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Miller Custom Guitars
United States
Приєднався 18 лют 2014
My goal is to help you to understand how to get your guitar to play better. I am also on that journey myself so sometimes we learn together. Sometimes I do parts swap comparisons. Sometimes I demonstrate how to service your instruments. Sometimes I just show off cool new gear I'm excited about!
New Guitar Day: What Should You Do? (Featuring Lollar “The Bird” Humbucker)
Every guitar player's favorite day is New Guitar Day! The only problem is that sometimes this can also be problematic because whenever you get a new guitar, that guitar has spend it's entire existence belonging to someone else. It's time to make that guitar truly yours. So, what do you do? What should you look at?
In this video we take a look at how you can approach adding a new guitar to your collection. What to inspect, what to adjust, and what mods you may want to consider when a new guitar comes home.
0:00 - Intro
1:15 - New Guitar Day
2:15 - What is it?
3:50 - Let's tear it up!... not quite
5:00 - Why not?
6:00 - What I'm looking for
10:30 - Let's make some decisions
15:45 - Decisions made, Let's get our hands dirty
19:15 - Wrap up and reveal
21:17 - Before and after sound samples
Important Links:
Harley Benton Single Cut Guitar:
www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_sc_550_ii_ftf.htm
Stringjoy Strings:
stringjoy.com/
Guyker Tremolo:
a.co/d/2BSrkRX
Seymour Duncan's Blog on 50's Style Wiring
www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/lespaulwiring
My links:
MillersCustomGuitars
millerscustomguitars
www.tiktok.com/@millercustomgtrs
Buy some Merch!
www.redbubble.com/people/learningjourney/shop
#Guitar #Electricguitar #lespaul #newguitarday #ngd #luthier #diyguitar #guitartech #amateurluthier #gibson #harleybentonguitars #lollar #lollarpickups
In this video we take a look at how you can approach adding a new guitar to your collection. What to inspect, what to adjust, and what mods you may want to consider when a new guitar comes home.
0:00 - Intro
1:15 - New Guitar Day
2:15 - What is it?
3:50 - Let's tear it up!... not quite
5:00 - Why not?
6:00 - What I'm looking for
10:30 - Let's make some decisions
15:45 - Decisions made, Let's get our hands dirty
19:15 - Wrap up and reveal
21:17 - Before and after sound samples
Important Links:
Harley Benton Single Cut Guitar:
www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_sc_550_ii_ftf.htm
Stringjoy Strings:
stringjoy.com/
Guyker Tremolo:
a.co/d/2BSrkRX
Seymour Duncan's Blog on 50's Style Wiring
www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/lespaulwiring
My links:
MillersCustomGuitars
millerscustomguitars
www.tiktok.com/@millercustomgtrs
Buy some Merch!
www.redbubble.com/people/learningjourney/shop
#Guitar #Electricguitar #lespaul #newguitarday #ngd #luthier #diyguitar #guitartech #amateurluthier #gibson #harleybentonguitars #lollar #lollarpickups
Переглядів: 1 447
Відео
Papa’s Harley Benton PRS Style Guitar with Lindy Fralin Unbuckers
Переглядів 2877 місяців тому
Every time that I visit my dad's house, I like to take a look at all of the cool interesting instruments that he has lying around. He's always got something that is worth taking a look at and my last trip was no different. He had recently purchased a Harley Benton CST-24T Double Cut guitar, which is their take on the PRS Style, 24-fret guitar. You can check out the link below for the guitar's s...
Top Five Favorite Guitar Mods under $80
Переглядів 3428 місяців тому
As guitar players, we often fall into the trap of looking for the new piece of guitar gear, thinking that it will help to break us out of the musical and creative rut we are in. Often, we don't realize that small changes to our existing guitars can make a huge impact into how we play, our overall tone, and our entire playing experience. Come with me today as I look at my top five favorite guita...
Road Trip to Kauerfest 2023: Kauer Guitars was Amazing!
Переглядів 12111 місяців тому
In September I had the opportunity to visit Kauer Guitars in Elk Grove, California to attend their annual Kauerfest event. This event was so cool. There were bands, raffles, there was a taco truck, tons of amazing amps and pedals, and so many amazing guitars. While there, I was able to corner Doug Kauer and ask him for his best guitar set-up tip. Doug gave us a couple great quick set up tips. I...
