Author Topic: Pimp My Axe... (Read 5165 times)

rahnooo · « **on:** November 23, 2005, 06:13:41 PM »

So having had a set of Mules residing in my Epi Les Paul for a few months now I've fallen back in love with the guitar, it feels much better you have any right to expect of an Epi and now has the tone to match.

I'm now contemplating the wisdom of giving the rest of the hardware an overhall to bring it all inline with the Bare Knuckle pups, changing the tuners, bridge, nut, saddles, pots and giving it a thorough re-wiring.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of work? If so, tips and advice on replacement hardware would be most appreciated. I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron so I'm sure with the right advice and parts I could give it a fair go :)

Cheers, Rahnooo

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2005, 08:46:49 PM »

You can get most of the stuff you need from Stewmac or another guitar hardware retailer. Take some measurements of the stock stuff so you're sure the new stuff will fit.

I'd have the nut done by a luthier. It takes some experience to do that yourself.

You can get the switches, wiring and pots here in the BKP shop, btw.

rahnooo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2005, 08:53:25 PM »

Thanks for the advice, are there any specific brands of hardwear that come particularly recommended?

If this first adventure into guitar related DIY goes to plan then I'm considering getting myself a warmouth axe to build :)

Thanks again *Rahnooo*

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2005, 09:09:20 PM »

Grover, Schaller and Sperzel are good brands for tuners. For the bridge, I'd go for a 'nashville'. CTS/Switchcraft is good brand for the electronics. And if you don't want your guitar falling from the strap, get some straplocks. Bone, Tusk or graphite is good material for nuts.

rahnooo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2005, 11:09:03 PM »

Thanks very much. Straplocks were the first mod I did to my Epi, followed by the Bare Knuckles after the stock pups went microphonic. I've had it some 5 years now and the Bare Knuckles reminded me why I got it in the first place, as well as spurring on further improvements.

Skybone · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2005, 12:53:43 PM »

When you're looking for hardware, make sure it's compatable with your guitar first, so that you don't have to drill extra holes in/expand existing holes. Take a tuner out first before going shopping and measure it's post/nut/etc, look at where the screw holes are etc, etc. If you don't mind taking a drill to your Epi, and intend to keep it for some time, then this shouldn't matter too much, but if you think you might flog it at some point in the future, then best to leave it without extra holes etc.

Recommended hardware? Like Ratrod says, Schaller & Sperzel are good, but I'd personally steer clear of Grovers as they "feel" removed from the string, IMO o'course. I would highly recommend Gotoh hardware though, especially the stuff made in Japan, and if you're looking at replacing the stop tail & tun-o-matic, have a look at the TonePro bridge/tail sets.

Ratrod · « **Reply #6 on:** November 24, 2005, 05:50:48 PM »

For those who want to pimp their axes on a smaller budget, check out www.guitarvalue.com

I've ordered a black roller bridge for my Dean for only 20 bucks.