Upgrading hardware on an epiphone les paul

[Catalyst77]

This is technically my fourth best les paul, but does have sentimental value, and since its got bareknuckles in it anyway i'd like to try and get the best out of it (even though its made out of about 10 pieces of wood!)

I'm going to be upgrading the wiring and nut, but would also like to upgrade the hardware.

I just would'nt know where to start.  Does changing the hardware actually make any real difference?

And if so what should i change it too ? i.e. what's compatable and is there any holy grail of les paul bridges?

It's just a standard epiphone les paul with a tiger maple style laminate top.

Also could anyone recommend a good quality logarithmic push pull pot?


Many thanks in advance!

[WezV]

well i just pulled my old epi les paul out of the dusty corner of the workshop.  It had no parts on it at all so i have used stuff i had lying around  - which all happened to be higher spec.

I went for a gotoh bridge and tailpiece like this
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Gotoh_Tune-o-matic_Bridge_with_Studs_Bushings.html

it was a direct swap for the epiphone one but i would recommend measuring yours to be sure.  It has more room for intonation adjustment than the epiphone and is a more solid design which means less rattles and a more solid feel.

i also upgraded the nut to a non-plastic one, i hate plastic nuts on guitars.  its always a job worth doing properly

Tuners were replaced with grover rotomatics because its what i had spare, but they are a lot better than the epiphone ones and to help tuning stability a lot.  These were not a drop in replacement as they require bigger holes.  If you want a drop in replacement get some proper klusons or tone-pros variety of them

I also changed all the pots to CTS, the switch to a switchcraft one and the caps to some old buggers i had lying around

 i am sure it sounds clearer than i remember but it has been a while since i had the guitar together with epiphone parts and i changed a lot at once so cannot swear one change made the most difference

pickups were also changed to another brand i had here and i did a full fret dress

i suppose i could have gone further and replaced all the hardware with tone-pros stuff but i think this was enough for the value of the guitar.  Is it as good as a real les paul?  some would say so.  i dont think it quite has it acoustically - possibly because of the multipiece body and cheaper construction... but very few people would be able to tell the difference plugged in. it sounds just like a les paul should

[kellar]

I completely upgraded my Epi LP about a year ago and the difference in tone and sustain is stunning.

In retrospect, the most significant upgrades are ripping the cheap pots and wiring out of there. I completely gutted mine, toggle switch and jack included. I then ordered a prewired vintage kit from RS Guitarworks (with a new jack and prewired toggle switch) and the difference was phenomenal. Totally new tone!

Since you have already changed the pickups out, I would say that the next best upgrade would be the tuning machines. I replaced the stock ones with Planet Waves locking and self cutting tuners. Super upgrade! The guitar now stays in tune and changing out strings is a breeze. :D

I also swapped the stock plastic nut with a Tusq nut. Maybe not completely necessary but it certainly is a nice upgrade and now I know how to do it.

The only piece of hardware I haven't changed out is the bridge and tailpiece. I am not completely convinced it makes a huge difference, especially considering the price. Anyway, the stock set is decent enough. If you are considering it anyway, I have used used Tonepros locking TOM bridge and stop tail pieces and they are a very nice upgrade. Not cheap though.

Anyway, I would start by replacing wiring, pots, and caps. You WILL notice a difference.  :D

[Twinfan]

I would say the hardware is good enough already.  I still have the stock Grovers on my Epi SG and it stays in place fine.  I replaced the bridge with a TonePros one, but it wasn't really worth the bother if I'm honest.

However, I agree with upgrading the posts/caps/switch and jack.  Won't cost you much but will make a big difference.  I'd also get a Tusq nut like Kellar says, that will make the most difference to your tuning stability.

[WezV]

I would say the hardware is good enough already.  I still have the stock Grovers on my Epi SG and it stays in place fine. 

do they come with grovers now?  mine was a 96 model with very bad kluson copies that never held it in tuner.  if they have grovers leave them on there, they are perfectly fine

[PhilKing]

I upgraded a Richwood Explorer when I fitted BK's.  I was a bit like Wez and used stuff I had already, but I changed all the electrical parts (including all the wire to and from switches and jacks).  I changed the bridge and tailpiece because I wanted to have silver not gold hardware.  The tuners were change for an old set of gibson metal thistle tuners I had, and last but not least the nut was changed for a bone one.  The difference it made was amazing (I had fitted the pickups first, then upgraded the electrics and then the hardware and nut.  Each change made a difference and the tones got progressively richer as I made changes.  I have to say that the Richwood hardware is pretty cheap though, so if the hardware quality is decent then the changes will not make as much difference as they did on mine.  Since I had everything lying about it only took time to make the changes too.

[Twinfan]

I would say the hardware is good enough already.  I still have the stock Grovers on my Epi SG and it stays in place fine. 

do they come with grovers now?  mine was a 96 model with very bad kluson copies that never held it in tuner.  if they have grovers leave them on there, they are perfectly fine

I think a few of the models do, Wez.  Mine is one of the LImited Editions they do from time to time, so it may have factory 'upgrades'.

[kellar]

My Epi LP is a plus top with that silly Limited Edition stamp on it and it had grover tuners. They were not very good though and I had a real problem keeping the guitar in tune.

[WezV]

you know what, 3 of us here with epi's and all of us have a limited edition stamp!!!  what does that tell you;)

Grovers are not the best, but still pretty good (assuming the ones they put on the epi's are the same as the ones sold seperately - maybe not), sometimes they just need a little TLC.  a tweak of the screw on the end of the button can work wonders for their stability

here is bertha now:

[kellar]

That looks great Wez! Looks like you have turned it into a player. The knobs and pickup colors really put it over the top.

[Catalyst77]

Hi

Many thanks, not sure what type of epi mine is; so here's a couple of pictures.  It def has grover tuners not the kluson type, and generally ive never had any problems with it staying in tune.

Take a look at the wiring though, ive never seen that before; i'm sure it must be affecting the tone and will def come out!

[kellar]

That is exactly how mine was wired up, same debacle.             :shock:

My advice: Rip it ALL out!

Oddly, I have never seen an Epi LP with that finish. I looks like the Vintage Honeyburst finish on my ESP Eclipse.

[Twinfan]

you know what, 3 of us here with epi's and all of us have a limited edition stamp!!!  what does that tell you;)

Tells me we're all suckers for a something 'special'!

Here's my fully pimped SG with someone she plays out with from time to time  ;)