The Lick Loft Just picked up an old 2004 Epiphone Dot Studio in ice blue. I am installing all new electronics and converting it to H-sized P90’s. I’ll do a new nut eventually, but the stock but is surprisingly well cut. The tuners aren’t bad either.
My first electric guitar was an Epiphone SG-400. While I loved the guitar, it is really solid and very well made. But the electronics were second rate. Sooooooo I got me some Seymore Duncan Hot Rodded Humbuckers and a couple Bumble Bee Capacitors and put them in. I now call this awsome guitar my "Red Growler".
Hi I'm upgrading my epi trad pro my mates a tech in music shop all it really needs are different pickups to suit. Its coil splitable & seems a waste not upgrading it as I got it all set up hasn't needed a screwdriver near it since I got it last year . Any suggestions.
I can attest to even newer Epiphone's pickup switches going nuts, especially in the middle position. I have a semi-hollow, so rewiring is going to be a bit of a pain.
I was thinking the same thing i own the latest 1959 epi les paul released in 2024. The top is nowhere near this good. I legit thought of gibson when i clicked “ why are they reviewing a Gibson whereas the title says epi 😂😂
A couple years ago I bought a new 2019 model Epiphone ES-335 Pro. I really liked a lot about the guitar, particularly the looks, the feel, and the tone. I decided it was worth upgrading the things I wasn't so keen on. I replaced the plastic nut with a Graphtech Tusq nut, and the very poorly made output jack with a Switchcraft. The tuners, pickup switch, pickups, and pots were fine for me, so the only other issue that had to be addressed was some slightly uneven frets which prevented lowering the action as much as I wanted. I could have leveled the frets myself, but decided it was worth it to have the guitar Plek'd to truly make it all it could be. Since then I've also replaced the bridge with a roller bridge although it didn't need it, but just because. I absolutely love the guitar now and wouldn't switch it for any costing triple what I have into it.
That guitar is beautiful! It's a keeper tone wise! The amp and speaker is key also. The best 59' les paul through a crap amp equals crap. The same guitar through a deluxe reverb, ac 30 or marshall will kick ass.
97 Korean Epi LP in red sparkle... Switched stock pups with Gibson 57 Classics in both positions and Stew Mac electronics harness for lp with 50's wiring. Gotoh tuners and pick guard as well as pick up frames. Killer guitar!
Good video guys. I think the most important mods you could ever do to an Epiphone are: 1) The nut; 2) a PERFECT fret job; 3) a great setup. If the guitar feels cheap and doesn’t perform with perfection it won’t matter how great the electronics are.
Thank you! Couldn't agree more :) it's exactly what we have had done here, however if it was a new guitar we could have got away with a fret polish perhaps rather than a refret but it feels like a different guitar now!
Awesome video the intro is amazing! I just recently put an aluminum Gotoh tailpiece and I gotoh Nashville style Tune-O-Matic bridge on a Gibson that has aged, corrodedhardware and it made a world of difference putting a super light tailpiece added a lot of sustain and clarity.
Lovely looking guitar and great playing. Initially I was asking myself why anyone would do all of that work on an Epiphone, but I have to say it sounds and looks great. I have a 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard and have done some of those mods, specifically going for a vintage wiring harness and caps which made a massive difference, but then also swapping out the 490R/498T's for Lollar Imperials which bring clarity and tone.
Nice video guys. Nice finish on the Epi as well. I own a Epiphone Joe Perry Boneyard Les Paul. Comes with Gibson Burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups. Original equipment. If you have seen one you love or hate the finish on them. I Harley'd the guitar with some Chrome pick up bezels and chrome knurled volume/tone knobs, and some Grover chrome tuners. I also have an Epi Prophecy Explorer with Zack Wylde emgs in it. Both epi's kick my butt all over the place, and run them through either my Hughes and Kettner Grandmiester 40 or my trusty old 1980's JCM 800. Keep up the great video's! TC from this 63 year old from Canada!
Hey Dave! They sound like awesome guitars! Would love to see them! We also gigged the H+K Tubemeister 18's and 36's for years! Great amps! Thank you for watching Dave, we appreciate it a lot!
Gotoh self-locking tuners (tulips shape) . TonePros T3BT System II bridge & Alu tailpiece. Earvana compensated nut. Stainless steel frets. 3way switch upgrade - steel lever shaft (perfect acting). Rock solid Pure Tone two ground contact output jack. RC compensation between top&wiper volume pots. But - original pick-ups, original pots sprayed with special lubricant (zero scratches). Of course many manoeuvers with truss rod. Result - perfect intonation, action, sustain straight from the body. Of course pretty good strings - 10-46 NYXL.
I got a Grote 335 copy off Amazon for $129 delivered. The body and neck were solid so I spent $350 on pickups and pots, tail, saddle, nut and locking tuners and it is totally astonishing. It sounds and feels as good as my original Gibson 335, plus I can drive it like I stole it and not worry getting it banged up, and it feels like my own. In the end the tone is all about the pickups and pots. Feel is all about how comfortable the neck is. If the neck and body are solid then yes, mod it up a bit. Make it your own. The Gibson was 3.5k. I wanted to love it but you wind up being scared of scratching it, you worry about digging in. My advice, get an old beater ans see if you can squeeze some juice out of it.
