ALLPARTS vs Gibson for Plastic

[C Squared]

Hi All-
I want to change the plastic (pup rings, toggle switch washer,pickguard) on my Les Paul Studio from black to cream. Is it really worth the extra bucks for the Gibson stuff, or is the AllParts stuff just as good?

[Dino]

Good question ...

I did see another thread where someone used an AllParts pickguard on their Gibson LP and he complained about the fit (there were gaps).
You may be okay with things like pickup rings and a toggle plate, but if it were me, I'd be a little concerned with mix-matching in that the colors may not match.

JMO

[kmguitar]

Hi,

I used Allparts on a 2002 standard, I actually like the lighter cream color and taller pickup rings but the pickguard did leave a gap as Dino pointed out. It would fit a historic or import but the pickups on modern Gibson LP's are spaced differently. I wound up getting an Allparts pickguard for a deluxe and used a dremmel to enlarge it around the pickups. Hope that helps.

[Knarbens]

Originally Posted by kmguitar

I used Allparts on a 2002 standard, I actually like the lighter cream color and taller pickup rings...

They are taller in which way? Are they taller in lenght and width or higher like historic rings?

[GuitarFreak28]

I purchased all hardware for my LP Studios conversion from Gold to Black hardware and so far so good! Everything fit well, but we will know for sure after the Luthier has a good look at it since I am getting some more major work done on it. But Allparts was great, the guys who I talked to were friendly and even gave me a deal.

[kmguitar]

Originally Posted by Knarbens

They are taller in which way? Are they taller in lenght and width or higher like historic rings?

The are taller in height than the stock rings but not as tall as historics.

[ehamady6]

Make sure that if your guitar's body is arched that you get pickup rings that are arched. Some people say to just use flat rings and screw them down so they'll bend to the arch. That's fine until you try installing a pickguard. The arching of a flat pickup ring distorts the ring's dimensions and you will likely have to modify the pickguard. Arched rings cost the same as flat rings, so why not get the right ones.

Pickup rings come in many sizes so make sure the dimmensions match your existing rings to ensure they'll fit around your pickups, that they're not so tall where you'd have to raise the action, and that they'll fit the slots in the pickguard.

[C Squared]

So I got all my plastic from AllParts today.
Good: All Cream color is very uniform, something I was afraid of being a problem. Swapped pickup rings and toggle washer quickly. All fit was nice, although there was a little flash on one of the rings.

Bad: As reported, the pickguard was a little offsized. There is a slight gap between it and the pickup rings. Its minor, although it will eventually drive me crazy. But for right now I dig the Cream so much over the black, I'll deal with it.

The ugly: Well not really ugly, but it is. I swapped the knobs for Amber tophats, which look awesome. But they sit about a mile higher then they should be....

How the heck do you get under the damn plate to adjust the hieght of the pots?!?!?!

[ehamady6]

Originally Posted by C Squared

the pickguard was a little offsized. There is a slight gap between it and the pickup rings. Its minor, although it will eventually drive me crazy. But for right now I dig the Cream so much over the black, I'll deal with it.

I had to do a little filing to get my pickguard snug against the pickup rings. It took me about 10 minutes and made a huge difference cosmetically. I had to be extra careful because it's mirrored. It would've been even easier if it was just the usual plastic.

[LOVEROCK]

Try WD MUSIC.

[lineboss58]

Originally Posted by LOVEROCK

Try WD MUSIC.

Ive never bought anything from WD that actually fitted my guitars.

[worn]

I can tell you the Mighty Mite pickguard did not fit my '80 Gibson LP without trimming to fit the bridge pickup.

[Texas07R8]

Originally Posted by C Squared

..
How the heck do you get under the damn plate to adjust the hieght of the pots?!?!?!

You pull the knobs and then remove the nut on top of the post and pull the pots and wiring harness out the bottom cavity. If your pot doesn't have one you may need to add another nut and maybe a washer to the post but don't bottom it out, then by trial you can figure out the sweet spot for the height adjustment of your knobs so they sit at the height you desire. If ones already there just run the nut down to make the post taller or back off on the nut to make it shorter.

[shtdaprdtr]

the 80's LP pickup spacing is a little closer than new ones I tried putting a pickguard from my 83 standard on an 05 standard and it didnt fit around the rings...so then I used a pickguard from my 89 which did fit around my rings but the color was off so I bought the new gibson pickguard but it didnt reach all the way to the fingerboard at the top and my pickup selector ring was slightly darker in color than the new pickguard...believe me the gibson parts arent worth it...your better off modifying the allparts stuff

[alpinestudio]

I bought a few items from Allparts and well..they're just mediocre. I would recommend Gibson plastic parts as I bought a few from them, but they can be pricey. I'm sure you can find a different company with quality parts for the right price, besides going the Gibson route.