Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom

gibiphone · 10-02-2008, 05:17 PM

Here is the Epi Antique Ivory Custom in its glory. You can't tell by looking at the outside what a transformation took place, but if you listen its like night and day.

Before, this was the rat's nest in the cavity

This came out, Alpha pots and Epiphone branded switch and jack

After, all cavities and covers now shielded, CTS pots, Russian Mil NOS PIO caps, Switchcraft switch and jack.

Left the stock Epi pups. The sound is now 100% improved. Think this solved the problem and will leave the pups as is. This time I had my local guy do the work, as you can see in the professional job.

If anybody wants his name and work address, send me a PM.

Jason · 10-02-2008, 05:22 PM

When I had my Epi I did just the opposite: changed out just the pickups. That made a world of difference as well, so it could be well worth checking out in the future! GFS pickups are said to be pretty damn good and can be had for $60 for a set of two.

diceman · 10-02-2008, 05:29 PM

Wow - very very nice! It looks great in there. The caps alone make a big difference - I'm sure the pots are a great improvement as well.

It'd be a shame to do all of that work and not try some nicer pups down the road - I'll bet it would sound killer w/ some '57 Classic or Burstbuckers in there!

gibiphone · 10-02-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

When I had my Epi I did just the opposite: changed out just the pickups. That made a world of difference as well, so it could be well worth checking out in the future! GFS pickups are said to be pretty damn good and can be had for $60 for a set of two.

Yeah, I've gone that route before too. Put in Dimarzio PAFs which are relatively inexpensive and left the other electronics alone. But even with new pups, you at least have to do the cap upgrade too. May eventually add something like the Dimarzios to the AI Custom, but am happy for the moment.

Thanks for the suggestion and also good suggestion from Dice.

lifele55 · 10-02-2008, 08:25 PM

Hella nice wiring done...

gibiphone · 10-02-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lifele55

Hella nice wiring done...

Thanks Bro.

Gunner · 10-02-2008, 09:09 PM

Man, that wiring stuff scares the crap out of me! Nicely done. How does she sound?

Voxman23 · 10-02-2008, 11:41 PM

that looks dam good..you use 500k pots?

gibiphone · 10-03-2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voxman23

that looks dam good..you use 500k pots?

Yes, both the Alphas coming out and the CTSs going in were 500k.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Younggun

Man, that wiring stuff scares the crap out of me! Nicely done. How does she sound?

The mud is gone. Clear through the range at all volume levels. Top end now with a solid bottom, not just an indistinct middle.

gravmy0 · 10-03-2008, 02:26 AM

how much did it costs for him to make all the modifications to the LP so that the new electronics would fit?

And the shielding looks fancy too

wantsa58 · 10-03-2008, 03:18 AM

Glad you like it, Im in the process of getting rid of my EMG's currently. I cant wait.

Epi wiring is crazy lol.

gibiphone · 10-03-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gravmy0

how much did it costs for him to make all the modifications to the LP so that the new electronics would fit?

And the shielding looks fancy too

My tech is way cool and doesn't charge the true value of his work

. As a rule of thumb for this job I would figure the cost of 1-2 hours labor plus the cost of parts.

jkinnison90 · 10-03-2008, 12:59 PM

looks great!

kluson · 10-03-2008, 01:03 PM

that looks great good job

Nils · 10-03-2008, 01:38 PM

where to get those russian mil caps?

gibiphone · 10-03-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nils

where to get those russian mil caps?

They are a bargain. Search ebay with 'K40Y-9' or '022uf 400V Russian PIO Capacitor'

hillbilly · 10-03-2008, 09:17 PM

Cool wiring & all, but...

Les Pauls don't need shielding, and if you put a meter on it (to measure capacitance), it's like have another capacitor, in line with the electronics, that you cannot control with a Tone knob. Think Tone on '3'.

I realize that he spent time on it, and neatness does count, and that's a great wiring job, but you will get more clarity & definition without the shielding.

