Complete EPI custom setup

[McCloud9]

Awsome info and photos Roman, thank you for posting this! I am awaiting the arrival of a new ebony Epiphone Les Paul custom that should be delivered Monday & I can't wait! Not that I would ever tackle this job, but it is a fastinating bit of info. I just started playing guitar again just over a year ago and this is my 2nd electric guitar. My 1st was an Ibanaz AS 73 which is great but I could not resist the beauty, style & tone of the LP so I gave in to the temptation and ordered one even tho my skills really don't yet warrant one. I want to learn all I can about setting up my guitar and this is the best article I've found! The fact you're doing this on the very guitar I will soon own makes it all the better! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and craftsmanship!

McCloud9

[dogdew]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

Here we have a Fender heavy pick slid in under the string at the 12th fret.

great thread! thanks so much!

i'm not sure what this picture is meant to suggest?
is the pick snug between the string and the 12th fret?
if the neck relief is right and the frets level when using a pick like this roughly how much clearance is ideal?

thanks again!

[Hack]

Originally Posted by hotaccalia

Hi Everyone
I'm new to This forum
it is great to join this Forum, hope i'm welcome in

Indeed you are.

...show us some pics of your guitar!

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by hotaccalia

Hi Everyone
I'm new to This forum
it is great to join this Forum, hope i'm welcome in

Originally Posted by Hack

Indeed you are.

...show us some pics of your guitar!

I smell SPAM......

[straybeat]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

The last picture was of a drill bit and a tuner screw. I ALWAYS tape off the drill bit so I do not drill too far. trust me, I have, and you will too, sooner or later.[/B]

Hey Roman,

If you're still following this thread, they make collars with a set screw to put around drill bits. With a pair of calipers you can then measure the exact depth you want and tighten the collar at that point. This is what we use in machine shops. A collar will usually fit a dozen different drill sizes, beyond that you just buy a different size collar.

[rodm717]

Many thanks, not only to the OP, but also to everyone who posted. This has to be the most infomative setup thread I've read and continue to reread. It has inspired me to be more hands on with my own guitars setup. Much appreciated.

[2themax]

This is excellent information - the pix really help out.

Roman: When you say scrape the fretboard to get to the wood, are you using a single edge razor blade or a special tool?

[jbutler]

Originally Posted by 2themax

This is excellent information - the pix really help out.

Roman: When you say scrape the fretboard to get to the wood, are you using a single edge razor blade or a special tool?

Roman has a video up on this exact subject... doing a youtube search should find it for you.... But in the vid he uses one of those stiff, single edged trapezoid shaped razors... the kind you would use in one of those Sears utility knives.... I've scraped the boards on all my necks using Romans instructions and they look and feel great.... take it slow and you should be happy with the results...

[2themax]

Thank you - I'll definately do the you-tube search. Lots of great info there. I've been learning basic neck setup - this is really great stuff.

[KzooKid]

Roman,
Great information! Can't say how many times I've read through this. I'm ready to start this on my Epiphone standard. Figured if I take my time, I should be able to do it. Heck I work on aircraft and sailboats, should be able to tackle a guitar. One question, when leveling the frets, do you use a flat file, or as I have read somewhere else a wood block/sand paper with the radius of the fretboard?

[KzooKid]

Roman,
Great information! Can't say how many times I've read through this. I'm ready to start this on my Epiphone standard. Figured if I take my time, I should be able to do it. Heck I work on aircraft and sailboats, should be able to tackle a guitar. One question, when leveling the frets, do you use a flat file, or as I have read somewhere else a wood block/sand paper with the radius of the fretboard?

[KzooKid]

For some reason the computer burped, and posted twice?

[LiquidIce]

scraping the neck wood with a razor makes me nervous....

[emerald81]

Originally Posted by dogdew

great thread! thanks so much!

i'm not sure what this picture is meant to suggest?
is the pick snug between the string and the 12th fret?
if the neck relief is right and the frets level when using a pick like this roughly how much clearance is ideal?

thanks again!

The picture show the string height. Maybe 2mm for the 6th string & 1.5mm for the 1st...

The fender heavy pick is the reference.

[LiquidIce]

hey, could the owner of the guitar post a current pic of the back of the neck where it was sanded? Thinking I might try this, but will probably experiment on an acoustic.

Funny, went to hardware store today and could only find 150 fine paper...

[rdbear7d]

hey Roman barry here, read and watched your post of coarse i love it.very detailed.i have a very unique question..on your post here you said to get the wider thicker bridge.is the roller bridge for gibson a good one /please let me know.and if not what was the name of that bridge you talked about. ,well had a bit more meat on it?thanks and God Bless. Barry

[Todd_6c]

After reading this thread I decided to give this a shot on an old cheap Ibanez I've had for years. It's amazing what a few files, a razor blade, masking tape, steel wool, and a little lemon oil can do for a guitar! I didn't get to go so far as changing the nut, but just re-working the frets, scraping the fretboard, and adjusting the action and innotation have done wonders. It's gone from a guitar I couldn't even stand to look at to one that I can't put down again. I'm amazed.... I'm not a skilled luthier by any means (before this the extent of my guitar care was changing strings) so I would suggest this for any one. It doesn't even really require any special tools at all (even though I'm sure it would be easier with specialized fret files). I just used regular small hand files and a straight edge for fret filing and leveling. Thank you so much Roman for inspiring me. I've got the luthier bug big time and my wife doesn't appreciate it

[Mikey1969]

Great thread, thanks for making it! I am going to be late for work if I study it now. I'll be back later

Edit:

What is your opinion of this method for a guitar that has a fret so high that is has become a dead spot?


http://youtu.be/c527_CtazOQ


He makes it look so easy.

