BigWheeledWagon Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Even though I'm still not finished, I have enjoyed rebuilding my old Japanese Strat so much, that I am considering another customizing project -- my Epiphone Dot (Epi's version of the ES-335). So, any recommendations? New pups seems like the most obvious area for improvement. I've been a Fender guy when it comes to electric guitars, so I don't have much experience with humbuckers, so suggestions for pickups that would go well with a Gibson-style semi-hollowbody would be much appreciated. Any other ideas would also be welcomed. If it helps, the guitar has a tobacco-burst finish with gold hardware and a black pickguard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 Id certainly upgrade the electronics...particularly if you change pickups...there are custom wiring kits available from online sources, however i figure if youre doing it yourself, but pots and wires to match the pickup choices you make...also, doing a rewire in a semi hollowbody can be a bitch, but tis very worth it with a korean made guitar especially, and I can walk you through some things to make the job much easier... last gibson project I did, I used a seymore duncan Jazz in the neck, Gibson classic '57 reissue in the bridge...im very happy with the results--wide tonal spectrum, string balance and sensitivity... when asked in my shop, I always advise strap locks first...then for you, id also suggest some gold Grover tuners...youll be glad you did have fun! j Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I have a 335 and it as a 57 classic in the neck and a 57 classic plus in the bridge. Can't go wrong with that pairing. However, I think Seymour Duncan makes their version of this pickup for a little cheaper. The thing that I found difficult with the gibson pickups (put one in that blue tele) is that the hot wire is wrapped in the shielding ground, and you have to solder those separately. Kind of like peeling a banana or something. Not a big deal, just something to know about. I say mod the heck out of that Dot!!....what about a bigsby? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 ....what about a bigsby? I started to advocate that earlier but I'm one of those who believes that a bridge and the way it's attached to the body is a pretty significant factor in the amount of resonance and sustain a guitar has. It's really got to be something to consider heavily. I would like to add a bigsby to my 1980 heritage series Les Paul but am worried how it will effect it tonally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigWheeledWagon Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 A bigsby would be pretty cool. Nice call. I just may try that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I'm thinking about adding one to my SG. I was worried that when I got my Jaguar I wouldn't play my SG but I still do so it's all good. And then I found 5 dollars. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 In my searche for all things guitar....I stumbled across a website, guitarfetish.com, that has some pretty super prices on stuff. You might look there. I think a certain type of bigsby is necessary based on a carved-top guitar, flat, etc....just fyi. Stewart Macdonald has them too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigWheeledWagon Posted January 31, 2008 Author Share Posted January 31, 2008 I know that putting tremolo on a hollowbody is a good way to crack your guitar. Is there any danger of a bigsby cracking the top of the semi-hollow Dot, or will the placement over the solid center of the guitar take care of that risk? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
a.miller Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I think that the bigsby attachment goes by the strap button on the butt of the guitar. This might dissipate some of the force away from the top of the guitar (???) However, I have no idea about the possibility of cracking your guitar's top. Good thinking. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I know that putting tremolo on a hollowbody is a good way to crack your guitar. Is there any danger of a bigsby cracking the top of the semi-hollow Dot, or will the placement over the solid center of the guitar take care of that risk?So long as you mount it per the instructions, you shouldnt have that problem...semi hollow 335s and even totally hollow casinos have bigbys that function perfectly well...in your case, the body block inside your 335 supports the stress of the trem...male sure you order the correct size...off the top of my head, it would be a b-6 j Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I started to advocate that earlier but I'm one of those who believes that a bridge and the way it's attached to the body is a pretty significant factor in the amount of resonance and sustain a guitar has. It's really got to be something to consider heavily. I would like to add a bigsby to my 1980 heritage series Les Paul but am worried how it will effect it tonally. Alot of people complain about a loss of sustain with bigsbys, but i think thats nonsense, just listen to neil young...i know its best to get the USA made versions I'm thinking about adding one to my SG. I was worried that when I got my Jaguar I wouldn't play my SG but I still do so it's all good. And then I found 5 dollars. I tried the bigsby on my SG, ended up hating it...Id recommend finding a reissue maestro vibrola...it look super cool, and really plays better with fewer tuning issues...unless youre going to relentlessly divebomb...this one is mine... When you guys upgrade to a new trem. make sure you consider a replacement bridge...i use a roller and have had fabulous results j Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 That looks great. I think I will take you up on that vibrola if I ever get around to doing this. PS: After looking at this thread and others, I really want to overhaul my SG. It's an Epi one of those cheapy G-400 something or other. I'm thinking that Vibrola with a new bridge, and new pickups. Plus the electronics are pretty crappy so I guess I should fix that. I have little to no experience working on guitars IE: the most hardcore thing I've done is change the bridge on my Jaguar. Is it difficult to change out the electronics? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigWheeledWagon Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 That looks great. I think I will take you up on that vibrola if I ever get around to doing this. PS: After looking at this thread and others, I really want to overhaul my SG. It's an Epi one of those cheapy G-400 something or other. I'm thinking that Vibrola with a new bridge, and new pickups. Plus the electronics are pretty crappy so I guess I should fix that. I have little to no experience working on guitars IE: the most hardcore thing I've done is change the bridge on my Jaguar. Is it difficult to change out the electronics? Not as difficult as you might think. For your first time, I would recommend practicing soldering some before jumping in there, but you don't really need any past experience in electronics. As you can see from all the posting from a.miller and me, building/customizing your guitar is a lot of fun and strangely addictive. It's a great feeling to have a guitar that is unlike any other and is perfectly suited to your taste. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Yea he nailed it...especially the addictive part...The vibrola is only 4 screws to the body, and 4 small screws to the coverplate...a breeze.. Soldering is something that takes a little practice, mostly learning how not to burn yourself...but replacing electronics is something a novice can do...and the fulfillment you get from designing your own guitar is hard to find elsewhere Make sure you get at least a 40 watt iron, or youll go nuts waiting for the flux to melt... Happy to field any other questions you have on it, good luck j Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rockinrob Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 The bigsby you are looking for is a b-7. It will need two small holes in the top, and four around your strap pin. This will cause no problem on a 335. It will leave behind the two holes that your stopbar is currently mounted from. You can buy some pearl dots from stew-mac that will cover it, or on ebay there is a guy that sells a "custom made" cover that is cool. On the original 335's in the fifties, they would use the "custom made" thing most of the time. I absolutely love duncan antiquity humbuckers. But it depends on what you play. I am into strictly old stuff or new stuff that sounds like old stuff, so they are great for me. I like that thy have no wax potting, as it makes it feel more alive. They will also squal uncontrollably if you use heavy distortion, I just use a fender tweed deluxe cranked all the way and it works beautifuly. The duncan seth lovers are similar, but wax potted and a bit "newer" sounding, 59's are more versatile, and the JB's are rock pickups. I highly recommend electronics from www.rsguitarworks.net (it makes a HUGE difference.) The Jensen capacitor sounds the fattest wah sound you will ever hear when you roll it back. You need new tuners (unless yours already has grovers) or if you dont like grovers you can buy a conversion bushing (stew mac) and then you can use the vintage style kluson's. For an epiphone, I would highly recommend a pro setup, bone nut, and possibly a fret dressing (it may or may not need it). Epi skips on the setup, and it will make your guitar play like a much nicer one, and after you fix the electronics, it will be a much nicer one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigWheeledWagon Posted February 3, 2008 Author Share Posted February 3, 2008 The bigsby you are looking for is a b-7. It will need two small holes in the top, and four around your strap pin. This will cause no problem on a 335. It will leave behind the two holes that your stopbar is currently mounted from. You can buy some pearl dots from stew-mac that will cover it, or on ebay there is a guy that sells a "custom made" cover that is cool. On the original 335's in the fifties, they would use the "custom made" thing most of the time. I absolutely love duncan antiquity humbuckers. But it depends on what you play. I am into strictly old stuff or new stuff that sounds like old stuff, so they are great for me. I like that thy have no wax potting, as it makes it feel more alive. They will also squal uncontrollably if you use heavy distortion, I just use a fender tweed deluxe cranked all the way and it works beautifuly. The duncan seth lovers are similar, but wax potted and a bit "newer" sounding, 59's are more versatile, and the JB's are rock pickups. I highly recommend electronics from www.rsguitarworks.net (it makes a HUGE difference.) The Jensen capacitor sounds the fattest wah sound you will ever hear when you roll it back. You need new tuners (unless yours already has grovers) or if you dont like grovers you can buy a conversion bushing (stew mac) and then you can use the vintage style kluson's. For an epiphone, I would highly recommend a pro setup, bone nut, and possibly a fret dressing (it may or may not need it). Epi skips on the setup, and it will make your guitar play like a much nicer one, and after you fix the electronics, it will be a much nicer one. Thanks for the advice. I will look up the custom cover on ebay, and I was really considering the antiquity pickups, so you just may have swayed me on that decision. It will probably be a while before I get around to this project (at least until I finish the current one), but I will be able to take my time and look for deals that pop up. For now, the Dot is an okay guitar -- Epiphone did indeed skimp on the setup, but I did a pretty thorough set up after I got it. The frets are actually in good shape, but I will probably need to get a new nut. I'll check out the site you recommended for electronics. I got the electronics for my current strat project from Torres, but since I'm still waiting for the body, I haven't intalled them yet, so I can't speak to their quality. Anyway, thanks again for the thoughtful response. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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