Complete EPI custom setup

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by Sinster

The problem I run into sometimes when I fret the 12th is depending on the pressure I put on the string I don't get a good reading any suggestions.

Every player should learn to do their own intonation.

The reason being, is that every player has their own touch with how hard they push the string onto the fret.

When you factor in different fret heights or even scalloping, the players touch becomes more of an issue.


WHEN YOU INTONATE, USE THE SAME PRESSURE ON THE STRING AS WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING. In other words, you are intonating the guitar for YOU.

That is KEY.


Roman

[LEFTY LES]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

I did the final nut height adjustments and she is playing pretty sweet!

Except for one thing.................Sticky neck!

We fixed that by sanding it with 400 grit to take off the gloss. Then followed it up with some steel wool.

The back of the neck now has a satiny matte finish and is MUCH smoother to play.

Of course I would not do this unless some one asked.



After steel wool.


As It gets played it will shine up a bit more but will still retain the slinky feel.

I have 600 grit sandpaper and 0000 steel wool. Would that be ok or is 400 grit a must???

[TTACKK]

how much did that cost????

[jimmyslash]

i would never do this all by myself. i would just ruin the guitar and i don't want that to happen.

[rusnak167]

I just sanded my neck as well. Did it with 320 grit sandpaper and 000 Steel Wool.

Used masking tape to make a nice "edge" on the headstock and where the neck meets the body. After each pass with the sand paper i used a towel to wipe away to dust to make sure the whole area had a light sanding. After i was satisfied with the sanding i went over it very lightly with steel wool before taking off the masking tape.

Sanded too much by accident and wore through the paint, the wood showing is an area smaller than a tuning head. Noticeable but on the neck so it doesn't bother me.

[#1guitarman]

OK, Roman...
I have an Epi standard that you can pimp for me...THAAAATS RIIIGHT...Pimp My Ax...all I need is an address and a price...I'll send ALL hardware (Duncan pearly gates neck and bridge/tulip tuning keys/bone blank nut)electronics(CTS pots/Vit Q oil filled caps/Switchcraft jack and switch..YOU SIR do one HELLUVA JOB!!!!...you can email me @ Greatwhite087@AOL.Com, I'm not afraid to ship, I pack like I'm never comin back! do the whole deal>frets,board,intone,just pimp the ax bro!!! Treat it like it was yours...
Peace

[gord1013]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

In closing, She plays great. I would not hesitate to take it to a gig and play it.

We'll see what Hector has to say


Cheers,
Roman

Roman,

Great thread. I've learned to do my own setups also and a lot of guys who own much more expensive guitars enjoy playing my Epi, for the great feel.

[gord1013]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

In closing, She plays great. I would not hesitate to take it to a gig and play it.

We'll see what Hector has to say


Cheers,
Roman

Roman,

Great thread. I've learned to do my own setups. A lot of guys who own much more expensive guitars enjoy playing my Epi, for the great feel of the neck.

[dork5002002]

I really enjoyed looking through this thread. I thought it was pretty informative. I really wish I had someone near me that could do work like that. I could never trust myself to do that to a guitar I wanted to play. I would probably destroy something in the process.

[watchunglava]

roman , you are clearly the man at his shit !

quick question if you have the time to answer it , why do you recogmend scraping the board and removing wood rather than using something like frombys deep clean or murfeys oil soap .

both of which i have used with great success.

[p90rules]

Great Thread.

How do you smooth down the fingerboard between the frets without causing scratches ? My Les Paul had a clumsy fret dress/profile that left some marks & gouges either side of some frets & I want to tidy them up without affecting the frets if that's possible.

[GaloDeBarcelos]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

A little polish and it is time for the glamour shot!

We are done..................till the next edition. pickups and electronics.

been waiting for long...oh well..whenever your ready. Thanks

[johnnyfever]

Where would I find this import gotoh bridge. I would like to get the right one the first time

[abrink]

Thanks for this great thread.

