Guitar Overhaul

A_Ron_Hubbard · 10-12-2008, 02:09 AM

Hiya,

I'm planning on basically rebuilding my Epiphone Les Paul 100. My reason for doing this is that at the moment it really doesn't sound very good, but I've been playing it for ages and found that I like how it feels. I would really appreciate some feedback on my plans seeing as my local guitar shops have been basically useless when I've gone in to ask for advice. I'm good with my hands and I've had quite a bit of experience using a soldering iron so I feel confident that I'm up to all the wiring that's involved.

I plan to replace the tuning heads with the planet waves auto-trim tuning machines. For pickups i've decided on the Seymour Duncan SH-8 for the bridge pickup and DiMarzio DP151 PAF Pro for the neck. I also figured that while I'm going nuts I would replace the entire wiring of the guitar, buying new pots for the tone, volume and switch with the possibility of coil-tapping, depending on a little more research. What I'm most worried about though is sticking a B7 Bigby with a new bridge, hopefully one that works well with the bigsby.

So that's it basically. I would like to know whether you guys think i'm crazy/out of my depth or whether this will be, as I hope it will, a fun and very fruitful experience. What I'm most concerned about it doing all this work on a guitar that is crap to begin with, an epi lp 100 and how confusing the wiring can be. I've looked at quite a few diagrams and it doesn't seem to be an impossible task.

Thanks in advance for any help. If I go ahead I'll keep you all updated on the progress.

MesaBoogie · 10-12-2008, 03:41 AM

Well... For the bigsby, you'll need a rolling bridge (so your strings can travel freely without getting stuck)...

Maybe you should buy a new (dare I say better) guitar, 'cuz now you'll be spending a lot of money on a not so great guitar? It's you choice obviously, just my 0.02...
Hope you have fun with it as I'm sure you will,

Grtz,

Mesa.

mitchbob9 · 10-12-2008, 04:13 AM

If you do these upgrades you should at least get a Epiphone LP Studio. I mean, you can't fix a bolt on neck, which is a problem.

i am wet · 10-12-2008, 07:05 PM

Yea get a higher epiphone, bolt on necks are gross. And if you want to do alot of upgrades mind aswell do them on a guitar that will hold up through the years.

diceman · 10-12-2008, 07:15 PM

Totally up to you - if you really really like that particular guitar. You'll be dropping some real money in to it, and may just be happeir w/ a "nicer" guitar.

Don't let that stop you, though. Plenty of nice guitars are bolt neck. A few guys here have done some serious upgrades to their Epis - I'm not one of them - but they'll surely have some good advice for you.

Have fun with the project!

River · 10-12-2008, 07:19 PM

All of the above advice is good, but I've put big $ in a "cheap" guitar with no hope of ever getting it back and had no regrets whatsoever, so it's a very personal decision.

My upgrades included a Bigsby, and I did not get a roller bridge but one with graphite saddles. Works fine.

The bolt-on neck on that guitar may be a problem, I can't say. But I have two guitars with bolt-on necks that are not a problem, and an old set-neck that now needs the neck reset - that's a problem.

That said, make sure you love that guitar before sinking a lot of money into it.

mr_dreadlocks · 10-12-2008, 07:58 PM

What is the problem with bolt on necks? I've never understood why people hate them so much.

captain tightpants · 10-12-2008, 08:06 PM

Mostly, IMHO, it's because a LOT of really bad cheap guitars have been made with bolt-on necks, so here is a stigma that ALL bolt-on necked guitars are bad.

tintin · 10-12-2008, 09:00 PM

Like the Stat, the Tele, lots of Taylors.....

Bandit79 · 10-12-2008, 09:04 PM

Also, set necks give off more sustain than a bolt-on neck

Dave67 · 10-12-2008, 09:13 PM

I would think long and hard before putting money into a 100. You could pick up a nice used Epi LP and upgraded it, this is what I would do. But it is your money and guitar, so you have to make up your mind.

I have no problem with good bolt on guitars. I have had Ibanez, Jackson, Charvel, and Fender, all with bolt on necks.

