Upgrading an Epiphone

refuogee · 2011-11-14T10:49:29+00:00

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 thi...

Upgrading an Epiphone

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)