Rob's Brand New Used 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute Project:

ivan H said:
So you just use the Faber shims with the standard studs Robert?? I have left over shims from two set of studs/shims, maybe I'll do that until I get the locking stud kit which I use so that the tailpiece doesn't get twisted on the studs when top wrapping. Aussie distributor is outta stock at the moment. Cheers
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Now on my 2016 Gibson SG, the neck angle was pretty steep, so the tailpiece was really high and tilted towards the bridge, so I used a Faber TP-59 kit to lock it down...

Here's a couple of photos of the SG:

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Keep in mind those shims you see just barely allow the strings to clear the bridge.

Look at the tailpiece on the Les Paul Custom Replica I had a local Luthier build for my Mom. He made sure the neck angle was dead on the specification.

IMG_20170507_16201.jpg

Also note the string break angle with the roller bridge!!!

I've seen a lot of neck angle problems on Gibson's...but my SG is an extreme case...
 
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ivan H said:
You might like this tip for easily cleaning that "cancerous" looking nickel hhtps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LhFCuXBIUc
Cheers
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I would literally buy new (chrome) hardware before going to this much trouble. Not that I am particularly lazy but it just doesn't seem worth it and hardware is cheap. At least my time is more valuable than the cost to replace it, if you know what I mean.
 
gball said:
I would literally buy new (chrome) hardware before going to this much trouble. Not that I am particularly lazy but it just doesn't seem worth it and hardware is cheap. At least my time is more valuable than the cost to replace it, if you know what I mean.
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I've had good fortune with my nickel stuff. I always wipe the guitars down after a session...
 
Robert Herndon said:
Yep. That's what I been doing. It's better to have the Faber bolt kit for the reasons you state, but I just use the washers on this one...there's a bit of wiggle in the threaded bolt/insert and the washers correct that.
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I also use plumber's tape which I wrap around the threaded bolts for both the stop tail piece and the bolts for the bridge for a way better connection and no play which I think delivers better tone transfer and sustain.


;>)/
 
So, I'm about 2 months into this Les Paul and I am yet to open it up or even change the original strings. While the spray can (looking) flat black is ugly, its a solid player. No tuning issues whatsoever.

The fat '58' neck (a feature now on all my guitars) was the "missing link" I had been seeking blindly for many years. Super comfortable and all three of my guitars now feel comfortably familiar when switching between them.

Pickups....

The Gibson 498T has really impressed me. It's got a certain growl that just fits so well into the rock genre.

The Thro-Bak SLE-101's are perhaps more articulate when played clean, but they lose that articulation when overdriven. The 498T, which sounds very good clean with (volume rolled back to about 5) seems to become more articulate the harder you push it.

The Burstbucker Pro's also seem to possess this quality, but they lack the articulation at higher gain levels that the 498T has.

The 498T is very controllable, yet its always on the edge of wanting to feedback at high gain settings. It's like holding a rattlesnake that's trying to bite you and reminiscent of how Gary Moore swept his volume off after each lick in "Cold Day In Hell" live to control the feedback.

I still need to shield this guitar as I still have the usual hum/buzz issue, but its turned out to be a fabulous guitar.
 
Robert Herndon said:
So, I'm about 2 months into this Les Paul and I am yet to open it up or even change the original strings. While the spray can (looking) flat black is ugly, its a solid player. No tuning issues whatsoever.

The fat '58' neck (a feature now on all my guitars) was the "missing link" I had been seeking blindly for many years. Super comfortable and all three of my guitars now feel comfortably familiar when switching between them.

Pickups....

The Gibson 498T has really impressed me. It's got a certain growl that just fits so well into the rock genre.

The Thro-Bak SLE-101's are perhaps more articulate when played clean, but they lose that articulation when overdriven. The 498T, which sounds very good clean with (volume rolled back to about 5) seems to become more articulate the harder you push it.

