Hardware upgrade dilemma

[CyanideJunkie]

Hi all, I've posted this question in the Tonefreaks section, but just thought that I would try my luck here as well.

Basically I've been toying with the idea of upgrading the hardware(TP, TP studs, bridge) on my LP Trad 1960 to better quality pieces like those offered by Tonepros. My worry is that while it MIGHT improve on the tone, it just might also take away/change/replace the original feel and sound of the LP which led me to fall in love with it in the first place. I have read of accounts where people have done the switch, only to find themselves having to revert to the original setup due to the tone not being enhanced in the way(s) they thought it would.

I know that if I really don't like the change I can always put the original hardware back on, but I would rather avoid the hassle of having to try and sell the stuff(most likely at a loss too). I know some guys would encourage me to just hang on to the spare parts for a future project, but I really don't see a new Les Paul in the cards any time soon, at least not financially.

Any MLPers ever tango with this kind of problem before? Any insight will be greatly appreciated!

[blackie2]

You're looking at spending less than $200 bucks for the new parts and if you're not happy that's not that much you've invested in trying it out. My point being that you'll never know if the sound is improved or not until you take the plunge.

I replaced a bridge, tailpiece, and studs and was very happy with the change. I'd probably say that upgrading the electronics, pots and caps, would probably give you a bigger bang for the buck than the hardware though.

[Latearrival]

Originally Posted by CyanideJunkie

Basically I've been toying with the idea of upgrading the hardware(TP, TP studs, bridge) on my LP Trad 1960 to better quality pieces like those offered by Tonepros.

Who says they're "better quality"? If you are happy with the sound and feel of your guitar, leave well alone, is my advice!

I am no stranger to modding things to suit my needs better, but my LP Trad is one of the handful of things that I am completely happy with, stock!

[Shawn Lutz]

It all depends on the parts you use. I am one who thinks the metals they used on the Traditionals is chrome plated cheaper zinc alloy (Zamak) and not really a good tone metal but thats just me.

I replaced mt Nashville with a Faber ABR locking type with raw brass saddles. I also replaced the studs on the tailpiece with Faber ToneLock so I could lock the TP down. To me there is a noticeable tone improvement and don't feel any "mojo" or LP feel was lost, actually the opposite in my case YMMV.

I didn't think it sucked before the change but knew it could be better with better metal at the bridge saddle. If you love your tone now then there really is not need to change it in my opinion however.

[nac]

I have 3 trad's. On each of them I have replaced the stock 300k pots, replaced the bridge with a Callaham ABR1 conversion and swapped out the tail piece. IMO, it kept all that was great about the tone and got helped out with some of the harshness.

I love what each of those alterations has done for my tone.

[KenG]

Originally Posted by nac

I have 3 trad's. On each of them I have replaced the stock 300k pots, replaced the bridge with a Callaham ABR1 conversion and swapped out the tail piece. IMO, it kept all that was great about the tone and got helped out with some of the harshness.

I love what each of those alterations has done for my tone.

Only the volume pots are 300K the tones are 500K. I've been toying with the idea of converting to an ABR as well.