Papa's Vintage 1959 Gretsch is Pure Magic
Переглядів 41411 місяців тому
Today I am continuing my long running series entitled "What I found at Papa's House" where I take a look at some of the cool gear that my dad has accumulated over the years. In this installment, I take a look at perhaps the best piece of gear in the bunch, his Vintage 1959 Gretsch. This guitar is absolutely magic. It plays great (Thanks to yours truly), and sounds amazing. Seriously, this guita...
Plastic, Bone, and Tusq: Sound Comparison and Finalizing Acoustic Setup. Nut and Saddle Series pt. 3
Переглядів 3,9 тис.Рік тому
We’ve spent three videos trying to truly understand what goes into getting the nuts and saddles on our acoustic guitars performing the best that they can. We’ve talked about different materials, how to cut a bone nut and saddle by hand, the right way to raise or lower a nut, and how to dial in the perfect action on your guitar to optimize the playability. We can finally listen to a side-by-side...
How to Utilize the Shure MV88 Mid-Side mode in Davinci Resolve
Переглядів 350Рік тому
The Shure MV88 microphone (and it's successor the MV88 ) are amazing microphones with tons of recording options and potential. However, possibly the best way to use these microphones it using the Mid-Side technique. This method uses both built in microphones at the same time to give you an amazing full sound with a full stereo depth. However, figuring out how to correctly utilize this mode can ...
Installing Acoustic Guitar Nuts: Adjustments, Shimming, and Hand Cutting. Nut & Saddle Series Pt 2/3
Переглядів 1,7 тис.Рік тому
In this video we continue our series looking at the nuts and saddle materials used in acoustic guitars. We've been focusing on plastic, bone, and Tusq, and in this video, we are focusing on proper nut installation. We talk about the proper installation techniques for all three types of nut materials, of course, however, we also talk about what to do if your nut is too high, and I share a great ...
Upgrading Acoustic Guitars - Which Saddle Material is Best? Nut and Saddle Series Part 1 of 3
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
Have you ever thought about replacing the Nut or Saddle on your Acoustic guitar? These pieces are so influential to your overall tone, it would be silly to not at least consider it, especially if you have a guitar you like that you feel could use a tonal boost. Many people avoid servicing their own guitars because the believe that it's too difficult. Today I hope to remove some of the confusion...
How to calculate acoustic saddle adjustment (with props!)
Переглядів 376Рік тому
How to calculate acoustic saddle adjustment, with props! Hopefully this example is clean and consise, as this can sometimes be confusing. To see what I’m working on, follow me on Instagram! millerscustomguitars #acousticguitar #luthier #guitartech #saddleadjustment #amateurluthier #guitarrepair #diymusician #musician #youcandoit #simplify
60 Year Old Slide Guitar Sounds As Good As The Day It Was Made
Переглядів 164Рік тому
Every so often a really cool instrument comes across my workbench and it's just too awesome to pass up. That happened recently when an Early 60's Electro Lap Slide guitar, made by Rickenbacher came in for service. This guitar was in primo condition but needed some repairs. After I got it sorted out, I knew I had to show it to you guys because this thing was absolutely amazing. The big problem, ...
Papa's Harley Benton Tele Is a Budget Suprise
Переглядів 685Рік тому
The latest installment in my ongoing series entitled "What I found at Papa's House." In this video I take a look at a recent addition to my dad's gear collection, a Telecaster Style guitar made by Harley Benton. Harley Benton is the "House Brand" guitar for Thomann Music, which is the largest retailer of music gear in Europe. Dad got this Tele last Spring and when we visited last Summer, I reco...
Building a Lego Stratocaster Guitar (Youtube Collab W/ The Starlight Gang!)
Переглядів 51Рік тому
In this episode, I take a quick break from my usual "guitar tech" talk to have a little bit of fun. I bought this Lego Fender Stratocaster Amp set a while ago, and I thought it would be fun to build it on the channel. However, I knew that if I was going to build this thing, I wasn't going to be able to do it by myself, so I brought in a ringer. My daughter Elena is an absolute crazy person when...
