Upgrading an Epiphone Les Paul Custom

[BetrayalWithin]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, and I'm real sorry if this is in the wrong place or too similar to another post anywhere (I did search and couldn't find what I needed).

Basically, I just got an Epiphone Les Paul Custom in Arctic White with Gold Hardware. This is going to be somewhat of a project for me, or at least I'd liek for it to be. I've never modded a guitar before and I'd love to fix some of the perhaps, sub-par elements of this particular guitar, for example by replacing the wiring, the pots, the capacitors, the pickups and the machine heads.

Do any of you guys have any advice on this sort of thing? I think the pickups will be fairly straightforward to swap out and there are alot of instructional videos on the web, as for the other electronics, I don't even know here to buy replacement parts from!

Thanks guys,

Nathan

 

[Diocletian]

There are guys on here that will sort you out with pots, caps, wiring etc - Jonesy and Luke Macaulay are two names I see recommended a lot.

The tuners - aren't they already Grovers? I would leave them alone, unless you want a cosmetic change (I've just ordered a set of Wilkinson tulip head style ones for my own Epi LP).

Personally I'd leave the tuners, pots and caps, maybe change the switch if it's one of those box style things but each to their own, I'm in the minority around here it seems.

One mod I would do if I was going to keep the guitar for good is maybe upgrade the bridge/tailpiece for a good nickel one but I haven't done that (yet?).

 

[trevorus]

Pots and caps are the first thing I would do. They are certainly a weak point in these guitars. Even withthe stock pickups, you would be surprised the difference in clarity you will get with a good set of CTS pots. The taper is better as well, so rolling the volume back will be usable rathe than the whole thing dropping to a whisper at 5-6 on the knob.

 

[Diocletian]

The taper is better as well, so rolling the volume back will be usable rathe than the whole thing dropping to a whisper at 5-6 on the knob.

I must be really lucky that none of my Epis ever had pots that worked as badly as that.

 

[trevorus]

I must be really lucky that none of my Epis ever had pots that worked as badly as that.

I have. It's not really the norm, but proper 500k pots will generally give a noticeable improvement in clarity. The Alpha pots that Epi's generally come with are somewhat hit or miss. Every one I have upgraded has been worth the $4 per pot.

 

[standard man]

Definetely talk to Jonesy. My rig that I got from him is great!

 

[BetrayalWithin]

Yeah the tuners are grover man, I guess they'll be fine.

As for the pots and caps, is it a difficult job to do? I'm not very experienced with wiring but I'm not an idiot who can#t follow a diagram either, would it be worth having someone else do it for me? If someone else did it, or I bought like the pre-made set to 'drop in' to my guitar, is it much more expensive than buying the parts and doing it myself?

As for the bridge, how much does a decent bridge go for? Is it as simple as unscrewing the old one adn screwing the new one in?

(Forgive me if I'm being naive, I'm really new to modding.)

Thanks guys! This is really helpful

 

[56Bluesboy]

Gotoh and Tonepros in the metric size are popular direct bridge replacements for Epi Pauls. I swapped the boogered up stock bridge on my 92 Epi Les Paul with a Tonepros II unit. I left the stock in the body anchor studs in, and installed the new posts and bridge, set her up for action, and intonation and have been quite happy with it. Gotoh bridges are quite good too, and might be the the more affordable option. Check out Highlystrung.co.uk as I believe they might have what you are looking for in your part of the world. Shouldn't be more than 20-25 sterling from what I saw on their site. I live in the U.S. so I can't say good or bad about this vendor.

 

[BetrayalWithin]

Ah okay, I'll check them out, is it cool to just slot it into the stock anchor holes?

What about a stop bar? Would that be worth replacing? Or is the stock one good?

 

[56Bluesboy]

Ah okay, I'll check them out, is it cool to just slot it into the stock anchor holes?

What about a stop bar? Would that be worth replacing? Or is the stock one good?

I slotted my Tonepros II unit into the stock anchors. It's a pain to pull the stock anchors out. The replacement posts threaded right in, the bridge unit went on top of that, etc, and I'd imagine the Gotoh units would do the same. As for the stop bar tail piece that's up to you, if you think a new one would give you something more than your stock unit has. I'm okay with mine, even tho it's non-locking. The main thing with Epi's is to get the metric size kit and not the U.S. Gibson speced units.

 

[kysrsoze]

Unless you have the el-cheapo mini-pots, I think you'd be fine. Other people swear by aftermarket pots, but I've never had trouble with the stock full-sized ones. I would, however, upgrade to PIO caps and rewire the whole thing 50's style, or try the "hillbilly channel switching" wiring, which I like a lot.

You're already doing the pickups and I second that. I think your hardware is likely just fine too. I haven't noticed a big difference in swapping out the original bridge/tailpiece, and I believe Gotoh makes Tonepros, so Gotoh is fine if you decide you want to do it. Tightenting the tuning machines and winding your strings the right way is typically enough to fix any tuning stability problems. Some nuts aren't cut right, but you'll need to figure that out for yourself.

