oneal lane Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I am brand new to the Les Paul world. I bought a Epi LP Std "plain top" traditional sunburst yesterday. All my electrics are Stratocasters or Squier Strats. My first question regards the bridge components which, I detect are alloy, and not steel except for the mounting posts. As with the cheeper Strats "pot metal" is sometimes used for bridge parts. Is this the case with the Epi's Is a replacement with all steel bridge and stop advisable and improve sound? this is the case with the Strats. My second question regards the top finish. I have run across the debate topic of: Epiphone uses "paper" or a "thin veneer" to finish the tops. Epiphone claims the tops are maple? Is this really the case and a veneer applied for the fancy finish tops. It seems silly that a "plain top" would need a veneer if the wood for the top is actually maple. Thanks in advance to all help OL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Question #1: I've never had any issues with the stock Epi Bridges, or with aftermarket hardware. They might be chrome-plated "mystery metal", but, it works for me! Question #2: ...all the signature sound of a Gibson Les Paul at a fraction of the cost!!! Mahogany body Maple veneer over carved top BTW, WELCOME to the Forum! Please contibute at your convenience . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtb2000 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hi and welcome yes it is a mahogany body and a carved maple top, from what my tech told me the plain top does not have the veneer only the plus top and the ultra. The bridge and tail piece are a new design by epi n is still pat pending. They are excellent and you should not have any problems. The only changes I made to mine was a upgraded version of the grover tuners and changed the switch to a switchcraft. Enjoy it, it is the closest thing you will ever get to a gibson with out forking over thousands of dollars. I am brand new to the Les Paul world. I bought a Epi LP Std "plain top" traditional sunburst yesterday. All my electrics are Stratocasters or Squier Strats. My first question regards the bridge components which, I detect are alloy, and not steel except for the mounting posts. As with the cheeper Strats "pot metal" is sometimes used for bridge parts. Is this the case with the Epi's Is a replacement with all steel bridge and stop advisable and improve sound? this is the case with the Strats. My second question regards the top finish. I have run across the debate topic of: Epiphone uses "paper" or a "thin veneer" to finish the tops. Epiphone claims the tops are maple? Is this really the case and a veneer applied for the fancy finish tops. It seems silly that a "plain top" would need a veneer if the wood for the top is actually maple. Thanks in advance to all help OL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneal lane Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Thanks of the info. Last night I changed the strings that came on the guitar from the dealer. The stop bar kept swinging away from the upper post. It does not seem to be "locking in" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneal lane Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I bought my guitar new from a local shop. The serial number starts 0911, I am guessing I have a 2009 model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I bought my guitar new from a local shop. The serial number starts 0911, I am guessing I have a 2009 model? Si! November, 2009. YYMMFFRRRRR -- new model codes, no letter prefix Beginning 2008-09 models are appearing w/o a letter prefix to i.d. the factory. Based on what is reported so far, it appears that the serial code may be: YY = first two digits = year of manufacture MM = second two digits = month of manufature FF = third two digits = factory i.d. where made RRRRR = remaining digits = production run number Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneal lane Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Well all and all I love it just like it is. I walked in and picked it up first. There was something special about the feel of this particular one. I tried out 5 or 6 other LP and no other one felt "just right" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtb2000 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Cool, Thats how I pick all my guitars, I'll sit and pick on them all n the one that feels the best is the one. Don't worry about the tail piece, when changing strings only do the 3 bottom or the three top first, its not good for the neck to take them all off at the same time. Well all and all I love it just like it is. I walked in and picked it up first. There was something special about the feel of this particular one. I tried out 5 or 6 other LP and no other one felt "just right" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneal lane Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I usually change them one at a time. However this being a new instrument, the fretboard was dry and filthy. Not unlike my rosewood strats, I always de-string a new one and clean the fretboard and treat it with lemon oil, before restringing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Lunatic Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 ...its not good for the neck to take them all off at the same time. That's an urban legend, and completely untrue. It is a good idea to be careful not to let the bridge or tailpiece fall off and scratch the guitar on its way to the floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersonic Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 That's an urban legend, and completely untrue. It is a good idea to be careful not to let the bridge or tailpiece fall off and scratch the guitar on its way to the floor. +1. I take all the strings off every time I clean the fretboard and I have never had any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSDx Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 That's an urban legend, and completely untrue. It is a good idea to be careful not to let the bridge or tailpiece fall off and scratch the guitar on its way to the floor. Agreed ..... the neck is in it's most natural state w/ no strings on it, and it likely didn't have strings on it 'til it was prep'ed before leaving the factory..... string tension is unnatural for the wood (and, along with the angle, is likely partly responsible for headstocks snapping off, as happens fairly often with a good drop/fall, compared to other neck/headstock angle/other non LP guitars/brands so..... SAVE THE HEADSTOCKS...JUST SAY NO to strings!!!! ....and accidental falls and drops Seriously, though, the bridge/tailpiece falling off is the only drawback, and is absolutely not a problem as long as one is aware of the possibility. Interestingly, I love to change strings and get the fretboards cleaned/ and conditioned, but.... I don't care for the tone/sound of new strings, for whatever reason, so..... go figure I'm "funny" that way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadedbat Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 +1. I take all the strings off every time I clean the fretboard and I have never had any problems. It's almost like the stop bars want to be on the floor huh? They always end up there. ha! Finally after a couple nicked finishes and cussing I learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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