Got my delivery from RS guitar works...

marty_s13 · 6th March 2007, 10:25 PM

Well I knew my delivery from RS had to be coming soon and today was the day.

I recieved Premium wiring kit, NOS pickups rings, pointers, lightweight tailpiece and complementary screws for the pickups.

I started by installing the pickup rings, they were flat so I thought I would have trouble getting them on, I was wrong, they went on very smoothly. I think they look AWESOME, its a subtle thing, but for $10 why not? Just adds to the vintage vibe.

Then came the wiring, I just finished building a JTM45 for my friend + building pedals so I thought this would be a simple enough task and it was for the most part. Cutting the braid and then stripping back the cotton was a little challenging though. I used a stanley knife to slice the braid and one time I went a little deep and could see wire just barely but it turned out fine, I made sure nothing was near it.

The results? well, it pains me to say that I DONT HAVE AN AMP! My peavey classic 30 is dead and a tech is looking at it and the JTM45 has gone to my mate. however, I did hook it up to the PC mainly just to see if everything was functioning and it sounded very nice, a lot more crisp especially the neck with volume down. I noticed the volume pots boost dramatically from about 8-10 which I don't know if its meant too or I'm used to the Gibson volume pots but I like it. The tone pots also seem usable!

I love the pointers also, like the pickups it just adds that vintage vibe to the whole guitar and pretty useful at the same time.

Heres a body shot because I realised the light in the room was perfect, this is how the guitar looks normally, cameras don't tend to pick up the subtle flame/holographic look but at this moment, it did.

Lightweight tail piece hasn't gone on yet either because I didn't have any strings available

When I get my amp back I'll be sure to tell you of the results, this is just an excuse to show off my more vintage like LP

Cheers!

AJR · 6th March 2007, 10:39 PM

Beautiful!

This reminds me of a recent thought to design and build a 7-string Les Paul

Has it been done before I wonder..

marty_s13 · 6th March 2007, 10:46 PM

A guy on the Les Paul forum is making one!

spootmonkey · 6th March 2007, 10:52 PM

Those pointers are a neat idea, might grab a set for my LP. Vintage correct or not though I hate those ugly gold speed knobs, just ordered some replacements so I can ditch mine.

tired · 6th March 2007, 11:21 PM

Whats with the strings seemingly being wrapped around the tailpiece, instead of through it?

spootmonkey · 6th March 2007, 11:28 PM

That's what's generally known as a wraparound tailpiece.

Willybomb · 6th March 2007, 11:40 PM

Dunno about that Spooty, it's just a matter of stringing it front to back - it decreases the angle of the strings over the saddles, meaning less breakages.

spootmonkey · 7th March 2007, 12:05 AM

On a guitar with a separate bridge, what's the difference?

AJR · 7th March 2007, 9:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty_s13

A guy on the Les Paul forum is making one!

Link me up please? I can't find too much through Google.

digitalvoodoo · 7th March 2007, 9:43 AM

Yeah, it’s called “top wrapping”. Supposed to help with breaking strings, string bending, sustain etc. etc.

I’ve never really been able to notice the difference myself.

marty_s13 · 7th March 2007, 10:20 AM

Yes, I top wrap my tail piece. The biggest difference with conventional stringing is you can screw your tail piece right to the body and have all your strings clear the back of the bridge. The new nashville bridges + the increase neck angle means you have to have your tailpiece up way high to get it to clear the back of the bridge. It looks extremely lame this way IMO.

It also makes bending easier because the decrease in tension over the bridge means the strings kind of glide through the saddles and helps with sustain because the tail piece is to the body, although that's up to debate.

About the 7 strings, sorry I don't think the guy has made an official thread about it yet, I just know its in the works as hes made a few posts about it and asked about various nuts. I'll keep looking though.

marty_s13 · 7th March 2007, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spootmonkey

Those pointers are a neat idea, might grab a set for my LP. Vintage correct or not though I hate those ugly gold speed knobs, just ordered some replacements so I can ditch mine.

Thats really interesting, I have always loved the gold knobs, what knobs are you getting as a replacement?

shredder · 7th March 2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJR

Beautiful!

This reminds me of a recent thought to design and build a 7-string Les Paul

Has it been done before I wonder..

I'm sure I've seen 7-string Les Paul copies sold commercially.

spootmonkey · 7th March 2007, 1:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marty_s13

Thats really interesting, I have always loved the gold knobs, what knobs are you getting as a replacement?

Black LP Studio with silver hardware and cream widgets, so they just don't match anything on there. Getting some cream speed knobs and a set of these, will see what looks better:

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder

I'm sure I've seen 7-string Les Paul copies sold commercially.

Epiphone used to do one.

Grassy · 8th March 2007, 6:54 PM

I got a lightweight tailpiece for my Les Paul but I'm still trying to decide if I like it more than the stock one which I put back in on the last string change....stock one gives more of a blunt,solid LP tone whereas the lightweight gives it more of a vintage "woody" tone,maybe a bit more detail in the tone even...Tonepros tailpiece studs are apparently a pretty good,cheap upgrade from what I've heard too.

