Complete EPI custom setup

[goofballone]

Originally Posted by FFXGuitar

...it looks hard. I'm afriad of hurting my cherry babe.

That's why you should seek the help of Professionals, Like Roman. This isn't something you should try your self if you do not have a few throw away necks/guitars* to try it out on first, Ive tried it twice on the same neck and still have not got it right.







* When I say Throw away, I mean guitars or necks you buy for real cheap cuz you dont mind messing them up.

[SiameseDreamer]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

This brings us back to the EPI.

We are putting gold grover vintage style tuners on it.

but before that, here is the roughed in nut blank.



Now some tuners.



I hate stickers!! It makes a guitar look cheap, like it was made in China! Maybe it was, but the whole damn world doesn't have to be reminded of it.



Ok, they are gone.

If I may ask... do the backs of the tuner line up down the back of the headstock???

Also, the tape on the drill bit was so as not to drill through the headstock... correct???

[Christmas]

Originally Posted by SiameseDreamer

If I may ask... do the backs of the tuner line up down the back of the headstock???

Also, the tape on the drill bit was so as not to drill through the headstock... correct???

They sure don't line up, unlike on a Gibson where they can be dead straight...another downfall of the Epi headstock design (aside from the questionable looks). I tried my best to get my Gotoh Klusons to line up on the back and look right from the front, but it just ain't physically possible.

[Hectgore]

Originally Posted by Christmas

They sure don't line up, unlike on a Gibson where they can be dead straight...another downfall of the Epi headstock design (aside from the questionable looks). I tried my best to get my Gotoh Klusons to line up on the back and look right from the front, but it just ain't physically possible.

imo it isnt a big deal though,i rarely look back there.hell i messed up the finish on the back of it and i already forgot about it

[JasonC]

Dude, the tuners on my Gibson are far from straight.

[Christmas]

Originally Posted by JasonC

Dude, the tuners on my Gibson are far from straight.

Sorry to hear that...they're sure straight on this Gibson beauty, which is (of course) how they should be:

[vivalaking]

thanks so much for this thread. you just got yourself another customer. Once my pups arrive, ill be getting in touch.

[Hectgore]

Originally Posted by vivalaking

thanks so much for this thread. you just got yourself another customer. Once my pups arrive, ill be getting in touch.

yea man romans definitely,top notch

[Raxef]

How much would you charge if I sent an Epi LP Custom or Elitist Custom into you? Would you ever do any other guitars, like a strat or telecaster?

[lowe]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

Now that the nut is off, I adjust the neck. What I am looking for is dead straight.
This will reveal all the neck and fret imperfections.

Roman

How can you make sure the neck is dead straight?

[SiameseDreamer]

Thanks everyone for the help'er'oo

I've got two guitars to re-machin head... going to try and get them straight hehe

[bluzjamer]

Roman I'm glad they didn't toss all the Romans to the Lions or was that Lions to the Romans. Anyhoo! Do you have any cousins or brothers on the East Coast? Awesome job, thanks for sharing it with everyone. I hope people try this with a junker before they start hacking up some of their pride and joys. Roman is an expert, he's probably done this a thousand times. This is excellent material and should be read and reread many times before you grab the first tool. Bravo Roman you've probably just started many people on the road to guitar repair that in itself is worthy of a standing ovation...again Bravo. Superb post.

[lifele55]

I'm just re-reading this thread cause its soo soo useful

[SiameseDreamer]

Originally Posted by bluzjamer

Roman I'm glad they didn't toss all the Romans to the Lions or was that Lions to the Romans. Anyhoo! Do you have any cousins or brothers on the East Coast? Awesome job, thanks for sharing it with everyone. I hope people try this with a junker before they start hacking up some of their pride and joys. Roman is an expert, he's probably done this a thousand times. This is excellent material and should be read and reread many times before you grab the first tool. Bravo Roman you've probably just started many people on the road to guitar repair that in itself is worthy of a standing ovation...again Bravo. Superb post.

I actually have tried various parts of this project on two of my beauties... it was the only way I could ensure a good job, using something I really cared about doing right... and so far so good

[stringdancing]

From what you have done,and shown in pictures;how much would a repair person charge for this kind of set up? Billy G. ---

[Roman Rist]

I just "Romanized" an Epi for a new MLPer, I think he is going to have something to say about it.

I originally posted this thread so that Epi owners would not feel left out or inferior. Sometimes I think some Les Paul snobbery hits you guys and that is not right, We are all on the same team.

With the proper love an Epi can play as well as it's more upscale brother. I am, in part, here to do my best to make that so.

For all you folks asking about prices, I don't feel it's appropriate to discuss that on a public forum. PM or email me and I will be glad to discuss it.

Lastly, if I have educated or inspired any of you, all the better!

cheers,
Roman