New IBG Les Paul Special, questions about P90's

[spupilup]

I recently got this TV Yellow Special as a demo model from one of the large mail order places for $379 (less a $20 coupon for an actual cost of $359). I was a little worried about what might have happened to it for the price to be this low but I was pleasantly surprised by the condition. Whomever had originally purchased the guitar had done a nice set up. Intonation was spot on and the action was pretty low. The only issues I saw were that the two grub screws were missing from the back of the wraparound bidge and the tops of the studs looked like they had been tightened using a butter knife. It was no big deal because I immediately installed a Faber bridge and studs. I had originally thought that the nut was slightly out of position but as it turned out, it wasn't even glued in place. So, a dab of Titebond and a dusting of graphite and all was made right.

One other thing that I noticed was that no matter how much I lowered the neck pickup, it overpowered the bridge pickup. I have the neck back just about as far as I can get it with the bridge raised higher than I've ever raised a pickup. Here's the thing. I think the neck pickup sounds incredible. The bridge pickup is no slouch either but it simply can't keep up. Initially, given the low cost of the guitar, I had planned on installing a different set of pickups. I play some 70's, punk and grunge so I had been checking out the Bare Knuckle P90's (Mississippi Queens and Nantucket's to be exact). I had planned to ask you folks what you use and what you like as an upgrade but to be honest, I think I may keep the neck pickup and just try to find a replacement for the bridge that can keep up. I'd love to hear what you think about my idea for just going with replacement of the bridge pickup and what you would use or likely use if you were in my position.

Lastly, is there any merit to replacing the tuners with genuine Kluson's or Gotoh's. It seems like both are a relatively cheap upgrade (costing under $50 in most cases) if I stay away from locking and keeping with the butterbean knobs. I can't really say I have any issues with tuning or holding tune, the nut seems fine and the bridge is exceptional. It's more a question of the value of installing something that's genuine rather than a knock off (as I'm typing this I realize the irony of what I'm saying since the whole guitar is nothing but a cheap knockoff of a Gibson). Let me know if I should make a change or save the money for a few sets of strings.
TIA

 

[Raiyn]

(as I'm typing this I realize the irony of what I'm saying since the whole guitar is nothing but a cheap knockoff of a Gibson)

Epiphone and Gibson are the same company. Have been since 1957.

 

[Darkness]

I would leave the tuners.

Of all the Epiphones I have, there is only one type of tuner I would replace, its the ones below. The ones you have are pretty good.

 

[Raiyn]

I would leave the tuners.

Of all the Epiphones I have, there is only one type of tuner I would replace, its the ones below. The ones you have are pretty good.

Yeah, those are trash.

 

[spupilup]

You are correct regarding the history of Gibson and Epiphone. I guess what I was trying to say is the Epiphone is a less expensive “replica” of the Gibson Les Paul Special. Epiphone has made many historic guitars over the years but all of the Les Paul’s they offer are “cheaper” versions of the made in USA Gibson brand. It’s a different story when talking about a Casino or Riviera for example.

 

[spupilup]

I would leave the tuners.

Of all the Epiphones I have, there is only one type of tuner I would replace, its the ones below. The ones you have are pretty good.

Yes, the tuners are doing all they are supposed to so I guess it would be wiser to save the money and put it towards rectifying the output differences between the pickups. Perhaps that was the reason the guitar was originally returned.

I‘ll have to rummage through my automobile repair tools for a volt meter to get an idea on how big the difference is between the two. I have a feeling the neck pickup is about 50% stronger that the bridge. I’ll post up readings if I get a chance to do the test tomorrow.

 

[BGood]

I wouldn't replace those P90, they are amongst the best out there. Slack your string and carefully slide that neck pup out of its route. Then remove anything that prevents the pickup to go lower. I might have dug the wood at the bottom of the route so wires weren't crunched, don't remember.

Put it back in and make very sure you push down on the cover as you screw in down, if not, you might snap those long flimsy screws. Don't ask how I know. Then you'll be able to balance the pickups.

Here's how mine were adjusted.

 

[spupilup]

Bgood! your Special looks like mine. I thought it was nuts that the pickup height was so radical but that picture might as well be my guitar.

 

[Equalphone]

I wouldn't replace those P90, they are amongst the best out there. Slack your string and carefully slide that neck pup out of its route. Then remove anything that prevents the pickup to go lower. I might have dug the wood at the bottom of the route so wires weren't crunched, don't remember.

Put it back in and make very sure you push down on the cover as you screw in down, if not, you might snap those long flimsy screws. Don't ask how I know. Then you'll be able to balance the pickups.

Here's how mine were adjusted.
View attachment 23001

Bgood! your Special looks like mine. I thought it was nuts that the pickup height was so radical but that picture might as well be my guitar.

