es336td Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 My wife bought me this for Christmas in 1998. I have since added Schaller StrapLocks and Sperzel Locking Tuners with pearl buttons that look similar to the keystones that came with it. Love the way it plays AND it looks, sounds, and plays much better than the Gibson Les Paul Standard I bought new in 1974. The electronics, however, leave a little to be desired. I want to replace the controls with an RS Guitarworks, or MojoTone harness. I know I'll have to drill the holes out for the pots, but the switch is giving me fits. How do I widen that? I tried putting a Gibson style switch in there and it won't fit without widening the hole. Anyone done this? Thanx. L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostindesert Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Use a little round (wood)file and a lot of patience, that's how i do it. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 A switchcraft switch ought to fit right in. Try the short straight toggle. http://www.allparts.com/store/electronics-switches-ep-4066-000,Product.asp I also like these http://www.allparts.com/store/electronics-switches-ep-0066-000,Product.asp and one day I'm gonna try one of these http://www.allparts.com/store/electronics-switches-ep-4362-000,Product.asp TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canine Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Ah no, the switch only fits if you actually "make it fit" (Hulk style)... Yeah, I did the entire thing, every pot, the toggle, the switch, the jack, the pups, everything... Even reduced the shine of the guitar with some mild rubbing compound. That Les Paul looks, plays and sounds like a Gibson, maybe even better! TWANG and a few others gave me real good advice on what parts to buy, that "treble bleed" idea worked wonders by the way... I just had to work the file to widen the holes for the pots and a bit for the switch, but nothing happened to the finish, no cracks or chipping. I did it slowly though, do a little then try to fit the pots, then do a little more and so on... All and all, it was worth every hour I spent, every dime! Just sounds awesome, I can tell you that much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 a switchcraft wont fit the switch hole? no lie? how odd! You know, I just fixed mine, never tried to replace it. I think I'll go give it a shot! well. at least try to fit one. I wonder are all the epis like that for the lp models? I'm experimenting with some different treble bleed values than I've used before, next week.. too busy now. I'll post what I think with them used on a p90 and a humbucker. I'm gonna try to go from .001 to .02 and see what I can hear. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canine Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 The treble bleed mod works like wonders. The new pots and caps actually brought the entire guitar to life. It's just amazing, little time and effort and the improvements are just amazing! No exaggeration, the tone controls are more responsive than those in my Gibsons! Ah, and after listening to the toggle switch fart for so long every time I switched pups, it's nice to have one now that works silently and reliably every single time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedgeSG Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Should you decide to go with the RS Guitarworks kits just specify your make and model at the time of order and you can rest assured that your parts will fit. I've ordered three kits from them and as they constantly tweek on their stuff one was delivered with the treble bleed mod already in place. I called to inquire about this and they had included it based on what was discussed during my order placement. If you decide that the mod is something you'd like to explore just discuss it with the tech (great place you WILL speak to someone who WORKS on guitars), at the time of your order placement. They treat every call as if you were famous and many of their clients are... their service and products are simply second to none. I think you'll find it's some of the best bang for the buck you'll ever experience. wedgie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomheart Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I'd never drill in such a nice Korea LP (ouch!). They are awesome underrated guitars not produced anymore, and should be kept original. Of course the electronics could be swapt to better if it is possible to do without harming the body. (Only my opinion) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak show Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hey, I'm a newbie and not exactly an expert on guitars, or anything else for that matter, but I agree with Atomheart: I wouldn't cut at all, unless I had tried everything else first. And by the way: Great guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostindesert Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Hey' date=' I'm a newbie and not exactly an expert on guitars, or anything else for that matter, but I agree with Atomheart: I wouldn't cut at all, unless I had tried everything else first. And by the way: Great guitar![/quote'] If you want to install better volume and tone pots you have too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak show Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 If you want to install better volume and tone pots you have too. Wow, that was a quick response. It looks like even newbies are taken seriously here, which is nice. Does that apply to all Epiphone Les Pauls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostindesert Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Wow' date=' that was a quick response. It looks like even newbies are taken seriously here, which is nice. Does that apply to all Epiphone Les Pauls? [/quote'] Welcome Old Scratch, Yes, all Asian Epiphones use the small Asian pots. If you want to install CTS pots you have to enlarge the shaft hole. No big deal, use a little round wood file and be patience. I've done it many times and never was a guitar harmed in any way.:D/ Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 you wont hurt the value by drilling for larger pots. It's an upgrade in fact and ought to improve resale, soon or late. Same with the switch cavity, assuming the work is done nicely, it has nothing but positive effect. If this were an old martin guitar and you drilled a hole in it.. even then, given enough time, and an increase in rarity, no harm would actually be called on it. Assuming the drilling was done as in this case.. I'm not talking about something less than an improvement. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
es336td Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Thanx for all the input! As far as enlarging the pot shaft holes, that's not a big deal. The switch cavity scares me. The tabs on the Switchcraft switch I used were just barely scraping the sides of the hole; you'd have to bend the solder tabs to make it fit. If you shave away too much wood, the cavity cover won't fit. I may take it to a luthier I know down the road.... he never lets me down. Thanx! L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
es336td Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Should you decide to go with the RS Guitarworks kits just specify your make and modelat the time of order and you can rest assured that your parts will fit. I've ordered three kits from them and as they constantly tweek on their stuff one was delivered with the treble bleed mod already in place. I called to inquire about this and they had included it based on what was discussed during my order placement. If you decide that the mod is something you'd like to explore just discuss it with the tech (great place you WILL speak to someone who WORKS on guitars)' date=' at the time of your order placement. They treat every call as if you were famous and many of their clients are... their service and products are simply second to none. I think you'll find it's some of the best bang for the buck you'll ever experience. wedgie[/quote'] I believe you on their quality. I have a 68 Gibson ES335 and the pots disintegrated in 79. I replaced them with the little square plastic Bourns pots. They were real smooth, easy to turn and quiet. A year or two ago, the guitar started making noise, so I ordered a replacement kit from RSGW. It came and I was shocked as to how easy it was to put together! The worst part was stuffing everything through the F hole! At any rate, the damn thing sounds amazing now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
es336td Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Also... has anyone used TonePros tailpiece and bridge on a Korean Epi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I spoke with the Gibson Customer Service division today, wanted to find out more about the Specs on the hardware installed on my Epi Les Paul Studio - exact pickups (was told Alinco Classic Humbuckers, V Magnet), any and all parts info, and recommended parts or problems retrofitting Gibson-style stuff onto an Epi. Was told that I would have to DRILL some, and FILL some. Duh... At least they're sending a catalog to add to my guitar porno collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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