Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Redbowties88

Redbowties88

New member
So I've had this idea and I want to see what you guys think of it...

I like a lot of heaver "Metalcore" type music. However I don't play it often and some of that is because I've only got 1 solidbody and I don't feel like changing tunings around very often.

How do you guys think it would sound if I bought a cheapo used Epiphone LP Junior, set it up to play nicely with 11 gauge strings, throw away the stock pickup and replace it with a cheapish but decent sounding high output Alnico 5 humbucker. Then wire that straight into the output jack and delete the pots...

I figure I can be into it maybe $125-$150 and leave it on the hanger for when I feel like getting low and heavy.


Your thoughts?
 
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Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Greetings fellow New Jersian.

All I can say is that I have a Squire Hello Kitty Strat with a Seymour Duncan Distortion and a single volume pot and it sounds amazing.

I think if you put the right pickup in it...as long as she can stay in tune...you will be set.

Good luck man.

Let me know how it goes.

~LD


PS - down the road, you might want to change the tuning machines but your idea will get you in the right zip code.

Try a '59
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

I had an Epi Jr with Zakk Wylde baritones on it for a while. It worked all right, but it was one of those Korean ones from a while back so the neck may have been more stable.
Whatever you do, find a blowhorn of a pickup. Don't bother with 4 wire or anything, just get it loud. Your tuners will go to heck pretty soon too, so invest in a decent set.
Rondomusic is trying to sell off some of it's stock, so it wouldn't hurt looking at one of those turds to heat up.

The Hello Kitty Strat will dominate, however. I'm willing to bet someone on the trading post may give you a couple bucks off if you tell them you're making it. It's a worthwhile sacrifice to add to the Hello Kitty machines out there.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

I agree with Lucy Diamond in that if u find the right PU and if the guitar can stay in tune, u are good
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

^^^Beat me to it

They have pretty decent stuff, everything from the $99 beginners (which surprisingly aren't too bad) to the $800 guitars that easily compare to the name brand stuff. I've shopped there plenty of times
 
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Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Find a decent used as has been mentioned.

Personally I would suggest something with a longer scale length than the cheap epiphone you mentioned if you're going to be using the lower tunings.


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Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Kac said:
Find a decent used as has been mentioned.

Personally I would suggest something with a longer scale length than the cheap epiphone you mentioned if you're going to be using the lower tunings.
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excellent point. The longer the scale, the tighter the string. If you're going to be metal/djenting you'll want those suckers tight.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

I bought a used LP Jr from a local pawn shop, cost $70 including a Fender gigbag. I added a used Leo Quan badass bridge with fine tuners like the Gibson TP-6, that cost $35 from eBay. Next a Dominger Flaming Pepper humbucker and some Wilkinson tuners. This guitar now looks and sounds great.. A real rocker! It's a fun guitar, don't get put off because its a cheapie. A good pup will really liven up a cheap body!
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

I have a $50 Dean Vendetta with a Blackout that I love.

Do it. Have at it for a refinish, sticker it up, whatever. Go wild and enjoy!
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Redbowties88 said:
Those prices are sick!

but I can get a used epi jr for 50-60 bucks locally and I want something with only one pickup
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If you're looking at the cheap end of guitars I wouldn't spend too much time with names. The Douglas and SX stuff is the same as the low end Epi and Squire stuff. Just because it says 'Epiphone' doesn't mean it is better. I've heard nothing but good reviews about the Agile line of LP knock-offs for a fraction of the cost of a comparable Epi.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Schecter C-1! Something 25.5" with a set neck would be my preference.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

C-1s are nice but a little over the price range.

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Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Bfeeney said:
If you're looking at the cheap end of guitars I wouldn't spend too much time with names. The Douglas and SX stuff is the same as the low end Epi and Squire stuff. Just because it says 'Epiphone' doesn't mean it is better. I've heard nothing but good reviews about the Agile line of LP knock-offs for a fraction of the cost of a comparable Epi.
Click to expand...


Yea but I've played them before and like the shape/weight of them. For me it's the ideal candidate for this position. One of the biggest factors being it has only one pickup.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Ibanez roadcore series... 399 new , mahagony bodies, great pickups stock and stays in tune perfectly and it is string through

Please don't get a hunk of junk like an SX, for downtuning it won't stay in tune I can guarantee it. As for people putting down Epiphone and squier they make some really decent stuff (squier more than epiphone) the Vintage Modified series and classic vibes compete with american and MIM instruments anyday ..Just my .02
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Epiphone B.B. King Lucille with a Gibson Tony Iommi pickup or two. Seriously evil sounding.

For a tight budget, the Epi Dot would suffice.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

I have several of my guitars in Dropped C for the band I currently play in. I don't see why your plan wouldn't work, heck, one of my favorite guitars to play is also one of my cheaper ones and is the current home for my Duncan Black Winter set. I'd go ahead and leave the pots in, though. If they're already there, why not use them? If you want different ones, they're really cheap, and caps are even cheaper.
 
Re: Idea For a Cheap Solidbody to Leave in Drop C

Ok so I should have the guitar by tomorrow night, an Epi Jr. upgraded tuning machines and also a push/pull volume to split the stock bucker..... not bad for $80

So now I need pickup recommendations... I'm considering trying one of the Uber cheap pickups from either Dragonfire or guitarheads. I figure for <$40 it might be worth a shot. I would be willing to spend more though for a decent quality Duncan or dimarzio.

What do you guys think?
 
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