mrjones200x Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I brought my Epi Les Paul as it was the best i could find in my price range and after having for about 6 months i got better at playing and noticed little things could be improved cheaply. I changed the pickups for a cheaper newer brand from england called irongear and i used there pickups called hotslags based on the net sound reviews and my mate had them too. It improved what i wanted which was more note clarity when under distortion and only cost £50 for both pickups. I removed the pickguard for looks too. My epi valve junior amp got modded as it was cheap and gave me loads more tone options and i couldnt afford a better tube amp and i really liked the tone from it. The next one up was triple the price or more so i said id buy the cheap one which can have extra features for a few quid. Just brought my Gibson Les Paul BFG and i will leave this stock. I love the looks and sound and have no complaints as of yet. The neck pickups is lovely and the bridge is mean. Sometimes i find the bridge is quite trebley but i can tone that down on the amp easily and it doesnt affect the neck pickup enough to notice. My kramer guitar i got a few months back is a great guitar but i find having a floatint trem a bit of a nightmare so im going to make it only for dive bombs. Stays in tune great but i like to change to drop d and e flat tuning and it takes ages to tune up and set every time and i have to adjust the springs on the back so fixing it so it doesnt pull up will save me loads of time with tuning it in the future. Dont use the trem pull back function anyhow just for dive bombing. Also gonna mod my cry baby wah too so the sweep is better. I brought it because there recommended and cheap and as i wont use it much i wanted to get a good one pretty cheap and i know the mod is very cheap and makes it loads better sounding. The next one up in the range i think sounds good stock is double the price so modding is cheaper and fun. I generally do mods for costs.Get as close to what you want for a good price and spend a little making it its best. I couldnt afford a Gibson Les Paul std so i got the bfg seconhand which is great. Dont want to mod as i know what i brought and why i brought. Also think i like the look better than a shiney std? Maybe thats just me?? Misses wasnt happy i spent £600 on a guitar but hey its only once! Im looking to buy a marshall tube amp for home and i know they cost a lot so i'll sell loads of my gear to buy one but im gonna try loads at the shop then prob buy secondhand maybe off of ebay. I may end up only having my gibson and a marshall and a couple of cheap effects pedals but id be very happy with that. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 The reason Epiphone hasn't addressed the needed changes is simple. You never paid them to. A truer word has never been typed !!!!!! As long as Epiphone is making hugely profitable sales from the low production cost/ mediocre quality guitars they currently make.......they have absolutely NO reason to improve upon themselves. For all their ballyhooing about "customer satisfaction" , the only thing they REALLY care about is profit margin, and how to increase it...........sorry guys & gals, it's just business . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 O!M!G!......!!!!!!! I think I just channeled Nelson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 My thoughts are if it's not broke don't fix it and buy what you really want to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrjones200x Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 If you cant afford it you could save up, (thats what people say to me) Fair enough! Now i cant justify say a £2000 guitar to the wife! More exspensive than my car! But a £600 guitar is ok. And if it does need a slight tweak to meet my needs then that is exceptable. I want a marshall plexi and 4x12 cab but i cant afford it so i'll go with what i can stretch to which is probably a marshall dsl 401 or a marshall haze 40w combo or a jcm 900 50w combo Same with boy racers, they cant afford a ferrari so they buy a small car which can be modded cheaply to give amazing results for a small price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I enjoy the tinkering as much as I do playing. Especially in the Epi pricerange(not just Epi) there's plenty room for improvement. I find myself often enough buying parts for guitars that haven't even arrived yet, just in sheer anticipation of the sub-par quality. I was almost shocked when my Squier Classic Vibe Tele arrived and it didn't need any work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotcanX Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 My thoughts are if it's not broke don't fix it and buy what you really want to begin with. That's a good thought' date=' but sometimes 'what I really want' isn't always available. For example, what I want is an Epiphone with no pickups installed at a discounted price; that way I can jump straight to the aftermarket pickups I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I changed the cosmetic looks of my Casino, and the person who owned it before put Duncan pups, Grover tuners, and USA pots and switch, so it's a modded guitar but with the exception of the pickguard and knobs, I didn't do it myself. My Gibson ES-330 is 100% stock and is going to stay that way (even though the Duncans in my Casino sound slightly better) Well I'm a newbie at modding a guitar, I just finished my first one. I guess there are as many reasons for modding a guitar as there are people who do