Graphite nuts are awesome. Many “self lubricating” manufacturers out there too. But I’ve honestly had the best (well, 2nd best) tuning stability with bone nuts. 1st best tuning stability is a double locking tremolo system. But that’s a different animal.
My first guitar (as a beginner) was a brand new 2011 Epiphone Les Paul. I only replaced things that weren’t working properly from day one, or stopped working subsequently. In order they were the bridge, nut, output socket, pickups and wiring circuit. The last one (pu’s) came after ten years when I realised I was only playing my acoustic because the LP sounded horrible. In fact, I had ditched the LP in a corner and bought a Vox Bobcat V90 (wonderful). New pickups have got me playing the LP again. Bridge replacement (with a Gotoh Nashville bridge) was due to intonation problems. Nut replacement (with a bone nut) was due to horrible sounds / non-sound from G and B and e strings. The issue was mainly due to how the nut had been fitted. A properly fitted plastic nut would probably have been ok. The original work was done so badly I will never buy another Epiphone. The tuners are fine.
I still haven't found pickups, cheap or expensive, that really upgrade the quality of sound unless, of course, you're going to shred at eardrum breaking levels for life. I use amp EQs, gains, boosts and various pedals to affect the sound and give the audience what they want to hear. I totally agree with everything else.
I just ordered a on back order an Epiphone 2020 Les Paul Standard 59' and it has a lot of already upgraded features on it out of the box like the Gibson burst bucker's and the 50's hand wiring and a Switch craft switch. Aside from locking tuner's it has everything I could want in a Les Paul that isn't costing me 2500 buck's, it comes at 799.00 with hard shell case. I've been reading rave review's on it every where I read them and aside from not being a solid top and having a veneer it sound's great. Looks great and is a full weight Les Paul which I am not really hyped about cause they weigh almost 9.5 lb's but it's as close to a Gibson as you are gonna get for the price. I'm saving a lot of money and I'm not a head stock snob so if it sound's great, play's great and looks great, then it's all I can ask for at my income level.
@@benallmark9671 I've had it now for a few month's and it's become one of my favorite guitar's. I've bought a few others in that time and I seem to always go back to the 59'. I also just got a Schecter C-1 Exotic Ebony that has far exceeded my expectation's for a 900.00 guitar.
@@randysnewbiebluesrockguita7782 cool to hear the Schecter punched above it’s weight class. So the Epiphone 59 reissue is a gem eh. What is it about the 59 , the neck the humbuckers or ?
@@benallmark9671 I just like the over all feel of the instrument as compared to the other 2 LP's I own. The neck feels great and I like the satin finish, it's nice and fast. The Pick up's are fuller and warmer than the Epiphone one's and I get better sustain with this long tenon neck. The whole guitar IMO rival's the lower end Gibson's to the point where I actually prefer this over the Gibson LP Tribute.
Great playing and beautiful guitar. The mid 90’s Epi’s from the Samick factory in Korea are legendary for being top quality instruments after a few mods ( as you have done ).👍🏻 I did the same mods with an Epi from the same era/factory etc and it’s better than any Gibson I have or have owned in feel and tone etc ( IMHO). I did similar mods to you ( but also changed the ugly headstock) .😊 A guitar is about tone, feel, and reliability and not what is written on a headstock.
Thanks Michelle! Couldn't agree more with everything you've said! I think I saw somewhere you had a signature pedal with Flattley? How is that going? I have one of their phasers on my board arm and love it! Danny
The Lick Loft Yes Danny, I have a series of signature pedals on the way by Flattley Pedals. So far I have been sent the new MT Quantum Delay ( a dual analog delay pedal) and the new MT Royal Wave ( which is a dual Chorus/Tremolo ). The Chorus is a lovely rich and warm Chorus, and the delays are warm and unobtrusive. ❤️ There is also an Overdrive/Distortion in production and a clean boost with tone control. 😊 Great that you are using some Flattley gear too. 👍🏻❤️💁🏼
I totally upgraded my Vintage brand Peter Green LP but still need to do the pick up selector Put Gibson pup's in it but have to say those Mojo's sound really good I used Emerson guts on mine Thanks guy's
Good (and bad) to see that the switch is a common issue. I also recently had to replace my switch because it just kept cutting out or sometimes not engage at all.
I believe the 2020 models have much higher quality switches and pots, plus the one we had, had been sat around for 15 years or so which didn't help! Thanks for watching 👍
Considering getting a second hand Epiphone 60 standard and putting some Seymore Duncan “Slash” Zebra pickups on. But gather the pots might also need to be swapped out to make the most of them?
I do have an Epiphone Les Paul but I also bought another guitar and LTD EC256FM Which I knew eventually I would Mod and upgrade as hobby to learn Guitar Tech/ maintenance.
@@TheLickLoft It's a circa 2014 / 15 Epi LP Tribute Plus. All the upgraded components, but a poor set up brand new straight out the box. Frets and nut are tolerable for medium higher than optimum action, but needed better quality control at the factory.
