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| Any point in customising my guitars? |
jesserowlings
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I have two electric guitars at the moment, one an Epiphone Les Paul Special II, one a 'Legend' Telecaster copy, practically a no-name brand. The Epi is not bad... I don't like it much though, and the Tele is quite decent for $300 AU. I was just wondering if there would be much point upgrading the electronics (pickups, switches, wiring, pots), or whether the results would be minor, and not worth the time and money. I was considering new pickups for both guitars, and new pots, at least. Also, replacing the capacitors on the blend pots on each guitar with a small part from StewMac. It acts as a small overdrive, which dials in as you turn up the old tone knob.
I just have no idea how much better these modifications would make my guitars...
If you have done anything like this, or know someone who has, I'd love some information.
P.S, the new things I'll be buying won't be super high quality, thats why I'm not sure how much better they'll be to whats already on the guitar...
P.P.S, I'm relatively new to guitar modifying... have only done a few simple hardware changes... and yeah. just thought I should say that. and that I've not played guitar for long... 5-6 years... 
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 12:16 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
six string for hire
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In all honesty you are better off to get a better guitar with better pickups and then sell the guitars that you have now.
Good guitars don't have to be expensive but really good pickups usually are expensive.
Save some cash.
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 7:23 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Zug-uitar
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The main thing to understand about upgrading guitars is the upgrade does little to increase the resale value. Doesn't mean its a bad decision necessarily, but its financially irreversible.
 
this rig requires something with a little more kick... plutonium!
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 8:06 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Knucklehead
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You'll hear a difference if you change the pickups. I doubt that you'll hear a difference with wiring, pots, and other passive stuff. Start with the Tele and keep it simple. Look at the Seymour Duncan stuff (can't go wrong there) and choose the ones that are in line with the type of sound you're trying to get.
Unless you're willing to spend a lot more money on a better guitar, anything you buy in that price range will probably need to have the pickups replaced anyway. Might as well do it with what you've got. If you're still not happy, take the new pickups out, put the old ones back in, sell the guitar and move on. Make sense?
I have both kinds of guitars - Fender AND Gibson.
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 8:06 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
cowardm
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I will be honest. Eventually you will want a new guitar and even with a pickup change you'll still probably want a new guitar. Maybe sooner than you think. My first thought is to save up, sell your two guitars, and invest in one decent guitar you can build off of.
I'm a Tele guy myself. If it's the Tele you like I highly recommend the Squier Classic Vibe Tele. It will run you under $400 and you may not even ever want to change the pickups (although if you did, read below). If it's the Epiphone you like I'd suggest saving up for one of the higher end Epiphone Les Pauls.
If buying a new guitar is out of the question the best thing you can do for the guitars you have now is a pickup change. It won't help their value any, but they will sound better. While pickups can run you a few hundred bucks, there are actually some decent sets out there that would upgrade you and you could be happy (for now).
Bill Lawrence is two things in the guitar world. There is Bill Lawrence USA which is basically not what you're looking for. Then there is Bill Lawrence of Wilde Bill pickups. You want to go here and check out that deluxe Tele set for just $72.
http://www.wildepickups.com/Wilde_Bill_s_Keystones.html
I've known guys who put those pickups in their Tele over the $200+ Kinmans, Lollars, et al. Seriously, they are considered seriously awesome.
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Michael
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 9:48 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
DeathCharge2
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I'd highly suggesting getting both guitars set up properly if it's the playability you don't like
Mr Saucey Cool Hand
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 1:04 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
RacerXxx
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DeathCharge2 said:
I'd highly suggesting getting both guitars set up properly if it's the playability you don't like
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x2
if you're not comfortable with the guitars (or if they are really cheap chinese copies) it won't matter what you do to the electronics, they won't sound or play any better.
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 1:12 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
barryg_nyc
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DeathCharge2 said:
I'd highly suggesting getting both guitars set up properly if it's the playability you don't like
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+1
Just got my new Fender Mustang back from the tech today after a great setup.
It feels better and sounds better. No more fret buzz.
BUT, before you get both of them setup, what is is that you don't like about the Epi? If it's the neck/feel, then a setup or a component upgrade won't help much.
In that case, I'd focus your energy on the Tele. Get a good setup and see what you think.
My next question would be - what are you playing it through? An amp will generally have greater impact on the sound than your guitar/pickups. So, you might find that you're best off trading in the Epi (if you don't like it) and your current amp for a new amp. A well-setup Tele and an upgraded amp might give you exactly what you need.
Then you can always upgrade the pups if you feel the need as Knuck and CowardM advise.
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Barry
2004 Schecter C-1+
CIJ Fender Mustang (65 reissue)
Vox Valvetronix VT30 amp
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 3:32 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Swamp Rocker
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Setups are around $50. Some guitars don't need them. I tinker with my own and get the the string height and intonation pretty good. There are you tubes that show you how.
If your pickups and amp stink and you spend $50 on a setup your amp and pickups will still stink, save your money. Don't listen to bad advice.
Usually the best guitar mod is a descent amp. What are you using now? People think magic will happen with a new guitar or modding the guitar and are very disappointed cuz their amp still sucks and their sound is still bad.
I read about those Stewmac gizmos and some people like them but puting that money toward a a pedal or multy effect may be better. Tube screamers are good . the TS-9dxturbo screamer or the TS-7 tubescreamer are good.