A_Ron_Hubbard · 10-13-2008, 05:26 AM

ok ok, this is great stuff people. It's looking like the mods would cost me around 450 dollars, as much as a used epi lp standard. So besides the set neck on the 100, I don't really see any major differences between the 100 and the standard. All the hardware is going to be replaced anyways. Is the neck my only concern?

mitchbob9 · 10-13-2008, 06:24 AM

The neck wont have as much sustain, to give you the classic LP sound, and the fact that the guitar is lighter also. But, with the upgrades your putting in, it would probably sound brilliant anyway. Just make sure you love that guitar before you spend that kind of money on it. And apart from that the only other differences between the LP100 and the standard are the Standard has a nice cream binding and a curved face.

tintin · 10-13-2008, 01:16 PM

I have an LP-100 also, currently stock. Although I find it a different animal than an LP standard or studio, I do find the differences not entirely detrimental. I like the small size, light weight, and thin relatively short neck. They make it an easy guitar to travel with and I find it fun to play. Granted the sustain is not that of set neck guitars, but the same is true of my Stratocaster.

I have a certain fondness for the LP100, cheap though it may be. Currently, I haven't a major desire to upgrade it, but I find the idea reasonable. If you like it, why not?

Dave67 · 10-13-2008, 04:10 PM

I have no problem with bolt on necks, my problem is the very cheap wood used on the 100. I have sent them striped and the look like plywood. I would start with a better guitar, just for the better wood.

10-12-2008, 02:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
A_Ron_Hubbard Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Guitar Overhaul Hiya, I'm planning on basically rebuilding my Epiphone Les Paul 100. My reason for doing this is that at the moment it really doesn't sound very good, but I've been playing it for ages and found that I like how it feels. I would really appreciate some feedback on my plans seeing as my local guitar shops have been basically useless when I've gone in to ask for advice. I'm good with my hands and I've had quite a bit of experience using a soldering iron so I feel confident that I'm up to all the wiring that's involved. I plan to replace the tuning heads with the planet waves auto-trim tuning machines. For pickups i've decided on the Seymour Duncan SH-8 for the bridge pickup and DiMarzio DP151 PAF Pro for the neck. I also figured that while I'm going nuts I would replace the entire wiring of the guitar, buying new pots for the tone, volume and switch with the possibility of coil-tapping, depending on a little more research. What I'm most worried about though is sticking a B7 Bigby with a new bridge, hopefully one that works well with the bigsby. So that's it basically. I would like to know whether you guys think i'm crazy/out of my depth or whether this will be, as I hope it will, a fun and very fruitful experience. What I'm most concerned about it doing all this work on a guitar that is crap to begin with, an epi lp 100 and how confusing the wiring can be. I've looked at quite a few diagrams and it doesn't seem to be an impossible task. Thanks in advance for any help. If I go ahead I'll keep you all updated on the progress.

10-12-2008, 03:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
MesaBoogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 126 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Guitar Overhaul Well... For the bigsby, you'll need a rolling bridge (so your strings can travel freely without getting stuck)... Maybe you should buy a new (dare I say better) guitar, 'cuz now you'll be spending a lot of money on a not so great guitar? It's you choice obviously, just my 0.02... Hope you have fun with it as I'm sure you will, Grtz, Mesa. __________________ Thundercats, GO!!!

10-12-2008, 04:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
mitchbob9 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul If you do these upgrades you should at least get a Epiphone LP Studio. I mean, you can't fix a bolt on neck, which is a problem. __________________ 2008 Epiphone Les Paul HCS Standard Plus

10-12-2008, 07:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
i am wet Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 108 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul Yea get a higher epiphone, bolt on necks are gross. And if you want to do alot of upgrades mind aswell do them on a guitar that will hold up through the years. __________________ 2008 Gibson Les Paul Studio--Alpine White

10-12-2008, 07:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,452 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul Totally up to you - if you really really like that particular guitar. You'll be dropping some real money in to it, and may just be happeir w/ a "nicer" guitar. Don't let that stop you, though. Plenty of nice guitars are bolt neck. A few guys here have done some serious upgrades to their Epis - I'm not one of them - but they'll surely have some good advice for you. Have fun with the project! __________________ 1969 Gibson Deluxe / 08 Gibson R8 / Epi Elitists: Standard & Custom / Epi Custom & Studio Goth - '65 Fender Jaguar My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