I own a EPI Les Paul limited edition.

Using this thread I tried to set up the intonation.

I could correct all strings except the high E string.

The open E is tuned, but when I press the 12 th, it is to flat. The problem is I can not screw any further on the bridge. It is on its end in the direction to the neck. The bridge it correctly mounted accoring to me. What could be wrong here ?

Thanks in advance

[KP Willits]

Originally Posted by johnnyfever

Where would I find this import gotoh bridge. I would like to get the right one the first time

Gotoh Tune-o-matic Bridge with Studs/Bushings at Stewart-MacDonald

[lpplayer]

I just did the fingerboard scraping, 0000 steel wool buff, and lemon oil to my PRS SE Custom, and I am amazed at how different the board looks. Thanks Roman!!

[johnnyfever]

Originally Posted by KP Willits

Gotoh Tune-o-matic Bridge with Studs/Bushings at Stewart-MacDonald

Thanks for the help... I looked at those but wasn't sure if that was the right one. I am in the middle of a project that involves a new Epi LP Custom Classic Antique Ebony that I am installing gibson 409r/498t pickups, bone nut, grover deluxe keystone tuners, Schaller strap locks, Rs Guitar works upgrade pots, Switchcraft switch and input jack, and Gibson vintage reissue strings. I am using some of the ideas from this thread and some of my own research and working with a luthier here in Indianapolis. Now I get the Gotoh bridge.....

[Satrian]

Mn... I wish I could send you my recently purchased Les Paul Custom Silverburst. I guess I'll have to fin a decent luthier in Argentina to do the job. Great post hombre!

[oldaxeman]

This is my absolute favorite thread! When I 1st read it i had to do the fingerboard thing and it was amazing how much better it looked! This is the kind of information I've always wanted and I get it for free from Roman! I've always loved to play guitar and when it looks better and feels better it just makes it that much better! Invaluable information Roman! You should write a book! There are guitar players everywhere that would gladly spend bucks for this kind of stuff! You Da Man!

[ToothDecay]

So is it easier to sand the neck by hand or to use a machine?

[ToothDecay]

Nevermind, just finished sanding

[dynac0mp]

Question for you, Roman: I'm just about to get a replacement bridge. It looked like a Nasvhille bridge from TonePros that you said fit right over the original metric? Can you point me to a model number? I've got an Epi LP STD circa 2009...

[Atomic]

wow what a great thread!

i had to learn to do all of this on my own.. so its really great to see someone like mr Rist taking the time to give us all some very valuable information!

i recently did just this kind of setup on my Yamaha, and im really glad to know that all this time i have been doing it right.

[Geardog]

Best setup thread. A master sharing his experience, expanding the art form unselfishly for all - is a true craftsman.

Thank you RR

[ahowell21]

Great thread roman

[Boss 302]

My first post here, hello everybody.
Learnt a hell of a lot out of this thread. Kudos to the OP, will be looking to get my cherry sunburst LP Epiphone setup when I can.

[rfcbeach]

Also my first post here, what's up guys? I just wanted to send a huge thanks to Roman, very informative and concise thread you have here, my friend. Let me say, this shit works, no doubt! I may not own an Epiphone, but I sure as hell can say from recent experience that it works like a dream on my entry-level Ibanez RG120. I dressed and polished all the frets as shown here, replaced my old plastic nut with a new graphite nut, fixed the intonation, tightened the truss rod and fixed the action and my $170 guitar looks and plays like a $5,000 masterpiece. Very well done, Roman !

[brianugly]

Welcome RCFBeach and Boss 302 to MLP! Hope you guys enjoy the posting, and information about guitars as well as the rest of us do! If you guys have questions be sure to post them in the FAQs--the guys that know the answers will give you great advice.

[lukemacauley]

Roman, could you email me a price on a full set up, plus installing a prewired harness, toggle and jack please. Love the thread!

Luke.

[latomas]

Thanks Roman. definately makes the guitar sing hell of a lot better.