Ultimate Epiphone Les Paul Upgrade Guide
INTRODUCTION If you’ve spent much time on our site here at KGR (of course you have… right?!?) you most likely will have come across a few of our reviews on various Epiphone Les Paul models (such as the Studio and the Custom Pro), and you’ll know that we think they are mighty fine guitars in their own right.
While we really do believe that to be true, there’s no faking the fact that Epiphone Les Paul guitars are simply lower-cost versions of their much higher priced Gibson counterparts. But were you aware that – with a few fairly easy Les Paul mods that you can do on your own – you can get that Epi to sound and play just about as well as a true Gibson (even more than they already do right off the rack)? Take a few minutes and check out our Ultimate Epiphone Les Paul Upgrade guide below. No matter if you choose to do all of our suggestions, or only a few of them, you’re sure to reap the benefits and turn that Epi into something much more than it was that day you pulled it off the rack.
Where to start and what to upgrade first This is the most common question for anyone with a budget guitar – what’s the most crucial upgrade to start with. Most musicians will tell you to upgrade parts that affect the tone most while luthiers and seasoned players highly recommend playability. The answer to give your Epiphone Les Paul a good playthrough for a week or more and pay close attention to your instincts. Listen to what feels off and what bothers you the most. This way, the guitar will let you know what’s the most ideal mod to do first and what upgrade is best for later. The following below is what I consider the most ideal way to mod or upgrade your Epiphone Les Paul. You can work your way back and forth on the list depending on what you currently need and prioritize.
Pick Ups Difficulty: 3/5 Cost: 5/5 Necessity: 5/5
Changing The Pickups ❏ If you decide to upgrade (and you find adjusting the height doesn’t get you there), we recommend putting most of your budget on a great set of pickups since it makes almost 80% of your guitar sound and sound is what really defines the Les Paul and player behind it. ❏ If you love classic Les Paul tones, PAF-inspired pickups are your best bet. Vintage sounding humbuckers usually have alnico magnets on them. ❏ If you opt to go for a more modern sound, pickups with ceramic magnets would be ideal. These tend to be brighter, have higher output, and be very articulate. Bare Knuckle’s Juggernaut and Ragnarok, Seymour Duncan’s Alpha and Omega, or a set of EMGs give you a wide range of sounds that cut well through a mix.
Ditch The Pickup Covers The Les Paul humbuckers at this price range struggle with pickups that sound muddy, lacking in clarity and sensitivity (though the newer Custom models are an improvement over say the 100). Many players get a quick and cheap improvement by removing the pickup covers on their humbuckers, making it a bit of an insider Les Paul mod for those wanting a fast change. The pickup covers are thought to roll off the top end characteristics of a pickup. Players found out that pickups that have exposed pole pieces tend to have more clarity and are more sensitive to your picking attack.
Nut
Difficulty: 3/5 Cost: 1/5 Necessity: 5/5
The nut is often overlooked by many musicians. This is probably the most crucial upgrade to get the best performance out of your Epiphone Les Paul. Always remember that the nut is one of the two critical anchor points that transfer vibrations from the strings to the body. Having a great quality nut will not only improve the tone and sustain of your open notes but also the the overall playability. One way of knowing a good guitar is by how well cut and perfectly fitted the nut is. Epiphone Les Pauls usually have a 1.68” nut slot and GraphTech Labs has a wide range of material choices from graphite to synthetic bone. Their well-known TUSQ nuts have been used by boutique and high-end brands such as Suhr, Anderson, Knaggs, and many more.
Bridge & Tailpiece
Difficulty: 5/5 Cost: 4/5 Necessity: 3/5
Upgrading your bridge and tailpiece will further make your Les Paul perform and play better, but make sure to check that the replacement bridge fits in place of your existing bridge. The risk of getting the wrong sized parts for your guitar is what makes this one of the higher difficulty Les Paul mods on this list. Firstly, you’ll want a bridge with metric posts (typically import guitars are metric, domestic guitars are imperial), then you’ll want to measure the spacing between the posts. Once you have all of your measurements figured out, TonePros, Gotoh, Callaham, Wilkinson and Graph Tech have a number of tune-o-matic bridges and tailpieces that would snug perfectly on your Epiphone Les Paul, and if you want to go for something higher quality, check out one of the boutique guitar parts sellers.
Tuners
Difficulty: 4/5 Cost: 3/5 Necessity: 3/5
Upgrading to new tuning machines can be confusing with all the different kinds of tuners available. Unless you are changing to tuning machines with the exact same specifications as the stock ones, there are going to be necessary modifications such as widening the peg holes or even drilling additional mounting screws in order for them to fit nicely. Most Les Pauls in the Epiphone range have peg holes that vary from 3/8″ to 10mm while more of the vintage-inspired Epiphone Les Pauls have 1/4″ to 11/32″. A good rule of thumb is you replace your tuners with the same kind of tuning machines.
Sand The Neck
Difficulty: 5/5 Cost: 1/5 Necessity: 1/5
Most Epiphone Les Pauls, just like the Gibsons they’re modelled after, have gloss finish on their necks. This is a turn-off for most players because gloss necks tend to be sticky and can hinder your playing. You can start by sanding it with 600 grit sandpaper and moving your way up to 800 grit and finally 2000 fine grit. While you’re sanding at 2000 grit, you can also sand the edges of the binding. This will round the sharp edges off and will allow you to play smoother and worry-free.
Replace The Frets Difficulty: 5/5 Cost: 5/5 Necessity: 2/5
It is recommended that the frets are replaced along with a nut replacement and is best done by a luthier. The luthier has all the precision tools and experience needed to install your frets perfectly along with a well-cut and fitted nut. The nut is also cut, filed, and fitted based on your preferred fret size and height. Guitarists find medium-jumbo to jumbo frets great on a Les Paul but if you prefer narrow and tall frets, then no one’s stopping you. Fret material depends on your personal preference. Nickel frets tend to give off a warm tone while stainless steel has a noticeable top end sparkle.
Conclusion When upgrading parts, make sure to keep the stock ones because they will come handy in the future. Upgrading a guitar can be costly and time-consuming but it’s also an opportunity to explore, discover, and develop creativity. Note that not every part of your Les Paul needs an upgrade. Modifications only apply to areas that need it the most and to your suit preferences. With every mod and upgrade on your guitar, it will develop into something that is personal and will eventually be a reflection of your artistry. Have fun upgrading!