refuogee
Hi Guys,
I have an Epiphone Zakk Wylde Custom and I love this guitar and I want to upgrade everything that I can short of the pickups for the moment but this is a fairly new area for me so please can you guys tell me what I can upgrade? Tuners, pots etc and while this is subjective probably what is the best or close to best manufacturers of the various components.
Thank you, I wanna make my baby better!!
IceCreamMan
what is your budget?
i would think a good setup is the best upgrade.
refuogee
I get my guitar setup fairly regularly, sound isnt really the problem, the brass bits on the guitar have tarnished and they arent amazing quality, the tuners also arent great quality and i actually would like to make all the brass finishes black or silver. I also think better pots from what I've read would help me get some sweet tones out of the guitar, they do alright but I think I would benefit from better quality componenta as well as getting the wiring checked because my bridge pickup is a bit dodgy, cuts out sometimes etc which I know should get checked in a setup but Im thinking setup plus upgrading..
Money isnt a huge a issue but obviously it depends how much because I have no idea how much these items would cost hence posting here ?
Skywalker
The first thing I did when I got mine ( I have Epi ZW's ?) was to upgrade all the electronics including the pickups. I'm not a big fan of "gold" hardware either and would have prefered black but the tuners are good and they stay in tune for me ALL the time.
As Ice Cream Man says...a good setup IS probablly the best upgrade.
Other than that I reckon they're pretty sorted straight out the box. 8)
refuogee
Good point they dont go out of tune but aesthetically I dont like gold so what options do i have who makes good tuners?
And then what pickups did you put in? I like my sound but I do find the EMGs quite harsh, biting etc where I want that smooth rock n roll sound!! What you suggest?
MikeM
Tonerider A4s, or something from the SD range. '59n and Custom 5 would do the trick.
chris77
When you replace the tarnished metal bits, drop me a pm please. I will be interested in taking them off your hands if the price is fair.
singemonkey
Make sure that if you're "over-investing" in a guitar that you keep all the old stuff so that if you decide to sell, you can keep all your quality upgrades for another guitar, ne? ?
In that regard, a lightweight aluminium tailpiece, some grover rotogrip locking tuners. If you're changing all the hardware to chrome/nickel, get a bridge with brass saddles (even if they're chromed over). Possibly CTS potentiometers (for a better taper - not just loud to silent). All that stuff is available from stewmac.
The pickup suggestions are good. Like I say, keep all the original parts, so that if you decide to get another Les Paul, or sell this one for an upgrade, you can use the high quality upgrade parts on the higher end guitar if you want.
refuogee
Thanks guys I appreciate all your wisdom!!
Any ideas on cost of tuners and that sort of thing?
refuogee
Excuse my ignorance but who or what is stewmac?
nick
refuogee wrote
Excuse my ignorance but who or what is stewmac?
http://http://www.stewmac.com
Skywalker
Exactly my thoughts on those Hi-z's ? I popped Gibson Tony Iommi signature pups in mine and they sound fantastic!!! Also a big fan of Dimarzios. I might just pop a pair of them in the one I'm busy sanding down and re-finishing. I've also heard here on the forum that the Toneriders are pretty cool and inexpensive - might be worthwhile to check them out aswell :-\
The Grover tuners on them are pretty decent already hey. Just try and find a black set somewhere ?
DonovanB
Skywalker wrote
I might just pop a pair of them in the one I'm busy sanding down and re-finishing.
Which one might that be? and what refinish are you doing to it?
Skywalker
Hey Don!!!
It's one of my first ones - not your "ex" hey ? I might get to her later on after seeing how the first one turns out.
I'm not sure yet. I kinda like the plain old "wood" vibe. I'll have to see what the grain looks like under all those layers of paint and clear coat :?
Maybe just plain black or something like this
Gotta get that black hardware though aswell ?
ET-Phone-Home
Dam both of those looks stunning, interesting burst on the bottom LP.
Skywalker wrote
Hey Don!!!
It's one of my first ones - not your "ex" hey ? I might get to her later on after seeing how the first one turns out.
I'm not sure yet. I kinda like the plain old "wood" vibe. I'll have to see what the grain looks like under all those layers of paint and clear coat :?
Maybe just plain black or something like this
Gotta get that black hardware though aswell ?
refuogee
Feel like a dumbass to ask this but whats my next step? So i know i want grover tuners and CTS pots etc do I source these myself then find a pro to do the job? Or go to a shop with guitar in hand and a list of demands ? And then any recommendations to where I should go? Which shops would stock these components? Joburg area..
Sean
refuogee wrote
I get my guitar setup fairly regularly...
Surely the person who does this for you can also advise you on what mods would be worthwhile to do on your guitar? Chat to him about it and get his opinion as well. He should also be able to help you source the parts, and be able to give you a rough idea on the costs ?
refuogee
Thanks guys im gonna get to this and I'll try post any updates..
My guitar is setup amazingly, just last night I had a friend playing it and commenting on how well setup it is, would messing with tuners and bridgepieces possibly mess with that?
slyd
refuogee wrote
Feel like a dumbass to ask this but whats my next step? So i know i want grover tuners and CTS pots etc do I source these myself then find a pro to do the job? Or go to a shop with guitar in hand and a list of demands ? And then any recommendations to where I should go? Which shops would stock these components? Joburg area..
Maestro-tech Costafonix would be the man to talk to in your area (he's on the forum)