@@garycrant4511 Thanks Gary will look them up :) I cant remember a time where I've bought a guitar I've been happy with the setup to be honest, obviously some are worse than others!
Thanks for the video that is a beautiful guitar you have there I have a silverburst with custom shop Billy Gibbons pearly Gates and I took the wiring out and I installed tone man 50s wiring and Grover locking tuners it's has a ebony fretborad I put a switch Kraft input Jack and and switch and I put over sized chrome pickup rings and I put some tone pros on it and last I got the frets leveled and polished it sounds awesome I own two Epiphone guitars I have a orange standard Pro that one I put a JB and Jazz and a walrus nut new switch Kraft Jack and switch I am modifing that one too little by little Epiphone Guitars Rock that's all I play once and awhile I pull out my Fender Stratocaster Elite.
Thanks guys love your video that Epiphone sounds fantastic.I’ve just collected my new Epiphone ‘50s Heritage Standard Cherry Sunburst the pots are CTS 500 like yours with the ‘50s wiring they fantastic value for the money.🎼🎶👍
Sounding good! I went a little silly with my epiphone... Re radiused and refretted, new nut, new electronics, Tim Shaw Pickups and Grovers both from a mates 1986 Gibson Les Paul Custom. It's on my channel if you wanted to see!
Good afternoon. Great job. The guitar tune is wonderfull. Can tell the specs of the changes you made? Brand etc..? For: 1. Bone nut 2. Pickup Switch 3. Pickups 4. Volume and Tone pots 5. Input Jack I have a Epiphone LP Modern 2020 with push and pull button for fase and split that i would like to upgrade. Rgds.
The Lick Loft Changed pickups to Gibson (498t and 490r), nut(graphitec), tuners (Gotoh, great ones 😃), pots. May have had other mod(s) that I don't remember but basically were these. :)
What are the best pick ups for hard rock and clean tones? The classic 57s? The SH-55s by Duncan? The 490T/498Rs that they are putting in new Customs at Gibson?
Hmm I'm interested in those pickups. For me I mostly use the neck pickup or the neck n bridge together (not exclusively ) my most important control on any guitar is the volume
Thanks so much Ronald! I don't honestly know but all of the techs I meet swear by them so it's always something we tend to do as it's a relitively inexpensive mod. Saying that my favourite guitar has a brass nut so who knows!
I have been seriously thinking about buying a birdseye maple cap 94 epi. I'm looking for a stock one with out any modifications that hasn't been beat to death. Those guitars have a full maple cap on them and look fantastic.
@@steveroberts Handcrafted bone nut and new frets by Eastbourne Guitar Workshop, Switchcraft pickup selector switch and input jack, CTS pots with custom series/parallel switching capability by NRG Effects, Mojo Pickups - Low Output PAF's. That's all the info I have at the top of my head, if you want any more specifics let me know and I'll get back to you asap :)
@@TheLickLoft Thanks. That will keep me going. Don't recognise some of that stuff. Thanks again. As to your previous question, no I haven't modified a guitar. That's why I'm so interested. One day I will. Thanks again.
Suena Fantastica esa Epiphone Les Paul.. tiene un acabado de la tapa precioso me recuerda a una Epiphone Ultra que tuve.. en la actualidad tengo 3 Epiphone y 5 Gibson, y sinceramente a veces me dejan asombrado los sonidos de las nuevas Epiphone 2020 con sus nuevos ProBucker U.S.A.. la ultima en llegar fue la Les Paul Modern (Burgundy) que me ha sorprendido de lo magnifica que es.. un saludo 🙌
I have a 90's sparkly blue Epiphone Les Paul I've had since a kid. I'm going to spend a decent amount of money to upgrade the parts. I know could just sell the guitar and use the money I would have spent of the parts to buy a Gibson, but I would rather just have my Epiphone because of what the guitar means to me.
That's awesome Europa, that's why we did this. We didn't buy a new guitar to try and change everything about it, it was a neglected guitar that was unplayable before this transformation and meant a lot to Rich
Great points Christopher! We are checking out the new range next week and really excited to do so, this was an old guitar that needed alot of work where as you are right, a new 2020 model will need little/no work depending on what you are after!
Hey Derek thanks! Definitely got lucky finding it all those years ago! They are by www.mojopickups.co.uk and they are the Vintage PAF's. They aren't always listed on the website for some reason but if you shoot them an email, they will make you them for sure :)
@@TheLickLoft thanks for your reply, much appreciated 😃 I'm looking at buying one of the new epi les Paul customs due to the new electronics they are using and putting some good PAFS in and I think it will be these for sure🤘 Thanks again for your reply guys and keep rocking!
I have a 2008 Epi LP Special (also built in the Samick factory!)...I do want to put new tuners on eventually but it is a VERY good instrument overall :) Is it a Gibson??? No but it'll give a $2500 LP a good race in the recording studio :) :)
Nothing Epiphone, at the time sadly, but do own a lovely 1995 Samick Artist Series LP type guitar I call Prudence! :) Have owned it nearly the 9 years my son's been alive and I adore both greatly!!! 😍🙂 Rock on you guys and keep up the great work! Merry Christmas! I've since upgraded it with Guitar Fetish zebra buckers, all new pots, and some neat old-school nickel top with black backing knobs! :)
Let us know below if you have modded/upgraded a guitar?
