Can you change out the electrics on an epiphone?

[cubbiesinger]

After going on the LP side of this site, it has been said that you probably can't change out electrics as easy as you can on an american made model of "like" guitars. Like if you bought an Epiphone LP and wanted to put in american electrics, could you do it? Or a thunderbird. Or whatever model you want to compare.

 

I'm just curious if some of you have or not and if it was a problem or not.

[i Can Tuna Guitar]

Yes.

[bynapkinart]

After going on the LP side of this site, it has been said that you probably can't change out electrics as easy as you can on an american made model of "like" guitars.

 

Wood is wood, regardless of where it was made. In the LP's case, most of them are made by machines in either Asia or the United States. Even the setup of American guitars is down to a machine these days, and people I've talked to don't even like the feel of these "Plek'd" guitars.

 

The ONLY difference between the American pieces of wood and the Asian pieces of wood is that you may need to slightly widen the holes used to mount the electronics in, due to the wider English-sized fittings. The Asian pieces of wood usually come with holes drilled to fit metric-sized pots and switches. Depends on the factory and what it is, though...my Casino came with english-sized holes.

 

There are a ton of people all over the Gibson and Epiphone forum who will try to justify the price:quality ratio on Gibsons. In some cases, they are phenomenally playable guitars (like the LP Jr I have my eye on). In most cases (IMO), they feel rather bland and uninspiring. Some people talk about how their $2500 guitar is going to be worth thousands more in the future...but let's face it, there are so many LPs coming out of Gibson these days and not a single one of them will ever reach the value of an original 59. Nitro finishes could be worth the extra couple grand, better stock electronics could be worth it, fret-edge binding could be worth it...but in the last 8 months I've played on roughly 300 Gibsons, and I found maybe two that I enjoyed playing. So, find a guitar that you like to play on. If you think it could use improvements, improve it! People buy American Fenders and Gibsons all the time, only to swap out the pickups. They (sometimes) then go around telling everyone how great it is, and how worth it it is...and someone's mexican or asian counterpart sounds very very very very close to the same at $1000-$3000 less.

 

Don't be sucked in by the brand. Even Gibson is starting to realize that they have to market their headstock and logo these days. I myself am very content with my Casino, which I spent a load of time on getting it exactly where I want it to be.

 

I swapped out everything electronic except for the pickups, which I modded a bit and still love:

 

Good Luck!! I don't mean to offend anyone with this posting BTW, I just have made these observations over the past couple of years. To all of you with Gibby LPs, I hope that you love them to death. Again, I'm hoping to get my hands on a Jr...nothing coming out of Gibson is wowing me anymore though. I've been very disappointed that a company like this is relying so heavily on their name and brand, instead of making a quality product.

[buliwyf]

I've changed a lot of PU's,pots,switches and everything else electric over the years in both Gibson and Epi's and havent had a problem with either.Actually the only problem I've ever had was changing to active EMG's is where to fit the 9 volt battery.What kind of pickups are you looking to use,for a sweet sound I love the 57 classic and for full on scream I love the 496r and the 500t somehow the ceramic magnets in those are just plain mean.I have a tony Iommi Epi SG and the tony Iommi PU's in that are some of the best I've heard also.Dont know how they would sound in anything else but in that Epi SG they are perfect.

[audiomitch]

I have a Gibson Dirty Fingers pickup that's been in at least 4 different guitars since I've owned it, and I bought it used. It was in an Agile LP, 2 Epiphone LPs, and now a Epiphone SG G-400. I never had to alter any of those guitars to get the Gibson pickup to fit.

[cubbiesinger]

This is really good to know. I am just trying really hard to see how I could justify buying a 1k dollar guitar right now. And I think if I found an epiphone that I liked the feel of it, I might just go with that. And if I find it lacking, to switch out the gear later. I know you can find some deals on American made Gibsons, but I'm just trying to keep my options open. I don't have a huge problem with the different kinds of woods the Asian company's use. If you ask me, it just will give it a different sound. But that might be a good thing. I don't know.

 

I'm thinking I like the sound of p90's for what I want. I'm a clean, strummy, open chord player mostly and I'm not going to be amping super loud anyways.

 

I like fender, but they just have a tenancy to be so twangy sounding. I used to own a few tele's a long time ago and I just feel like I want to go a little different this time. I like the smaller scale of the Gibson / Epiphone guitars. I've been playing more fenders when I'm out shopping but this weekend I'm planning on hitting the stores that carry gibson / epiphone.