With two matching (or close) output pickups (i.e EPI P90's), you always have a large disparity in height to get the bridge pickup to match the output. There's much less string movement close to the bridge vs. at the end of the neck. That's the reason bridge pickups are often nearly twice the output of neck pickups.

 

[BGood]

Bgood! your Special looks like mine. I thought it was nuts that the pickup height was so radical but that picture might as well be my guitar.

I had taken readings on them P90s, 7.75K neck, 7.85K bridge. Pretty similar

 

[spupilup]

So I checked the reading on my two pickups and they were identical to your's BGood. I dropped the height of the neck pickup a little further, raised the bridge pickup and adjusted the poles to get the two pretty well balanced, enough so that I can say I'm getting what I want out of each together and by themselves.

I have to say these Specials are pretty amazing considering the cost. If I could find a deal on a Billy Joe Armstrong Junior I'd grab it in a heartbeat. Bravo Epiphone.

 

[BGood]

So I checked the reading on my two pickups and they were identical to your's BGood. I dropped the height of the neck pickup a little further, raised the bridge pickup and adjusted the poles to get the two pretty well balanced, enough so that I can say I'm getting what I want out of each together and by themselves.

I have to say these Specials are pretty amazing considering the cost. If I could find a deal on a Billy Joe Armstrong Junior I'd grab it in a heartbeat. Bravo Epiphone.

Great !

Also keep an eye out for a PRS SE One. I dare say it's better than the LP Jr.

 

[3bolt79]

So I checked the reading on my two pickups and they were identical to your's BGood. I dropped the height of the neck pickup a little further, raised the bridge pickup and adjusted the poles to get the two pretty well balanced, enough so that I can say I'm getting what I want out of each together and by themselves.

I have to say these Specials are pretty amazing considering the cost. If I could find a deal on a Billy Joe Armstrong Junior I'd grab it in a heartbeat. Bravo Epiphone.

On Billy Joe, I only had to raise the High E pole just a little. Great guitar for $549.00. The Regular Les Paul junior is quite a bit less. The neck is also thicker. I might get one of those as well.

Whatever I get next, I have to get two. One for me and one for my son.

 

[spupilup]

Great !

Also keep an eye out for a PRS SE One. I dare say it's better than the LP Jr.

I picked up a 594 SE last winter on sale. I’m thoroughly impressed with that model. I gave up on waiting for a DGT. PRS is currently running a 20% off sale on all SE til the end of October. So many great, inexpensive guitars, so little time.

I got my first guitar back in 1971 when there was just so much junk masquerading as inexpensive equipmen. Flash forward to today and in so many ways, we’re lliving through a golden age of guitars.

 

[3bolt79]

I picked up a 594 SE last winter on sale. I’m thoroughly impressed with that model. I gave up on waiting for a DGT. PRS is currently running a 20% off sale on all SE til the end of October. So many great, inexpensive guitars, so little time.

I got my first guitar back in 1971 when there was just so much junk masquerading as inexpensive equipmen. Flash forward to today and in so many ways, we’re lliving through a golden age of guitars.

Damn right about this being a great time to be a guitar player. This is the new golden age. So many great, yet inexpensive options to be had. Guitars and amps.

 

[Mr Hockey]

I have a Gibson inspired Epi Les Paul Special too. I love the sound of the stock P90s. They are truly great guitars.

 

[spupilup]

Well, I've really fallen for the Epi magic. I bought a blem version of the 1959 Les Paul Standard last night. With all the discounts it cost $745 plus tax. I couldn't say no. After getting the Special so cheaply, when I saw the '59 from the same online retailer I figured I'd be a fool to pass it up. I'm not trying to brag or anything but I have pedals that cost more than the '59 BUT, in the last year I've fallen in love with these inexpensive guitars. Between the PRS SE's, Sire and Epiphone (to name a few), I just can't get over what under (sometimes significantly under) a grand will buy these days. As I approach retirement age, it's nice to see I don't have to break the bank every time I get an itch for a new guitar.

The guitar will be here tomorrow. All I have to do is figure out how to shrink my photos small enough that I can attach them here.

 

[spupilup]

Here's a photo of my Special before I swapped out the wraparound bridge for the Faber which weighed more than 2 ounces less than the original Epiphone bridge.

 

[Equalphone]

HNGD, again.

 

[spupilup]

Thank you. The ‘59 should be here tomorrow. I’ll post pics tomorrow when it arrives. It’s funny, I sold me last Gibson Les Paul last year after a five year love hate relationship. I’ve never been a huge LP fan, Telescope have always been my go to. Now, after stumbling in there two bargains my LP inventory is on the upswing.