A bad guitar and a great amp beats a great guitar and a shabby amp any day of the week.
There are super deals on Ebay, recently I have seen Aria PE with set neck and PRS SE in perfect shape roll for low money, spectacular guitars that are very well made. They are as good as $1500 Gibsons and used can be had for under $300.
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 4:42 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Knucklehead
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Well, Chuck, there's another one. Nobody smarted off to this guy, either. So what do you make of it?
I have both kinds of guitars - Fender AND Gibson.
| Post Date: 7/24/2010 @ 5:28 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
jesserowlings
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Thanks everyone.
@six string for hire: I don't have enough money to buy a new guitar, and my parents would not be happy to be honest haha.
@zug-uitar: I don't really care about re-sale value at the moment, I just want some bang-for-buck without buying a new guitar.
@Knucklehead: I might just end up going with the Seymour Duncans. I've heard they have a good rep, and they seem like good value for money. I'm not ready to upgrade guitar wise though... what would you say to upgrading wiring/pots?
@cowardm: As I said, I'm not really ready yet for another upgrade, and the next guitar I'll get will probably be a good acoustic anyway, so I figure I should spend some time making what I've got to live with for the next couple of years good enough.
@DeathCharge2: The setups are fine.
@RacerXxx: The guitars are fine, I just want to make them a little better.
@barryg_nyc: I can't really afford a new amp or guitar at the moment, I'm still playing through my beginner's 20 watt Peavey. It's not bad for what it is... Obviously I'd like something better though. At my friends house I play through a 110 watt Peavey bass amp, which is fantastic. I'll hopefully upgrade soonish. That would definitely improve my sound.
@Swamp Rocker: I play left handed, there is never anything good on eBay, PLUS, I live in Australia, there's never anything good on eBay :p
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 3:40 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
cowardm
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New pickups will go a long way, but probably not as far as you want them to.
That said, for the Tele I do highly recommend the Wilde Bill pickups I linked above. They aren't as expensive as the Duncans and they more than likely sound better. Twice the tone for half the price really.
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Michael
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 9:12 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Chuck King
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It might make you feel better to upgrade your guitar and that should not be discounted. But...
Your initial question was: "I was just wondering if there would be much point upgrading the electronics (pickups, switches, wiring, pots), or whether the results would be minor, and not worth the time and money."
The answer to that question is, No, it would not be worth the time and money at this point, because right now I think it's quite likely that your pickups are not the limiting factor in your set-up. However much you would end up spending on pickups and other electronic parts, you'd be better off saving that money towards getting a good amp. Not that a Peavey practice amp is junk, but if all you've got is a little practice amp, you don't even know what your guitars can do. The only reason to invest in upgrading any instrument is because it's not doing the job in its stock condition. Contrary to popular superstition, not every inexpensive guitar needs to have everything replaced on it to be useable. But until you have a good amp, you won't know whether your guitars are doing the job or not. It's like you're trying to evaluate a high-performance sports car by only driving it around a parking lot.
If you're not as fond of the Epi LP Special II, you could sell or trade that in towards an amp. You may still need to save up some more, though---a good amp will probably cost more than the trade in value of a Special II plus the price of pickups. But don't get just any amp, and don't judge by size! Do some research in to what are GOOD amps. You're better with a good small amp than a crappy stack.
Once you have a good amp, you may discover that your Tele really comes to life. If not, THEN you might want to consider something like a pickup upgrade, especially if you like how the Tele feels and plays.
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My music blog: http://chucksmusicblog.blogspot.com
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 9:49 am |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
alteredtunings
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I guess it depends on what you want to do with your guitars. Do you want to sell them eventually? Upgrading a cheap guitar will not make it worth nearly the amount of time and money you will have to put into it. If you are upgrading it for a project and to have a better guitar, maybe it's an ok idea. I tend to agree with Chuck. I would look for a nice amp for your playing style.
Let's be honest. You will probably buy a new amp and upgrade the guitar at some point. It's the gearhead disease. 
Instructional articles on building and repairing electric and acoustic guitars.
http://www.guitarrepairbench.com
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 12:16 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Zug-uitar
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alteredtunings said:
Let's be honest. You will probably buy a new amp and upgrade the guitar at some point. It's the gearhead disease.
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Although I agree with Chuck I also have this "disease." I just replaced perfectly good pickups because I wanted something special. However, it wasn't like I couldn't afford it...
this rig requires something with a little more kick... plutonium!
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 12:47 pm |
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RE: Any point in customising my guitars? |
Swamp Rocker
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I have an Aria fat Strat and I was going to replace the single coils. Then I realized that they need a bit of volume in the amp or the signal will starve. Cranked the amp a bit and they sound crack. Really good, glad I didn't dump them.
"@barryg_nyc: I can't really afford a new amp or guitar at the moment, I'm still playing through my beginner's 20 watt Peavey. It's not bad for what it is... Obviously I'd like something better though. At my friends house I play through a 110 watt Peavey bass amp, which is fantastic. I'll hopefully upgrade soonish. That would definitely improve my sound. "
You said they sound fantastic through the other amp. You may not like your amp but switching pickups won't change that. Take the money for the pups and the peavey and trade it in for a Bandit, 80 kickarse watts rockin good times. A string stretched across a cats arse would still sound good with a Bandit. I see Bandits used all the time for $125.
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 1:46 pm |
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