Gibson CS Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hello..... Me and my friend were talking and we decided we needed to learn how to modifyset up a guitar. So we decided to use his Epi SG. All I want to know if this stuff is possible.... A whammy bar EMG active pups locking tuners super fat strings I'm pretty sure we can do everyting but do they make Tremolo systems for SG's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Me and my friend decided we needed to learn how to modifyset up a guitar. So we decided to use his Epi SG. All I want to know if this stuff is possible.... A whammy bar You betcha! EMG active pups Easy! locking tuners The headstock will likely require drilling' date=' be very careful. I can help you with a few pointers there. super fat strings Hmmmm..... How fat? 11's are fine with a setup. Any heavier, I don't know. SG is not a strong guitar, certainly not an Epi. I'm pretty sure we can do everyting but do they make Tremolo systems for SG's? Bigsby is a GREAT addition to any SG. The Gibson Maestro is what I have on mine, works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Thanks for all the info, we're only doing this for education, it's so hopefully if we don't screw up the SG too bad we could work on my LP. So it's not really that we NEED thick strings, but we're going for a metal guitar, mostly for fun. I'm assuming any thicker than 11 we would need TR changes? And if you screw that up doesnt it kinda screw the guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Martin Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 For thickass strings, you will have to adjust the bridge as well as the curvature of the neck. It's not rocket science, since there is more mass on the string you need to create more room for it to vibrate. Adjusting the truss rod isn't THAT big of deal, but Google info on how to do it correctly. Honestly unless you stick your wrench on there and keep rotating until the neck snaps there you're not going to cause any damage and you can always readjust it. Also you will need to intonate it majorly afterwards. It will be an awesome learning experience for you guys. You can't HURT anything by trying, but the fact that it's an Epi does lessen the stress. I had to learn on my Gibsons, and that was a bit scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlekenny Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I think kahler made a trem for a SG, it fits on top of the posts for the tune o matic and stopbar so no routing is required. I'm not sure if they still sell them but you might be able to find on on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingarmadillo Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 So it's not really that we NEED thick strings, but we're going for a metal guitar, mostly for fun. Given that Angus Young strings with "Super Slinkys" (9-42) I fail to see the need for thicker strings just 'cuz you want to play metal. The rest sounds like a fun project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibson CS Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Given that Angus Young strings with "Super Slinkys" (9-42) I fail to see the need for thicker strings just 'cuz you want to play metal. The rest sounds like a fun project. ACDC isn't metal, we mean METAL Slipknot, Disturbed, Slayer. They use like 13's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlekenny Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 ACDC isn't metal' date=' we mean METAL Slipknot, Disturbed, Slayer. They use like 13's[/quote'] I think dunlop makes a Zakk wylde set that's something like .13-.64 (something like that) you might wanna check those out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everdying Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 a tremolo like a floyd will work in an SG... due to the thinner body...just make sure to rout it like a typical fender... heres my SG-90 with factory fitted schaller... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
led floyd9 Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thanks for all the info' date=' we're only doing this for education, it's so hopefully if we don't screw up the SG too bad we could work on my LP. So it's not really that we NEED thick strings, but we're going for a metal guitar, mostly for fun. I'm assuming any thicker than 11 we would need TR changes? And if you screw that up doesnt it kinda screw the guitar?[/quote'] If you're going for a metal guitar, keep in mind that the Gibson Maestro (tremolo) wasn't made for dive-bombing or anything of that sort. If you want to dive-bomb, I would suggest a Kahler tremolo. If you're just going to do subtle whammying, then the Gibson Maestro is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreedomStain Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Check this out for a tremolo. It's a direct replacement for the stop bar, no extra holes, no nothing. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar_tremolos/Les_Trem_Stop-Tailpiece_Tremolos.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKingN Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Check this out for a tremolo. It's a direct replacement for the stop bar' date=' no extra holes, no nothing. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar_tremolos/Les_Trem_Stop-Tailpiece_Tremolos.html You can't see the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrktwn Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 I think kahler made a trem for a SG' date=' it fits on top of the posts for the tune o matic and stopbar so no routing is required. I'm not sure if they still sell them but you might be able to find on on ebay.[/quote']Bingo. I was gonna suggest this too. Espcially if you want to "metallify" it. There IS some routing required though. Its a small squarish rout and doesnt go through the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_guitarist Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Whammy-Maestro,Bigsby or stesbar.Anything else would take routing and not safe for a novice. Tuners-Sure,why not? As someone up there (^) said,you MAY need to drill a little. Active PUPs-Not my speciality-or even a strong area-but I'm sure there are better ones than EMG. You might need to route a little,or even remove a volume pot and tone pot? To fit the battery in somewhere. Strings-Adjust the following:Bridge and saddle height,intonation,the just rod (just a fraction) and possibly the nut.That SHOULD be it. SGs and LPs have a weak headstock. If higher guage strings create more tension(I'm not sure on this) be careful with it. Tremolo(spelling?) Locking tuners Active pickups (that I like) Some advice on changing to a heavier guage. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALIEN8 Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 SG + fat strings = broken neck. Seriously. It's not a good combo. I wouldn't venture much above 12-52... The neck tenon is not strong enough for it... especially with a trem system and dive bombing. She'll be a great learning experience if you want to learn how to put a neck back on. I'm not kidding, I've seen it happen on stage... A Les Paul on the other hand is completely different, I have .069 for low b on my epi 7! Awesome tension, nice and tight for fast riffing. If you do venture beyond .052 you will have to rebuild the nut, not only file the slot bigger, but actually re build it, because you will have to raise the string to avoid open string fret buzz. But pick fatty strings or trem, not both... Good Luck and Happy tinkering!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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