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10-12-2008, 07:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Crestone, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,303 Thanks: 22 Thanked 12 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul All of the above advice is good, but I've put big $ in a "cheap" guitar with no hope of ever getting it back and had no regrets whatsoever, so it's a very personal decision. My upgrades included a Bigsby, and I did not get a roller bridge but one with graphite saddles. Works fine. The bolt-on neck on that guitar may be a problem, I can't say. But I have two guitars with bolt-on necks that are not a problem, and an old set-neck that now needs the neck reset - that's a problem. That said, make sure you love that guitar before sinking a lot of money into it. __________________ Light a candle for all children who have died. Dec. 14, 2008, 7-8PM around the globe.

10-12-2008, 07:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
mr_dreadlocks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul What is the problem with bolt on necks? I've never understood why people hate them so much.

10-12-2008, 08:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
captain tightpants V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orland CA Posts: 1,975 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul Mostly, IMHO, it's because a LOT of really bad cheap guitars have been made with bolt-on necks, so here is a stigma that ALL bolt-on necked guitars are bad. __________________

10-12-2008, 09:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
tintin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 181 Thanks: 22 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul Like the Stat, the Tele, lots of Taylors..... __________________ 08 Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II Tiger's Eye Faded Cherry 07 Epiphone Maraschino Cherry Burst LP 02 Black and White Mexican Fender Standard Stratocaster with SD Hot Rails

10-12-2008, 09:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bandit79 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 214 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul Also, set necks give off more sustain than a bolt-on neck __________________

10-12-2008, 09:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dave67 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 347 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Guitar Overhaul I would think long and hard before putting money into a 100. You could pick up a nice used Epi LP and upgraded it, this is what I would do. But it is your money and guitar, so you have to make up your mind. I have no problem with good bolt on guitars. I have had Ibanez, Jackson, Charvel, and Fender, all with bolt on necks. __________________ Guitars 89 Washburn WP-80 White with Gibson 490/498 99 Epi Custom Cherry Sunburst with WB Firewaters 07 Fender Fat Strat Amp Epiphone Valve Junior Half stack

10-13-2008, 05:26 AM	#12 (permalink)
A_Ron_Hubbard Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul ok ok, this is great stuff people. It's looking like the mods would cost me around 450 dollars, as much as a used epi lp standard. So besides the set neck on the 100, I don't really see any major differences between the 100 and the standard. All the hardware is going to be replaced anyways. Is the neck my only concern?

10-13-2008, 06:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
mitchbob9 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul The neck wont have as much sustain, to give you the classic LP sound, and the fact that the guitar is lighter also. But, with the upgrades your putting in, it would probably sound brilliant anyway. Just make sure you love that guitar before you spend that kind of money on it. And apart from that the only other differences between the LP100 and the standard are the Standard has a nice cream binding and a curved face. __________________ 2008 Epiphone Les Paul HCS Standard Plus

10-13-2008, 01:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
tintin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 181 Thanks: 22 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Guitar Overhaul I have an LP-100 also, currently stock. Although I find it a different animal than an LP standard or studio, I do find the differences not entirely detrimental. I like the small size, light weight, and thin relatively short neck. They make it an easy guitar to travel with and I find it fun to play. Granted the sustain is not that of set neck guitars, but the same is true of my Stratocaster. I have a certain fondness for the LP100, cheap though it may be. Currently, I haven't a major desire to upgrade it, but I find the idea reasonable. If you like it, why not? __________________ 08 Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-II Tiger's Eye Faded Cherry 07 Epiphone Maraschino Cherry Burst LP 02 Black and White Mexican Fender Standard Stratocaster with SD Hot Rails

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10-13-2008, 04:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dave67 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 347 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Guitar Overhaul I have no problem with bolt on necks, my problem is the very cheap wood used on the 100. I have sent them striped and the look like plywood. I would start with a better guitar, just for the better wood. __________________ Guitars 89 Washburn WP-80 White with Gibson 490/498 99 Epi Custom Cherry Sunburst with WB Firewaters 07 Fender Fat Strat Amp Epiphone Valve Junior Half stack

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