NGD-Epi Special

[E1WOOD5150]

Epiphone Les Paul Special I P90 Electric Guitar Worn Cherry | Guitar Center

My wife picked one of these up for me, as a gift/birthday card for my 50th birthday party/jam/barbecue cook-off that she's throwing for me in October (my birthday is in late August). She got the worn black version, and some silver Sharpies so guests can sign it to commemorate the occasion.

It's not a super player, nor tone monster, but I kinda dig the neck, and these are the first P-90's I've ever had. I know they arent great p/ups. Still, a couple upgrades in the form of straplocks and tuners will happen. The real purpose is for guests to sign it at the party. I'll set it up to play, and play it at the party. If I really take to it, further upgrades may occur. If not, no big deal. It'll hang on a wall.

If it becomes a piece of wall-art, my wife wants to do something to protect the signatures. What would you members suggest to protect?

 

[kevinpaul]

You will have bunch of fun with that guitar, P90s! I replaced a lot of parts on my Epiphone Junior. I put one P90 on it and that made all the difference. Happy Birthday and New Guitar day.

 

[E1WOOD5150]

You will have bunch of fun with that guitar, P90s! I replaced a lot of parts on my Epiphone Junior. I put one P90 on it and that made all the difference. Happy Birthday and New Guitar day.

Thanks, KP. But hold off on the HBD for now. I dont turn 50 until 8/24.

 

[scrumm21]

Congrats on the new "Birthday Card" My .02 worth...... After upgrading the Tuners \ a new Nut \ A new intoneable wrap-around bridge \ a quick fret level and some relief (and pure nickel 10's) this is a killer lil guitar. Been getting it dialed in on the Vox and these P-90s are fine lil p\ups.
I enjoy playing it as much as my others..
(Also fwiw - the strap locks that came on mine are far superior to those that came on my Trib + or the PTP. (go figure)
Just get some rubber washers - they work great ...here - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019WTLVKW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or drink a couple bottles of Grolsch beer and use their washers )

 

[JohnnyN]

What a great idea
Have fun and don't forget to post some

 

[E1WOOD5150]

Oh, yeah...Pictures...or, rather, picture...

 

[E1WOOD5150]

Congrats on the new "Birthday Card" My .02 worth...... After upgrading the Tuners \ a new Nut \ A new intoneable wrap-around bridge \ a quick fret level and some relief (and pure nickel 10's) this is a killer lil guitar. Been getting it dialed in on the Vox and these P-90s are fine lil p\ups.
I enjoy playing it as much as my others..
(Also fwiw - the strap locks that came on mine are far superior to those that came on my Trib + or the PTP. (go figure)
Just get some rubber washers - they work great ...here - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019WTLVKW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or drink a couple bottles of Grolsch beer and use their washers )

I put strings on it last night and got the intonation as close as I could. I oiled the fretboard too. I have a small stash of Schiller straplocks, so I installed them, then took it to the basement...Meh...It plays ok, and it sounds ok, but I wasn't blown away. There are a couple more adjustments to be done, and I hope they make a big difference, but initial impression is its a $100 guitar. But I am NOT done tinkering!

 

[paruwi]

Congrats on the guitar & the wife

she got even the color right

now spend another 13$ for a bridge - and you're done....

Chrome Badass Style Wrap Around Bridge Tailpiece for LP Electric Guitar | eBay

 

[moreles]

That's really thoughtful of your wife. That's got to make you feel good. If you feel able to swap the nut yourself, switching in bone for plastic is a big upgrade, but not if done poorly. I would definitely work on the setup myself, and if you're good at that stuff already, fine; if not, there's plenty of good setup info on the web. If you can dress frets, do; if not, let 'em go. I would not, myself, pay anybody more $$$ to work on the guitar. The one thing I would do for sure, as many have suggested, is to replace the bridge, easily done for little $$ on ebay. Have a great birthday. The plans sound fantastic.

 

[ScottMarlowe]

There's a great thread on levelling our frets here:

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/other-epiphones/290033-great-casino-fretjob-caper.html

 

[marc1kim]

Gongrats on yours. Hope you warm up to it. Maybe it being your first P90, you might just be used to the humbucker sound? If so not too late to exchange it for a Humbucker Special I.

I have the humbucker version and think these Special I's are great guitars. I just received some Gotoh deluxe tuners from my brother today. I think that's the only upgrade I'll do.


From youtube:
https://youtu.be/9TGYlA473tg

 

[marc1kim]

Video on tuner upgrade:
https://youtu.be/xwSlEX2WcYs