the.ronin Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I just got a Les Paul Melody Maker … my first ever electric guitar! I was looking to do some upgrades but for a beginner electric guitar player like me, I wasn’t sure there was anything really worth upgrading – it seems the tuners, tailpiece, and humbucker are already pretty good. Anything more involved of an upgrade (additional pickup, modifications to electronics) I think is too much at my skill level for now. I would like to replace that pickgaurd / electronics cover though. Does anyone have the template for that? I can just trace it but anything more precise would be great. What else have others done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angellus Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 I just got a Les Paul Melody Maker … my first ever electric guitar! I was looking to do some upgrades but for a beginner electric guitar player like me, I wasn't sure there was anything really worth upgrading – it seems the tuners, tailpiece, and humbucker are already pretty good. Anything more involved of an upgrade (additional pickup, modifications to electronics) I think is too much at my skill level for now. I would like to replace that pickgaurd / electronics cover though. Does anyone have the template for that? I can just trace it but anything more precise would be great. What else have others done? my first step would be to change the capicitors and wire up historically. I know you said its too much for your skill level but it made a big difference to my Gibsons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 . Welcome. Congrats on yer first Gibson. I wouldn't recommend a beginner do anything to any guitar (let alone an entry level guitar) until you've played for a while - not only your guitar, but others at shops or of friends. After you've got some experience playing your instrument and others, you'll have a much better idea of what you prefer and what you're willing to spend your time and money on. Find out what YOU like in terms of sound/tone, playability, electronics, hardware and design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
btoth76 Posted July 26, 2011 Share Posted July 26, 2011 . Welcome. Congrats on yer first Gibson. I wouldn't recommend a beginner do anything to any guitar (let alone an entry level guitar) until you've played for a while - not only your guitar, but others at shops or of friends. After you've got some experience playing your instrument and others, you'll have a much better idea of what you prefer and what you're willing to spend your time and money on. Find out what YOU like in terms of sound/tone, playability, electronics, hardware and design. Welcome here The.ronin! Congratulations! Please consider the quoted words above... Cheers... Bence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the.ronin Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 Thank you folks for the warm welcome and the candid advice. The more I read up about electric guitars in general and Gibson and Les Paul in particular, the prouder I am of owning this guitar … and the more I agree with learning the guitar and its nuances before making any major changes. With that said, I’m the type that just can’t stand to not customize their stuff. So I’m making a few cosmetic changes just to make this LPMM my own. I’m replacing the blank truss rod cover with a “Les Paul” cover … I don’t believe this is being presumptuous. I’ve read that the standard run MMs are technically not LPs. However this limited run I believe are officially referred to as “Les Paul Melody Makers”. I’m also changing out the tuners for a set of Kluson Deluxe with perloid buttons. I had read the original MMs had come with Kluson Deluxe tuners and over time, Gibson just private labeled them. I don’t believe the “Gibson Deluxe” tuners that came with my LPMM are of as high quality as these Klusons – if anything, I much prefer the perloid type buttons on the Kluson. In the meantime … my first step would be to change the capicitors and wire up historically. I know you said its too much for your skill level but it made a big difference to my Gibsons … Angellus, what you said really piqued my interest. I have no idea what it means right now but I will be doing research into this and once I’ve really settled in with this guitar, this will be a project for sure. As an aside, although this is my first electric guitar, I’ve played acoustic for a while and ukulele for much longer. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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