Tone is in the Fingers, and the Guitar, and the Amps, and the Treble Booster...
Переглядів 208Рік тому
Have you ever had the opportunity to turn a great amp all the way up? I never have, but I've always wanted to. Today is the day that I finally fix that problem. I've been taking a deep dive into the guitar tones of the legendary guitar player Brian May from the greatest rock band of all time, Queen. Brian has written some of the most iconic guitar parts of all time, and has some of the greatest...
Eart Strat Overhaul and Upgrade Will Rock You! An Homage to the Greatest Guitar Ever Made.
Переглядів 9322 роки тому
Eart Strat Overhaul and Upgrade Will Rock You! An Homage to the Greatest Guitar Ever Made.
Huge Announcement: New Podcast Launches next week!
Переглядів 442 роки тому
Huge Announcement: New Podcast Launches next week!
Active Pickups will blow your mind! Humbucker Shootout - Filtertrons vs PAFs vs Active Pickups.
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Active Pickups will blow your mind! Humbucker Shootout - Filtertrons vs PAFs vs Active Pickups.
What I Found at Papa's House: Marshall Origin 50 Combo Amp - One Amp That Can Do Everything
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What I Found at Papa's House: Marshall Origin 50 Combo Amp - One Amp That Can Do Everything
How I Learned How To Stop Worrying And Love the Taylor Neck Shims
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How I Learned How To Stop Worrying And Love the Taylor Neck Shims
250k vs 500k Pots, Does Pot Value Make a difference? Plus, Porter Richochet Pickups!
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250k vs 500k Pots, Does Pot Value Make a difference? Plus, Porter Richochet Pickups!
Kit Guitar Upgrade and Overhaul: What Does it Take to Beat a Factory Guitar?
Переглядів 3612 роки тому
Kit Guitar Upgrade and Overhaul: What Does it Take to Beat a Factory Guitar?
EART Classic S Vs. Kit Guitar - Kit Guitar Series Part 3 of 3
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EART Classic S Vs. Kit Guitar - Kit Guitar Series Part 3 of 3
Guitar Kits A to Z, from Unboxing to Strumming the First Chord. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know.
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Guitar Kits A to Z, from Unboxing to Strumming the First Chord. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Buying Guitar Kits (But Were Too Afraid to Ask) Part 1 of 3
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Buying Guitar Kits (But Were Too Afraid to Ask) Part 1 of 3
Can We Fix This Fake Guitar? Why Even Bother?
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Can We Fix This Fake Guitar? Why Even Bother?
Duesenberg Les Trem II Revisted, Now With Upgrades!
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Duesenberg Les Trem II Revisted, Now With Upgrades!
The Middle Pickup Sucks! Stratocaster Switch Mod
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The Middle Pickup Sucks! Stratocaster Switch Mod
Why is it that almost every video dealing with Taylor setups is just unbearable to watch? Can people just get to the points and leave out all the nonsense chit chat.
Thanks for this complete and useful info!! Could you tell me the name of the song of min 24:05 ??
Naw man! I’m just jamming chords!
Here again in 2024 ❤
I don't get what you felt uneasy about.
Plastic is the only no option. I cant decide between tusq and bones. It just different. Bone with warm and body. Tusq with clarity. I'm using tusq in my martin dc16gte. Maybe I'll try bone. But i think i'll miss some clarity
too much talk
I'm an experienced player that's done a ton of guitar work, but I worked with one of these for over a year and could not get it to stay in tune. The nut is good, lubed, etc but the trem would not come back to the same resting spot - you could clearly see the arm visually that it wasn't returning to the same spot. Finally had to remove it to save my sanity.
That’s why I put roller bridges on my guitars theGE and the a would never stay tuned
I put roller bridge on my Gibson type guitar or nylon ,stays in tune better
You should never pry straight up on tail post collar's unless your intent is to swop them out. These fittings are held in place with pressure and a spot of glue. Maybe less on a hollow body! If there is a more destructive aftermarket "Upgrade" for guitars, I have not seen it yet.
