My first Epiphone Les Paul

[ghowse]

Hi guys, just joined the forum and hope to get some help identifying the guitar I bought today. I've been through the Epiphone wiki All Les Paul Models - The Unofficial Epiphone Wiki and can't seem to find one that is exactly the same.

The Serial Number F97110494 seems to indicate it was made in 1997 in the Fine Guitar factory in Korea. As you will see in the photos it has the "slim" headstock rather than the wider ones on the newer models. The tuners are unbranded and the front of the headstock appears to have the Epiphone emblem nicely inlaid in a pearly material. The neck and body have yellowed binding but the headstock is not bound. The fretboard has trapezoid inlays but I don't know what timbers are used for neck or body.

The previous owner has had some strange electronic modifications done which I can't figure out until I have a look in the wiring cavity. The bridge tone pot has been replaced with a push/pull pot which may be a coil tap or a pickup out of phase setting. Somehow the volume pots are doing strange things as well. Overall the sound and playability is fine but I think I'll go back to stock setup.

Hopefully someone can help identify what it is I have bought.
Thanks
Geoff

 

[Unsung Heroes]

'97 Les Paul Standard I'd say

Enjoy and welcome to the MLP Forum

 

[ghowse]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

I had another look at the Standard on All Les Paul Models - The Unofficial Epiphone Wiki . If the wiki is accurate, the "Small open-book headstock" was discontinued in 1989 whereas my 1997 guitar seems to have one. That is what made me think I might have something different. Also, the bridge and tailpiece at not the LockTone type.

My guitar also has Gibson on the truss rod cover which seems to indicate a pre-89 model? I suppose it could be non-stock?

Any further comments welcomed.
Thanks
Geoff

 

[DPaulCustom]

Welcome to the MLP.
Don't get too hung up on what it is, as long as it's the real deal, play it, mod it, enjoy it!

 

[Unsung Heroes]

Yours has the 'clipped wing' headstock Geoff

Normal for the bridge & tail on models of that age not to be Lock-Tone too

My 2003 Gold Top also has Gibson on the TRC... so again, nothing particularly strange about yours there

 

[ghowse]

Thanks Clive and DPaulCustom. Just my curiosity getting the better of me.

Now to figure out what's going on with the wiring ...

Cheers
Geoff

 

[Barcham]

It's a normal Standard of the period, made in 1997 at the Fine guitars plant in Korea. IF you post some pics of your control cavity, maybe some people here will be able to identify the mods that have been done.

 

[TerryH]

Is it just my imagination, or is just a difference in year models, in pic#2, the horn looks a lot more pointier than I'm used to seeing?

 

[X–Ray]

long may you enjoy!

 

[Barcham]

Is it just my imagination, or is just a difference in year models, in pic#2, the horn looks a lot more pointier than I'm used to seeing?

Lens distortion.

 

[SJM]

Welcome to MLP Geoff.

As already mentioned, some pics of the control cavity would help figure out what you have going on there. If you do a string change maybe pull the P/U's too and see if they have been changed out. Enjoy your 1st LP.

 

[rem22]

you can buy any truss rod cover you want on ebay for example, and in 30" you'll put it in place.

 

[ghowse]

Thanks everyone for the help so far. Attached are some photos and a guess of the wiring schematic. I didn't remove the pickups to see the wiring underneath but there seems to be 5 wires coming from each PU. I've drawn the ganged pot/switch without knowing exactly what the switched connections are internally. Also the selector switch is simplified a bit because I couldn't find a suitable symbol on the SchemeIt web site.

Thanks again in advance.
regards
Geoff

 

[ghowse]

I've been doing a bit more searching on Stewmac STEWMAC.COM : Switchcraft 3-way Toggle Switch Free information and found a similar schematic as used on the Jimmy Page Les Paul. The difference is that my guitar is tapping the coils of both pickups whereas the JPLP only taps one. I'm still thinking simple is best, but what the hell ..... if Jimmy Page uses it ......

Geoff

 

[ghowse]

After a few hours playing I think I'll leave things as they are for now. Using the push/pull is optional anyway. In the down position everything seems to behave as it should.

Cheers
Geoff

 

[shupe13]

Congrats on your Epi and welcome to the forum!