Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

[Robert Delahunt]

All,

I'm going to go out and start researching the type of guitar I want once again. The short story is that I wanted an ESP EC-400 set neck LP-wanna-be but now I must put a different guitar on my wishlist because it comes with the Earvana nut, which I totally despise.

Anyways, requirements: Seymour Duncan pickups installed stock (I'd prefer JB+Jazz but JB+'59 will be ok), set neck, NO earvana nut, Les Paul sort of body style, mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood (or ebony) fretboard, XJ frets with thin neck, and within the $600-$750 type price range (i.e. not overly expensive).
(Basically something close to the EC-400 but without earvana).

Those are the "must-have" features. The side features that I'd like (but can install on my own) are tune-o-matic bridge + stop tailpiece (one piece tune-o-matic or floating tailpiece are ok), tasteful looks (i.e. something I can play in church without people wondering if I have a pentagram tatoo on the back of my neck), one volume and one tone, push/pull splits, and schaller strap locks.

Please realize that I'm going to go eat dinner and then start researching and looking around. Also, I'll look at Warmoth for doing it myself.

I can't say enough how much this forum and you people rock!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Why not just buy the ESP and change the nut?

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Why not just buy the ESP and change the nut?

Isn't that going to be expensive and/or major neck surgery?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Edwards

Orville

Japiphone (MIJ Epiphone)

Schecter Tempest

Edwards will be the easiest to acquire of the MIJs but won't have the neck you want. Orville and Japiphone will have everything but the Duncans.

Tempest will have it all.

Nut replacements are expensive unfortunately Jeff...at least based on my local pricing research..It's another $150 on top of the axe's price

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Isn't that going to be expensive and/or major neck surgery?

Shouldn't be. I've never priced a nut change, but I wouldn't see it being over $40 or $50. Even that seems kinda high.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Shouldn't be. I've never priced a nut change, but I wouldn't see it being over $40 or $50. Even that seems kinda high.

yeesh...I need to move back South.

I've been quoted $100 up to $175 round these parts (this inludes the price of the bone nut/blank).

 

[Aceman]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

+1 on nut swap. EC's are awesome guitars. Got an EC-1000 on my short list of things as good/cool as an LP but without the price tag. If it was between that and an epi with new pups...which would also cost some $$$$. Go for the ESP.

And Jeff - get that destroyer off of your avatar! It's killin' me!!!!!

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

I can get a bone nut cut from a blank, installed and fitted at Scott Spawn's shop for $30. If anyone is charging $100 + for a nut replacement that is rape pure and simple. Nut blanks can be bought for $6-10 maxium. Hell, you can even buy pre-slotted nuts.

This should be the cheapest and easiest alternative, especially considering you want the ESP guitar, and the nut is the only thing holding you back. If nothing else, contact theodie. He can replace a nut and I'm sure he doesn't charge $100.

***edit. Check this link. I didn't see a nut anywhere on the site more than $10.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/String_nuts.html

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Edwards Orville Japiphone (MIJ Epiphone) Schecter Tempest Edwards will be the easiest to acquire of the MIJs but won't have the neck you want. Orville and Japiphone will have everything but the Duncans. Tempest will have it all. Nut replacements are expensive unfortunately Jeff...at least based on my local pricing research..It's another $150 on top of the axe's price

Thanks, didn't normally see the schecter tempest on Musicians Friend. Anyone know anything about the Duncan Designed HB-102's? Maybe I could do the "buy it and swap the pickups" route and sell the rest of the stuff on ebay or swap it into my ESP that I already own. Thanks!

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Thanks, didn't normally see the schecter tempest on Musicians Friend. Anyone know anything about the Duncan Designed HB-102's? Maybe I could do the "buy it and swap the pickups" route and sell the rest of the stuff on ebay or swap it into my ESP that I already own. Thanks!

The Duncan Designed HB-102 set is an import version of the JB/Jazz set. If you get it and you're not happy, just post here in the Trading Post and ask for whichever Duncans you want. You're sure to get them for less on here, and, though they're used, I'm sure that you'd get them in good condition.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

What's wrong with the Earvana nut?

 

[Mephis]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

yeesh...I need to move back South.

I've been quoted $100 up to $175 round these parts (this inludes the price of the bone nut/blank).

I had a new nut installed on my crestline for $35.

That included the nut and having it cut from a blank.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

What's wrong with the Earvana nut?

There's a thread where I already posted what I thought about it. Sorry, I don't feel like repeating it.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Ok. The only time I've heard people say it'd be more than $30 for a nut was if you don't supply them with the old one.

Edit - I read that thread. Keep in mind, we're talking about guitars. What works (or doesn't) on paper doesn't really mean much in the real world. It's absolutely rediculous to decide you hate something you've never even tried.

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

yeesh...I need to move back South.

I've been quoted $100 up to $175 round these parts (this inludes the price of the bone nut/blank).

These prices are similar to those here in Minnesota. (~$100)

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Edit - I read that thread. Keep in mind, we're talking about guitars. What works (or doesn't) on paper doesn't really mean much in the real world. It's absolutely rediculous to decide you hate something you've never even tried.

I know that a Squier Bullet amp won't work for me, and yet I've never manned up and tried it. There are tons of things you see and know that you won't be ablet to work with it.

A nut might be different though, I agree.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

I know that a Squier Bullet amp won't work for me, and yet I've never manned up and tried it. There are tons of things you see and know that you won't be ablet to work with it.

A nut might be different though, I agree.

Did you read the thread where he goes through the process of leading him to hate Earvana nuts? It went from "I've never tried one" to "What a piece of crap" in about 10 posts. That's what I'm saying is silly.

 

[saladin]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Check out this : http://www.jsdguitarshack.com/Tokai_Love_Rock_BB.html

I might just have one with a set of nickel covered 59's and the hardshell case, I bought it new in April but I'm hopelessly in love with my Tele. She could use a good home!

 

[J Moose]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

(shameless plug)

I've got this thing for sale ESP X-Tone and it's gotta go.

No doubt, it's a killer guitar. Really makes me wonder why I've spent so much on Gibsons over the years, but I was after a jazz-box thing and the PC-2 is closer to being a LP, but not really.

Doesn't have the same low-mid whomp. But then again....nothing does.

But I'm moving soon so that guitars gotta go!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Recommendations needed: Les Paul guitar search

Check out this : http://www.jsdguitarshack.com/Tokai_Love_Rock_BB.html
I might just have one with a set of nickel covered 59's and the hardshell case, I bought it new in April but I'm hopelessly in love with my Tele. She could use a good home!

LOL thanks, I'm not into wings and dual '59s but I'll try them eventually. My goal is to try out all the different SD pickup combos.... For now, I'm looking for a direct replacement to my guitar, Jazz+JB. I can probably go with '59+JB or Jazz+Custom, but it depends. Anyways, thanks!