it. Here is my story. I got an LTD EC-50 for a price I couldn't refuse. I like the neck of the guitar, I like the looks of the guitar, but I didn't like the sound of the guitar. Not that it sounds bad, but the overwound humbuckers just aren't appropriate for the music I play for a living. So it sat on a guitar stand collecting dust while the strings rusted. Then two things happened: (1) I played a stage that was very noisy and my Casino was unusable plugged in and Leilani's Parker with coil taps had to be played in the humbucker position (she played the Casino acoustic rhythm through a mic and I played her Parker for lead) and (2) I got an outdoor gig on a salt water lagoon near the ocean and I really don't like the salt air getting inside the Casino hollow body. So I thought about using the LTD for these two places, but I don't like the sound for our gigs. After some investigation I found that GFS Mean 90s are P90s that fit in a humbucker position, with one of the pups reversed so when both are selected, they cancel the noise like a humbucker so I ordered a couple. The LTD had one tone and two volume knobs and I figured for a back-up guitar, re-wiring it so that there was only one volume knob would be better, so that left either a hole or a non-functioning knob in the guitar. I've always wondered what the Varitone was all about, so I decided to put a Varitone in the unused position. The GFS Mean 90s sound great. I'm sure the solid guitar contributes to this, but they have more bite than the Duncans in my Casino but still with the P90 tone and response. With the Varitone, pup switch, and tone control I have a wide variety of sounds I can make with this guitar, and I really enjoy playing it and exploring the sounds I can make with it. So now: (1) I am no longer a virgin in the modding department (2) I've turned a cheap guitar I didn't use at all into something I like almost as much as I do my Casino, but for different reasons (3) I had a lot of fun, and both my brain and my hands learned a lot about working on a guitar, and (4) I have a sense of accomplishment that I get when I try something I've never done before and it turned out better than I expected. In fact, I think I will play this one on that noisy stage, on my Sunday gig, and in those clubs where smoking is still allowed. And I'll probably play it exclusively for a while, simply because it is a new toy. Am I going to become a modding addict? Definitely not, but if a need comes up again, I won't be shy about doing it. Is it going to replace my 330 or Casino? Definitely not but simply extend the sounds I can make with guitars. Do I still have GAS? Yes, but it's been very temporarily alleviated while I explore and discover what the LTD is now capable of doing. And yes, the LTD is going to get some professional experience. Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinTheHood Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Cool! But' date=' what's with all these "Friends" I keep reading about on this forum, who borrow someone's guitar, and keep it, for a year or 5 years, and then give it back in terrible condtion?! That amazes me! I guess being "old as dirt," I was raised NOT to borrow anything, unless you could return it in (at least) the same condition, or better (cleaned up, etc.) But then, I never loan my guitars (or cameras), and don't expect to use other peoples, either. So...??? I'm actually reasonably generous, in most other areas, though. CB[/quote'] Yeah, I'd be pretty hard pressed to loan anything out these days. When I loaned out my S-500, I wasnt playing at the time...not even bass that much. My daughter was only a year old and it was a somewhat stressful time, and I had no intentions of learning any more guitar at that point. Also, my friend lived only a few blocks away. Anyway, he broke a corner of the headstock at the glue joint, and gave it to a luthier friend of his to get fixed. Well, the luthier friend fixed it, but somehow lost some parts and was either too embarrased to return it like that, or he just spaced it out and forgot about it. So fastforward five years, the luthier friend moves to California, but leaves the guitar with another friend of mine and made sure I got it back. Then it was modding time. I'm actually glad it came back in bad condition, because modding it was really fun....and I like the guitar more now that I ever did. A very rude question has often been on my mind since I first started visiting guitar forums:So many members (not just here!) seem to spend so much time on forums' date=' so much time modding, so much time GASing, looking at and talking about new models, manufacturing origins etc etc., that I often wonder if they ever actually play and are more into acquisition and/or admiration of their acquistions. [/quote'] I've wondered this on occasion as well, lol. Most of my posting is done at work (shh...dont tell). Once I get a job set up and running, I have about 15 minutes or more of "free" time, until I have to change out the stock. I cant leave the printing press just in case something goes haywire, but I dont really have anything else I can do except watch, listen and make sure everything runs smoothly...which is usually the case. I have a computer at my workstation so I post and read a lot to stave off boredom. I've been working this same job for over a decade, so everything I do on the floor is just automatic without much thought process these days. Funny thing is, when we are slow, I spend more time correcting the data for the in-house software on the computer in my office, where I wouldnt dare surf the internet. Anyway, I