20_Gauge Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 I want to do some customizing to my Jr, nothing in depth just for appearance sake, & go for the "all black hardware" look like on my Dot. I want to change out the chrome wraparound stopbar/tailpiece(& the posts) for a black one, I also would like to swap out the cream p'up mounts/frames(not sure what they're called) for black ones. I think that would make my Jr look pretty frickin' sweet on top of the black 'guard. Are these mods easy to do? From talkin' w/ a guitar buddy of mine, it seems the p'up frames are the trickiest to swap(might end up messin' w/ p'ups themselves). Advise please. Thanks! 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Cool. Thanks for the link, Joe. So removing the mount won't mess up the p'up? Do I hafta worry 'bout p'up height or anything like that? How do the tailpiece posts come out? 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Will do, Joe! oh, thanks for turning me onto guitar fetish. I found a black wraparound stopbar/tailpiece that's made for a Jr for $15, sweetwater wanted $47(albeit it was a 'Gibson Accessories' brand) for one & it wasn't a wraparound. Plus they had the all black (volume & tone)knobs I was lookin' for. Thanks! 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Jr III Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I put the same wraparound bridge on my Jr, see avatar. I also got black keystone tuners from GFS. Not a bad price and the whole thing stays in tune. I went an extra step and blacked the fretboard with an ebony stain. After the third or fourth application I skipped wiping off the fret markers and just left them blacked out too. After a long wait I covered it in poly and I think it looks kind of cool. No idea how that will last or if it's even a good idea. Probably someone will provide some reasons I shouldn't have done that but I'll live with it. Have fun. It can all be redone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 16, 2013 Author Share Posted January 16, 2013 I put the same wraparound bridge on my Jr, see avatar. I also got black keystone tuners from GFS. Not a bad price and the whole thing stays in tune. I went an extra step and blacked the fretboard with an ebony stain. After the third or fourth application I skipped wiping off the fret markers and just left them blacked out too. After a long wait I covered it in poly and I think it looks kind of cool. No idea how that will last or if it's even a good idea. Probably someone will provide some reasons I shouldn't have done that but I'll live with it. Have fun. It can all be redone. Sounds awesome, Junior. cool, I'm either thinkin' of putting that black wraparound on it or a regular bridge/tailpiece(like on standard LPs). Can ya give me a link or the name of those tuners? I'd love to change mine. Did they fit in the original peg holes? I don't wanna hafta drill new ones. Also gonna swap the speed knobs out for some black Strat style knobs. Not gonna mess w/ fretboard. That was a bold move. Bravo! Did u change the p'up ring? 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 Can someone answer this: when changing out the wraparound bridge/tailpiece on my Jr, do I hafta replace it w/ another wraparound or can I put on a regular stopbar/tailpiece(like on standard LPs)? Thanks! 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 No. Because on your guitar, that unit is both tailpiece AND bridge, whereas a stop tailpiece on a guitar with a separate bridge is just a place to anchor the strings. Ok, thanks for clearing that up Joe. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 How difficult is it to swap out the jackplate on a Jr? Wanna swap out the cream colored one on mine w/ a black one. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Ok, Joe. I'm gonna give it a shot, it just takes me awhile to work up the nerve to take the leap. Just afraid I'll do something to ruin my Jr forever. If I goof, it can always be repaired right? Not gonna "go inside" & mess w/ the guts of it, just wanna modify the outside/look of it. Also thinkin' of replacing the chrome pickguard screws w/ some black ones I found on guitarfetish. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Cool, good to know that if anything goes wrong it most likely can be fixed. Yeah, I've heard that a Jr is a perfect project/mod'ing guitar. I'm just gonna stick w/ customizing the outside hardware(tuners, bridge, p'up ring, jackplate, 'guard screws, knobs). Baby steps lol 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Jr III Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 You've probably found the tuners by now if you've bought stuff from GFS, but here you go: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Classic-Keystone-Tuners-Black-Fits-70s-80s-Les-Pauls_p_170.html They were 10mm posts vs 9mm that came installed. I bought a special drill bit from Stewart-Macdonald and routed them by hand. Plugged the old screw holes with toothpicks, wood glue and black crayon. You can't see it from arms length. I actually enjoy messing around with these guitars because it's a great way to learn. Even if by trial and (too much)error. It was reading this forum that inspired me to buy this first Jr and do some experimenting. These guys have a ton of great ideas. You can make your guitar look and play any way you want. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 I agree Jr, these guys in this forum have helped me a ton before & since I bought my 1st 6 string(I now have 3). Thanks for the link. I like those 80's style tuners but I really don't wanna hafta drill out new holes, baby steps lol. I found these (http://www.guitarfetish.com/3x3-Gotoh-Style-Tuners-Oversized-Buttons-Black-Finish_p_34.html) on gf that are the same gear ratio as the ones that came on my Jr. Gonna get'em next month, that'll be the last "black out" mod I do. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Jr III Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 I don't think that having the same gear ratio guarantees the size of the posts and bushings. The piece that had to be enlarged on mine was the post hole from the back, and then only as far as the body of the tuner fits inside, about 1/4" or 3/8" I think it was. If your Jr is stock you'll have an extra set screw hole when you install these new tuners, just like I did. Check the picture vs the back of your guitar, 6 or 12 set screws. I'm not trying to discourage you, just prepare you for a little handicraft that might be needed. Hey, you're making a blackout model. If it all goes awry just get a can and spray paint the whole thing when you're done. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 I don't think that having the same gear ratio guarantees the size of the posts and bushings. The piece that had to be enlarged on mine was the post hole from the back, and then only as far as the body of the tuner fits inside, about 1/4" or 3/8" I think it was. If your Jr is stock you'll have an extra set screw hole when you install these new tuners, just like I did. Check the picture vs the back of your guitar, 6 or 12 set screws. I'm not trying to discourage you, just prepare you for a little handicraft that might be needed. Hey, you're making a blackout model. If it all goes awry just get a can and spray paint the whole thing when you're done. Have fun. Thanks, Jr! I'll take a close look @ that before I buy. The tuners will be the last mod in my project, gonna install tuners & the new bridge @ the same time(when 8 get ready to change strings). 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Actually one mod I'd strongly consider on a Jr. if I had one would be an upgrade of the wraparound bridge - but that's just me. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Adjustable_Wraparound_Bridge.html Unfortunately for you, Stewmac's only comes in gold and silver. So... not much help for your black on black. Given the price tag on this sort of guitar it's marvelous for modding once you've taken care to do the research such as you're doing right now. I've actually considered getting roughly the same piece with either one or two pups and messing with a lotta stuff, nut, bridge, pups and pots - but personally I'd not be so likely to swap tuning pegs unless they were a problem. Silly as this may sound to some, one mod I'd consider my top priority would be to get a master volume ("the" volume on a one-pup variety) into position to use dynamically while playing by having it in position for my pinkie to crank on it. A buddy/bandmate did that ages ago with a Jazzmaster with incredible potential of changing both attack and decay as I'd done before with a volume pedal. Later I learned that Roy Buchanan did a lotta the same thing with a Tele. Gibson setups don't usually offer that sort of potential which ... is why I still have the volume pedal. Actually I had been thinking about picking up a similar little Epi to mess with, including a piezo bridge of some sort until... I got a great deal on a new cherry Dot last week that was the final GAS straw on any guitar budget for the next cupla years. Argh, GAS is doing me in. <grin> m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Thanks for weighin' in, milod. I'm startin' to see why y'all like mod'ing guitars. I'm havin' a ball. Yeah I'm replacing the wraparound bridge when I replace the p'up mount & tuners. I did find a black wraparound bridge on guitarfetish.com. I'll post the link(if anyone would like it) when I get on my laptop(I'm on my cell now). 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 20... One point here: I think you're doing absolutely correctly with taking on parts of the project you already have knowledge about and are carefully researching what to do. That heavy, careful research is the trick to a successful "mod" no matter what it might be. Best of luck and have fun!!! m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 20... One point here: I think you're doing absolutely correctly with taking on parts of the project you already have knowledge about and are carefully researching what to do. That heavy, careful research is the trick to a successful "mod" no matter what it might be. Best of luck and have fun!!! m Thanks, milod! A comment from an experienced guitarslinger like you makes me feel good. I'm big on researchin' before I dive into a project. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Here's the black wraparound bridge I found on guitarfetish.com that I plan to put on my Jr. http://guitarfetish.com/Les-Paul-JuniorSpecial-Wraparound-Intonated-Bridge_p_450.html 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Looks good... Are you sure it's the right width of the studs for the Epi version? m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20_Gauge Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Looks good... Are you sure it's the right width of the studs for the Epi version? m It looks to be milod but I'll look closer. 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Jr III Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 It looks to be milod but I'll look closer. 20 That's the same one I used. Fits just fine, no drilling or nuttin'. Add the black tuners and it takes on a whole new feel. Isn't yours a sunburst? You gonna black that out too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgruff Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'd maybe get one with adjustable saddles so you can fine tune the intonation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Just the fact that another Epi Jr has used a given bridge is good to know - regardless what "20" decides to do. GF has a width on its sales site that at minimum is a starting point if 20 wants to do something else. Yeah, I'd personally go for an adjustable bridge, but I dunno if they have black which is kinda the point of the project... m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Jr III Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I might go for the adjustable wraparound on the next one I do. GFS has one in black, chrome and gold. Gold is my other project but the stock bridge seems ok on that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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