Matt Heafy Custom to "Classic Custom" Project

[noodlesatf]

Sorry for the necro bump, I'm totally thinking of grabbing a 7-string version off the 'bay and go the same route. Unfortunately, Budman doesn't make curved rings anymore. Does anyone know where I could grab a set of the rings they used on the Epi LP7?

You got any updated pics? I wanna see where you're at.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

Looking good man but I gotta say your frets look seriously worn out. Especially 7 - 12 in the first two photos look really rippled.

Are you getting them leveled and recrowned?

 

[drawnon]

I would love to see a finished product. Is it done yet? Any pics?

 

[EvLectric]

I realize how old the thread is but...
I never saw a clear coated fingerboard listed on anything I ever read, not that I was searching, but...
Why? I mean...you've got ebony...one of the smoothest woods..something we can't even get on a Gibson USA guitar...why in God's name would you clear coat it? Just boneheaded if you ask me.

 

[56GT]

Looking good man but I gotta say your frets look seriously worn out. Especially 7 - 12 in the first two photos look really rippled.

Are you getting them leveled and recrowned?

It's that soft Epi fret wire.

 

[huskerpower]

Dude that's prolly just the angle the picture was taken, chill out.

Look fine in the other pics.

 

[EvLectric]

It's that soft Epi fret wire.

Whether you were joking or not, I agree. Now would be a great time to stainless steel that bad boy! You've already got money invested...why not?
Hey, before anyone jumps my sh1t, my opinion, just my opinion.

 

[56GT]

Whether you were joking or not, I agree. Now would be a great time to stainless steel that bad boy! You've already got money invested...why not?
Hey, before anyone jumps my sh1t, my opinion, just my opinion.

I was serious. I've found that Epi has a problem with soft frets on some guitars I've had. My guess is they use different suppliers of fret wire, thus the poor fret wear on some and not all their guitars.
And I've always used the same EB Slinky strings on my Strat's, Tele's, and Epi's, and don't have the fret wear on any of the Fenders, whether MIM or MIA, so that rules out the strings as the cause.

 

[EvLectric]

I was serious. I've found that Epi has a problem with soft frets on some guitars I've had. My guess is they use different suppliers of fret wire, thus the poor fret wear on some and not all their guitars.
And I've always used the same EB Slinky strings on my Strat's, Tele's, and Epi's, and don't have the fret wear on any of the Fenders, whether MIM or MIA, so that rules out the strings as the cause.

I got a 65 Melody Maker when I was 12 (75). The frets were dressed once it 81. Long story why but I gave it to my old singer in 97/8 ish. He insisted on having it worked on. The luthier refused to refret it because it just didn't need it. He compromised on dressing them even though he didn't even think they needed that.
I had played easily 1500-2000 gigs on that guitar!
I've had to refret 3 different 90's guitars within a few years...one twice! You cannot tell me those frets aren't softer than they used to be!

 

[EvLectric]

So to the op...as soon as you need frets go stainless. You probably won't outlive them.

 

[56GT]

So to the op...as soon as you need frets go stainless. You probably won't outlive them.

Except it's much harder (read expensive) to work stainless frets and harder on tools.

 

[Drave]

Hey guys i need to update this thread sorry! (im at work)

Guitar project was put on hold after some serious life drama came my way. Things are good again and I plan on completing the project. No updates since the last pics. The frets are stock Epi frets and yes they are not in the best shape. It was one of the things I noticed after I got the guitar. I don't plan on changing them out for now but it is something I want to have done. She still needs a harness and switch. Should be installing soon. I sure do miss playing her. I'll snag some pics and post when I get home.

 

[fullspectrum]

These are Indonesian made aren't they....I'm surprised the frets wore out so fast on an Indonesian Epiphone.

 

[TheAce93]

These are Indonesian made aren't they....I'm surprised the frets wore out so fast on an Indonesian Epiphone.

Me too, I've been rocking my Epi LP Pro FX since the start of 2012 and it still feels as good as new.

 

[56GT]

These are Indonesian made aren't they....I'm surprised the frets wore out so fast on an Indonesian Epiphone.

It makes no difference where the Epiphone is made. I believe it has to do with the particular supplier of the batch of fret wire they use at the time, and if it is of good quality or not. I'm pretty certain they don't stick to one brand of fret wire, and thus the inconsistencies...

 

[Drave]

stock epiphone bridge and studs, looking for a genuine les paul custom cover have a ebay one for now until i find one. Any suggestions? , they seem to be a pain to find. no clue why.

heres how she sits now

hope to have her complete soon.

 

[Royal Crimson]

stock epiphone bridge and studs, looking for a genuine les paul custom cover have a ebay one for now until i find one. Any suggestions? , they seem to be a pain to find. no clue why.

heres how she sits now

hope to have her complete soon.

That's looking sharp. Still mind-boggled why Epi put a clear-coat on Ebony. Good job fixing that.

 

[vegetto_456]

sorry to necro this thread, but did OP finish? I was planning on doing something similar actually!

 

[shupe13]

Man this thread is as bad as Netflix. I planned to watch the entire process just to find out I'm missing an entire season. WTF?

 

[dspelman]

That's looking sharp. Still mind-boggled why Epi put a clear-coat on Ebony. Good job fixing that.

They don't. It's more of a wax that preserves the wood...