My Les Paul Forums - The Custom Shop

Weak Sound & Buzzing - Is Fret Replacement Needed?

bulabula — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:03:25 GMT

I am the original owner of a 94 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Lately I have realized that the guitar doesn't sound very good. The notes are not very crisp sounding, in fact they sound kind of weak, especially on some bends. And there is some buzzing going on too. I am thinking it may be time to have some fret work done. The frets seem to be of the wide and low type, and from the book I have been reading (Dan Erlewine) it seems that this may be a possible cause of the weak notes and poor tone. There are definitely also some grooves on the frets where the strings have been pressed down over the years. I am thinking of going with more of a medium-width/higher type of fret wire such as StewMac #0148 or 0152. Is it common for this type of fret wire to be installed on a Les Paul and would you recommend doing this to get better sustain/tone?

And also, if anybody could recommend a good place in New Jersey to have work done on my guitar I would appreciate it.

Here is a YouTube video I created of me playing the guitar.

1994 Gibson Les Paul Standard

Here are some pictures of my guitar:

I set the bridge and tailpiece up so the strings just clear the back of the bridge without touching it. This is what Dan Erlewine recommends in his book for better tone. I can't say whether it helped though, since my guitar has other issues at the present which are probably affecting the tone.

Refinishing Q

Represent601 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:56:59 GMT

How expensive would it be to have my guitar refinished? My LP is very close to what I'm looking for, but it's just not there. I have a vintage burst plain top. I really want a plus top. How expensive would that be? Thanks

Bigsby question...

st.bede — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:03 GMT

have any of you noticed that with a bigsby if you drop a pitch a 1/4 tone it is not as pronouced as with a standrad strat term????? I am wondering if my experince is correct...or if there is a way to compensate.....peace

Help Identifying my Electronics

Lucas — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:23:02 GMT

Hello,
Just bought a 2005 Les Paul Custom, Custom Shop, with EMG's in it. I am going to change pickups but was also considering a electronics upgrade (to an RS Kit)...but first wanted to identify what was on there first to see if it was worth it.
The Pots only have the letter "T" on them.
Does anyone know this "brand of the top of their heads"?
This is the best I could do picture wise, forgive me.

and thanks in advance for your help and wisdom!

Lucas

Faber "State of the pArt"

Led Zep Fan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:17:54 GMT

Faber "State of the pArt"

I picked up a wireless ABR-1 at the Philly show, no more retaining wire rattle!

Cool stuff.

get black marker off of nitro/satin finish?

lesspaul — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:44:23 GMT

hi guys -- whats the best way to get magic marker off of a nitro/satin finish? I think it was a black sharpie :-( I'm looking to buy a used LP that has some writing on it, wondering if thats something i'd be able to get off easily/cheaply/at-home.

Schaller LP Tremolo?

Ferrarimk13 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:51:51 GMT

Hey guys, ive searched the forum for a little bit trying to find as many threads on tremolos as possible, but nothing mentioned this, the schaller LP tremolo. It doesnt need any modifying, and it looks like it replaces the bridge (dont know what they do with the tailpiece) Does anyone have any experience with it? Assembly Tremolo �Les Paul� | Schaller-Electronic thanks guys!!

'fake' binding on a les paul.

minty — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:43:19 GMT

i'm really tempted to remove the paint around the edge of the maple cap to create a 'fake' binding. the paint has already worn slightly on one part of the cap and it's a nice contrast to the ebony paint.

so what's the easiest way to go about doing this? i've thought about edging it off with masking tape and sanding through with steel wool but i'm not sure how consistant it would look. anyone on here done it before?

NOS MULLARD TROPICAL FISH 0.022uF 250V CAPACITORS

A string bounce — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:24:40 GMT

Anyone tried these out before??? seen some for sale thought I might give them ago. Wondering if they would be an improvement on the current caps used by Gibson??? :hmm:
Cheers!

Input jack loosen

moshikoalis — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:46:33 GMT

Hi there!
I noticed that the input jack in my R7 is loosen,when I'm pulling the cable out or puting into the jack,it moves a little
How can I fix it ?
(I've never done something like that before)

Cheers :slash:

Gibson Les Paul Custom Koa!!

Symfonia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:36:28 GMT

Hey there.

Peter from Denmark here... I have just bought a new Custom Koa guitar, but not the 59`limited version you see in the stores. Can any tell where i can find this guitar? The store that sold me this gibson, told me that it was rare, but is that true?

Greeting peter

Hope you understand my bad english.
I dont know how to create a picture in this Tread, but you can find my custom koa in my fotogallery. Hope you can help me.

Serial number is CS 91276

Grounding Question

ace924 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:25:10 GMT

I bought a LP knock-off shell that i am rebuilding/refinishing for my daughter. I am ready to start wiring it. It says to ground to the bridge. How does that happen? I do not see a lead hole to send the ground wire through to it? Help please, thanks.

Wiring/replacement pots advice?

Max Riffage — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:06:18 GMT

Sorry if this has been done to death already, but I did have a good search around first!
This is how the wiring looks on my '95 Standard. A bit surprised that the pots are blank - I thought they would have numbers or "Gibson" on them?:shock:

I just got it last week and all the pots and the switch have crackling issues. Obviously I'm going to try some switch cleaner and lube, but if this doesn't sort everything, I might change them.

Does anyone have (informed:D) opinions on;

CTS, Callaham cryo-treated, Bourns low-friction?

Straight linear vs 70/30 or 60/40 log pots?

Also, I'm intending to fit a push-pull for out-of-phase. Has anyone tried this in combination with a 50s wiring style?

I'd like to preserve the tonal balance throughout the range of the volume pot so, which caps? Bumblebee, Sprague, Sozo, whatever?

I haven't had the pups out yet, but I'm presuming they are standard 490s or whatever.

Guitar Scratch Remover

970harris — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:38:17 GMT

Has anyone out there had any recent experience with these guys?

Guitar Scratch Remover Home

I found them by clicking on their link from the MLP homepage, checked an older thread where people seemed to have had good experience with the product, and ordered a jar of the scratch remover going on a month ago, paying through PayPal.

Still haven't received my order and my attempt to contact them via email came up with nada.

Retrofitting different SG Pickguard

EtriX — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:15:47 GMT

Now here's a pickguard on or off for ya.
Does it work to retrofit a standard pg on a guitar equipped with a 61ri pg?
I don't see why it shouldn't work but there can always be some little detail being a bitch.
More exactly I'm thinking about getting a bunch of Vintage VS6 and adding standard pickguard, one with p90s and one with humbuckers (and maybe one leftie just because they don't cost anything)