The Burstbucker Pro's also seem to possess this quality, but they lack the articulation at higher gain levels that the 498T has.

The 498T is very controllable, yet its always on the edge of wanting to feedback at high gain settings. It's like holding a rattlesnake that's trying to bite you and reminiscent of how Gary Moore swept his volume off after each lick in "Cold Day In Hell" live to control the feedback.

I still need to shield this guitar as I still have the usual hum/buzz issue, but its turned out to be a fabulous guitar.
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I agree with your statement on the 498T pick up which you may know is on my 2006 chambered Gibson Les Paul Studio in black. It's paired with the 490R in the neck position and both pick ups compliment each other. I really like the meaty growl you get from the 498T and it has that modern sound to it with more mids present in it's tone. I find it also handles clean sounds very well so as far as I'm concerned it's one of Gibson's best pick ups. I also heard that it is Gibson's hottest non-signature Alnico pick up unless Gibson came out with a new one. It's good to hear you're digging the pick up Rockin Robby...keep rockin' that 498T until the neighbours call the police on you.:wink:


;>)/
 
BlackSG91 said:
I agree with your statement on the 498T pick up which you may know is on my 2006 chambered Gibson Les Paul Studio in black. It's paired with the 490R in the neck position and both pick ups compliment each other. I really like the meaty growl you get from the 498T and it has that modern sound to it with more mids present in it's tone. I find it also handles clean sounds very well so as far as I'm concerned it's one of Gibson's best pick ups. I also heard that it is Gibson's hottest non-signature Alnico pick up unless Gibson came out with a new one. It's good to hear you're digging the pick up Rockin Robby...keep rockin' that 498T until the neighbours call the police on you.:wink:


;>)/
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Good observations, Black!
 
Robert Herndon said:
I'm looking forward to trying the 57 Classic + in my SG....
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I had the 57 classic plus in the bridge of my SG for a good while. It suited the SG much better, IMO, than the LP traditional that it came out of (& the BB1 & 2 that were in the SG suited the LP better). The 57+ can be bright but rolling the tone control back a little gets it sounding good. Hope it works well for you. Cheers
 
Robert you do have a very great guitar and think improving it is a splendid idea. You have the talent to change the wiring to any thing you want. It is a Gibson so the pots and basics are there.
Modern vs Vintage is just moving the cap to different legs of the volume and tone pots. With the vintage you guitar will be brighter. The tone will be before the volume. Modern the volume is before the tone. Easy to change and of course it is reversible.
Those pre made harnesses are not reversible. Plus you are dropping some bucks on it and that is not responsible. Look at a couple diagrams and see how easy it is. Put your money to locking tuners. Good luck and great playing my friend.
 
kevinpaul said:
Robert you do have a very great guitar and think improving it is a splendid idea. You have the talent to change the wiring to any thing you want. It is a Gibson so the pots and basics are there.
Modern vs Vintage is just moving the cap to different legs of the volume and tone pots. With the vintage you guitar will be brighter. The tone will be before the volume. Modern the volume is before the tone. Easy to change and of course it is reversible.
Those pre made harnesses are not reversible. Plus you are dropping some bucks on it and that is not responsible. Look at a couple diagrams and see how easy it is. Put your money to locking tuners. Good luck and great playing my friend.
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Thank you, Kevin!
 
kevinpaul said:
Robert you do have a very great guitar and think improving it is a splendid idea. You have the talent to change the wiring to any thing you want. It is a Gibson so the pots and basics are there.
Modern vs Vintage is just moving the cap to different legs of the volume and tone pots. With the vintage you guitar will be brighter. The tone will be before the volume. Modern the volume is before the tone. Easy to change and of course it is reversible.
Those pre made harnesses are not reversible. Plus you are dropping some bucks on it and that is not responsible. Look at a couple diagrams and see how easy it is. Put your money to locking tuners. Good luck and great playing my friend.
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Tuning is no issue for me and I actually like the Gibson Green Keys!
 
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