Re: Question About Tone Pros Tail Piece
In the case of my 98 Les Paul Reissue, they weren't using the lightweight tail pieces yet. So, I ordered one from stewmac for less than 25 bucks. Same EXACT one that came on my 04 Reissue.
Whether you top wrap your tail piece or go regular with it, the darn thing still doesn't sit exactly flush in the standard tail studs. It's always angled up one way or the other. The locking studs allowed me to take it all the way down to the wood, then I backed off 1/2 a turn (the stud bottom). You then screw the top locking pieces into the main stud. The locking studs are in two pieces, the major threaded piece which is tapped out on the top. Then the top piece, the large circular part you see with the big single slot in it, that part screws into the piece that is already screwed into the body/bushings. That is then locked down tight to lock the tail piece in. It is a brlliant design. It works and it keeps maximum surface area contact between the studs and the tail piece.
The heavy old style metal tail piece gives the Les Paul more chunky old school rock and roll tone. The lightweight aluminum tp gives the guitar a more open, woodier tone if that makes any sense.
The locking tuneomatic is another stroke of genius. Once you get your action set just where you love it, you lock the damn thing down with two set screws. It'll never fall off again while you're changing strings. The action will never be accidently adjusted while you are cleaning the wood around the bridge. Then you set the intonation. Think about it. When you adjust the action up or down, you just changed the intonation slightly. By locking down that TOM, you only have to intonate once. (or when the weather changes, and IF your neck changes a bit, you'll have to re-intonate)
They do make Tone Pros to fit your Epiphone. Call John at Blackrose and ask him about it. Kevin is very helpful, but he doesn't appear to have the experience that John does. (but I'm sure he's learning, so we'll give him some time!)
By the way, Blackrose is as cheaply priced on Tonepros as anywhere else on the internet and they are forum bros. That is one reason I recommend him for this stuff. The other reason is that they don't gouge you for shipping charges, nor do they take 2 weeks to get stuff to you. I've always had very positive experiences with John.