post during the day (mostly) and practice at night...usually for an hour or more. I dont really spend alot of time modding, but when I do its normally on the weekends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbirchett Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Many of the mods that I have done on my Sheraton have been cosmetic: pickguard, knobs, truss rod cover, tuning knobs, etc. One, the pickup selector switch, was done out of necessity. The others have been done to make the guitar play and sound the way I want it to: Bigsby and GFS Retrotron Liverpool pickups. I could have left the stop tailpiece on it and had a great guitar, but I use a Bigsby. The stock pickups were OK but these sound great. And I don't play in my bedroom -- I play in the family room! LOL (and the practice basement at our drummer's house and occasionally on stage). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 When I owned Epiphones they were just short of being a pretty good guitar. For me it was always the pick-ups. I think in general, we feel that EPi's are just one or two parts away from being a Gibson. Now that I have a Gibson and a very nice Telecaster, I have found that I'm very happy with them exactly as produced. Also, as mentioned, tinkering with guitars is a whole other hobby, so is forum cruising. Along with playing a guitar, these all may be related hobbies, but different people have different interests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 When we speak of it just being business, I think it good to recall just how much you get for your money, instead of characterising it as some gigantic rip off. Epiphones profits per guitar, I don't beleive, can be accurately described as huge. They get huge, but only because the guitars offer enough in all the most important areas for Epi to sell many. I modify for sound, playability, stability, and cosmetic appeal. Just off the top of my head-may be other reasons. I think those are all valid reasons for change, especially given our individual needs and tastes. I also do it for fun. Just to tweak a bit more out of some aspect is a challenge and satisfying. It wont make a lot, perhaps even any difference to someone else.. audience or band members, except that I'll be happier and that's supposed to be good all around. part of it is psychological.. we all tend to make up for our playing by focusing on the instrument.. keeps us from being to hard on ourselves. we all tend to have the idea in our head that a stock epi is not only not a gibson, et al, but is not quite all it could be. So we're motivated at different time by different ideas, impressions, and, as mentioned, actual needs and wants. Face the music, children, you aint never gonna grow up entirely, and that's part of quality of life. Now, back to my dirt pile, I got some new army men TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydpink7 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 And I thought this would be yet another rant about moderators. That's what I first thought too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 That's what I first thought too... OK, floyd and Jeffrey...I've "modded" the title, to more correctly reflect what I had in mind. LOL! ;>) Thanks, CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 A very rude question has often been on my mind since I first started visiting guitar forums: So many members (not just here!) seem to spend so much time on forums' date=' so much time modding, so much time GASing, looking at and talking about new models, manufacturing origins etc etc., that I often wonder if they ever actually play and are more into acquisition and/or admiration of their acquistions. In one sense ownership of a collection of guitars, amps, pedals etc. is the primary concern.[/quote'] G'day Ron, Hope you are travelling along OK mate. Yours isn't the rudest question I've seen asked in these places and you are equally as entitled to an opinion as anyone else. From my point of view the closest thing I have done to "modding" a guitar is fit a new pick guard....well I had to remove the neck if that counts towards actually doing something. I am DIY autistic and frequently manage to muck up even the easiest of jobs and that is the main reason I haven't started "modding" my guitars. The other factor is the expense of parts (as you well know) here in Oz which are bloody ridiculous! Now to my point, at 63 I'm never going to be much of a player. I simply started too late in life and have a few problems that get in the way. Why have I got 6 guitars? Yes acquisition and ownership are part of that because it gives me great pleasure to walk into my study and see the "girls" lined up waiting for me. Guitars to me are things of beauty, yes even the cheap guitars I have managed to collect! I don't have a lot of other hobbies and I see no harm in what I'm doing and the forum activity fits in around the rest of my life and is simply a focus around which I get to meet people from all over the world, and learn a bit about each day. I am fortunate to have a lot of friends I have met this way and I find it intensely interesting. Owning, learning to play, and learning about guitars is a fantastic interest even though I accept that I will never be able to play nor modify them worth a damn. Guitars have added a lot to my life and I am grateful to have them. Digger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 Digger....good to see you over here, dude! