want to change to a black pickguard, like a L-5. ANy suggestions where I could get one of these? Also any suggestions on the pickups? they sound thin to me. I thought about 57 classic, but I already have them in my GIbby's and was thinking of either benedetto pickups or kent armstrong. any input would be appreciated and pics of any modded joe pass epiphone guitars, [/quote'] I have had all three in hollowbodies... A benedetto, gibson 57, and Kent Armstrong... -Kent armstrongs tended to be too bright for me... They are good, but not good enough for me... -Benedettos are awesome... But keep in mind they are weak.... You will need to crank the amp more and that may expose more hum from your amp than what you want.... -57 Classics are my favorite pickup... So I am biased on those... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renin71 Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 thanks for the reply. any thoughts on the pickguard? I just don't like the signature, looks cheesy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 here's mine: Joe Pass Emperor II: Your guitar was made at the Samick Plant, Korea July 1994 modifications: 1. frequensator tailpiece...I wanted to reference epiphone's history 2. chrome and black top hat knobs like the standard broadway 3. removed pickguard, which was warped 4. fix bridge and set intonation 5. truss rod adjustment and set-up 6. rewire pots for standard RH operation...full tonal range restored! 7. lower action and restring w/ D'Addario EXL110 10-46 (I'm not a jazz player) 8. first a pick, then a bit of foam wedged in next to neck PU to stop sympathetic buzz 9. PU height and pole pieces dialed in 10. new caps, I think the pickups might get swapped out in the future, but they sound OK...I wanted to add imperial buttons, but the tuners are not grovers...the imperials went on my EJ300S... fun to play unplugged and electric...color is a little off in this photos, much nicer in person: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renin71 Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 thanks for the quick reply. Any thoughts on how p-90( seymour duncan phat cats) or gibson p-94 would sound?thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 someone here put P90s in (GFS) and loves the sound...a search will reveal it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkW Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 GFS P-90's would get it nicely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 renin71 asked: I don't like the pickguard and want to change to a black pickguard, like a L-5. ANy suggestions where I could get one of these? The L-5CES was never issued with a black pickguard --- always faux tortoiseshell with multi-ply binding. You could get a black one custom-made, but they are HELLA pricey --- $200 isn't unusual for a custom-made bound pickguard. Here's a link to a place that makes them: http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/Archtop.html Or you could get a b-w-b-w-b bevel cut one (like the ES-175) for a lot less. Cheapest solution would be a $4 bottle of Goo-Gone and a soft cloth to rub out the signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I bought my Joe Pass used. The previous owner made an ebony pickguard that looks nice. I can't imagine it would be too hard to make this as long as you have the original pickguard and some patience. I plan to put a 57 classic in the neck position next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ner1971 Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 I am a big fan of these guys: http://www.terrapinguitars.com/ I have had them craft me replacement pick-guards for both of my Epi archtops and have been very satisfied with their work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynamohum Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 here's mine: Joe Pass Emperor II: Your guitar was made at the Samick Plant' date=' Korea July 1994 modifications: 1. frequensator tailpiece...I wanted to reference epiphone's history 2. chrome and black top hat knobs like the standard broadway 3. removed pickguard, which was warped 4. fix bridge and set intonation 5. truss rod adjustment and set-up 6. rewire pots for standard RH operation...full tonal range restored! 7. lower action and restring w/ D'Addario EXL110 10-46 (I'm not a jazz player) 8. first a pick, then a bit of foam wedged in next to neck PU to stop sympathetic buzz 9. PU height and pole pieces dialed in 10. new caps, I think the pickups might get swapped out in the future, but they sound OK...I wanted to add imperial buttons, but the tuners are not grovers...the imperials went on my EJ300S... fun to play unplugged and electric...color is a little off in this photos, much nicer in person: [/quote'] Hi dubstar. I've just picked up an identical left handed JP this week. One thing I've noticed is that the tone controls on the pots are pretty much on or off. What was the rewiring you did to get the tonal range you describe? It's a very impressive guitar by the way. Nicely built and great action. I'm putting in a couple of '57 classic PU's next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 someone here put P90s in (GFS) and loves the sound...a search will reveal it... That was me and I chromed mine out(didn't like the gold). Metal bridge and new tail piece too from GFS. I don't have flatwounds on it as I'm more of a bluesy player but I like it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk_43pFCDXw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 they are most likely standard RH pots "reverse wired" so that they work "correctly" for a lefty...for example, turn down (towards the floor) for more volume, less treble cut, etc...on a RH, the standard operation is clockwise for more volume / less treble cut (correct?)...so they wire the pots to mirror image this on the lefties, which then turn counterclockwise for the same operation...only problem is the pots do not work correctly that way...apparently there are LH pots but they are not common...just swap the outer wires (I think) and you will have full tonal range restored...only thing is you will now turn clockwise (up for volume swells, etc) but you get used to that quickly...confusing to write out, I could show in person in 2 seconds...the fender discussion pages have a few good threads on this in the lefty room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epinder Posted November 22, 2008 Share Posted November 22, 2008 modifications: 1. frequensator tailpiece...I wanted to reference epiphone's history 2. chrome and black top hat knobs like the standard broadway WOW!! I like what you did regarding the tail piece and the knobs. If you don't mind me asking' date=' where did you get the parts from? I'm definitely going to replace the knobs, those look 100% better and possibly the tail piece too as that classes up an already classy guitar. Here is a new one that I picked up about a month ago: [img']http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg218/maccraw/Joe%20Pass/sherri_03_003.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 thanks...I think I got the parts from allparts...for the frequensator, you simply reverse the tone bars to make it LH... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epinder Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Thank you, guess who's going to be placing an order at allparts? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 check around...one place was cheaper than the rest, but I forget which...I installed it myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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