Epi LP Standard - plastic and hardware customized!

[BluesZep]

Hi there!

I've customized my Epiphone Les Paul Standard with new plastics and hardware, and I'd like to share with all you!

Electronics:
- Switchcraft toogle
- Gibson Classic '57 piclups
- 50's wiring

Plastic parts:
- Pickup rings: Allparts brand (Gibson size. I've had to re-drill screw holes). The color is too much better. It's really cream-white, not yellow like original epiphone rings, and not cream-pinky like Gibsons. They're small than Epi originals, looks better too. Maybe someday i put historic rings, white ones. The screws have small heads, like old Les pauls.
- Pickguard. Allparts, same color as pickup rings. I wish it was more white than pup rings, but that's OK. The Gibson historic pickguard is very expensive.
- Switch ring: Almost white, with gold fonts. Very vintage-vibe. i've tried Gibson original, but i didnt like it. The Gibson one is darker and more pinky.
- Switch tip: Ambar, not too beautiful, but better than orange Gibson.
- Knobs: I've taken off the ambar and put gold ones, with nickel pointers.

Hardware:
- Gotoh tailpiece and bridge. Nickel ones, but I kept the old bushings. This mod has improved acoustic volume.

Pics:

[MIDNIGHT]

looks GREAT dude

good for you

[Sinmastah]

Nice, I was looking at the same guitar and finish, but I ewnt the cheap way and got a faded cherry SG G-400 =D. BTW, whats up w/ the strings over the tail piece?

[jgalvan8804]

I run my strings over the tail piece of my les paul. I dont know if it makes it sound better but Joe Bonamassa, and Billy Gibbons does it... so thats good enough reason.

[diceman]

Looks great! I'll bet she sounds great as well.

[PoorMan]

BluesZep, What country was you Epi made in?

Looks great. Do you have Allparts part numbers? (Because their descriptions are terrible on their website)

[BluesZep]

Originally Posted by diceman

Looks great! I'll bet she sounds great as well.

Thanks diceman!
In my opinion she sounds very good. i like too much her sound and playability.
Watch some videos of me playing my Epi: YouTube - BluesZep's Channel

[BluesZep]

Originally Posted by PoorMan

BluesZep, What country was you Epi made in?

Looks great. Do you have Allparts part numbers? (Because their descriptions are terrible on their website)

Poorman, my Epi is a 2005 Made in China, EE serial number

i haven't the Allparts numbers, cause I've bought them on Ebay. There are some sellers listing allparts parts. In example, these are the pickup rings I've bought:
Pickup Ring Set - Creme with curved bottom - eBay (item 130156250607 end time Feb-19-08 14:01:15 PST)

[PoorMan]

Originally Posted by BluesZep

Poorman, my Epi is a 2005 Made in China, EE serial number

i haven't the Allparts numbers, cause I've bought them on Ebay. There are some sellers listing allparts parts. In example, these are the pickup rings I've bought:
Pickup Ring Set - Creme with curved bottom - eBay (item 130156250607 end time Feb-19-08 14:01:15 PST)

Thanks for the info. Your guitar looks great. I alway hated the "banana pudding" cream on Epis.

[dcooper830]

That looks GREAT BluesZep!

It's so rewarding to upgrade an allready nice Epi Les Paul.

[Richard89]

Thats a beautiful guitar! Really nice

[mi_canuck]

wow!! super nice LP bro!!!

just curious what made you go with gold knobs? is that truer to the original 58-60's Les Pauls?

i'll be getting new knobs for my '91 LP (Epi) - to go with new CTS pots - and debating getting the Gibson amber or gold top hat knobs...


cheers

[charlie385]

I have a question about the factory code EE or DW. Both are, China made. Have any of you folks in the know about Epiphone heard that the DW plant is producing a Consistantly better built and sounding guitar. Sounding more like the gibson les paul woods. I heard this buzz at the guitar store twice now. Figured the crowd on this board would know. Thanks

[BluesZep]

Originally Posted by mi_canuck

wow!! super nice LP bro!!!

just curious what made you go with gold knobs? is that truer to the original 58-60's Les Pauls?

i'll be getting new knobs for my '91 LP (Epi) - to go with new CTS pots - and debating getting the Gibson amber or gold top hat knobs...


cheers

mi_canuck

I like gold ones, but I'll try Gibson amber. They seem to be less red than epi amber.
I hate that epiphone stock red knob.


If you decide to buy gibson amber, post a pic please!

[joseaqui]

Wow, nice job! You've inspired me to do the same to my Epi LP Standard Ebony someday. Right now I'm just a beginner and this is my first guitar! I'm glad I've joined this forum because you've all inspired me to get out there and play!

[diceman]

Originally Posted by BluesZep

Thanks diceman!
In my opinion she sounds very good. i like too much her sound and playability.
Watch some videos of me playing my Epi: YouTube - BluesZep's Channel

Sounds GREAT! I should really spend some time and pick up some blues riffs. I love listening to the blues, but don't play them.

I also noticed that the Tonepros bridge made a large difference in acoustic sound compared the stock Epi bridge. I'm considering getting a Gotoh/Tonepros bridge for my Elitist as well - they're very nice! Very nice looking Les Paul, it sounds great, and you play it well!

[Basher]

That is a sweet axe! Love the color- is that vintage sunburst or honeyburst? If I get a Standard (which I want to)- that's the color I want.
I'd almost be scared to play it- 'fraid of messin' up such a beaut!!

[61LPSG]

BZ, looks super.

[ZOOBEAR]

I love the sound of those 57s!
Is that a 57+ in the bridge?

[MrWrong]

Good looking axe!

[Mickdoo22@Verizon.net]

BluesZep......your guitar looks great! I have a couple of questions.......I am going to replace all the plastics on my Epi's......the pickup rings are very cheezy and warp like mad. Do the Gibson originals solve that?? Is the Gibson original Pickgaurd a direct replacement for the Epi? Did you replace the switch...because I don't think a Gibson witch tip fits and Epi switch.
Thanks!

[tiedstick]

Originally Posted by BluesZep

- Knobs: I've taken off the ambar and put gold ones, with nickel pointers.

Hey man where did you buy these from?

[ThrashPirate]

Originally Posted by ZOOBEAR

I love the sound of those 57s!
Is that a 57+ in the bridge?

+1

[ZoomZilla]

Nice job BZ. Looks killer man!

[Davey Rockets]

Fantastic!! looks great!

[scary pete]

Awesome, maybe post pics of the before, so we can have a comparison?