Converting an Epi to les paul

vox

Just wondering is there any guide to converting electronics, caps etc to les paul specs? Ive come accross some Epi's that were nice to play and think they would be much better with a full upgrade...... anyone tried this.

Karl Hungus

vox wrote:

Just wondering is there any guide to converting electronics, caps etc to les paul specs? Ive come accross some Epi's that were nice to play and think they would be much better with a full upgrade...... anyone tried this.

You could completely re-do the eletronics, change the bridge, tuners and whatever else, but when it comes down to it, you'll still have a plywood guitar that was never intended to be up to the standards of a proper Gibson Les Paul. I think if you're really interested in getting a decent Les Paul, a lot of people will tell you to get a Tokai.

Ravelleman

I'd recommend Epiphone Elitist guitars. Very cheap 2nd hand. Excellent components.

feylya

Epiphone Les Pauls are not made of plywood. I think the elitist is a dumb idea. It's a high end budget guitar. Personally, if I was going for an Epiphone, I'd get the Ebony Custom. Grover tuners, Gibson pickups, nice guitar.

vox

In fairness there are a few good Epiphones about, if you know what your doing you can pick them out.... I wouldnt buy a new one but you see second hand ones going pretty cheap now and again that may be worth upgrading.

feylya

Well, a new one is €550 from Thomann for the Ebony Custom (which I'm gassing after actually). You could probably pick up a real Gibson from eBay for just a bit more than that.

Anyway, if you wanted to upgrade, pick whatever pickups you want (DiMarzio's, Duncan's, EMG's), get some pots and a switchcraft jack, maybe some locking tuners, maybe a graphtech nut and graphtech saddles, possibly even a Tone Pros bridge and you'll have better hardware than a Gibson Les Paul.

Ravelleman

feylya wrote:

I think the elitist is a dumb idea. It's a high end budget guitar.

Actually, you're wrong there. It's nothing of the sort. And, personally, I wouldn't call $1050 on Music123 "budget". The fact is that they can save money by manufacturing in Japan (which is no bad thing), spending very little on marketing and using the Epiphone name instead of the Gibson name, which automatically raises the price of a guitar. The Elitist is an excellent guitar for the money. It uses really good quality component - such as real MOP in the inlays instead of pearloid like Gibson, though the pickups don't suit everyone. Many people regard them as being just as good as the real deal. They can be picked up second hand for about $600-800.

feylya

Well, I consider the Epiphone name to denote budget guitars, same way I consider LTD to be "budget".

Ravelleman

feylya wrote:

Well, I consider the Epiphone name to denote budget guitars, same way I consider LTD to be "budget".

I see your point. They are 'budget' in comparison to Gibsons, but then again Gibsons are overpriced.

I swear, if they just used the proper headstock and the Gibson name those guitars would sell like hotcakes. I mean look how popular Fender Japan are.

feylya

True. In fairness, people put too much heed and pride into that little name on the head. Gibson, PRS, god knows how many others, all over priced.

vox

The only reason i was really asking was that i used to have a Goldtop epiphone which was nice to play but was a bit muddy due to crap epiphone pickups and electrics.... I just found a gibson electrics kit and was thinking bout looking out for another Goldtop if i ever have a spare bit of cash... I have a Yamaha SA2200 that is one of the best things i have ever played and the quality of it is amazing but the Epi would bring back some memories of learning to play.....

BTW the Ebony Epiphones look sweet... not a bad price either.

feylya

It might be worth dropping in some EMG's or Seymour Duncans then I suppose.

I spotted this today:

vox

I think i would probably go for a Japan Tokai over the Epi's though.. Id say they are very close to a real gibson... If there is one thing ive learned its some Japanese guitars are really great for the price you pay..

Eoin Madsen

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/product/PK3S

There have been more than a few variants in LP wiring over the years, so it might be worth googling a few different wiring diagrams as well. I reckon you might pick up some stock Gibson pickups on ebay for very little. Have a look at the Gibson website and decide what kind of pickups you want based on what the various Les Pauls have.

Tbh, the wood in Epiphones is of lower grade, and they do tend to be made of more than a few - and often mismatched - pieces. Your Epiphone is unlikely to ever sound like a well-made Gibson. But it should sound a lot better with some quality pickups. Tbh, I'd take some Duncans over stock Gibson anyway.

I upgraded the electronics and pickups in a Mexican Jazz Bass and noticed a considerable improvement in the sound. I'll vouch for www.guitarelectronics.com, I've ordered twice from them and it's gone smoothly both times. There may be tax, however.