Most manufactures use a pressure fit only and almost never use glue. It's fairly easy to remove tailpost inserts, I've done it many times. When installing a system like this, you might be required to replace the stud inserts as the studs might have different threads. In this case, it came with screws with two different types of threads.
Cums at 10:02
The plastic sounded bad The bone had too much attack when you strummed so the sustain afterwards was not in balance with the attack. The Tusq sounded the best : it had a nice , balanced sound : not too much attack , a nice sustain after hitting the strings .
I get close to the same tone with a Blue Chip pick even with plastic saddle and nut.
I ve heard brass parts are best
This is exactly why I make this channel. There are so many people on the internet telling you that "this" is better than "that". I wanted to create a place to help players to find out for themselves. For myself, I wouldn't want a brass nut or saddle on an acoustic guitar. It would be the wrong kind of sound, and they are much too difficult to service as the guitar changes and shifts over the years. Much better suited to an electric guitar.
@@MillerCustomGuitars brass bridge pins sound pretty good..
In my case, it didn't work for me. Customer service refused to send shims. They provide me with an authorized tech location
Thank you so much you cleared up alot for me and made me feel more confident about moving forward with upgrades
Bone. Nice sounding guitar and playing!
@@DavidS19551 thanks bud
Guys this guitar fucking sucks. He plays incredibly well. I’ve had this guitar for like 15 years I think. I hate it so much. I’ve tried to break it…. It won’t break. It’s like a curse. I won’t see it for years then bam! There it is. Ugly fat guitar. Pros? Built like a tank. Always there to haunt you. Makes you kinda jacked cause it’s so hard to play.
@@BRENT0NI0 thanks for the nice words about my playing. These guitars are kind of lifeless, imo, replacing the plastic nut and saddle helped.
its really the saddle that counts not the Nut, the sound difference is from the saddle not the nut 100% sure
Bone and tusq sounder much fuller than the plastic
Lots of great information, very nice!
I honestly like how charismatic you are brotha. You hit that into like a documentary segment history channel and it really kept me from switching ! I hope you make it to the top Kidd we need more passionate entertainers and teachers like yourself
@@Andyjamz4u this is probably the kindest comment I have ever received! Thanks so much! Check out some of my other videos for more tips on out to take care of your guitar!
Awful.
Folks, the customary factory shims should be a 2 on top (rectangle) and an 8 on heel (triangle, sort of). The difference is 6. If you need 12 up top then add 6 more to your heel. 12 top and 18 on heel.
Also for the treble booster setup, you kinda want to have your amp already breaking up, I've been using a blues JR and i set the gain to 9 and quite good amout of volume, this is that when i kick the treble booster on i can get the most drive posible
I did this to a yamaha pacifica with the stock pickups, and i did got some similar sound but the problem was that even using the bridge and middle pickups it would still sound very twangy, thats why tri sonics are desired when making these, since they have a higher output and inductance than normal single coils but, if you get single coils with similar characteristics as the Tri Sonics, you can get very similar sounds, for example rory Gallagher had a similar sound (probably because he was using a vox AC30)
I would have used a 3x3 PRS style headstock for this build, im trying tp build something similar to a red special but kind of my own
@@Headbutter-Lettuce90 this was the guitar I had for this project. 🤷🏻♂️
@@MillerCustomGuitars Nice, I don't say that you ended up with something bad
aweful!!!
@@guitareputz 🤷🏻♂️
@@MillerCustomGuitars I couldn’t get over the clunkiness under my picking hand. Every time I went to turn the volume up or down I’d bash my knuckles on the tail piece, besides it really is limited sonically imho at any rate. They are incredibly easy to install and uninstall
Clapping only uses the middle pickuo apparently
I find listening to these samples that bone either brings more high freq in front or loses some lows and tusq keeps the freqs better overall. I have bone nut and saddles in a Yahama FG and almost no lows at all.. I will try tusq next
nut and saddle choice of material and shaping either one is NOT for an amateur... it does take some skill and manual dexterity and basic tools. Plastic is cheapest and you may not care about the better sound of TUSQ or real bone and select plastic instead. Some people do not care about the difference. A re-sold guitar with a better saddle/nut commands a higher price or even a sale versus 'no sale'... YOU make the choice.