 

[Tudorp]

Pot and Caps is what I am upgrading on my Goth Studio at the moment. Jonesy has been more than helpful in schooling me on electronics for the LP. He is setting me up with a Vintage 50's style, CTS 500k 10% pots, vintage braided wiring, and better switch and jack, and OIP .22 caps. Can't wait to get it all in the LP. He schooled me on that stuff and how it will give my Goth a vintage blues tone which is what I am after...

 

[BetrayalWithin]

So the essentials are really the pups, caps and wiring? Then if I get any major problems with tuning I can go for bridge/tailpiece/tuners?

Tudorp, how much is that costing you? And what do you have to do once it arrives? A lot of work? Or is it mostly done?

Thanks

 

[Tudorp]

It's costing me $130 including shipping. Jonesy does all the pre-wire work, and when I get it here, all I have to do is remove the old pots and wires, switch and jack, and install the new. The only soldering will be just connecting the PUps.

What this all includes is:
4ea CTS 500k pots (but the better ones with 10% tolerence)
2ea PIO .22 caps
Switchcraft switch & jack
Vintage braided wires.

Here is a picture of the kit from Jonesy's web page.

Kinda pricey, but not really with what you get. I priced this hardware on my own, and buying it all on your own it costs about the same, without the benefit of his "pre-wiring" efforts. So, he is very fair with the price of the kit. He has other options too, or can customize it to your specs if you are going for something different. I wanted the full, bluesy tone for my LP and it being also his style of play, he was already on board with what I needed, and that was this vintage 50's style kit.

So the essentials are really the pups, caps and wiring? Then if I get any major problems with tuning I can go for bridge/tailpiece/tuners?

Tudorp, how much is that costing you? And what do you have to do once it arrives? A lot of work? Or is it mostly done?

Thanks

 

[BetrayalWithin]

That sounds pretty awesome, do you have a link to his page? Would he ship to the UK?

I'm really looking forward to swapping out all the sub-par parts and getting a really solid tone!

 

[Diocletian]

Luke Macaulay lives in Scotland and does kits like that. You'll have to search for him on here (Unless he notices this thread).

It's really not that difficult to do though, so if you don't get someone else to do it, Axesrus.co.uk have the best prices in the UK and post super quick.They do all the stuff you need, in fact they do kits ready to go for about £30 (not pre-wired, just with all the components). I got one for a strat off them and was pleased with it (although I never noticed any difference in tone! )

 

[Tudorp]

Here is Jonesy's web page.. He is pretty quick in responding to questions, and very helpful, so ask him anything you need to know. When buying kits, from anybody, compare apples to apples. You can find upgrade kits for around $50, even less, but be sure you are getting what you want. I have done ALLOT of research on this stuff learning what I think is the best, as well as what tone I am after. From what I find, CTS makes a very good quality pot, even higher than the Gibson original pots. Also, what level of pot in each manufacture. You can get a CTS 500k pot with a 20%-30% tolerence a bit cheaper than the same CTS pot with a 10% tollerence. You can save a few bucks, even with Jonesy if you choose the 20% pots. I went with the 10% tho, because just for a few bucks more, and taking the touble to upgrade, I want to use the best hardware. The less tollerences means closer matched pots so they are very stable and consistant working with each other to get the tones ya want. So, if you find a kit for $50, don't compare it to a kit that costs $80 without comparing the hardware you are getting. The 10% CTS pots also have a brass shaft and collar that are more robust, and smoother operating so, you also get that benefit spending a few more bucks, even within the same CTS manufacture. Just food for thought..

Anyway.. here is Jonesy's web page..

ToneMojo.com Got your Tone-Mojo Working?

Again, I didn't just go with Jonesy because everyone said he is good. I took that in account, and did my own research as well, and found what they say about him to be pretty damn accurate. The CTS 500K 10% pots run around $12 ea by themselves, then the Switchcraft switch is another $20, and the jack a few bucks, then the braided wire, then the PIO caps are $11 or so each, etc, yadda yadda yadda, you will see after adding it all up you are already at getting to $100 in buying the parts yourself, Joney's isn't making a bunch of money selling them, other than the few bucks he probably saves by buying in bulk. So, his pricing is very fair, with the account that he is also doing most all the hard work as far as template, and soldering etc. Talk to him, and make your personal decisions.. He's a bundle of knowlege..

 

[BetrayalWithin]

Thanks

Hmm, has anyone else replaced their wiring and noticed a change in tone? if it doesn't make that much difference I'm not sure it's worth the hassle...

 

[Tudorp]

The biggest change in tone comes from your caps. So, if you don't want to spend a whole lot, and just use the same pots you have. You will hear a HUGE difference if you just change out your cheap caps Epi uses, with better caps. You can buy two of the PIO caps at $22 for the pair. Or, even a couple Orange drop caps at about half that cost which is allot better than the original, and great tone. That is a cheap upgrade with huge benefits. So, if you just want to play with tone, but not spend allot right now, play with changing your caps.

 

[56Bluesboy]

I believe Gotoh makes Tonepros

Tonepros, which also now owns the Kluson brand, is not made by Gotoh. Thought I'd clear that up. Gotoh does compete with the Tonepros stuff, and quite well I must say.