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Digger....good to see you over here' date=' dude! CB[/quote'] I couldn't let you get too lonely over here now could I CB? I have been a member for ages but have been devoting my energies mostly to the other place, but that doesn't mean I can't join you blokes from time to time. Duane has been very encouraging so why not? We have two forums based on the same interests and I see some cross pollination as being good for both places.......I mean we all love guitars ~ Digger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I started playing when I was 16 in 1971 on a horrible nylon string Kent guitar my girlfriend gave me. Then I got a cheap steel string acoustic and eventually a Gibson ES-225. I never did any mods to any of those guitars except clean them and change the strings. Later, I got my Guild Stewart A-500, a Schecter tele copy, a heavily moded strat, and finally a custom made strat. That was it for the first 35 years of guitar playing and ownership, other than a really bad midi guitar I fooled around with for a while. Still nothing except string changes, and one pickguard change to the strat. Since I found this forum, I've bought 3 Epi Genesis, a MIM tele, a Dot, a Sheraton II, an Epi Orville and a 70's Epi Masumoku acoustic. I've done a bridge repair to the Matsomoku, a preamp/pickup repair to the Orville, a complete overhaul of the tele, an Earvana nut replacement on the Dot, and may be putting a Bigsby on the Sheraton. One of the Genesis was wreck and I'm in the process of giving it a complete new nitro paint job, all new hardware, PUPs and a Bigsby. Why the sudden flurry of guitar buying and modding? Because a) its fun; 2) I finally have the time; and III) I finally have the space for a proper bench and a spray booth. My ulitimate goal is to learn enough about fooling with guitars to start buiding them from scratch, or almost scratch. My dream is to take Nazareth Guitar Institute's small group workshop here in PA and build an archtop under Dale Unger's tutelage, then bring it home and give it a nitrocellulose sunburst finish in my booth. It's a relatively affordable hobby, and you get to play the thing when you're done with it. I'll never be the player I once was, but I'm still good enough to enjoy playing and teaching my kids and neighbors. Epi's are the perfect guitar for this - they're inexpensive, relatively well made, easy to find used, have a wide variety of styles, and best of all - an unbelieveablly knowledgeable bunch of like-minded guys (and gals) hang out on this forum. It's fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbirchett Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 When I was a teenager, in the '60s, we modified our cars and left the guitars stock. Now I modify the heck out of my guitars and my cars remain stock. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 10, 2009 Author Share Posted May 10, 2009 When I was a teenager' date=' in the '60s, we modified our cars and left the guitars stock. Now I modify the heck out of my guitars and my cars remain stock. Go figure. '](*,) Well, it's cheaper, for one thing! LOL! (Although, sometimes I wonder....) ;>) CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 When I was a teenager' date=' in the '60s, we modified our cars and left the guitars stock. Now I modify the heck out of my guitars and my cars remain stock. Go figure. '](*,) The '60s was an era when you could modify cars, without worrying about computer chips or programmed fuel injection or emissions rules, and you could actually find the space around the engine to work (I once put a small block V8 in a '57 Chevrolet Carryall -- you could almost get under the hood and walk around beside the engine); on the other hand, guitar parts were thin on the ground (the first guitar parts I ever saw in a catalog were from Carvin). And, as CB pointed out, gits are cheaper to play with. That's why I no longer build road racing motorcycles, like I did before I had kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Cuz we can Chuck, cuz we can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpfan Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I don't do a mod unless its needed. I leave my guitars stock just so that they are original and hopefully when thay are older and more collectible it will add to their value. I don't make my living playing professionally so I can't justify spending that kind of time and money doing unneccessary mods. If I did make a living playing professionally then I would have guitars out the wazooo and then I would do all kinds of crazy stuff with them. I should probably spend more time playing than time I spend on this forum but I am usually at my co-op when I am on here so I guess I don't waste alot of my available playing time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 I'm just a tinkerer in pretty much all things. I replaced the mini's in my LP Deluxe because I hated them and like P-90's. I've messed endlessly with my Tele because it was a mess when i got it. Now, it's gorgeous. I built a Strat and have messed with it over the years. Cheaper guitars have hardware that feels and looks cheap to me because I'm spoiled by having great guitars, so I'm likely to swap some of it out. Some guitars, though, I won't touch. Like my 50th anniversary Strat. That needs to stay all-original, and it's already perfect anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28v6r Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Actually CB............... Its so that one day I'll only be able to play half a good as you..............Lols!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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