My Les Paul Forums

Go Back   My Les Paul Forums > The Les Paul > Epiphone Les Pauls

  

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-30-2008, 02:19 PM   #1 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Complete EPI custom setup

Here we have a an ordinary Epiphone LP custom. It is complete with normal problems people encounter and take for granted. Fret buzz, plastic nut, high action, too much relief in the neck, etc.

Well we are going to put some love into it. Why? Well, it is a guitar and the owner loves it. An Epiphone can play as well as any other instrument.

Here we go;

BTW, excuse some of the picture quality.

here it is, high action and all.



The first thing is to remove the stings and take off the mounting ring of the neck pickup. I want the pickup to drop to the bottom of the route.



Next we tape it all up. this prevents scratching and damage, not to mention keeping the steel wool particles away from the pickup.




Now we take the nut off. First I score a line through the finish. we do not want the nut to take finish along with it when we remove it.




I will tap at the nut with something hard and a hammer. my preferred tool for the tapping is a fret file.



Now the nut is off.




More to come

Roman
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Roman Rist For This Useful Post:
Alt Today
Les Paul

Beitrag Sponsored Links

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums
   
Old 07-30-2008, 02:25 PM   #2 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
gibiphone's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 555
Thanks: 7
Thanked 17 Times in 2 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Thanks Roman. This string of lessons will be very helpful to many.

gibiphone

just north of the mexican line
gibiphone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 02:34 PM   #3 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by gibiphone View Post
Thanks Roman. This string of lessons will be very helpful to many.

gibiphone

just north of the mexican line
You are welcome. I don't want epi guys to feel left out.
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 02:35 PM   #4 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
jkinnison90's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nelsonville, Ohio
Posts: 1,378
Thanks: 1
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

awesome. thanks for posting this. can't wait to see the end results of the setup.
__________________
2003 Epiphone Les Paul Standard - Heritage Cherry Sunburst
jkinnison90 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 02:36 PM   #5 (permalink)
V.I.P. Member
 
overdriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New Brunswick Canada
Posts: 2,916
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Very good of you to do this Roman, maybe flick could make it a sticky?
overdriver is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 02:45 PM   #6 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

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.



Out comes my trusty fret leveling file. The file does not lie. It is straight and level and will seek out and destroy all high frets.

We take all the high tops off.



The file also discovers loose frets. On a lot of import guitars, the frets may "look" like they are seated well, but are loose. the file makes a different "chatter noise" when it hits loose frets.

I mark these with a black sharpie so I know which ones they are.




More to come.

Roman
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 02:53 PM   #7 (permalink)
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 20
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

This thread is awesome, very helpful!
hell_monkey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:00 PM   #8 (permalink)
V.I.P. Member
 
overdriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New Brunswick Canada
Posts: 2,916
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

bump
overdriver is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:00 PM   #9 (permalink)
Member
 
socreddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Charlotte/Chapel Hill, N.C.
Posts: 62
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to socreddy
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Holy crap, look at that poor gutted thing!

Hey, thanks for putting this up though! Do you think you could put all your instructions and images on the first post?
__________________
My guitars:
Epiphone LP Standard - Ebony
Takamine G Series Acoustic EGS-430SC
Fender Starcaster - Red - piece of junk
Amp: Roland Micro-Cube!
socreddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:11 PM   #10 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Now, all the frets I have marked with the sharpie get the super glue treatment.

I run a bead of ordinary superglue down each side of the loose fret and the wicking action causes it to go under and into the fret slot.



With a paper towel i wipe the excess off.


Before any super glue is fully hard and cured I scrape the fingerboard with a straight razor blade.



More to come.
Roman
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:11 PM   #11 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Hectgore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 474
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Yay!So im guessing the you received the bone nut that is big enough for my guitar?Do you know when i can pick it up?
Thanks for posting this Roman im sure itll be of much help to the fellow Epi users!
__________________
Hectgore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:11 PM   #12 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by socreddy View Post
Holy crap, look at that poor gutted thing!

Hey, thanks for putting this up though! Do you think you could put all your instructions and images on the first post?
too late.
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:23 PM   #13 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hectgore View Post
Yay!So im guessing the you received the bone nut that is big enough for my guitar?Do you know when i can pick it up?
Thanks for posting this Roman im sure itll be of much help to the fellow Epi users!
Hi Hector, you can pick her up tommorrow
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:30 PM   #14 (permalink)
Member
 
ruffdog64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Yateley ,England
Posts: 45
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