I am currently upgrading a MIM strat. 2004 blonde.
The Lick Loft Just picked up an old 2004 Epiphone Dot Studio in ice blue. I am installing all new electronics and converting it to H-sized P90’s. I’ll do a new nut eventually, but the stock but is surprisingly well cut. The tuners aren’t bad either.
My first electric guitar was an Epiphone SG-400. While I loved the guitar, it is really solid and very well made. But the electronics were second rate. Sooooooo I got me some Seymore Duncan Hot Rodded Humbuckers and a couple Bumble Bee Capacitors and put them in. I now call this awsome guitar my "Red Growler".
Hi I'm upgrading my epi trad pro my mates a tech in music shop all it really needs are different pickups to suit. Its coil splitable & seems a waste not upgrading it as I got it all set up hasn't needed a screwdriver near it since I got it last year . Any suggestions.
It's weird to see a video which isn't selling you something these days! Very refreshing
1. Bone nut
2. Pickup Switch
3. Pickups
4. Volume and Tone pots
5. Input Jack
You’re welcome
Thanks! We do timestamp all of our videos now, but still getting to some of the older ones
I can attest to even newer Epiphone's pickup switches going nuts, especially in the middle position. I have a semi-hollow, so rewiring is going to be a bit of a pain.
@@bboyzagy Oh really? I thought the 2020 models had really high quality switches and pots? Sorry to hear you've had trouble!
@@TheLickLoft They use 500k cts pots, but I dont think that they have changed the switches. The tuners are grovers tho.
what about tuners and bridge.
I did not expect that awesome jam to happen when I clicked on this
That's really cool of you to say! Thank you!
Bravo!
Blumming ‘eck - smoking!
I thought it was horrible, shows us notifying about guitar but highlights the amp….fail!
That top is sick! Wow! I've never seen a top like that on a Epiphone
I was thinking the same thing i own the latest 1959 epi les paul released in 2024. The top is nowhere near this good. I legit thought of gibson when i clicked “ why are they reviewing a Gibson whereas the title says epi 😂😂
I love this video. The upgrades are great but the foundation is the Epiphone guitar. Thanks guys
😂😂😂😂 The first guy killed it. It’s so funny because his facial expressions are like he’s even surprised that he could play that well himself.
Immediately subscribed. That beginning jam was tough af. And I love the name. Right on boys
A couple years ago I bought a new 2019 model Epiphone ES-335 Pro. I really liked a lot about the guitar, particularly the looks, the feel, and the tone. I decided it was worth upgrading the things I wasn't so keen on. I replaced the plastic nut with a Graphtech Tusq nut, and the very poorly made output jack with a Switchcraft. The tuners, pickup switch, pickups, and pots were fine for me, so the only other issue that had to be addressed was some slightly uneven frets which prevented lowering the action as much as I wanted. I could have leveled the frets myself, but decided it was worth it to have the guitar Plek'd to truly make it all it could be. Since then I've also replaced the bridge with a roller bridge although it didn't need it, but just because. I absolutely love the guitar now and wouldn't switch it for any costing triple what I have into it.
This top is so beautiful! This Epiphone looks like a Custom Shop Reissue
Thanks Naethen, yeah I got lucky big time!!
It may be a root beer finish!
That guitar is beautiful! It's a keeper tone wise! The amp and speaker is key also. The best 59' les paul through a crap amp equals crap. The same guitar through a deluxe reverb, ac 30 or marshall will kick ass.
Thankyou Russell I couldn't agree more about a good amp! :)
Damm! You two guys jam!
97 Korean Epi LP in red sparkle... Switched stock pups with Gibson 57 Classics in both positions and Stew Mac electronics harness for lp with 50's wiring. Gotoh tuners and pick guard as well as pick up frames. Killer guitar!
Good video guys. I think the most important mods you could ever do to an Epiphone are: 1) The nut; 2) a PERFECT fret job; 3) a great setup. If the guitar feels cheap and doesn’t perform with perfection it won’t matter how great the electronics are.
Thank you! Couldn't agree more :) it's exactly what we have had done here, however if it was a new guitar we could have got away with a fret polish perhaps rather than a refret but it feels like a different guitar now!
This is one of the best sounding guitars I have heard.
Great jam intro!! Also really good video on upgrading. Thank you
Absolutely GREAT playing guys! Enjoyed the hell out it!!
Awesome video the intro is amazing! I just recently put an aluminum Gotoh tailpiece and I gotoh Nashville style Tune-O-Matic bridge on a Gibson that has aged, corrodedhardware and it made a world of difference putting a super light tailpiece added a lot of sustain and clarity.
Thanks Nick! Thanks for the tips too
Lovely looking guitar and great playing. Initially I was asking myself why anyone would do all of that work on an Epiphone, but I have to say it sounds and looks great. I have a 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard and have done some of those mods, specifically going for a vintage wiring harness and caps which made a massive difference, but then also swapping out the 490R/498T's for Lollar Imperials which bring clarity and tone.
Nice video guys. Nice finish on the Epi as well. I own a Epiphone Joe Perry Boneyard Les Paul. Comes with Gibson Burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups. Original equipment. If you have seen one you love or hate the finish on them. I Harley'd the guitar with some Chrome pick up bezels and chrome knurled volume/tone knobs, and some Grover chrome tuners. I also have an Epi Prophecy Explorer with Zack Wylde emgs in it. Both epi's kick my butt all over the place, and run them through either my Hughes and Kettner Grandmiester 40 or my trusty old 1980's JCM 800. Keep up the great video's! TC from this 63 year old from Canada!
Hey Dave! They sound like awesome guitars! Would love to see them! We also gigged the H+K Tubemeister 18's and 36's for years! Great amps! Thank you for watching Dave, we appreciate it a lot!
Gotoh self-locking tuners (tulips shape) . TonePros T3BT System II bridge & Alu tailpiece. Earvana compensated nut. Stainless steel frets. 3way switch upgrade - steel lever shaft (perfect acting). Rock solid Pure Tone two ground contact output jack. RC compensation between top&wiper volume pots. But - original pick-ups, original pots sprayed with special lubricant (zero scratches). Of course many manoeuvers with truss rod. Result - perfect intonation, action, sustain straight from the body. Of course pretty good strings - 10-46 NYXL.
Lots of fun (and informative). Thanks 🤙
I own 4 Epiphone's and love them all 🤘😎🤘
Awesome :) I love the look of the 2020 range!
I got a Grote 335 copy off Amazon for $129 delivered. The body and neck were solid so I spent $350 on pickups and pots, tail, saddle, nut and locking tuners and it is totally astonishing. It sounds and feels as good as my original Gibson 335, plus I can drive it like I stole it and not worry getting it banged up, and it feels like my own. In the end the tone is all about the pickups and pots. Feel is all about how comfortable the neck is. If the neck and body are solid then yes, mod it up a bit. Make it your own. The Gibson was 3.5k. I wanted to love it but you wind up being scared of scratching it, you worry about digging in. My advice, get an old beater ans see if you can squeeze some juice out of it.
That intro was incredible!
That’s some amazing riffage guys. That funky jam track is off the chain.
Graphite nut is the go, precision & consistency, easily lubricated, handles heat, cold & humidity 🖖🏼
Thanks Sydney! Haven't owned a guitar or played one long enough with a graphite but so I'll check them out!
Graphite nuts are awesome. Many “self lubricating” manufacturers out there too. But I’ve honestly had the best (well, 2nd best) tuning stability with bone nuts. 1st best tuning stability is a double locking tremolo system. But that’s a different animal.
@@Wargasm644 Thanks for your comments and some great tips!
What an awesome intro . . . Love it!
that intro solo was insane 🔥
Absolute gentlemen! Great video, guys!
Back at you Jeremy! Thank you for watching
My first guitar (as a beginner) was a brand new 2011 Epiphone Les Paul. I only replaced things that weren’t working properly from day one, or stopped working subsequently. In order they were the bridge, nut, output socket, pickups and wiring circuit. The last one (pu’s) came after ten years when I realised I was only playing my acoustic because the LP sounded horrible. In fact, I had ditched the LP in a corner and bought a Vox Bobcat V90 (wonderful). New pickups have got me playing the LP again.
Bridge replacement (with a Gotoh Nashville bridge) was due to intonation problems.
Nut replacement (with a bone nut) was due to horrible sounds / non-sound from G and B and e strings. The issue was mainly due to how the nut had been fitted. A properly fitted plastic nut would probably have been ok. The original work was done so badly I will never buy another Epiphone.
The tuners are fine.
I just traded my PRS SE for a Ep Les Paul with the lockers and it is much smoother and stays in tune 😎
Hey Hendricks! Glad your happier now :) Locking tuners are great!
Smooth and sweet like we like it ❣️
Serious funkin good sounds
Wicked soloing man
Thanks Elisico!
I still haven't found pickups, cheap or expensive, that really upgrade the quality of sound unless, of course, you're going to shred at eardrum breaking levels for life. I use amp EQs, gains, boosts and various pedals to affect the sound and give the audience what they want to hear. I totally agree with everything else.
4:50 man if you’d kept playing like that for an hour I’d probably had kept on listening 😂
Love the way you guys love playing!
Hey! Thanks, glad that comes across! We'd get way more videos done if we didn't jam together so much!
@@TheLickLoft just leave the camera running!
@@roddiculousguitar we will do some longer live streams soon! :)
@@TheLickLoft excellent. I'm sure that one day I'm going to walk past one of you in Eastbourne and be thinking... mmmm, I'm sure I know that guy,. Lol
@@roddiculousguitar oh you are from Eastbourne? Awesome! Are you in any bands at all?
I just ordered a on back order an Epiphone 2020 Les Paul Standard 59' and it has a lot of already upgraded features on it out of the box like the Gibson burst bucker's and the 50's hand wiring and a Switch craft switch. Aside from locking tuner's it has everything I could want in a Les Paul that isn't costing me 2500 buck's, it comes at 799.00 with hard shell case. I've been reading rave review's on it every where I read them and aside from not being a solid top and having a veneer it sound's great. Looks great and is a full weight Les Paul which I am not really hyped about cause they weigh almost 9.5 lb's but it's as close to a Gibson as you are gonna get for the price. I'm saving a lot of money and I'm not a head stock snob so if it sound's great, play's great and looks great, then it's all I can ask for at my income level.
It’s a gem bro.
@@benallmark9671 I've had it now for a few month's and it's become one of my favorite guitar's. I've bought a few others in that time and I seem to always go back to the 59'. I also just got a Schecter C-1 Exotic Ebony that has far exceeded my expectation's for a 900.00 guitar.
@@randysnewbiebluesrockguita7782 cool to hear the Schecter punched above it’s weight class. So the Epiphone 59 reissue is a gem eh. What is it about the 59 , the neck the humbuckers or ?
@@benallmark9671 I just like the over all feel of the instrument as compared to the other 2 LP's I own. The neck feels great and I like the satin finish, it's nice and fast. The Pick up's are fuller and warmer than the Epiphone one's and I get better sustain with this long tenon neck. The whole guitar IMO rival's the lower end Gibson's to the point where I actually prefer this over the Gibson LP Tribute.
Great playing and beautiful guitar. The mid 90’s Epi’s from the Samick factory in Korea are legendary for being top quality instruments after a few mods ( as you have done ).👍🏻
I did the same mods with an Epi from the same era/factory etc and it’s better than any Gibson I have or have owned in feel and tone etc ( IMHO).
I did similar mods to you ( but also changed the ugly headstock) .😊
A guitar is about tone, feel, and reliability and not what is written on a headstock.
Thanks Michelle! Couldn't agree more with everything you've said! I think I saw somewhere you had a signature pedal with Flattley? How is that going? I have one of their phasers on my board arm and love it!
Danny
The Lick Loft
Yes Danny, I have a series of signature pedals on the way by Flattley Pedals.
So far I have been sent the new MT Quantum Delay ( a dual analog delay pedal) and the new MT Royal Wave ( which is a dual Chorus/Tremolo ).
The Chorus is a lovely rich and warm Chorus, and the delays are warm and unobtrusive. ❤️
There is also an Overdrive/Distortion in production and a clean boost with tone control. 😊 Great that you are using some Flattley gear too. 👍🏻❤️💁🏼
@@MichelleTaylor1 that all sounds awesome I'll keep an eye out for them!
The Lick Loft
I have mailed you 💁🏼
I enjoy a good Samick myself, especially with mustard and tomato
Very fine player. Well done guys👏🏻👏🏻😃
Chancing bridge also helps.
I could listen to those guys play alllll day!!! Yesss!!☺
That's so cool of you to say that! Much appreciated!
Whoo you guys SHRED!!!!
I totally upgraded my Vintage brand Peter Green LP but still need to do the pick up selector Put Gibson pup's in it but have to say those Mojo's sound really good I used Emerson guts on mine Thanks guy's
Those Vintage models look great! I bet it sounds great too now with what you've done! Would love to hear it :) thanks for watching Paul
Good (and bad) to see that the switch is a common issue. I also recently had to replace my switch because it just kept cutting out or sometimes not engage at all.
I believe the 2020 models have much higher quality switches and pots, plus the one we had, had been sat around for 15 years or so which didn't help! Thanks for watching 👍
Just paid for a 2003 mik Epiphone les paul standard Plus top... coming from Japan and Wondering what I'm gonna need to do to it when it arrives.
Considering getting a second hand Epiphone 60 standard and putting some Seymore Duncan “Slash” Zebra pickups on. But gather the pots might also need to be swapped out to make the most of them?
I do have an Epiphone Les Paul but I also bought another guitar and LTD EC256FM Which I knew eventually I would Mod and upgrade as hobby to learn Guitar Tech/ maintenance.
DUDES! awesome intro playing! Great work. Keep it up 🤓
I stole all of your licks when we jammed in Brighton! Glad to see this weekend went well! Hopefully see you soon :)
Ha! If only that were true! GB was great. See you guys soon.
@@GuitarBreaks I might look different next time you see me though as I think my face is still recovering from the melting you gave it!!
Sounds AMAZING, WOW 👍👍
Thankyou Swahili! 😃
My Epi LP came factory fitted with Gibson 57 pickups
and fairly decent electronics.
But what it needs is work on the frets and nut.
That's awesome it came with those pickups and electronics :) Having a re-fret, new nut and a good setup has made this feel like a high end guitar
@@TheLickLoft It's a circa 2014 / 15 Epi LP Tribute Plus.
All the upgraded components, but a poor set up brand new straight out the box.
Frets and nut are tolerable for medium higher than optimum action, but needed better quality control at the factory.
@@garycrant4511 Thanks Gary will look them up :) I cant remember a time where I've bought a guitar I've been happy with the setup to be honest, obviously some are worse than others!
Do they still make them pick ups? Cant find them anywhere cheers
My 05 LP epiphone is stock and is great. Korean made.
Where can I find an output Jack plate?
