New Hardware ?

[Luke0739]

So I have an Epiphone LP Standard, and for a couple weeks now I have been considering putting gold hardware on it, but I'm not sure. So I wanted you guys opinion on it. I will put some photos below of it currently, and let me know if you think gold hardware is a good idea or not
Also, could someone give me an estimation on how much this would cost ?
I was thinking of doing pick up covers, bridge , tailpeice, and maybe tuners too, so I would really appreciate a price estimation
Also if anyone has a similar guitar and has already put gold hardware on it, some pictures would really help my desicion.

by the way, sorry for the crappy phone pictures

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[KenG]

I'd leave it the way it is. It looks good and gold hardware has a tendency to wear off rather quickly and looks like crap to my eyes.

 

[DualAxis]

Personally I wouldn't do it but then I only reserve gold hardware for black and white but it's your guitar and you can do whatever you like with it.
For changing the tailpiece and bridge I'd recommend getting the Gotoh. They're nice, cheap and reliable. Make sure you get metric as Gibson parts won't fit on an Epiphone without modding as Gibson parts are imperial. These work for Epi's but you might be able to find them else where for a cheaper price.

STEWMAC.COM : Gotoh Tune-o-matic Bridge

STEWMAC.COM : Gotoh 'Stop' Tailpiece

And if you some extra bucks I'd highly recommend these:

STEWMAC.COM : Gotoh Aluminum 'Stop' Tailpiece

On changing the pickup covers I wouldn't recommend it as it really is a PIA and really not worth it as you can damage the pickup. I'd just reccomend replacing it with a better pickup.

For the machine heads I'd recommend getting these :

STEWMAC.COM : Sperzel Trim-Lok Guitar Machines

And for a similar guitar Epiphone used to make this but I believe it is now discontinued.

Hope this helps.

 

[qwank]

change it, but change it to nickel.

 

[sasquatch]

Unless you spend good $$ getting better than average Gold parts you'll end up with faded hardware over time. It just seems to be the way it is.

 

[invasion]

I would leave it. To be honest think it would look to much a make it look cheaper. I do like the gold hardware on some guitars although I have always been put off because it wont last that long and look crappy.

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

IMO, gold hardware looks just weird on LP Standards.
I'm even thinking of removing the gold plating from the hardware of my Custom.

 

[ptate]

No need to do that Shifty, it'll wear off in a week of good use....

 

[Buncek]

i wouldn't do it ... fellow musicians made a point gold plating gets of ... on my epi custom went of of bridge in two weeks ... but it's your guitar and your money ...

 

[-=[Shifty]=-]

No need to do that Shifty, it'll wear off in a week of good use....

He he.

Well, I have that guitar for more than a year, now.
The only place where the gold wore off is at the bass side of the bridge, where I rest my palm.
But yeah, that already started to wear after 1 or 2 weeks.

Oh, did I mention it's not an Epiphone.

 

[ptate]

Funny that, I've got a Custom Shop Custom too with naked gold hardware that went off in a couple of weeks..... I wonder if it's just gold marker pen...?

 

[River]

I wouldn't go gold on that guitar. But I like the gold on my Gibson '92 Natural Standard, and it's only worn off where my palm rests on the tail piece. That doesn't look bad to me, just looks like play wear. The gold on the tuners, pickup covers, bridge, etc. is fine.

 

[Dolebludger]

I agree with dual axis in post #3 above as to what new hardware you should get. I do not like gold much (an attitude shared by most posters on this thread). The issue of chrome or nickel is debatable, so take your pick. But the hardware upgrades suggested in post #3 above are all about tone and tuning, and not about looks. And tone and tuning are by far the most important thing. I have made all the hardware mods suggested in post #3 to my '56 goldtop P90, except for the tuners (because I am not having a problem with the stock tuners -- yet). Of all those mods, the Gotoh bridge gave me the most tone improvement, but the others helped a lot too.

 

[Diocletian]

I'd leave the hardware, but get some zebra pickups (zebra as in the Duncan Zebra or, reverse zebra for other pickups).

 

[excessive81]

I would befriend the guys with gold that want Chrome lol ....it your guitar...do what you like that what makes it yours!!!