 

Plus, there is a guy in my Subdivision selling two epiphones, a dot from China and a korean LP. I had another thread about them. I couldn't post pics from snapfish though. How do you post pics on this site? Do I do it directly from my computer? Or will photobucket work? Snapfish didn't though.

 

Thanks everyone for your input, and if you have any other input, I'm all ears.

 

Are the bridges swappable if you wanted? I'm assuming so if everything else is. I mean can you take a better quality bridge and put it on there. Or are they already american made hardware?

[audiomitch]

"I'm a clean, strummy, open chord player mostly and I'm not going to be amping super loud anyways. "

 

Sounds like you should look for a used Rickenbacker 330. Seriously.

[cubbiesinger]

That would be a good one to try. It's my impression that everyone wants a million dollars for a rick. I did see a 12 string on Crais list and the thought hit me I could leave the small strings off. But that would probably mess with the tension. IDK.

[JPO1959]

I would go with a Epi if I was you. IMO, the quality of today's Gibsons have really gone downhill while Epiphone's has drastically improved. I had the chance to try out one of the Les Paul specials with the P-90s and I was in awe at how great it sounded. Now, I'm out looking for one.

[cubbiesinger]

I have another guitar in my sights too. I don't like the way that they look at all, but I think I might like how they sound and play. What you have on your Avatar picture. But maybe one with p90's.

[cubbiesinger]

I'm exhausted. I played a ton of guitars today. And one of the places I went was guitar center. I highly unrecommend that place. At least the one in brookfield Wisconsin. It was the most annoying experience I've ever had. It's a free for all there. But I did get to play a lot of guitars.

 

There was only one Epi LP I liked, and I do hit the switch sort of frequently. Which is annoying. The others I played felt like turds. I did play some SG's and I could possibly like them. I that the way they look. But I like the feel of them and the sound. I played a firebird at a different store and it was pretty cool, but it felt kind of awkward on my right arm. Keeping it up kind of high. But it was kind of a neat guitar. I didn't play any Gibson LP's though. I did play on Gibson SG and I liked the two of the Epi's I played better. In fact, the one that felt the best to me was the cheapest 169 dollar "special". Looked good too. There was like a standard black one that was pretty good also. I'd post pics but it won't let me on this site.

 

I will tell you this though, I played a bunch of Gretsch's today and I liked every one. A couple of solid bodies and a couple of hollow bodies. At this point, these are my favorite guitars I've played on my search.

[KX36]

Does the pope crap on a bear!

 

You can change everything except the wood in an Epiphone. The only limitation is the metric vs imperial parts. Tuners, bridge, tailpiece, nut, pots, jack, switch, knobs etc.. you can get all of these in sizes to fit Epiphones. You may not be able to use the exact same parts as Gibson without some minor woodwork, but there will always be a part you can use.

 

E.g. Epiphone pots are 6mm short shafts and the holes are slightly wider than this. Gibson pots are 3/8" long shafts. There are loads of 6mm short shaft pots out there, but if you really want to use a 3/8" long shaft pot, you can widen your hole to 3.8" and use a nut and washer on either side of the wood to securely position the pot.

 

Changing hardware and electronics is very popular in Epiphones, so a lot of companies get in on the market and make parts marketed towards epiphones. e.g. Most Tonepros bridges won't fit Epiphone, but they do market at least one just for this purpose.

[cubbiesinger]

What would you guys think of this one?

 

It's a Korean made LP, a guy in my subdivision wants $325 for it. I played it briefly and it seems like a good deal. It's some kind of "Special Edition" (correction: Limited Edition), which probably means nothing. I'm just not sure I want to go with an LP. The price is good, but it's also an epiphone and I'm not sure what I think about that. I don't know if buying a brand new 425 mexican tele would be much better. Some say the mexi's are usually higher quality than the asian. I suppose it's different for each guitar. I can't remember if I posted these pics but I'll do it anyways.

 

My thought was I could always throw some p90's in there to maybe lighten up the sound if it's too, thick, you know? It's a little blingy for me, but I play guitar for kids at church and they might like it. hehehehe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My other dilemma is that if I go with an LP, I have another offer for a guy that is resurrecting a Gibby studio and will sell it to me for $550. And it has some fantastic tuners on it, plus some DiMarzio pick ups. But I'm not a metal player, so I'm less concerned about the fancy humbuckers. I like the idea of building up the Epiphone how I want, but then again I have read that the Gibbys are just SO MUCH BETTER. I'm not sure how much of that is fact or fiction. I know, different finish, supposedly better wood. I don't know.