We had a Strat come through our shop once with alot of shielding. We put a meter on it and it registered .050µf---that's a whole entire cap in front of the Guitar's tone. And the customer was complaining that his Strat sounded 'muddy'. Well...duh...

Just food for thought.

gibiphone · 10-04-2008, 01:36 AM

Yeah, this is an area of debate for some. Others say:

"Electrostatic hum and buzz entering a system from your instrument can be totally eliminated by 100% shielding of the pickups and control cavities. Usually, somewhat less than 100% will do an adequate job in guitars, which are inherently hard to shield; but the more complete the job, the better the results. The whole idea behind shielding is to completely surround all circuit "hot" leads with a low resistance conductive cage which intercepts electrostatic fields and grounds them out.

I made my choice, others can choose for themselves.

Nevertheless, thanks for the tip; if I had an over shielded or incorrectly shielded Strat I would be concerned.

wantsa58 · 10-04-2008, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillbilly

Cool wiring & all, but...

Les Pauls don't need shielding, and if you put a meter on it (to measure capacitance), it's like have another capacitor, in line with the electronics, that you cannot control with a Tone knob. Think Tone on '3'.

I realize that he spent time on it, and neatness does count, and that's a great wiring job, but you will get more clarity & definition without the shielding.

We had a Strat come through our shop once with alot of shielding. We put a meter on it and it registered .050µf---that's a whole entire cap in front of the Guitar's tone. And the customer was complaining that his Strat sounded 'muddy'. Well...duh...

Just food for thought.

yeah an additional .050uf would really darken a guitars sound.. Great tip.

vladmaximus · 10-13-2008, 06:49 AM

Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeee....

Axilla · 10-13-2008, 07:21 AM

Yupp, sweet mod.
This is quite exactly what I did with my Boneyard & Slash Sig. and the new Slash Goldtop will have to suffer the same torture

Shweeeed indeeeeed !

10-02-2008, 05:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
gibiphone Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,675 Thanks: 36 Thanked 79 Times in 16 Posts	Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Here is the Epi Antique Ivory Custom in its glory. You can't tell by looking at the outside what a transformation took place, but if you listen its like night and day. Before, this was the rat's nest in the cavity This came out, Alpha pots and Epiphone branded switch and jack After, all cavities and covers now shielded, CTS pots, Russian Mil NOS PIO caps, Switchcraft switch and jack. Left the stock Epi pups. The sound is now 100% improved. Think this solved the problem and will leave the pups as is. This time I had my local guy do the work, as you can see in the professional job. If anybody wants his name and work address, send me a PM. __________________ gibiphone just north of the mexican line "God Bless the self-righteous, ever' last one of 'em" --Slim Pickens

10-02-2008, 05:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jason Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 12,965 Thanks: 84 Thanked 91 Times in 23 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom When I had my Epi I did just the opposite: changed out just the pickups. That made a world of difference as well, so it could be well worth checking out in the future! GFS pickups are said to be pretty damn good and can be had for $60 for a set of two.

10-02-2008, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,267 Thanks: 304 Thanked 84 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Wow - very very nice! It looks great in there. The caps alone make a big difference - I'm sure the pots are a great improvement as well. It'd be a shame to do all of that work and not try some nicer pups down the road - I'll bet it would sound killer w/ some '57 Classic or Burstbuckers in there! __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

10-02-2008, 08:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
lifele55 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reddot Singapore Posts: 2,341 Thanks: 53 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Hella nice wiring done... __________________ Ebony MIJ Epiphone Custom + Buncha Pedals. Laney LC15R www.youtube.com/psychotubes sis ♥ lin

10-02-2008, 09:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gunner CEO Teen Axe Leader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 11,886 Thanks: 409 Thanked 91 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Man, that wiring stuff scares the crap out of me! Nicely done. How does she sound? __________________ TAD Member Ekom's Band are Recording Artists known as JungleUnderKings. Sample their music at www.myspace.com/jungleunderkings Come visit us at www.geartalk.com Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship, My senses have been stripped, my hands can't feel to grip, My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels To be wanderin'.

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10-02-2008, 11:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Voxman23 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: where the mountains meet the sky Posts: 355 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom that looks dam good..you use 500k pots?