...I have some Dan Erlewine's books/DVD's I ordered that I plan on studying before starting any work. I purchased his fret basics, repair series, how to make a guitar play great. I think those might get my foot in the door.

[Hectgore]

Originally Posted by LiquidIce

hey, could the owner of the guitar post a current pic of the back of the neck where it was sanded? Thinking I might try this, but will probably experiment on an acoustic.

Funny, went to hardware store today and could only find 150 fine paper...

I am WAY late, haven't visited this place in ages.

Not sure if I could fulfill your request, but I will try and get some shots up.

Woah, I haven't touched my guitars in a while. It is time for me to sell my gear and move on. I still love music, i've just branched out past the genres I use to listen to but I realized that when it came to guitar I was always more of a tinkerer and gearhead vs spending time to ACTUALLY play the instrument. A shame, but I learned alot throughout the proccess.

I am going to be listing this guitar for sale on the net sometime soon. I tinkered around with this guitar A LOT more than I played it. After taking it to Roman, I changed out the pots and pickups myself and I also decided to experiment with the glossy finish. I liked how the sanded neck looked on it, and decided to bring down the whole body down to a matte black finish. Didn't exactly turn out as I wanted too. I accidentally sanded off too much in some spots (the back looks like it has buckle rash) but it was a good learning experience. Pictures will be up here, as if it still possible to sell gear on here, I will give you guys dibs at this Epi at a good price.

EDIT: Woah, re-reading my comments; it's like a time machine...

[Stage Fright]

Love this thread! I have a 1985 Strat w/System III that played like crap. I figured I'd try a simple scrape and oiling last night just to see what difference it made. It feels and plays completely different! I didn't want to put it down but had to go to bed at some point so I could get up and go to work this morning.
I removed the strings, scraped between the frets, cleaned and oiled the neck only. I did not mess with the frets at all. The strings had never been played (the guitar barely has) but were corroded so I took a greeny weenie and car polish and cleaned G, B, and E off. It feels like a $1500 guitar now.

[Hectgore]

I forgot to post up here. This guitar is For Sale. I'm in need of cash and want this to go to someone who enjoys tinkering or playing the hell out of it. Shoot me an offer if you're interested! It doesnt hurt to try

I think I put a picture of the neck, behind the fretboard.[forgot who asked]

[CHall1525]

Just wanted to throw out there to anyone in question about the scraping of the neck, to not worry too much. I just did it to my Epi Les Paul 60's Tribute and am very pleased with the results. Just take your time, and youll get a feel for it pretty quick.

Ill try and put up some before and after pics of how much better it soaked up the oil.

Went ahead and rounded the binding while i was at it. Also a huge help. I did however break the Low E side of my nut by barley widening it haha.. Cheap Nut needs a bone one anyway. Thats another post all together.

Thanks Roman

[CharlesSalvacion]

I tried scraping the fretboard in my LP. great results! revealed a cleaner wood, oiled her 2 times & now its darker than the old board. Thanks Roman for the tips!

[ThePriest]

Great tutorial, some stellar tips in here, thanks alot! Just did this step by step to my Epi and it plays like a dream now

[VVincho]

Thanks Mr. Roman. this is by far one of the most pelpful post tath I´ve ever seen

[KUS]

I know this is about the fret upgrade.

All I did was take out the poly .022 capacitor and replace it with a .022 cap from my 1998 Les Paul Standard. It went from flat crap to totally enjoyable playing guitar. I have $1200 1972 SG, LP Standard, high end Strats. Just replacing the cap right off the bat is THE biggest bang for the buck and time.

I will follow out all your upgrade advice but for those who want instant gratification I thought I'd throw this in.

[haystack]

I notice a lot of you talking about higher end models than what I have. I just bought the little gig pack version of a Special II from someone and a Cherry 100.

Is work like this recommended for such low end guitars.....probably the best low end guitar that exists though.

I'm thinking of it one of two ways:
1. Its so low end, that even $200 worth of adjustments goes a very long way
2. Its so low end even $1000 worth of adjustments wouldn't do any good

I come from acoustic world for the past 15 years playing rhythm and voice only. This is a fun fun fun new world.

EDIT: I'm extremely handy and I have no problems with any of this work here. And I'm willing to lose the Special II, obviously. So, that's not really a factor.

[bzrkrage]

Originally Posted by Roman

It's less annoying than going out spending the money for a book, or waiting for it to come in the mail.

This is free info, and besides...........it would probably take up 4 pages in a book as well.

Exactly what I needed. Thanks Roman.
I just picked up my first Epi, the sound worked, just not the neck.

Did the sanding & steel wool. Awesome.

Need to gig it a few times to see if I need to do the whole neck treatment.

Was looking online for this, sent straight here. Thanks again.

[tpurgatoryt]

Wow, the end result looks stuning and I'm sure it plays amazing!great job!

[Roman]

To all the folks that have responded with their own successes..........
I'd like to say thanks.

Makes me feel good to have provided some useful, easy to digest information that people can utilize all or part of to make their own guitars better.

Not all guitarists can afford, or have access to a good repair/ set up guy, so the intent was to put out some info to give people the know how and courage to do things on their own.

Seems like it has helped some of you out.