It's not for an amateur, but also this is a skill you can learn yourself from books and materials available online (I did, and well enough that I charge people to do it). If you are working on your own guitar (especially a cheap guitar), when I say go for it. You're going to mess up the first one (or two or three), but you're going to get there eventually and learn some valuable skills in the meantime. Everybody needs to start somewhere.
A String Wrap behind the Nut will Help Eliminate the Ringing and Overtones that are too Harsh!!!! Other than that: Bone Sounded Best!!!! 🎵🎶👍🎶🎵🙏😎
Like, why isn't this the default already? Or even make it turn on all the pickups. They're not wired to be additives anyway.
Try Steel Fretts Loud Bright
Great video! Thanks for the information. Do the older, pre-NT necks, use shims, as well and are they any different from today's shims?
what tusq saddle did you get for your epiphone i would to try it on my epi
If you watch this video, I talk about how to shop for saddles: ua-cam.com/video/PNOA8OupAk4/v-deo.html
You're too soft
you mounted your bridge a fraction of a mm too far from the 12th fret. NEVER hand make your neck or drill body holes for the bridge. A 1/4 of a mm in either direction will require you to re-tune your ax every time you change keys. (it will NEVER intonate correctly). It's not an easy fix because no wood filler is as strong and resonate as wood. Use a standard 2 part apoxy with sawdust (in a hurry) to fill the old holes. Wait a week and re-drill. OR, just buy a NEW light body that is already drilled. Stew mac has fair stuff, -nothing lightweight, however. Parts made by reputable companies (e.g. Schecter) will be made using CNN manufacturing. This is GOOD. This is why MOST new guitars tune well, out of the box. As a kid, I remember the days before CNN (long before) when your first consideration for buying ANY guitar was it's ability to tune! To find a well tuning box that also sounded like a cathedral would cost significant bucks (for the day). I have no idea how Leo did it, but most NEW pre-Colombian Fenders played in tune -even Teles with but three adjusters. The NEW repro threaded steel saddles are not good. The original threaded steel saddles were made from over-head cam engine bolts (valve cover bolts cut into pieces). These bolts were made from the finest hardened (dense) steel. Today, however, the repro threaded saddles are CAST from MOLDS and less dense steel ( made with zinc! How cheap can you get?). Hence, the modern threaded saddles don't sound good. I have a '65 Esquire. When I tried to replace my original threaded saddles with the standard, modern Fender 6 adjuster, barrel saddles, the sound reduction was obvious and severe. I played one chord and 4 or 5 notes. I then put the original saddle back onto the guitar -FAST. It was frightening. BTW, this guitars weighs just an ounce over 5 bs and has more sustain than any electric guitar I have played in over 50 years. Nope, it's made from ordinary Alder. However, the pieces were but from the outside of the tree. Outside wood is lighter. With Ash, the wood MUST be taken from below the water line to yield a guitar under 8 or 9 lbs. Modern Fender is making fine guitars, but you have to lift weights to play them. I have regularly seen Les Paul's that are lighter than Teles. A heavy body may sound OK and clean, but only a LIGHT electric guitar body can offer enough resonation and sustain to make the guitar sound so good that your will sell your wife to the the Arabs before you sell your guitar.
This is by far the most bizarre comment I've ever receive. It's also not true. This guitar intonates fine. Literally my entire channel is to teach guitar owners how to get the most out of their guitars. This includes setup and installation. And honestly, 1/4 of a millimeter closer or further from the neck is completely absorbable by the adjustments available in electric saddles.
Hope u doin well and keep doing reviews....☯️
I do not see any comments at all about cost and how to do the work ... go look and find out if you want to spend the money needed and the skill level needed....
There is definitely a cost associated with doing it yourself, the previous videos address this topic. Check those out!
Skip all the emotional inflections and just deliver a message...
Nah, emotional nonsense is my style man.
I dont have a Taylor, but it seems like an expensive guitar that should be playable from the factory.
All instruments move over time due to the fact that they’re made out of wood, even expensive ones. Taylor (and Martin, and Gibson, I’m sure) have a warranty that would cover this adjustment being done, but there are no service locations within a reasonable driving distance from my home.
