MrBlimp Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 So, if you were thinking about upgrading from the stock Eipi LP - say one like mine, a Standard - what would you look at upgrading? And, what would you use as the replacement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 So' date=' if you were thinking about upgrading from the stock Eipi LP - say one like mine, a Standard - what would you look at upgrading? And, what would you use as the replacement? [/quote'] My dream upgrade would be having the neck molded to that of my FrankenPaul Jr.'s neck that i sanded and shaped. That but finished satin cherry. Also, having the neck heel joint sculpted to a more low profile and more accessible shape Those are my dream upgrades. I say dream cause i dont have the guts to sand up a LP standard that i paid good money for. The LP jr i used for my project frankenpaul was only like 40 bucks. Plus, I couldnt figure out a way to sculpt the existing neck heel joint. Other than those, my real attainable upgrades are : -TUSQ nut -TUSQ string saver saddles -Wilkinson Deluxe Vintage Bell (Kluson) style tuners -490R/490T for LP, 490R/498T for SG or wilshire or similar shapes -Epiphone Locktone bridge and tailpiece (if not already on stock) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I like my Epis pretty much as they are. My SG and Casino are both stock. I generally love the way they both sound and feel. I wouldn't mind getting some new tuners for the Casino though, and might go with some of the Wilkinson Kluson style ones if I like the ones I'm fitting to my LP. A bone nut would be nice, but the stock plastic one is perfectly adequate and, as I said, the guitar sounds fine, so why change? As for the SG, it's got a new Tusq XL nut, and the full size pickguard I had custom made for it, but it's otherwise fine. I suppose I wouldn't mind some new pickups, something not quite so hot, but still with plenty of bite when driven, like the SD Alnico Pro II's in my LP. And as for the LP, it's getting new tuners and will get a Gotoh bridge at some stage. A bone nut might be good on that too, but again, the stock one is fine and it sounds fine as it is. I guess I've listed a fair few things there, but I'd hardly say they're 'dream upgrades', nor are they necessary or 'must haves' for me. If I had an abundance of money I might have those upgrades done, but since I don't, I love my guitars as they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I like my Epis pretty much as they are. My SG and Casino are both stock. I generally love the way they both sound and feel. I wouldn't mind getting some new tuners for the Casino though' date=' and might go with some of the Wilkinson Kluson style ones if I like the ones I'm fitting to my LP. A bone nut would be nice, but the stock plastic one is perfectly adequate and, as I said, the guitar sounds fine, so why change? As for the SG, it's got a new Tusq XL nut, and the full size pickguard I had custom made for it, but it's otherwise fine. I suppose I wouldn't mind some new pickups, something not quite so hot, but still with plenty of bite when driven, like the SD Alnico Pro II's in my LP. And as for the LP, it's getting new tuners and will get a Gotoh bridge at some stage. A bone nut might be good on that too, but again, the stock one is fine and it sounds fine as it is. I guess I've listed a fair few things there, but I'd hardly say they're 'dream upgrades', nor are they necessary or 'must haves' for me. If I had an abundance of money I might have those upgrades done, but since I don't, I love my guitars as they are.[/quote'] the wilkinsons are nice and tight. youll love em. the Gotoh bridges are top notch! Though, admitedly I prefer the epiphone bridge cause it "locks" down. I get descent intonation with it. Im not as anal as some when it comes to intonation. If it aint broke why fix it? is my bridge attitude. not for other stuff though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce_09 Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I've got a creme pickguard and custom engraved truss rod cover coming from Terrapin guitars for my Cherry Dot. But in the future I'd like to put a Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P-90 in the neck. I might also look at some new tuners, but I'm not sure what brand to go with.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swoop Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 the wilkinsons are nice and tight. youll love em. the Gotoh bridges are top notch! Though' date=' admitedly I prefer the epiphone bridge cause it "locks" down. I get descent intonation with it. Im not as anal as some when it comes to intonation. If it aint broke why fix it? is my bridge attitude. not for other stuff though.[/quote'] My Epi's don't have the Locktone bridge, or whatever it's called. I'm not all that pedantic about intonation either, close is good enough for me. Guitar tuning isn't all that precise anyway. I know it's not really all that sensible to give a rats about the aesthetics of what is pretty much a purely functional part of the guitar, but I like the look of the Gotoh bridge, it just looks nice and clean to me, the studs are machined nicely, the screws are nice and minute and there's no retaining wire. I suppose I could get a similar one from GFS and save some coin, though the shipping makes it about the same as a Gotoh, and anyway a Chrome or Nickel Gotoh ones isn't all that expensive (gold is though, I bought one for the Firebird). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 My Epi's don't have the Locktone bridge' date=' or whatever it's called. I'm not all that pedantic about intonation either, close is good enough for me. Guitar tuning isn't all that precise anyway. I know it's not really all that sensible to give a rats about the aesthetics of what is pretty much a purely functional part of the guitar, but I like the look of the Gotoh bridge, it just looks nice and clean to me, the studs are machined nicely, the screws are nice and minute and there's no retaining wire. I suppose I could get a similar one from GFS and save some coin, though the shipping makes it about the same as a Gotoh, and anyway a Chrome or Nickel Gotoh ones isn't all that expensive (gold is though, I bought one for the Firebird).[/quote'] they have graphtech tusq saddles for the GFS tuneomatic. I have one of GFS' import Lp bridges and it is amazing. I have it on a LPjr customization...also put the GFS bent steel vibrola on it too. ahh my FrankenPaul Jr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntelligentAl Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I suppose you could say my 'dream upgrade' is more of a modification, but I would really like to put a Midi XY Touchpad below the bridge on my LP. It would be great for controlling something like a Digitech Whammy or a Kaoss Pad. My favourite guitarist is Matt Bellamy, and he can get some amazing sounds out of the Touchpad on his custom Manson guitars. But, alas, the price would probably be a bit much, and I'm not sure I'd have the guts to cut a hole in my guitar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS90 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Some talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBlimp Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 Damn, that last one speaks volumes - and I would sure love a bunch of that as well - though I think my dreams are already quite full of it. I've read all the posts here and in the other threads about tuners. I've read about the quality of various ones. I'm quite happy with the stock tuners so I doubt I will be changing them ever (that is unless one or more of them implode or something similar). I probably won't ever mess with the bridge either. The nut is a different thing though. I can see replacing it someday in the future. I have a small piece of paper stuck under my Low E string which was needed to eliminate some buzz I was experiencing. As for the pickups - I guess when I get that talent I'll have to change them - for now the level of talent I possess can't tell the difference, besides I play my Epi LP more without an amp then with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 My dream upgrade would be having the neck molded to that of my FrankenPaul Jr.'s neck that i sanded and shaped. That but finished satin cherry. Also' date=' having the neck heel joint sculpted to a more low profile and more accessible shape Those are my dream upgrades. I say dream cause i dont have the guts to sand up a LP standard that i paid good money for. The LP jr i used for my project frankenpaul was only like 40 bucks. Plus, I couldnt figure out a way to sculpt the existing neck heel joint. Other than those, my real attainable upgrades are : -TUSQ nut -TUSQ string saver saddles -Wilkinson Deluxe Vintage Bell (Kluson) style tuners -490R/490T for LP, 490R/498T for SG or wilshire or similar shapes -Epiphone Locktone bridge and tailpiece (if not already on stock) [/quote'] What is the size for the TUSQ nut replacement for an LP STD? Did those saddles make a difference in the tone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Damn' date=' that last one speaks volumes - and I would sure love a bunch of that as well - though I think my dreams are already quite full of it. I've read all the posts here and in the other threads about tuners. I've read about the quality of various ones. I'm quite happy with the stock tuners so I doubt I will be changing them ever (that is unless one or more of them implode or something similar). I probably won't ever mess with the bridge either. The nut is a different thing though. I can see replacing it someday in the future. I have a small piece of paper stuck under my Low E string which was needed to eliminate some buzz I was experiencing. As for the pickups - I guess when I get that talent I'll have to change them - for now the level of talent I possess can't tell the difference, besides I play my Epi LP more without an amp then with one. [/quote'] +1!! I too play unplugged with my LP. They resonate soooooo well. Especially my new to me ultra. What is the size for the TUSQ nut replacement for an LP STD? Did those saddles make a difference in the tone? Guitar electronics.com sells TUSQ XL's made specifically for import LPs and epiphones. SKU: GTN6060 or part number PT-6060-00 All you gotta do is fine sand it to get it to seat perfectly to your liking. The saddles are for the epiphone bridge and are SKU:GTS8633 or part number PS-8633-00 Graphtech.com has info on which will fit which bridge and guitar nut. Having the graphtech nut and saddle combo actually does what they claim. Harmonics are just jumpin out while playing. It also gets rid of the treble spike and "ping" sound that metal saddles add. You'll hear this difference unplugged. Makes the tonal spectrum more even instead of having an exagerated treble spectrum. I like em, and thats good enough for me. Fleabay sells white saddles if you opt for the white TUSQ nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 +1!! I too play unplugged with my LP. They resonate soooooo well. Especially my new to me ultra. Guitar electronics.com sells TUSQ XL's made specifically for import LPs and epiphones. SKU: GTN6060 or part number PT-6060-00 All you gotta do is fine sand it to get it to seat perfectly to your liking. The saddles are for the epiphone bridge and are SKU:GTS8633 or part number PS-8633-00 Graphtech.com has info on which will fit which bridge and guitar nut. Having the graphtech nut and saddle combo actually does what they claim. Harmonics are just jumpin out while playing. It also gets rid of the treble spike and "ping" sound that metal saddles add. You'll hear this difference unplugged. Makes the tonal spectrum more even instead of having an exagerated treble spectrum. I like em' date=' and thats good enough for me. Fleabay sells white saddles if you opt for the white TUSQ nut. [/quote'] Thanks for the info. I will look into this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungrycat Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I suppose you could say my 'dream upgrade' is more of a modification' date=' but I would really like to put a Midi XY Touchpad below the bridge on my LP. It would be great for controlling something like a Digitech Whammy or a Kaoss Pad. My favourite guitarist is Matt Bellamy, and he can get some amazing sounds out of the Touchpad on his custom Manson guitars. But, alas, the price would probably be a bit much, and I'm not sure I'd have the guts to cut a hole in my guitar...[/quote'] You ought to do that to a hollow-body. I believe Matt Bellamy's Masons are hollow aluminum bodied. Or just save up for the Manson Matt Bellamy Signature. It's got the Kaoss Pad built right in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrirlupus Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 1) pickups- http://www.q-tuner.com/ 2) bridge/tailpiece (available with tonepros bridge and graph tech string-saver saddles) http://stetsbar.com/ 3) nut http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/String_nuts/Black_Tusq_XL_Nut.html 4) locking tuners w/ 18:1 gear ratio http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Grover_Tuners/Grover_Full-size_Locking_Tuning_Machines.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenrirlupus Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 You ought to do that to a hollow-body. I believe Matt Bellamy's Masons are hollow aluminum bodied. Or just save up for the Manson Matt Bellamy Signature. It's got the Kaoss Pad built right in. hollow aluminum guitars are available from normandy and alumisonic normandy has a stock archtop and a hollow V alumisonic has hollow telecasters and they'll do a custom flatback '335 style guitar for 'ya if you ask 'em to both of them use warmoth necks, and normandy has "custom shop" guitars (you can ask for pretty much anything... i hope they do that forever, it'll be a while before i can afford one...) and the normandy guitars are FULLY hollow, but they're supposed to be feedback resistant. (awesome tone + high gain distortion? i'll take that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 hollow aluminum guitars are available from normandy and alumisonic normandy has a stock archtop and a hollow V alumisonic has hollow telecasters and they'll do a custom flatback '335 style guitar for 'ya if you ask 'em to both of them use warmoth necks' date=' and normandy has "custom shop" guitars (you can ask for pretty much anything... i hope they do that forever, it'll be a while before i can afford one...) and the normandy guitars are FULLY hollow, but they're supposed to be feedback resistant. (awesome tone + high gain distortion? i'll take that!)[/quote'] yuck. poop. sorry! i know i know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 You said "Dream" upgrade.............I dream BIG I'd like to wave a magic wand over my LP Plus Top, and "upgrade" it into an American John Lee Hooker Sheraton with frequensator tailpiece and Gibson mini-hums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntelligentAl Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Or just save up for the Manson Matt Bellamy Signature. It's got the Kaoss Pad built right in. Oh, how I would love to be able to afford one of those! The red glitter one has got to be one of the best looking guitars I have ever seen. Ah, one day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figstrum Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 has anyone heard of a metal nut? http://cgi.ebay.com/Les-Paul-Epiphone-Slotted-Guitar-Black-Metal-Nut-N-4BK_W0QQitemZ180391375715QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item2a0029f363 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I have a Martin clone with a brass nut. Sounds good, very clear. Not for every guitar though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest icantbuyafender Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I have a Martin clone with a brass nut. Sounds good' date=' very clear. Not for every guitar though.[/quote'] Some guy around town uses a brass nut for his les paul. whats the advantage? I would think itd be real twangy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmitron Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Well, a relic nickel plated Epiphone Maestro Vibrola with notches that allows a wrap-under string mount for my 67 Wilshire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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