like the idea of the thread but i`m guessing this isn`t some i`ll be doing myself ,especially as i`ve just bought a epi les paul custom,is this a high expense job at a local shop?
ruffdog64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:40 PM   #15 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Hectgore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 474
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by RFR View Post
Hi Hector, you can pick her up tommorrow
Sweet.I may also bring the carvin but nothing is happening to that one i just need the knobs tightened a bit.Nothing big i just dont have the tool at home and i need to buy it soon lol.I may also get it analyzed to see if it needs anything big on setup(like the epi) if it does ill bring it in some other time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffdog64 View Post
like the idea of the thread but i`m guessing this isn`t some i`ll be doing myself ,especially as i`ve just bought a epi les paul custom,is this a high expense job at a local shop?
Yeah man i hear ya,the job depends on the tech shouldnt be more than 150 imo,depends on the tech.Oh and the new bone nut is around 50 bucks to install.
__________________
Hectgore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 03:50 PM   #16 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: France
Posts: 65
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

i am with you RFR.. i am a complete newbie luthier, but i bought an G400 recently which had broken truss rod, unlevelled frets, the lot.
I managed tosort all of this out myself !
I removed the truss rod, brazed the broken end, and leveled all the high frets, using a sharp edge to cover three frets at a time, and find the high ones..which i filed..

i wouldnt hesitate a second to do it on a more expensive axe.
stef is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:31 PM   #17 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffdog64 View Post
like the idea of the thread but i`m guessing this isn`t some i`ll be doing myself ,especially as i`ve just bought a epi les paul custom,is this a high expense job at a local shop?
This isn't so much a "do it your self" thread, as it is to give you some idea as to what can be done and how it is done.

I am sure some guys will DIY, but for the most part, the thread is informative.

If and when you go to a luthier, you will have a bit more knowledge and understanding.
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:40 PM   #18 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Hectgore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 474
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Oh yeah Roman i may have to bring you a couple more people who need some work on there in the future.
My cousin who just started playing guitar REALLY needs a setup,he has a schecter damien and while a great guitar it has the action VERY high,Think as high as my epi.So its just a matter of him getting the money for the basic setup.
Theres also my friend who says his guitars fine but it may need a setup to get it feeling even better!
__________________
Hectgore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:41 PM   #19 (permalink)
Member
 
ruffdog64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Yateley ,England
Posts: 45
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

My problem is i`m new to playing and having bought a new epi lp custom i look at some of the threads and all i see is change this /change that and wonder if i`ll even notice the difference, will i?
ruffdog64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:42 PM   #20 (permalink)
GLOBAL EMO MOD
 
FLICKOFLASH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hagerstown,MD USA
Posts: 9,589
Thanks: 31
Thanked 105 Times in 35 Posts
Send a message via AIM to FLICKOFLASH Send a message via Yahoo to FLICKOFLASH
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

FLICKOFLASH is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:44 PM   #21 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Bizarro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 838
Thanks: 66
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

This definitely should be made into a sticky. Very informative. Thank you for this. I am looking forward to the rest of the story.
Bizarro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:47 PM   #22 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Hectgore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 474
Thanks: 6
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffdog64 View Post
My problem is i`m new to playing and having bought a new epi lp custom i look at some of the threads and all i see is change this /change that and wonder if i`ll even notice the difference, will i?
Ah,well thats what im going to see tomorrow too lol.Ive never had my gutiars setup profesionally,but this one really needed it.I bet theyll be a big difference in playability though.

I say you should at least get a basic setup
fret level,fix the nut,adjust the truss rod,adjust the action,fix the intonation and etc.

The rest can wait until you want to mess around with pots and electronics.
Maybe someone here knows of a tech near your area thats really good.
__________________
Hectgore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 04:54 PM   #23 (permalink)
Master Luthier V.I.P.
 
Roman Rist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LA
Posts: 2,934
Thanks: 0
Thanked 37 Times in 7 Posts
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by ruffdog64 View Post
My problem is i`m new to playing and having bought a new epi lp custom i look at some of the threads and all i see is change this /change that and wonder if i`ll even notice the difference, will i?
A lot of new players experience this phenomena. As you get better, you WILL be able to tell the difference.

I would be willing to bet though, that you could tell the difference right now..

There is all the factory hype about "pro set up". They are not.

It takes me hours to do a good setup, the factories simply do not have that luxury of that time. Out the door is the motto.

What a lot of players fall into is the "this is as good as it gets" syndrome.

I will do a setup for some one that previously liked the instrument...........and then we made it better. It does make a difference.

Roman
Roman Rist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2008, 05:05 PM   #24 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
ac4rd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisville KY / Raleigh NC
Posts: 661
Thanks: 10
Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
Re: Complete EPI custom setup

Romeo, when the monsters get together to talk, THEY say, "That Roman, he's a MONSTER!" :-) You are just flat amazing, and it is INCREDIBLY nice of you to share a bit of your amazing skills and experience with the rest of us! THANK YOU!
ac4rd is offline   Reply With Quote