The Epiphones made in Bosman Montana are quality built instruments. Chinese made Epiphones are just that. You are putting lipstick on a pig and its still a pig. You don't get quality materials from Chinese made Epiphones. If you want a quality guitar made with quality parts and woods you are going to pay for it.
Hey man, I just do the work that the customer asks for.
Also, adding the bone nut, and the tusk saddle, made a huge improvement to the tone, my opinion.
I will ad the bone did make a difference but the nut stills sounds like a Chinese Epiphone.
You tell 'em Jimmy!
Bone matters only on an acoustic guitar--at the bridge.
Check out the video where I revisit this topic. Personally, I believe that the nut is quite possibly the most critical component relating to a guitar’s playability and setup, and yes I believe that it affects tone.
Plastic, Bone, and Tusq: Sound Comparison and Finalizing Acoustic Setup. Nut and Saddle Series pt. 3 ua-cam.com/video/73b3PEUcMkA/v-deo.html
@@MillerCustomGuitars You're describing slot height and cut.
@@MillerCustomGuitars Hi, its not the nut, its the SADDLE! please trust me,
I own a Cort CR250. Do you think it's worth the upgrade to this bridge on my guitar, since my guitar sounds really good and is very well built? I must buy rollerbridge and bridge. Do you suggest, at least on my guitar, since I think mechanics are not good as well as your 335s, to upgrade to locking tuners? If yes, which ones? Thank you very much
For me, the first thing I look at is always the nut. If your nut is good then your tuning stability is probably good. IMO a roller bridge can help a little, but if you’re having lots of stability issues when using a trem (or stability issues at all) check the nut first. Is it cut right, at the right height, are the slots relieved properly, free of burrs, lubed, etc.
@@MillerCustomGuitars mine has already a tusq Nut
@@MillerCustomGuitars mission accomplished. I bought locking tuners, tusq xl nut, rollerbridge and trem. No need of string butler. Can't see result on my Cort. When I'll have a real V I'll do this customization. Thank you for this video
Is there a link to the video?
Yeah, check this out! ua-cam.com/video/muUuFPAVO6s/v-deo.html
I like the brass it’s warmer, but a lot of your tone comes from the touch of your hands,how you pick and strum
Those epiphone’s just don’t sound that great. You improved it but it’s just how they sound. 15 years ago I went thru all these different acoustics and I learned a lot. If you want a good sounding acoustic don’t buy it from epiphone. In that price range buy a Yamaha FG830, comes with scalloped braces, solid spruce top, laminated back and sides. You can get one in the same sunburst finish for $350. If you pay about a hundred fifty more get a Blueridge. Which will sound the closest to an actual Martin. A BR60 is a Blueridge with solid top, forward X bracing and laminated rosewood back and sides, bone nut and saddle for about $500. I remember being really impressed on how those epiphone’s looked but when I played it I was severely disappointed. Or save up and get a Martin. They have several different lines now, ranging in price and they all sound amazing.
I really love the Blueridge brand. I’ve had two of them!
@@MillerCustomGuitars yeah they are great sounding acoustics! I worked as a sales rep for saga musical instruments back in the 90’s. The Blueridge guitars have come a long way since I worked there. They always were a good sounding guitar but they really did improve upon themselves with tone and finish. I learned a lot from working as a Rep there.
@@wyattsdad8561Wondering if you have an opinion on Yamaha F455 made in Taiwan? I have had one since 1990 and would like to have it sound better. Nice blue burst but sounds a bit dead compared to a Maton that I also have.
@@micko4071 I don’t have one on them. I haven’t heard one.
I put a Duesenberg on my Starcaster and I can confirm... it's awesome!
I have a 2015 Les Paul Classic Sprint Run. It's got standard neck width unlike the 2015 LPC. It also has a titanium zero fret nut. The zero fret nut can easily be adjusted to set the action height at the nut, and there's very little string friction. I installed locking tuners and a Schaller roller bridge on it, which together made the tuning very responsive and stable. Sooner or later I'm going to try a Les Trem or a Bigsby on it, it should be smooth like buttah. I hope it still fits in the case after that.
Yeah, you may want to look into that, as the Les Trem can be bulky!