 

I wish I could post pics on here. I copy and pasted this from another site.

[audiomitch]

What would you guys think of this one?

 

It's a Korean made LP, a guy in my subdivision wants $325 for it. I played it briefly and it seems like a good deal. It's some kind of "Special Edition" (correction: Limited Edition), which probably means nothing. I'm just not sure I want to go with an LP. The price is good, but it's also an epiphone and I'm not sure what I think about that. I don't know if buying a brand new 425 mexican tele would be much better. Some say the mexi's are usually higher quality than the asian. I suppose it's different for each guitar. I can't remember if I posted these pics but I'll do it anyways.

 

A Les Paul and a Tele are two completely different approaches to electric guitar. You should probably decide which sound you want to go for, and then make a decision.

[cubbiesinger]

Easier said than done, in my brain for some reason. I like aspects of each of them. But my dilemma has always been, a bone stock tele sounds too twangy to me, and a bone stock LP sounds to "strong" to me. But I like the way either one plays. I'm not sure which I like better, playability wise. They both have their virtues. Which is why I keep trying to look for an "inbetween" guitar that sort of has the best of both worlds. I think the SG is about the only one that comes close to that category. But I think the Gretsch Pro Jet might fit that too. So.... Do I tele, LP, or something inbetween.

 

And then there is the whole thing about if you change pickups on either the Tele or LP, it does change things too. I know some purists are saying that that isn't the right approach. But I'm not so sure I agree with that. I think those tele 72 RI's with their humbuckers produces a more "inbetween" sound, and I think an LP with some P90's probably thins it out a little. I've always wondered what a LP with some single coils might sound like, but that is usually called heresy. But I'm not sure that it's the worst idea in the world. Even a couple of people on this website have shown tapped or splittable buckers. And other guitar makers do it. So.....

 

I know at some point there are so many variables I just have to punt and make the best of it. I'm just trying to do that in the most informed and educated way possible before dropping my money somewhere. And of course trying to find the best deal in the process. Hehehehe You know the ones you here where this grandma is selling her husbands guitar to get it out of the house for 100 bucks. Turns out to be a "insert awesomely nice guitar". Hehehehhe In my dreams.

[audiomitch]

Easier said than done, in my brain for some reason. I like aspects of each of them. But my dilemma has always been, a bone stock tele sounds too twangy to me, and a bone stock LP sounds to "strong" to me. But I like the way either one plays. I'm not sure which I like better, playability wise. They both have their virtues. Which is why I keep trying to look for an "inbetween" guitar that sort of has the best of both worlds. I think the SG is about the only one that comes close to that category. But I think the Gretsch Pro Jet might fit that too. So.... Do I tele, LP, or something inbetween.

 

You may be looking for this guitar -

 

[cubbiesinger]

Yeah, I have one up as my screen saver. I went and played one the other day and I wasn't in love. It was OK, but I actually liked the way the Standard tele felt better, that I played at that place. It may have just been that "certain" one. Plus, now they're making this one called the "blacktop" series. It comes with two regular ole humbuckers that look like a gibson bucker, the plate is switched around and it's about 250 cheaper than the one you just showed me. Plus, I like really low profile frets, and the medium jumbo frets on the one you showed me, and many other Fenders, are not making me very excited. I thought frets were all standard, but I swear, many of the Gibby/Epiphones I've played SEEM like they're lower. And I like that. PLUS, I like the smaller scale of the Gibby/epi's. So, there's my quandry with playability.

 

But that guitar you showed me is nice. They make one with P90's too, and I think I like that one even more. But not sure I want to spend that when they have this blacktop option.

[audiomitch]

Yeah, I have one up as my screen saver. I went and played one the other day and I wasn't in love. It was OK, but I actually liked the way the Standard tele felt better, that I played at that place. It may have just been that "certain" one. Plus, now they're making this one called the "blacktop" series. It comes with two regular ole humbuckers that look like a gibson bucker, the plate is switched around and it's about 250 cheaper than the one you just showed me. Plus, I like really low profile frets, and the medium jumbo frets on the one you showed me, and many other Fenders, are not making me very excited. I thought frets were all standard, but I swear, many of the Gibby/Epiphones I've played SEEM like they're lower. And I like that. PLUS, I like the smaller scale of the Gibby/epi's. So, there's my quandry with playability.

 

But that guitar you showed me is nice. They make one with P90's too, and I think I like that one even more. But not sure I want to spend that when they have this blacktop option.

 

I own one of these and love it. To me it sounds like a cross between a single coil and a humbucker. Almost P90ish, but with a little more gloss. Lead guitar on the neck pickup is pretty amazing. But I agree, you gotta find a guitar that speaks to you or it's a waste of time.

[bynapkinart]

You may be looking for this guitar -

 

 

I played one of these and loved the sound...unfortunately, every one I pick up and play is wildly different, and both of the ones I loved had already been ruined by some tap-solo kids who screwed up the action.

 

I love the look with the big headstock. Plus, a personal fav frequently plays an original:

[cubbiesinger]

Thanks guys. AudioMitch, when you say you have this one, are you talking about the '72 RI with or the Blacktop? I'm assuming the 72 RI because the blacktops are just out.

 

bynapkinart, who is that?

 

So, do you guys think I'm crazy wondering what a LP sounds like with single coils? Aren't p90's technically a single coil design? I think it could give it a less strong sound that I don't find completely desirable. I wonder if the epi I'm looking at is able to swap p90's. I was researching that model last night "limited edition" and they were saying they were actually mini humbuckers. I wonder if that guys are minis. I have to look at the pics again, but they didn't strike me as such. Would anybody be willing for me to email my pics of this guitar and tell me what it is exactly? I think the price is actually pretty decent for what it is.

[bynapkinart]

Thanks guys. AudioMitch, when you say you have this one, are you talking about the '72 RI with or the Blacktop? I'm assuming the 72 RI because the blacktops are just out.

 

bynapkinart, who is that?

 

So, do you guys think I'm crazy wondering what a LP sounds like with single coils? Aren't p90's technically a single coil design? I think it could give it a less strong sound that I don't find completely desirable. I wonder if the epi I'm looking at is able to swap p90's. I was researching that model last night "limited edition" and they were saying they were actually mini humbuckers. I wonder if that guys are minis. I have to look at the pics again, but they didn't strike me as such. Would anybody be willing for me to email my pics of this guitar and tell me what it is exactly? I think the price is actually pretty decent for what it is.

 

It's Thom Yorke from Radiohead. Also, plenty of LPs are made with single coils...56 Goldtop, original pre 57 LPs, LP Jrs and Specials...and P90s are strong suckers. Between the full hollow design of my Casino vs my 335 clone, my P90s blow my Gibson 57 Classics out of the water. They are punchier, more articulate, clearer, better in almost every way unless you play on throwing them through a couple of fuzz pedals into an overdriven amp.

 

Yes, they hum, but there a hundred different ways to minimize hum and most people don't notice it/care in a band situation. I'm all for P90s in guitars as opposed to humbuckers.

[amx05462]

yes you can i completely re did my 56 gold top the origonal electrics were crap. kept the pickups and rewired the rest gibson pots and .033 caps. and changed the knobs to top hats with the label on them. those orange ones that came with it look like crap also changed the tuners to older style gibson tulip ends. looks more like the real thing now oh and i dyed the plastic covers on the back to dark brown as well. like the origonal gibson.

[audiomitch]

Thanks guys. AudioMitch, when you say you have this one, are you talking about the '72 RI with or the Blacktop? I'm assuming the 72 RI because the blacktops are just out.

 

bynapkinart, who is that?

 

So, do you guys think I'm crazy wondering what a LP sounds like with single coils? Aren't p90's technically a single coil design? I think it could give it a less strong sound that I don't find completely desirable. I wonder if the epi I'm looking at is able to swap p90's. I was researching that model last night "limited edition" and they were saying they were actually mini humbuckers. I wonder if that guys are minis. I have to look at the pics again, but they didn't strike me as such. Would anybody be willing for me to email my pics of this guitar and tell me what it is exactly? I think the price is actually pretty decent for what it is.

 

Mine is the '72 RI.

 

A P90 won't fit in a pickup cavity that's been routed for a humbucker or mini humbucker. It's a different shape. You can buy aftermarket P90s in a humbucker shape, like a Gibson P94, but why start out with the wrong shape to begin with? If you're pretty sure you want to try P90's, buy a guitar that's been routed for P90s.

 

I love P90's, I have a Gibson SG Classic and an Epiphone Casino.

[cubbiesinger]

Because the price is right?

[audiomitch]

Because the price is right?

 

Not after you have to spring for third party pickups. Add at least $100 to the price, and that's only if you are going to install them yourself. Gibson makes P94s, and I think Kent Armstrong makes some humbucker sized P90s. Also, a lot of the P90 "snobs" think the humbucker sized P90s don't sound right. I don't have enough experience with them to judge.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide!