@Bobcoolest The songs at the end of the video are 1) "Gloria" by the Shadows of Knight, 2) "Black Magic Woman" by Santana, and 3) "Day Tripper" by The Beatles.
I really like the sound of your instrument. Even in the clean position the quality of the setup is noticeable. Years ago I loved only expensive guitars. I was a guitar snob. One day I played a cheap acoustic guitar that was used as a rental in a music store. It sounded great. It played great. The store wouldn't sell it to me. Since then I've changed my mind and refuse to purchase an expensive guitar, nothing over $400 new. The ones I really like are the under $200 models. With work they're great
@MrMoneyHelper Thanks for your kind words. Expensive guitars are certainly a treat. However, I would not attempt to modify one 1) for fear of ruining it and 2) because it would kill the value of the instrument. I'm very happy to hot-rod an inexpensive used guitar. With careful work, one can end up with a fine sounding instrument that plays very nicely.
@Howardtripper The Epi Les Paul Jr. is routed for one pickup. However, the Les Paul 100 is routed for two. It would be easier to replace two pickups on the Les Paul 100 than drill out a second cavity for a pickup on the Les Paul Jr. (I wanted only one pickup on my guitar. Just personal preference.)
@Tecumseh1812 My guitar sounds the way it does because I installed a GFS overwound humbucker from GuitarFetish . com. Their products are quite good and very inexpensive. They are most likely imported, but who cares. They work!
@Cuervo4992 Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment. I've seen the stopbar combo bridges and would use one on a good quality guitar. The L.P. Jr. in this video is an inexpensive used student model. An adjustable wraparound tailpiece would cost more than the guitar itself!
@Farbocaster not really, they cost around 30 or 40 dollars and with the amount of work you have in it already it seems as though you put more in it than it cost already haha.
Hey Louis, was the guitar fairly decent out-of-the-box? I'm considering selling my nice guitar for bill money plus one of these Juniors, but it will be sometime before I can do the mods I'd like to do on it. Thanks for your video, it really shows "what can be!"
@orangesv650 Hi. Thanks for writing. The Epi Les Paul Jr. is a very inexpensive student guitar. The body is plywood and the hardware is cheap. If you have a good guitar, you will probably be disappointed by the Epi.
The Epi is OK if you want to try your hand at modifying. Get a used one and don't spend a lot of money.
If possible, I would keep the good guitar. (What kind of guitar is it?)
@Farbocaster Hey, my guitar is a 2001 Dearmond M77T. I tried out a $139 Epiphone SG at a local music store, with similar construction to the Junior, and decided against it. It was too much of a "sound quality decrease." However, I might get a Junior when I get some extra dough. I think a Jr. would make an excellent slide guitar if I installed a brass nut, jacked up the action, and put in a Pearly Gates pickup!
@orangesv650 Hi. Thanks for your comment. I would stay away from the Epi Les Paul Jr. I learned my lesson. It is inexpensive because it is meant to be a student's first guitar. Unfortunately, the quality suffers just as it does on the Epi. SG. If you want an Epi, get a Les Paul Studio. It's the least expensive Epi with a glued neck. The quality is much, much better. You can probably pick up a nice used one for a good price. My Epi LP Studio is a good guitar!
@AlanSturgess I used Gotoh mini-tuners. If I'm not mistaken, they are model SG38 which I purchased from Warmoth (warmoth.com). Under five dollars apiece.
Thanks for your kind words. This particular Epi Les Paul was originally a sunburst. Removing the finish was quite difficult, but, in the end, it came out very nice.
The new pickup makes a lot of difference, especially since it's a hot, overwound pickup. (The Epi pickups are not bad for the price. However, the new ones a much better. Listen to my guitar/pickup comparison.)
The neck adjustments were maxed out. The bridge was as low as it could go. He needed to put in the shim in order to lower the action. The shim is quite thin, but it does the job. The action is much better now.
Thank you for your nice comment. I checked your YouTube page and saw your live Spinal Tap's live rendition of "Big Bottom." I've seen it a number of times before and LOVE it. In fact, I have it saved to my favorites too. Aren't the dancing girls great!!!!!
great video, love the guitar :). i love the way youve added in the cutaways in the body like the prs and sg curves. im a big fan of the les paul junior but always thought it was way to bulky like a les paul standard. i would like to try this out on a epiphone junior soon hopefully, brilliant work sir :D kind regards
Hi Matt. I appreciate your kind words. Adding contours to the Les Paul Jr. definitely makes it more comfortable. A bit lighter too.
Be forewarned, the inexpensive Juniors are made of low quality plywood (which is one reason they are cheaper.) If you do woodworking, be prepared to fix up some bad spots. Also, the polyurethane finish is not easy to remove. It won't come off with paint removers. You will have to do a lot of sanding. Good luck with your mods.
@Farbocaster i thought it was plywood cus i have epiphone 57 reissue junior and thats made from mahogany and its a bit more heavier then the cheap junior models, many thanks for you tips and help sir :)
Another idea would be to buy a Les Paul Jr. kit and start from scratch. That way you would (hopefully) be working with better quality wood and won't have to deal with the messy process of removing the original finish.
Hi pigpen. Thanks for watching. I had this design in my mind for many years before I actually turned it into a real guitar. I'm happy with the way it came out.
If you have a design idea, why not give it a go? If you like it, that's all that counts.
Hi. Thanks for watching my video. I'm not an expert in guitar woods, so I'm not the person to ask. I suggest that you go onto one of the large manufacturer's forums and ask around. You will certainly find knowledgeable people there.
get what i got for my epi les paul jr that i modded... a badass bridge. it has adjustable saddles. unless you wanna stick w/ the traditional wraparound, then thats ur bag. i tink the badass sounds better anyway
surely guitars with just a stop tail bridge dont have good intonation unless the placement of it was perfect, even then its still not perfect, or am i wrong?
You are correct in that the intonation cannot be adjusted on a stop tail bridge. I haven't checked, but there might be an adjustable one on the market. I say this because I have a roller bridge with some back-and-forth play. Nonetheless Les Paul Jr.s are cool guitars. Mine is a cheap Epi with a bolt-on neck, so the intonation is not an issue for me.
I just checked. Wilkinson makes an adjustable stop tailpiece bridge. Also, the Stewart MacDonald catalog carries one in which each string is adjustable.
To make the pickups hotter, instead of completely changing them, you can change the stock magnets to more powerful magnet such as an A5, ceramic or neo magnet (those are listed in order from least powerful to most powerful). Although adding more powerful magnets will make it hotter, it will take away from the bass and warmth of the pickup. For a warmer sound you can use an A2 magnet.
its all cool and nice, but with that kind of skills and tools, wouldnt it be easier to build yourself a new guitar from the beginning? the wood on an epiphone junior must be a piece of crap
You raise a good point. If I had a complete wood shop with a router, drill press, etc., I would most likely build a guitar using my own body design and a pre-manufactured neck. (I love Warmoth necks.) However, I don't have a wood shop, so modifying guitars is the way to go.
Nice video, one question, did thinning the neck effect the straightness of hte neck? I noticed you said the guitar needed to be setup by a pro, is that why?
hi that was a great mod. check out my channel and see my epiphone les paul 100 mod. the pickup selector allows u to switch between clean and distortion
Ill go out on a limb and say you like a bit of surf guitar.
You said that its got some low action which gives it a better sound, but from my experience, higher action is harder to play but gives a stronger sustain
I've always liked low action and thin necks. Just my preference.
You may be right about the high action giving better sustain. Sustain also comes from a number of other factors including the type of pickups, type of neck joint (set vs. bolt-on), bridge and tailpiece hardware, etc. One manufacturer has "sustainerator" pickups that go on forever until you take your finger off the string.. I forget which manufacturer it is....
I know the one your talking about, i forget what company. But there is the "sustainer" same idea, put out by fernandes. the reason I like the sustain on the high action is really just due to the feel of bends and taps
that's awesome! i love seeing cheap guitars turned into monstrous machines like this. i've started doing something like this a couple times myself, but i just end up with a big mess of gutted guitars and mismatched hardware.
Hi Zac. Thanks for your kind words. I enjoy doing these mods very much. In fact, I am currently working on an Epi. Les Paul Studio. I have gutted it, shaved down the neck, and am almost done with the re-finish. I made a mistake, but it was fixable. I purchased GFS overwound humbuckers and a wiring kit to install when the neck is done.
Be sure to see my mod of the blue Epi. Les Paul Standard. It is more detailed than white guitar video. I think you'll like it.
sorry man but i wouldnt call this a mod. a mod to me is adding internal fuzz internal delay and like matthew bellamy guitar stuff but anyway the guitar looks sounds, and probably feels great like you said.
Hi. Thanks for your message. I think mods can take many forms. One can do wood working mods. One can do electronic mods. One can add things like a Bigsby, a Floyd Rose, new tuners,etc. One can also do a custom paint job. Adding effects to a guitar is cool too. In my opinion, they're all good. As long as you get a guitar that plays and sounds like you want, modding is a good thing to do.
Thanks for your comment. That's the whole idea. I wanted to make a guitar that feels, plays, and sounds better. (Be sure to check out my mods on the blue Epi Les Paul Standard too.)
I'm using the original bridge/tailpiece that came on the guitar. It's a wrap-around bridge/tailpiece. This particular guitar does not come with separate bridge and tailpiece assemblies.
Looks neat, must have taken a lot of time. I don`t trust that shimming thing though, massive wood cantact is the way to go. If something is wrong with the neck angle or if there is some laquer in the pocket, i just file it away.
It´s not reversible so you really have to double check.
i dont really like the cutaways you made to make it look like an sg. personally i think you cant really call it a les paul with so many mods to a nice guitar
My thoughts exactly, Pony. Mine cost approx. $100 used. It was the first guitar on which I attempted extensive body alterations, and it was the right guitar for my purposes. I wouldn't want to wreck a $1,200 Gibson on my first try.
I wish I hadn't just gotten the beautiful sunburst Junior. I'd love to do those comfort mods but I'd have to pick a new color. Nice video. Those comfort cuts are brilliant. I'm a strat player who is getting used to the hard edges of an LP.
Good mod ideas. Especially sculpting the body for greater comfort and thinning that chunky neck. You shoulda demo'd some Lamb of God Riffs though. LOL!
Nice setup you got there! Proof that you can make a cheap guitar sound great! I'm actually thinking about grabbing myself a cheap Les Paul Junior... Strip the paint, carve it a bit like you did, and maybe even take my router to it and give it a pocket for a neck pickup...
It looks really beautiful. I own this model of epiphone ,I'm a begginer but I'd LOVE to get my guitar tricked out like this. It looks totally RAD in white. Awesome job.
The comment regarding the 2500 dollar J's isnt the proper comparison, take towo cheapo, such as these Epi's have one set up by a knowledgeable tech, and the other rock stock, youll get the pricture. If your guitar has never been set up by a tech, and you are not able, or dont want to learn on your baby, find a good tech, and start developing a realtionship, they need to know as much as possible regarding play style and many other little things that help.
Nice job. And you didnt forget to mantiuon the paint, but twice cant hurt. Sadly so many guys who are great players no so little about the way a guitar is put together and setup, Go buy a cheapo guitar and use it too learn, its not that hard to learn to set up your guitars as the pros do it, lots of good books and videos. You can have 2500 Jacskons(or whatever) one set up by a pro,and the other as it comes from the factory 'Set Up', and youll be blown away.
2 humbucker Les Paul special?Dude go on ebay,depending on what music you like,go on Ebay and look up GFS pickups,theyre awesome and extremely cheap theyve got PAF style humbuckers that sound great,buy that,some Gibson style tuners,a graphite nut,orange drop caps,CTS 500k pots,strap locks and Earnie ball strings,do you know how much ass that guitar would kick?
You are correct. The Epi. Les Paul Jr. does not come with a neck pickup. Please note that in my mod, the pick guard was removed, the screw holes were filled, and the entire guitar was painted white.
That's really cool! It looks and sounds great. I've never modded any of my guitars, but this makes me want to give it a try sometime. A cheap Epi Les Paul seems like the perfect guitar to learn on, too. Do you mind me asking how much one could expect to be charged for a similar professional setup (nut replacement, neck attachment shim, etc.)?
Thanks for your kind words. I love doing these projects and I'm very pleased with the way this one turned out. It certainly took me long enough to complete it! Best wishes,
Bloody hell! Reeally good job!
Jaap95 2 months ago
@Jaap95 Thanks for you kind words and thanks for watching. Best wishes....
Farbocaster 2 months ago
Thumbs up you you know that the song from 0:14 to 0:37 is Black Magic Woman by Santana!!
Bobcoolest 4 months ago 3
@Bobcoolest Thanks you for your kind words. Yes, the song is "Black Magic Woman."
Farbocaster 4 months ago
@Farbocaster What about the others?
Bobcoolest 4 months ago
@Bobcoolest The songs at the end of the video are 1) "Gloria" by the Shadows of Knight, 2) "Black Magic Woman" by Santana, and 3) "Day Tripper" by The Beatles.
Farbocaster 4 months ago
I really like the sound of your instrument. Even in the clean position the quality of the setup is noticeable. Years ago I loved only expensive guitars. I was a guitar snob. One day I played a cheap acoustic guitar that was used as a rental in a music store. It sounded great. It played great. The store wouldn't sell it to me. Since then I've changed my mind and refuse to purchase an expensive guitar, nothing over $400 new. The ones I really like are the under $200 models. With work they're great
MrMoneyHelper 9 months ago
@MrMoneyHelper Thanks for your kind words. Expensive guitars are certainly a treat. However, I would not attempt to modify one 1) for fear of ruining it and 2) because it would kill the value of the instrument. I'm very happy to hot-rod an inexpensive used guitar. With careful work, one can end up with a fine sounding instrument that plays very nicely.
Farbocaster 9 months ago
Wouldent it have been nice to install a single coil picup in the neck
Howardtripper 10 months ago
@Howardtripper The Epi Les Paul Jr. is routed for one pickup. However, the Les Paul 100 is routed for two. It would be easier to replace two pickups on the Les Paul 100 than drill out a second cavity for a pickup on the Les Paul Jr. (I wanted only one pickup on my guitar. Just personal preference.)
Farbocaster 10 months ago
sounds horrible!
kakabulle243 1 year ago
@kakabulle243 lol you really have no clue do u lol
Wizzbangify 9 months ago
i love me a LP Jr
Tecumseh1812 1 year ago
@Tecumseh1812 They're real cool, aren't they?
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Tecumseh1812 I love me own and yours sounds even better than mine ! Mines a mod Epi also.
Tecumseh1812 1 year ago
@Tecumseh1812 My guitar sounds the way it does because I installed a GFS overwound humbucker from GuitarFetish . com. Their products are quite good and very inexpensive. They are most likely imported, but who cares. They work!
Farbocaster 1 year ago
very beautiful. you should get a stopbar tunomatic combo bridge from stewmac it would help the intonation allot.
Cuervo4992 1 year ago
@Cuervo4992 Thanks for watching and thanks for your comment. I've seen the stopbar combo bridges and would use one on a good quality guitar. The L.P. Jr. in this video is an inexpensive used student model. An adjustable wraparound tailpiece would cost more than the guitar itself!
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster not really, they cost around 30 or 40 dollars and with the amount of work you have in it already it seems as though you put more in it than it cost already haha.
Cuervo4992 1 year ago
@Cuervo4992 That's why I don't want to put in any more!!!
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster haha ok.
Cuervo4992 1 year ago
Hey Louis, was the guitar fairly decent out-of-the-box? I'm considering selling my nice guitar for bill money plus one of these Juniors, but it will be sometime before I can do the mods I'd like to do on it. Thanks for your video, it really shows "what can be!"
orangesv650 1 year ago
@orangesv650 Hi. Thanks for writing. The Epi Les Paul Jr. is a very inexpensive student guitar. The body is plywood and the hardware is cheap. If you have a good guitar, you will probably be disappointed by the Epi.
The Epi is OK if you want to try your hand at modifying. Get a used one and don't spend a lot of money.
If possible, I would keep the good guitar. (What kind of guitar is it?)
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster Hey, my guitar is a 2001 Dearmond M77T. I tried out a $139 Epiphone SG at a local music store, with similar construction to the Junior, and decided against it. It was too much of a "sound quality decrease." However, I might get a Junior when I get some extra dough. I think a Jr. would make an excellent slide guitar if I installed a brass nut, jacked up the action, and put in a Pearly Gates pickup!
orangesv650 1 year ago
@orangesv650 Hi. Thanks for your comment. I would stay away from the Epi Les Paul Jr. I learned my lesson. It is inexpensive because it is meant to be a student's first guitar. Unfortunately, the quality suffers just as it does on the Epi. SG. If you want an Epi, get a Les Paul Studio. It's the least expensive Epi with a glued neck. The quality is much, much better. You can probably pick up a nice used one for a good price. My Epi LP Studio is a good guitar!
Farbocaster 1 year ago
nice the guitar
daniel0202ap 1 year ago
@daniel0202ap Thank you Daniel. I appreciate it.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
i love this guitar......but i don't like you
13thfbass 1 year ago
@13thfbass Glad you like my guitar. You don't have to like me. It's a free country!
Farbocaster 1 year ago 2
Which model Gotoh tuners did you fit?
AlanSturgess 1 year ago
@AlanSturgess I used Gotoh mini-tuners. If I'm not mistaken, they are model SG38 which I purchased from Warmoth (warmoth.com). Under five dollars apiece.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
wat was the point of the song in the beginning i thought it was kinda cool but very simple....
ChodeRigga 1 year ago
I wanted to demonstrate the guitar before I described the mods. I wanted him/her to get a sense as to what the outcome would be.
The song is "Black Magic Woman" by Santana.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster o i get it thanks dude ima go and try this out can u keep making vids?
ChodeRigga 1 year ago
I intend to continue making vids. You might want to check out my blue Epi Les Paul and Epi Les Paul Studio for ideas.
Be forewarned.... The finish on the Epi Les Paul Jr. is thick and very hard to remove. You will need a good electric sander.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Lou
Farbocaster 1 year ago
i have an electric fender but ima do my acoustic first for practice on slimming it down and painting it
mydarkperfection 1 year ago
Thanks for watching. If you need any help, just let me know.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
i like it it looks really nice im working on a mod myself
mydarkperfection 1 year ago
What sort of mod are you doing and what guitar is it on?
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster its an acoustic starcaster and im doing a paint job and shaping the body its kinda hard to reach the bottom frets
mydarkperfection 1 year ago
0:15 *clap* Know the riff,
ManofWario 1 year ago
White guitar - awesome! Very refreshing after lots of awulf sunburst LPs.
Really, very nice-looking guitar. Very simple and modest. Musical instruments are to play music not to look.
Max0Inq 1 year ago
Thanks for your kind words. This particular Epi Les Paul was originally a sunburst. Removing the finish was quite difficult, but, in the end, it came out very nice.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
Can you play, "Over the hills and far away"?
treelifeUK 1 year ago
Sounds like a fun project, but does it actually sound better afterwards and how much of the difference is down to aftermarket pickups do u think?
Couldn't you lower the action more traditionally with truss rod and saddle height without shimming the neck?
KX36 1 year ago
The new pickup makes a lot of difference, especially since it's a hot, overwound pickup. (The Epi pickups are not bad for the price. However, the new ones a much better. Listen to my guitar/pickup comparison.)
The neck adjustments were maxed out. The bridge was as low as it could go. He needed to put in the shim in order to lower the action. The shim is quite thin, but it does the job. The action is much better now.
Thanks for watching.
Lou
Farbocaster 1 year ago
I love your videos, keep up the good work!
coolmaster101 1 year ago
Thank you for your nice comment. I checked your YouTube page and saw your live Spinal Tap's live rendition of "Big Bottom." I've seen it a number of times before and LOVE it. In fact, I have it saved to my favorites too. Aren't the dancing girls great!!!!!
Best wishes,
Lou
Farbocaster 1 year ago
need to spend a lil time with a metronome
koocaracha 1 year ago
Good stuff.
You're a pro.
bosszeroboss 1 year ago
Not really a pro. Just a hobbyist. I do this for fun. Thanks for your positive feedback. Glad you liked my video.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster
Seriously, good stuff.
You obviously know what you're doing.
bosszeroboss 1 year ago
Thanks, again, for your kind words. I enjoy my projects and I'm still learning.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
great video, love the guitar :). i love the way youve added in the cutaways in the body like the prs and sg curves. im a big fan of the les paul junior but always thought it was way to bulky like a les paul standard. i would like to try this out on a epiphone junior soon hopefully, brilliant work sir :D kind regards
xxmattyreynolds92xx 1 year ago
Hi Matt. I appreciate your kind words. Adding contours to the Les Paul Jr. definitely makes it more comfortable. A bit lighter too.
Be forewarned, the inexpensive Juniors are made of low quality plywood (which is one reason they are cheaper.) If you do woodworking, be prepared to fix up some bad spots. Also, the polyurethane finish is not easy to remove. It won't come off with paint removers. You will have to do a lot of sanding. Good luck with your mods.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
@Farbocaster i thought it was plywood cus i have epiphone 57 reissue junior and thats made from mahogany and its a bit more heavier then the cheap junior models, many thanks for you tips and help sir :)
xxmattyreynolds92xx 1 year ago
Another idea would be to buy a Les Paul Jr. kit and start from scratch. That way you would (hopefully) be working with better quality wood and won't have to deal with the messy process of removing the original finish.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
it looks pretty... but i personally don't like the contoured sides and back... just my opinion
pigpen3085 1 year ago
Hi pigpen. Thanks for watching. I had this design in my mind for many years before I actually turned it into a real guitar. I'm happy with the way it came out.
If you have a design idea, why not give it a go? If you like it, that's all that counts.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
your the man! love your vids.
MMAFan2211 1 year ago
Thank you very much. I appreciate you kind words too. Thanks for watching.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
That's a nice body mod. :)
andy92811 1 year ago
Thanks, Andy. I appreciate your kind words. This was my first attempt at body work.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
How does this sound distorted with the new pickups?
dmyers93 2 years ago
The new pickups have extra windings of wire and, therefore, a stronger magnetic field. This gives them a "hotter" sound.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
whats the body made from?
bebenavole 2 years ago
The body is plywood - cheap plywood. This is a very inexpensive guitar that's made from low quality materials. It's intended to be a student guitar.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
@Farbocaster does a guitar body need to be of air-dried wood??
or can i pick up some basswood form a local wood-retailer??
broeder6x6 1 year ago
Hi. Thanks for watching my video. I'm not an expert in guitar woods, so I'm not the person to ask. I suggest that you go onto one of the large manufacturer's forums and ask around. You will certainly find knowledgeable people there.
Farbocaster 1 year ago
n ironically, i was just playin black magic woman on my modded epi lpj just a bit ago lol
ishootsquirals 2 years ago
get what i got for my epi les paul jr that i modded... a badass bridge. it has adjustable saddles. unless you wanna stick w/ the traditional wraparound, then thats ur bag. i tink the badass sounds better anyway
ishootsquirals 2 years ago
surely guitars with just a stop tail bridge dont have good intonation unless the placement of it was perfect, even then its still not perfect, or am i wrong?
razorrick1293 2 years ago
You are correct in that the intonation cannot be adjusted on a stop tail bridge. I haven't checked, but there might be an adjustable one on the market. I say this because I have a roller bridge with some back-and-forth play. Nonetheless Les Paul Jr.s are cool guitars. Mine is a cheap Epi with a bolt-on neck, so the intonation is not an issue for me.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
I just checked. Wilkinson makes an adjustable stop tailpiece bridge. Also, the Stewart MacDonald catalog carries one in which each string is adjustable.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
sounds good il check it out and might use it, thanks
razorrick1293 2 years ago
I just saw that Schaller makes one too. Stew-mac has it too.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
To make the pickups hotter, instead of completely changing them, you can change the stock magnets to more powerful magnet such as an A5, ceramic or neo magnet (those are listed in order from least powerful to most powerful). Although adding more powerful magnets will make it hotter, it will take away from the bass and warmth of the pickup. For a warmer sound you can use an A2 magnet.
guitarfreak55555 2 years ago
Thanks for your suggestion. I had not thought of your modifying pickups. I have never done it, but it might be fun to try.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
Awesome mods and playing!
FooNewb 2 years ago
Thanks for you kind words. And thanks for watching.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
its all cool and nice, but with that kind of skills and tools, wouldnt it be easier to build yourself a new guitar from the beginning? the wood on an epiphone junior must be a piece of crap
Olpaj 2 years ago
Hi. Thanks for watching.
You raise a good point. If I had a complete wood shop with a router, drill press, etc., I would most likely build a guitar using my own body design and a pre-manufactured neck. (I love Warmoth necks.) However, I don't have a wood shop, so modifying guitars is the way to go.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
yeah i suppose you don't have a factory but theres a number of videos showing guitars built by hand at home by different people
Olpaj 2 years ago
Oooo... passive pick ups ill never go back. i like what you've done to this cheepy, it looks nice and smooth and enough room in all the right places.
VileMisanthropy 2 years ago
Nice video, one question, did thinning the neck effect the straightness of hte neck? I noticed you said the guitar needed to be setup by a pro, is that why?
Thanks for posting...
gwkdad 2 years ago
hi that was a great mod. check out my channel and see my epiphone les paul 100 mod. the pickup selector allows u to switch between clean and distortion
MurliSlu 2 years ago
Ill go out on a limb and say you like a bit of surf guitar.
You said that its got some low action which gives it a better sound, but from my experience, higher action is harder to play but gives a stronger sustain
qwerty123123ify 2 years ago
I've always liked low action and thin necks. Just my preference.
You may be right about the high action giving better sustain. Sustain also comes from a number of other factors including the type of pickups, type of neck joint (set vs. bolt-on), bridge and tailpiece hardware, etc. One manufacturer has "sustainerator" pickups that go on forever until you take your finger off the string.. I forget which manufacturer it is....
Farbocaster 2 years ago
I know the one your talking about, i forget what company. But there is the "sustainer" same idea, put out by fernandes. the reason I like the sustain on the high action is really just due to the feel of bends and taps
qwerty123123ify 2 years ago
I was referring to the Fernandes "Sustainer." I couldn't remember who made it. Thanks for reminding me.
I do a lot of bends but still like low action. It simply feels more comfortable to me. Just my preference. I don't tap. Never learned how.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
i know jackson also makes a guitar with a sustainer pickup in it not sure if its the same thing though
CHICKMAGNET66666 2 years ago
the "sustainerator" is called an e-bow
snwosusej 2 years ago
that's awesome! i love seeing cheap guitars turned into monstrous machines like this. i've started doing something like this a couple times myself, but i just end up with a big mess of gutted guitars and mismatched hardware.
zacg08 2 years ago
Hi Zac. Thanks for your kind words. I enjoy doing these mods very much. In fact, I am currently working on an Epi. Les Paul Studio. I have gutted it, shaved down the neck, and am almost done with the re-finish. I made a mistake, but it was fixable. I purchased GFS overwound humbuckers and a wiring kit to install when the neck is done.
Be sure to see my mod of the blue Epi. Les Paul Standard. It is more detailed than white guitar video. I think you'll like it.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
y r ur eyes so close together?
bballace122 2 years ago
I dunno. That's the way I am... LOL
Why do you ask silly questions?
Farbocaster 2 years ago
sorry man but i wouldnt call this a mod. a mod to me is adding internal fuzz internal delay and like matthew bellamy guitar stuff but anyway the guitar looks sounds, and probably feels great like you said.
Denis543 2 years ago
Hi. Thanks for your message. I think mods can take many forms. One can do wood working mods. One can do electronic mods. One can add things like a Bigsby, a Floyd Rose, new tuners,etc. One can also do a custom paint job. Adding effects to a guitar is cool too. In my opinion, they're all good. As long as you get a guitar that plays and sounds like you want, modding is a good thing to do.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
ok well thanks for opening my eyes to what a "mod" can be doesnt have to just effect the noise it can be in the looks too. thanks
Denis543 2 years ago
Interesting modifications.Considering how much the thing might have cost total,it seems like a great price to tone and playability ratio.
jKazej 2 years ago
Thanks for your comment. That's the whole idea. I wanted to make a guitar that feels, plays, and sounds better. (Be sure to check out my mods on the blue Epi Les Paul Standard too.)
Farbocaster 2 years ago
Pretty cool, but the intonation is really horrible!
DaanJM 2 years ago
Glad you liked the video. Have you seen my blue Epi Les Paul Standard mod?
Farbocaster 2 years ago
wow lame and sounds like shit !
hjaltif93 2 years ago
I assume you are referring to my playing. Actually, the guitar sounds a lot better with the new humbucker than it did with the old one.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
You're just using the tailpeice rather than the bridge?
Hasn't that ruined the guitars itonation?
twigslayer 2 years ago
I'm using the original bridge/tailpiece that came on the guitar. It's a wrap-around bridge/tailpiece. This particular guitar does not come with separate bridge and tailpiece assemblies.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
sounds nicer clean.
RandomoviesAreFun23 2 years ago
I agree, it does sound nice clean. It sounds really great dirty with the right amp settings. The overwound pickups are outstanding.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
Comment removed
kylethesk8er123 2 years ago
Looks neat, must have taken a lot of time. I don`t trust that shimming thing though, massive wood cantact is the way to go. If something is wrong with the neck angle or if there is some laquer in the pocket, i just file it away.
It´s not reversible so you really have to double check.
Keskin1975 2 years ago
i dont really like the cutaways you made to make it look like an sg. personally i think you cant really call it a les paul with so many mods to a nice guitar
but keep it up man
blackfire053 2 years ago
its not really a "nice" guitar to start with. It costs about 130$ and the playability matches that(at least mine does).
BarbecuedPony 2 years ago
My thoughts exactly, Pony. Mine cost approx. $100 used. It was the first guitar on which I attempted extensive body alterations, and it was the right guitar for my purposes. I wouldn't want to wreck a $1,200 Gibson on my first try.
Farbocaster 2 years ago
I wish I hadn't just gotten the beautiful sunburst Junior. I'd love to do those comfort mods but I'd have to pick a new color. Nice video. Those comfort cuts are brilliant. I'm a strat player who is getting used to the hard edges of an LP.
pollodelmar1 2 years ago
Good mod ideas. Especially sculpting the body for greater comfort and thinning that chunky neck. You shoulda demo'd some Lamb of God Riffs though. LOL!
hungrysparrow 2 years ago
thats pretty cool
ttime720 2 years ago
hey ol man, make me one of those
MarijuanaGood4U 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Good demo... but...... you... GRRRR!
nivek0270 2 years ago
oh my god that guitar looks freakin awesome. I want to buy it
kenisinoregon 2 years ago
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WHITE POWER NIGGA!
wackergy 2 years ago
Nice setup you got there! Proof that you can make a cheap guitar sound great! I'm actually thinking about grabbing myself a cheap Les Paul Junior... Strip the paint, carve it a bit like you did, and maybe even take my router to it and give it a pocket for a neck pickup...
How did you manage to cleanly mask the fretboard?
UntameZerg 3 years ago
Comment removed
UntameZerg 3 years ago
Very nice work! I put Duncan pickups in an Epiphone before I even think of it as playable. They are a great value if you like to modify your guitars.
jay08641 3 years ago
he sounds like ray romano but i love this guy to death :)
22112123 3 years ago
awesome great job!!!!!!!
indietro1959 3 years ago
yes santanna black magic woman is the song
pnwhlprv37 3 years ago
What song did he play at start, I recognise it but cant remember it, Santanta aint it?
RammsteinSonne1992 3 years ago 2
its santana black magic woman
DuDe1040 3 years ago 2
great job! it looks slick..very nice playing as well.
Skulldaman 3 years ago
Thanks for the nice comment, Skull.
Farbocaster 3 years ago
bye bye lol
thats sick dude very creative and turned out great
HarryMcGuitar 3 years ago
Hi Harry: Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it.
Farbocaster 3 years ago
You say you have a low action. What string heights at what fret and what's the height of pickup and and neck relieve etc.
MostynDuVal 3 years ago
I never actually measured the string heights. However, the guitar is much more comfortable and is a lot easier to play.
louthier 3 years ago
For some reason, I replied using my other YouTube identity. I wonder why I did that! LOL
Farbocaster 3 years ago
NOW PLAY SUM METALLICA!!=D
zevvay 3 years ago
It looks really beautiful. I own this model of epiphone ,I'm a begginer but I'd LOVE to get my guitar tricked out like this. It looks totally RAD in white. Awesome job.
Eoon 3 years ago
Hi. Thank you for your nice comment. I appreciate your kind words.
Farbocaster 3 years ago
Wow sounds very good! Very clean and crisp, I like it, very nice job!
xMike007x 3 years ago
with all the body mods you did. you pretty much shaped it like a low grade Ltd eclipse :P pretty sick mods.
mikizzle16 3 years ago
nicem to bad its only a bridge pickup. u shoulda threw a neck in too!
Gin132456 3 years ago
Sorry just too expand on the below ??
The comment regarding the 2500 dollar J's isnt the proper comparison, take towo cheapo, such as these Epi's have one set up by a knowledgeable tech, and the other rock stock, youll get the pricture. If your guitar has never been set up by a tech, and you are not able, or dont want to learn on your baby, find a good tech, and start developing a realtionship, they need to know as much as possible regarding play style and many other little things that help.
Graiskye 3 years ago
Nice job. And you didnt forget to mantiuon the paint, but twice cant hurt. Sadly so many guys who are great players no so little about the way a guitar is put together and setup, Go buy a cheapo guitar and use it too learn, its not that hard to learn to set up your guitars as the pros do it, lots of good books and videos. You can have 2500 Jacskons(or whatever) one set up by a pro,and the other as it comes from the factory 'Set Up', and youll be blown away.
Graiskye 3 years ago
How much did the mods cost total for it?
firebirdsr2fst4u 3 years ago
what song is that!!?? i forget..
XSoopaKoopaX 3 years ago
black magic woman
itsyourboygreg 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
day tripper by the beatles
guitargod248 3 years ago
amazing xD
Lagg12 3 years ago
that is a very sexy lp junior
gravediggmn 3 years ago
very, very nice. you put some effort in and you got out of it a very nice guitar. hope you enjoy it.
rocknrolll57 3 years ago
cool dude!!!
Arycke 3 years ago 2
nice i wish i could do that but no personal projects for me til im outta high school
AkumaGen007 3 years ago
wow lol can you do mine? mine is a epiphone special model. really crappy and i need an upgrade lol really nice man!
BiggErkk 3 years ago
2 humbucker Les Paul special?Dude go on ebay,depending on what music you like,go on Ebay and look up GFS pickups,theyre awesome and extremely cheap theyve got PAF style humbuckers that sound great,buy that,some Gibson style tuners,a graphite nut,orange drop caps,CTS 500k pots,strap locks and Earnie ball strings,do you know how much ass that guitar would kick?
rockerdude29 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It's cool but for your level u didn't need all those modifications...
konabikerstinkytotem 3 years ago
what was the total cost?
guitargdany007 3 years ago 2
hey lou, i have a question(sorry for my bad english im from germany.)
how do you close the hole of the second (neck)pickup ?
Thanks a lot :)
menshealthreader 3 years ago
that guitar never had a neck pickup in the first place
Erador 3 years ago
You are correct. The Epi. Les Paul Jr. does not come with a neck pickup. Please note that in my mod, the pick guard was removed, the screw holes were filled, and the entire guitar was painted white.
Farbocaster 3 years ago
epiphone juniors do not have neck pickups
gibshall 3 years ago
your thinking of the epiphone special II
Lprox96 3 years ago
Wow that is amazing
UnwrittenEpitaph 3 years ago
Sounds Great too!!
brandolito95 3 years ago
Sweet! You should start making your own Guitars... Unless you are... Which if you are making your own guitars, you should start your own business!!!
brandolito95 3 years ago
That's really cool! It looks and sounds great. I've never modded any of my guitars, but this makes me want to give it a try sometime. A cheap Epi Les Paul seems like the perfect guitar to learn on, too. Do you mind me asking how much one could expect to be charged for a similar professional setup (nut replacement, neck attachment shim, etc.)?
KillrBuckeye 3 years ago
Hi Larry:
Thanks for your kind words. I love doing these projects and I'm very pleased with the way this one turned out. It certainly took me long enough to complete it! Best wishes,
Lou
Farbocaster 3 years ago
Lou, you are DA MAN! That thing sounds really crisp! She looks very nice with all of the mods you've done, and sounds really cool! Great job, bro!
SilverHamer 3 years ago