Wow! The intro!
Good lord the top on that thing!!!
Awesome Intro!
Thankyou! 🙌
Thanks for the video that is a beautiful guitar you have there I have a silverburst with custom shop Billy Gibbons pearly Gates and I took the wiring out and I installed tone man 50s wiring and Grover locking tuners it's has a ebony fretborad I put a switch Kraft input Jack and and switch and I put over sized chrome pickup rings and I put some tone pros on it and last I got the frets leveled and polished it sounds awesome I own two Epiphone guitars I have a orange standard Pro that one I put a JB and Jazz and a walrus nut new switch Kraft Jack and switch I am modifing that one too little by little Epiphone Guitars Rock that's all I play once and awhile I pull out my Fender Stratocaster Elite.
Thank you for watching Patrick! That silverburst with the Pearly Gates sounds killer!! Sounds like you have some nice guitars! :)
Which specific pots did you use? I totally agree about your pick-up advice. For my style tone not hot.
"The Two Accountants" I've heard about you guys, but didn’t know ya'll had such chops!
Haha the 2 accountants! 😂 Thank you Butler! We've had a few comments like this, maybe we need to change our look!
The Lick Loft: no...don’t change anything! That’s you’re edge! 😉👍
@@BCTGuitarPlayer thanks Butler! Appreciate the support!
22 Epi 50s LP- Faber hardware, Wolfetone Legends pickups, and rewired it with more vintage correct components.
the only thing I want from a les paul is to stay in tune..
Don't we all!!
Proper setup is key to it staying in tune
Gibson T6 tailpiece and Floyd Rose FRX locking nut. Or TW25B military gun lube on nut and saddles. Problem solved. Have a nice day 😀
Not gonna lie; my Epi Les Paul stays in tune wonderfully... Is it common for them to de-tune quickly..?
Epiphones stay in tune very good
Wow!! What are the pickups? What brand and model.
Thanks guys love your video that Epiphone sounds fantastic.I’ve just collected my new Epiphone ‘50s Heritage Standard Cherry Sunburst the pots are CTS 500 like yours with the ‘50s wiring they fantastic value for the money.🎼🎶👍
Looking at your guitar that Sunburst is amazing!!!!🙂
Hey! that's awesome, the new Epiphones are out of this world! Glad you are happy
It is pretty special! Definitely got lucky!
Sounding good! I went a little silly with my epiphone... Re radiused and refretted, new nut, new electronics, Tim Shaw Pickups and Grovers both from a mates 1986 Gibson Les Paul Custom.
It's on my channel if you wanted to see!
Do you have links for the products
Good afternoon. Great job. The guitar tune is wonderfull. Can tell the specs of the changes you made? Brand etc..?
For:
1. Bone nut
2. Pickup Switch
3. Pickups
4. Volume and Tone pots
5. Input Jack
I have a Epiphone LP Modern 2020 with push and pull button for fase and split that i would like to upgrade. Rgds.
I keep the pups but trash the guts. Replace with CTS pots, Switchcraft components and wire them 50's style. Add a Tusq nut and sounds great!
I hear wiring them 50's style makes a big difference! :)
@@TheLickLoft Yes, it all comes down to personal taste, but I like it. Gives the tone a bit more definition if that makes any sence.
@@12south31 yeah that does, thank you!
I got a 1996 Korean Epi LP, I did a few mods and it plays and sounds great!
Awesome :) what mods did you do?
The Lick Loft Changed pickups to Gibson (498t and 490r), nut(graphitec), tuners (Gotoh, great ones 😃), pots. May have had other mod(s) that I don't remember but basically were these. :)
@@Marcoshary sounds amazing! Not too dissimilar to what we did here :)
The Lick Loft Exactly. Very similar,, actually. 😃
Could you provide the brand and list of the new parts you have put in the guitar?
Where do you find an epi with a top like that??
Great playing
Thankyou! Really appreciate it
What are the best pick ups for hard rock and clean tones? The classic 57s? The SH-55s by Duncan? The 490T/498Rs that they are putting in new Customs at Gibson?
Thanks - I'm about to do the Faber Master upgrade to an Epi '59 Les Paul. P.S. Bone nuts are made from bone - not from scratch :o)
More interested in what amp and set up you use
Hey for this video I believe it was the Kemper, on an Andy James jcm800 profile. Thanks
Curious to know what you're playing this through as well. That makes a difference as well no?
Hmm I'm interested in those pickups. For me I mostly use the neck pickup or the neck n bridge together (not exclusively ) my most important control on any guitar is the volume
Couldn't agree more Jacob, all about the volume taper, having the pots changed as well as the pickups has made the world of difference
Basically replace everything but the body
I had two gibson les pauls. Couldn't keep them in tune. Traded them in on epuphones and love em.
Glad your happy now!
Did it use the long shaft or short shaft pots?
Bonjour ,pourriez vous noter en réponse les nouveau micros que vous avez monté , Merci
You guys play fantastic and that Epi screams, I love it. Do you feel that bone sounds better than Tusq?
Thanks so much Ronald! I don't honestly know but all of the techs I meet swear by them so it's always something we tend to do as it's a relitively inexpensive mod. Saying that my favourite guitar has a brass nut so who knows!
I do have a different Les Paul style guitar that may need locking tuners Which ones would you recommend? I liked and Subscribed.
I have been seriously thinking about buying a birdseye maple cap 94 epi. I'm looking for a stock one with out any modifications that hasn't been beat to death. Those guitars have a full maple cap on them and look fantastic.
Good luck with your search :) hope you find the right one!
Spot on regarding pickup output. Moderate output is infinitely better. All these active pickups are horrendous.
Thanks Don, plenty of people who love the higher outputs, but we get more dynamics with the way we play with lower output pickups
wow what a great vid and sound.. Is that going through the kemper? what profile is it?
Hey thank you, I believe it was an Andy James JCM 800 profile!
www.stltones.com/products/andy-james-signature-bundle
Profile 19 on his info sheet, thanks!
@@TheLickLoft incredible playing as well.. really good to find you on youtube
@@tanza1435 thank you appreciate it! Not sure we'll manage to do any more videos again but hopefully one day 🤞
@@TheLickLoft aw man i hope so.. i never subscribe to channels but i did to yours.. you guys work good together
Guys, great playing. I was hoping you would list the upgrades used. What pickups etc.
Hi Steve my apologies, I'll reply to this comment again later with the list of everything and put it in the description too.
@@TheLickLoft No problem. Glad you are going to do this.
@@steveroberts Handcrafted bone nut and new frets by Eastbourne Guitar Workshop, Switchcraft pickup selector switch and input jack, CTS pots with custom series/parallel switching capability by NRG Effects, Mojo Pickups - Low Output PAF's. That's all the info I have at the top of my head, if you want any more specifics let me know and I'll get back to you asap :)
@@TheLickLoft Thanks. That will keep me going. Don't recognise some of that stuff. Thanks again. As to your previous question, no I haven't modified a guitar. That's why I'm so interested. One day I will. Thanks again.
@@steveroberts let us know if you ever have any questions :)
Were is the link for pick ups
www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/paf-vintage-59/
Intro playing was insane, LMAO
I have one of the 90s Korean LPs in dire need of all of this!
Awesome, let us know how you get on !
Suena Fantastica esa Epiphone Les Paul.. tiene un acabado de la tapa precioso me recuerda a una Epiphone Ultra que tuve.. en la actualidad tengo 3 Epiphone y 5 Gibson, y sinceramente a veces me dejan asombrado los sonidos de las nuevas Epiphone 2020 con sus nuevos ProBucker U.S.A.. la ultima en llegar fue la Les Paul Modern (Burgundy) que me ha sorprendido de lo magnifica que es..
un saludo 🙌
I have a 90's sparkly blue Epiphone Les Paul I've had since a kid. I'm going to spend a decent amount of money to upgrade the parts. I know could just sell the guitar and use the money I would have spent of the parts to buy a Gibson, but I would rather just have my Epiphone because of what the guitar means to me.
That's awesome Europa, that's why we did this. We didn't buy a new guitar to try and change everything about it, it was a neglected guitar that was unplayable before this transformation and meant a lot to Rich
2020 Epiphones LP Modern with TUSQ nut, locking tuners, and CTS pots save us some upgrade money. (pickups are decent too)
Great points Christopher! We are checking out the new range next week and really excited to do so, this was an old guitar that needed alot of work where as you are right, a new 2020 model will need little/no work depending on what you are after!
That is the best looking, best sounding epi I have ever seen/heard! What is the actual name of the pups on you epi?
Hey Derek thanks! Definitely got lucky finding it all those years ago! They are by www.mojopickups.co.uk and they are the Vintage PAF's. They aren't always listed on the website for some reason but if you shoot them an email, they will make you them for sure :)
@@TheLickLoft thanks for your reply, much appreciated 😃 I'm looking at buying one of the new epi les Paul customs due to the new electronics they are using and putting some good PAFS in and I think it will be these for sure🤘
Thanks again for your reply guys and keep rocking!
I have a 2008 Epi LP Special (also built in the Samick factory!)...I do want to put new tuners
on eventually but it is a VERY good instrument overall :)
Is it a Gibson???
No but it'll give a $2500 LP a good race in the recording studio :) :)
Them pickups sound great! Rich are they the mojo pickups vintage PAF Low output ones cheers
Hey Mark thanks! they sure are :)
So a TUSK or Graphtek nut is no good? WHY is that? Is it bone only???
Nice soloing! What background music is that?
Thanks alot! It's a backing track we used in our "lick like Phil x video". Rich made it!
Nothing Epiphone, at the time sadly, but do own a lovely 1995 Samick Artist Series LP type guitar I call Prudence! :) Have owned it nearly the 9 years my son's been alive and I adore both greatly!!! 😍🙂 Rock on you guys and keep up the great work! Merry Christmas! I've since upgraded it with Guitar Fetish zebra buckers, all new pots, and some neat old-school nickel top with black backing knobs! :)
Thanks Sean! You too! Hope you had a great day, that guitar sounds awesome! Would love to see it!?
Woah - such a superb intro! Wonder what happened to this channel? 🤔