10-03-2008, 02:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
gravmy0 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 607 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom how much did it costs for him to make all the modifications to the LP so that the new electronics would fit? And the shielding looks fancy too

10-03-2008, 03:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
wantsa58 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 671 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Glad you like it, Im in the process of getting rid of my EMG's currently. I cant wait. Epi wiring is crazy lol. __________________

10-03-2008, 12:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
jkinnison90 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nelsonville, Ohio Posts: 1,379 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom looks great! __________________ 2003 Epiphone Les Paul Standard - Heritage Cherry Sunburst

10-03-2008, 01:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
kluson Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 1,364 Thanks: 36 Thanked 43 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom that looks great good job

10-03-2008, 01:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Nils Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Heerhugowaard, N-H, Netherlands Posts: 397 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom where to get those russian mil caps? __________________ 2007 Epiphone Les Paul Std HCS (Irongear Hot Slag pickups + Spague Orange Drops + new wiring) 2006 J&D LS-1 CS (Epiphone pickups + Sprague Orange Drops) 2009 Fender CD-60CE BLK 2005 Behringer Strat Starter wreck (in parts, refinishing it some day) (u/s) Old cracked nylon acoustic (u/s) Fame T64RS Tube Behringer GM108 Boss OS-2

10-03-2008, 09:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
hillbilly V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 865 Thanks: 0 Thanked 49 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Cool wiring & all, but... Les Pauls don't need shielding, and if you put a meter on it (to measure capacitance), it's like have another capacitor, in line with the electronics, that you cannot control with a Tone knob. Think Tone on '3'. I realize that he spent time on it, and neatness does count, and that's a great wiring job, but you will get more clarity & definition without the shielding. We had a Strat come through our shop once with alot of shielding. We put a meter on it and it registered .050µf---that's a whole entire cap in front of the Guitar's tone. And the customer was complaining that his Strat sounded 'muddy'. Well...duh... Just food for thought. __________________ Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting for what to eat for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb disputing that vote.---Benjamin Franklin >>> RS GUITARWORKS <<< Southern Electric

10-04-2008, 01:36 AM	#18 (permalink)
gibiphone Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,675 Thanks: 36 Thanked 79 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Yeah, this is an area of debate for some. Others say: "Electrostatic hum and buzz entering a system from your instrument can be totally eliminated by 100% shielding of the pickups and control cavities. Usually, somewhat less than 100% will do an adequate job in guitars, which are inherently hard to shield; but the more complete the job, the better the results. The whole idea behind shielding is to completely surround all circuit "hot" leads with a low resistance conductive cage which intercepts electrostatic fields and grounds them out. I made my choice, others can choose for themselves. Nevertheless, thanks for the tip; if I had an over shielded or incorrectly shielded Strat I would be concerned. __________________ gibiphone just north of the mexican line "God Bless the self-righteous, ever' last one of 'em" --Slim Pickens Last edited by gibiphone; 10-04-2008 at 03:55 AM.

10-13-2008, 06:49 AM	#20 (permalink)
vladmaximus Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MALAYSIA Posts: 2,000 Thanks: 52 Thanked 21 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeee.... __________________ CLICK & WATCH MY VIDEOS ---> http://www.youtube.com/vladmaximus78 PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT OK..THANKS

10-13-2008, 07:21 AM	#21 (permalink)
Axilla Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Munich / Bavaria / Germany Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Gutted My Antique Ivory Custom Yupp, sweet mod. This is quite exactly what I did with my Boneyard & Slash Sig. and the new Slash Goldtop will have to suffer the same torture Shweeeed indeeeeed ! __________________ Axilla -------------------- MUSICMANiac & Paula-Lover Epi Paula Slash Sig. Plus Top Epi Paula Slash Sig. Gold Top Epi Paula Boneyard Joe Perry Sig. ...and heaps of EBMMs ;-) ...in-tune by Peterson Strobes and running thru Diezel/Marshall/Hiwatt/Peavey and TC FX http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/AxelBartig/

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