Essential Epi LP Mods...

Guitarist

Mesa-ologist
JW what you think are the essential mods to do to an Epiphone Les Paul Standard. I got the pickups! Now I'm thinking tuners, hardware, etc etc. I just want the best for mah babay! :)

Jon
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

tuners
nut
selector switch
pickups and pots
bridge and tailpiece
These are the weak points
Dom L
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

I've got an Epi LP Custom....first, change all of the electronics (p/u's, pots, & switch) & you'll hear a world of difference.

From there, I'd go:

bridge & tailpiece
nut
tuners

Definitely the electronic stuff first, though!

Have fun.....
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

I'd say new pickups, new pots and switch and a 50 style aluminum tailpiece.

Lew
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

And a fret level and set up if it needs it...most seem to need it.

lew
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

When I bought mine; I replaced pots, 3-way, and pickups right away, output jack, plus basically rewired it with better wiring....and it wasn't long afterward that I replaced the tuners with Sperzel locker's. Had to ream out the pegholes and drill a few set-holes for the new tuners, but it wasn't that hard to do and the result was far better than the stocker's.
I haven't done so yet, but replacing the plastic nut with a bone or graphite nut would be a good upgrade. I also haven't replaced any part of the bridge, but I'm sure some higher quality saddles would at least be one thing to improve on the stock guitar.
Once you've got all that money into it, you could have bought a good used Gibson Studio, slapped a nice set of SD pups in it, and be on down the road. Period.
I love my Epi, but for all the work you end up doing on 'em it almost doesn't seem worth it to get one in the first place if all you're going to end up doing is replace parts on it.
The only Epi I would consider buying right now would be like a Sheriton II, or something in that style. But I'm sure that even in those guitars there'd be need for electronic upgrade.
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

Things I'm doing to mine;

new electronics, Sperzel tuners (non-locking), tusq nut, graphite saddles.

Lew - I'm intersted in that aluminum bridge you keep recommending. Do you have a link to manufacturers website? And how does it compare to a TonePro?
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

All I've upgraded on my Epi LP is the pickups (changed to a Demon and a PG).

I'm also thinking about putting a set of Grover tuners on it, but apart from that I've never had any problems with mine :)
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

midnite_man said:
I love my Epi, but for all the work you end up doing on 'em it almost doesn't seem worth it to get one in the first place if all you're going to end up doing is replace parts on it.
Yeah... I'm perfectly fine with my Epi but that's because I've never really had the opportunity to hear it at it's finest. New pups helped enormously, and I'm just wondering what will help it further. New tuners and selecor switch are definetely in order. How much would it cost to replace pots? And what pots should I get?

Thanks guys!
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

What exactly will a new nut do for me? My Epi doesn't seem to have any particular problems in keeping in tune. None more than a Gibson, anyway.
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

Guitarist said:
Yeah... I'm perfectly fine with my Epi but that's because I've never really had the opportunity to hear it at it's finest. New pups helped enormously, and I'm just wondering what will help it further. New tuners and selecor switch are definetely in order. How much would it cost to replace pots? And what pots should I get?

Thanks guys!

CTS brand Pots can generally be had for around $3-5 a pop. Very cheap upgrade.
 
Re: Essential Epi LP Mods...

Fatty said:
CTS brand Pots can generally be had for around $3-5 a pop. Very cheap upgrade.
What differences am I going to hear if swapping pots? Mine aren't scratchy at the least, so I'm just curious if this is essential.
 
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