epi- les paul goldtop hardware upgrade

[Aj_rocker]

So i know there might be a few 100s of these threads.

but can i make my epiphone les paul a better guitar, and get it to stay in tune better and have better intotation.

so do i change parts (please list what part to change and a reason) or do i start saving for gibson


thanks


Aj

ps - found the right aprt of the fourm to post this in. sorry for confusion.

[Jef Bardsley]

If your tuners don't turn smoothly all the way around, then replace them, but generally tuning problems on an LP are the result of the nut pinching the strings. Even on a Gibson a new nut is a wise investment. Pricey to have it done properly, but most of the string's vibration enters a solidbody guitar's body through the nut, not the bridge, so it's worth the money.

The bridge may or may not be fine, if it has big, deep V's in the saddles, replace it. A little more info on your 'intonation problems' would help. It might simply be that the saddles are facing the wrong way.

Seems like everyone on the LPF changes out pickups, pots and caps as soon as they get home. Not really, of course, but changing these things will make a difference and you can use the same parts if you ever get a Gibson.

I'm a big Les Paul fan, but I'd rather have a good, well dressed Epi than a cheap, "Friday afternoon" Gibson. (And from recent reports, one gets the impression the Gibson plant has a lot of "Fridays" in its calendar.)

[walterw]

If your tuners don't turn smoothly all the way around, then replace them, but generally tuning problems on an LP are the result of the nut pinching the strings. most epi's have grover rotomatics, which should be fine.

...most of the string's vibration enters a solidbody guitar's body through the nut, not the bridge,...now that i haven't heard before, but i guess it makes sense; the bridge is usually anchored in the middle of the heaviest part of the guitar, which would tend to not absorb vibration but reflect it back to the string, while the neck can vibrate like the tines of a tuning fork.

The bridge may or may not be fine, if it has big, deep V's in the saddles, replace it. A little more info on your 'intonation problems' would help. It might simply be that the saddles are facing the wrong way.
this is a really good drop-in upgrade for the stock epi bridges, and it's not that expensive.
http://www.allparts.com/store/guitar-bridges-tunematics-gb-0525-010,Product.asp

[Jef Bardsley]

The first thing I should have mentioned is Epi's are metric. Note the bridge Walter linked to is for "imported" guitars. Even the knobs are different from an American Gibson, so if you put in CTS pots or an RS kit, you'll need new knobs.

Secondly, "Epiphone LP" covers a wide range of guitars, from the Japanese made Elitists to crude, guitar-shaped objects from somewhere. If you have an Elitist, you don't need a Gibson. As Lester himself said, "These might be too good!" A Korean Epi is likely a very good guitar, and I wouldn't sneer at a Samick made Epi from Indonesia either, though those are the ones that need new bridges. They'll still have the tuners Walter mentioned, however.

I guess what I'm saying is if you tell us more about what you've got, we can give better advice about what you might need.



The thing about vibration may be the best kept secret in guitars, yet all you have to do is hit a chord and touch the guitar near the bridge, then near the neck joint. It's the idea behind Les Paul's "The Log".

[Aj_rocker]

ok, firstly sorry for not responding i was on holiday!!

the guitar in question is a epi les paul gold top i think 2004. i dont have the guitar to hand but i think its made in china.

Other than the factory its hasnt been set up. And so i think the bad intonation is due to that also i have played with the action to get it to a height i liked. So i dont know if it could do with a set up first??

I know the pots need doing as they are scrachy which isnt nice.


so i hope that helps abit more. always ask if you want more infro.


Aj

[Jef Bardsley]

Yep, a setup is a good start. In doing it, the tech can spot any problems with your current hardware.

Likely the biggest change you could make would be new pots, caps, and pickups.

[Aj_rocker]

thanks. do you have any tips on how to find a great tech and check up on their work ???


AJ

[Groovey Records]

thanks. do you have any tips on how to find a great tech and check up on their work ???


AJ

When you go to shows talk to players and roadies, Get in touch with a local luthier.

[in a little row]

Yep, a setup is a good start. In doing it, the tech can spot any problems with your current hardware.

Likely the biggest change you could make would be new pots, caps, and pickups.

+1 pots and def pups!





j

[Aj_rocker]

any more advice??

I really notice it this week on all my guitars other than my acoustic (strat , duo jet, and Ep gold top LP.)

cheers

AJ

[59Vampire]

is it a p90 56 gold top? i like those!

[Bob V]

If it turns out that your tech says that the current bridge does not have enough travel in the saddles to get proper intonation, even with the saddle flipped around, then it's time for a different bridge - I like the Tone Pros bridge that's more or less their take on the Nashville bridge made for imports (large metric studs). But seriously I wouldn't change the bridge unless there's something wrong with the one that came on there.

The pots might be decent quality so think twice about replacing them (besides you're probably going to need new knobs for new pots since the knurling is different on the import pots). I would however seriously recommend changing the wires between the pots and the switch and the output jack, and the jack itself for better shielding and durability.

Lastly I prefer the sound of a bone nut to the nylon or plastic one that came on my Epiphone. I haven't even mentioned pickups which are of course another way to spend money for further customization. Oh, and of course, save up for that Gibson like the rest of us are doing.