6th March 2007, 10:25 PM	#1
marty_s13 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 2,829	Got my delivery from RS guitar works... Well I knew my delivery from RS had to be coming soon and today was the day. I recieved Premium wiring kit, NOS pickups rings, pointers, lightweight tailpiece and complementary screws for the pickups. I started by installing the pickup rings, they were flat so I thought I would have trouble getting them on, I was wrong, they went on very smoothly. I think they look AWESOME, its a subtle thing, but for $10 why not? Just adds to the vintage vibe. Then came the wiring, I just finished building a JTM45 for my friend + building pedals so I thought this would be a simple enough task and it was for the most part. Cutting the braid and then stripping back the cotton was a little challenging though. I used a stanley knife to slice the braid and one time I went a little deep and could see wire just barely but it turned out fine, I made sure nothing was near it. The results? well, it pains me to say that I DONT HAVE AN AMP! My peavey classic 30 is dead and a tech is looking at it and the JTM45 has gone to my mate. however, I did hook it up to the PC mainly just to see if everything was functioning and it sounded very nice, a lot more crisp especially the neck with volume down. I noticed the volume pots boost dramatically from about 8-10 which I don't know if its meant too or I'm used to the Gibson volume pots but I like it. The tone pots also seem usable! I love the pointers also, like the pickups it just adds that vintage vibe to the whole guitar and pretty useful at the same time. Heres a body shot because I realised the light in the room was perfect, this is how the guitar looks normally, cameras don't tend to pick up the subtle flame/holographic look but at this moment, it did. Lightweight tail piece hasn't gone on yet either because I didn't have any strings available When I get my amp back I'll be sure to tell you of the results, this is just an excuse to show off my more vintage like LP Cheers! Last edited by marty_s13; 6th March 2007 at 10:28 PM.

6th March 2007, 10:39 PM	#2
AJR Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 1,141	Beautiful! This reminds me of a recent thought to design and build a 7-string Les Paul Has it been done before I wonder.. __________________ "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa

6th March 2007, 10:52 PM	#4
spootmonkey Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: DPR Brunswick Posts: 7,782	Those pointers are a neat idea, might grab a set for my LP. Vintage correct or not though I hate those ugly gold speed knobs, just ordered some replacements so I can ditch mine. __________________ "A bet is a tax on bullshit; and it is a just tax, tribute paid by the bullshitters to those with genuine knowledge." Last edited by spootmonkey; 6th March 2007 at 11:30 PM.

6th March 2007, 11:21 PM	#5
tired Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 5,610	Whats with the strings seemingly being wrapped around the tailpiece, instead of through it? __________________ OCAU Guitar Players Club Folding@Home Millionaires Club

6th March 2007, 11:28 PM	#6
spootmonkey Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: DPR Brunswick Posts: 7,782	That's what's generally known as a wraparound tailpiece. __________________ "A bet is a tax on bullshit; and it is a just tax, tribute paid by the bullshitters to those with genuine knowledge."

6th March 2007, 10:46 PM	#3
marty_s13 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 2,829	A guy on the Les Paul forum is making one!

6th March 2007, 11:40 PM	#7
Willybomb Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ballarat Posts: 6,273	Dunno about that Spooty, it's just a matter of stringing it front to back - it decreases the angle of the strings over the saddles, meaning less breakages. __________________ Rockstarguitar - Guitar lessons in the Ballarat area Looking to teach or learn guitar? Then you need my book! 30+ successful trades and counting Offical OCAU Musicians Guild Member #15 OCAU Guitar Players club

7th March 2007, 12:05 AM	#8
spootmonkey Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: DPR Brunswick Posts: 7,782	On a guitar with a separate bridge, what's the difference? __________________ "A bet is a tax on bullshit; and it is a just tax, tribute paid by the bullshitters to those with genuine knowledge."

7th March 2007, 9:43 AM	#10
digitalvoodoo Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Adelaide Posts: 247	Yeah, it’s called “top wrapping”. Supposed to help with breaking strings, string bending, sustain etc. etc. I’ve never really been able to notice the difference myself.

7th March 2007, 10:20 AM	#11
marty_s13 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 2,829	Yes, I top wrap my tail piece. The biggest difference with conventional stringing is you can screw your tail piece right to the body and have all your strings clear the back of the bridge. The new nashville bridges + the increase neck angle means you have to have your tailpiece up way high to get it to clear the back of the bridge. It looks extremely lame this way IMO. It also makes bending easier because the decrease in tension over the bridge means the strings kind of glide through the saddles and helps with sustain because the tail piece is to the body, although that's up to debate. About the 7 strings, sorry I don't think the guy has made an official thread about it yet, I just know its in the works as hes made a few posts about it and asked about various nuts. I'll keep looking though.

8th March 2007, 6:54 PM	#15
Grassy Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: My own little world. Posts: 1,154	I got a lightweight tailpiece for my Les Paul but I'm still trying to decide if I like it more than the stock one which I put back in on the last string change....stock one gives more of a blunt,solid LP tone whereas the lightweight gives it more of a vintage "woody" tone,maybe a bit more detail in the tone even...Tonepros tailpiece studs are apparently a pretty good,cheap upgrade from what I've heard too. __________________ adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood