Boogie Bill
New member
Re: New Epi Les Paul have question on a bridge upgrade.
I'm usually going to side with Blueman on this issue. I can't see spending a ton of money on upgrades; I think a lot of times you're better off just getting a better guitar. You'll can probably end up with a good sounding, nicely playing guitar, maybe even better than some $1,000 guitars. But at resale time, it's still a $300 guitar. That's just the way the market is.
But in this case, you're in a little different situation, and I think the improvements are probably warranted. I've got a couple of "beater" guitars that I prefer to take to some of the rowdier bars I've played. Tight stages are often Bermuda Triangles where weird accidents take place. I don't take my $3000 Martin acoustics to the beach; I've got a Ibanez Artwood that I bought from a pawnshop for that. I wouldn't want it to get damaged, but that would be a lot easier hit to take than one of my Martins getting trashed. And we all know the saying, "Ca-Ca Happens". Yes it does.
If you've got the pickups, fine. If you want better pots and caps, go for it. Spend the money on a pro setup, maybe even a new graphite nut or locking tuners. Get the metric-sized Tone Pros locking bridge and tailpiece. (A lightweight aluminum tailpiece will give you a more open, resonant, airier tone--the heavier zinc ones can dish up more sustain with less dynamics.) Oil the fingerboard and polish those frets. Use some Virtuoso Cleaner to remove the fine swirls and crud, and make that black shine with some Carnauba Wax. Play it, love it, treat it nicely and it can serve you well for a long time.
Nice score! Enjoy!
Bill
I'm usually going to side with Blueman on this issue. I can't see spending a ton of money on upgrades; I think a lot of times you're better off just getting a better guitar. You'll can probably end up with a good sounding, nicely playing guitar, maybe even better than some $1,000 guitars. But at resale time, it's still a $300 guitar. That's just the way the market is.
But in this case, you're in a little different situation, and I think the improvements are probably warranted. I've got a couple of "beater" guitars that I prefer to take to some of the rowdier bars I've played. Tight stages are often Bermuda Triangles where weird accidents take place. I don't take my $3000 Martin acoustics to the beach; I've got a Ibanez Artwood that I bought from a pawnshop for that. I wouldn't want it to get damaged, but that would be a lot easier hit to take than one of my Martins getting trashed. And we all know the saying, "Ca-Ca Happens". Yes it does.
If you've got the pickups, fine. If you want better pots and caps, go for it. Spend the money on a pro setup, maybe even a new graphite nut or locking tuners. Get the metric-sized Tone Pros locking bridge and tailpiece. (A lightweight aluminum tailpiece will give you a more open, resonant, airier tone--the heavier zinc ones can dish up more sustain with less dynamics.) Oil the fingerboard and polish those frets. Use some Virtuoso Cleaner to remove the fine swirls and crud, and make that black shine with some Carnauba Wax. Play it, love it, treat it nicely and it can serve you well for a long time.
Nice score! Enjoy!
Bill
