Pimp my Epi Dot

ActionArnie

I've got an Epi Dot that has been sitting gathering dust while the younger, higher class siblings get all the action. It's the first guitar I ever bought so I've never wanted to sell it, but I don't play it because frankly it sounds rubbish compared to what I've become used to. I've long since had the intention of upgrading though it as it's a really good player.

I found a used matching 57 Classic/Classic+ set that I couldn't resist at the price on Amazon. Wasn't really keen on the Gibby pups as I wanted Bareknuckles, but at the price I had to get them.

I'm thinking I should probably do the electronics one-shot too while I'm at it and I've been browsing Stewmac. Questions I have; how much of a difference does it make really to go for the higher quality Switchcraft/CTS stuff over their standard kit? There's a fair old price difference and I'm not that keen to fork out if my ears aren't going to tell the difference:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Wiring_kits/Wiring_Kit_for_Gibson_Les_Paul_Guitar.html
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Wiring_kits/Premium_Wiring_Kit_for_Gibson_Les_Paul.html

Secondly, regarding a new nut. Is there an off-the-shelf item that'll significantly improve on the stock nut, or do I need to get one made?
Any other advice?

AlanRatcliffe

ActionArnie wrote: I'm thinking I should probably do the electronics one-shot too while I'm at it and I've been browsing Stewmac. Questions I have; how much of a difference does it make really to go for the higher quality Switchcraft/CTS stuff over their standard kit? There's a fair old price difference and I'm not that keen to fork out if my ears aren't going to tell the difference:

It's worth it to me. Not a difference in tone, but a difference in pot tapers and a huge difference in durability. With an archtop I'm of the opinion you do it once and you do it right. They are a bit of a pain to work on and I'd rather not have to redo it every few years - do it right and forget about it for the next 15 years. ?

Secondly, regarding a new nut. Is there an off-the-shelf item that'll significantly improve on the stock nut, or do I need to get one made?

Get one made and fitted professionally. Can make a huge difference to the playability of the guitar. There's a range of string heights depending on fingerboard thickness and fret height/wear. Precut nuts are always on the high side of the range for safety, so that means they are way too high on most guitars without additional cutting.

AlanRatcliffe

BTW - the switch on a Les Paul will not fit a 335, which uses the angled toggle. Also the Stewmac wiring kits are way overpriced.

Try this:
http://www.acmeguitarworks.com/Wiring-Kit-Gibson-ES-335-P1146.aspx
Also includes the treble bleed caps and resistors. And 1/2 inch threaded sections on the pots, better suited to guitars with the pots mounted through the tops.

ActionArnie

Excellent thanks Alan!

ActionArnie

The parts for my Dot upgrade arrived finally. Got a query though, the pickup set I got was used on Amazon and contrary to the heading it isn't the "Hot vintage matched set" of Gibson 57 Classics, but simply the "Vintage matched set" (i.e. the bridge pickup is the standard 57 Classic rather than the "Plus"). Now this is fine by me but now that I measure the pups the DC resistances for the 2 are identical, both 7.9k. That can't be right surely?

I would've expected "matching" to mean that the outputs are matched appropriately to offer similar gain levels at the neck and bridge rather than them being matched to be exactly the same?

If this is right, I guess it makes no difference which one goes in at the bridge and the pickup heights simply need to be adjusted to get the levels right?

Tokai-SA

ActionArnie wrote: Now this is fine by me but now that I measure the pups the DC resistances for the 2 are identical, both 7.9k. That can't be right surely?

I would've expected "matching" to mean that the outputs are matched appropriately to offer similar gain levels at the neck and bridge rather than them being matched to be exactly the same?

If this is right, I guess it makes no difference which one goes in at the bridge and the pickup heights simply need to be adjusted to get the levels right?

It's correct, they should be the same output, and that means not matched.
You'll notice your neck pickup will be flush with the pickup ring when you have your levels right...your bridge pickup will be much higher.

ActionArnie

Thanks Lance, yeh subsequently found out that there doesn't seem to be a bridge or neck version of the standard 57 Classic, hence the introduction of the "Plus" version I guess.