Pimp My LGB30

[Maxxx]

Time for a bit of fun.. (and not one for being able to sit still for 5 minutes)
Some here may know my feelings on Ibanez hollow bodies and semi-hollows as not been very positive. I've been through so many of them and never found any of them very satisfying tone wise.
The phrase 'cold and frigid' comes to mind.
But they can be very handsome and well-made guitars and the necks, fingerboards and fretwork if you're blessed can be just beautiful.
So as I have still have one left hanging around I decided I'm gonna try and mod it a bit.
Will upgrade as much as humanly possible including the whole wiring harness, pots, knobs, switch, etc.

If it works I may keep it, if not then my eight-year-old goddaughter's gonna find herself with a new guitar on her next birthday.

[Maxxx]

First up..
Graph Tech PS-7551-G0 ResoMax Archtop String Saver Jazz Bridge - Standard Gold

[Maxxx]

Next.. Gold Gotoh SGS510 Machine heads..

[joe2758]

before you replace everything make a "before" video

[Maxxx]

Probably the single most important upgrade. Kent Armstrong's hand carved out of raw gold bullion.

We all know that Ibanez website spec for this guitar lists them as having the Super 58's.
But that's a load of rubbish. What they have is some 'Super 58 Customs' which is a cheap overwound, too hot, too bright, Alnico 5 magnet Chinese knockoff of the real thing. despite this decent laminate body being built in Malaysia.
So I had some Kent Armstrong hum-buckers made for me which are basically 'Gibson 57 Classics' that you find in an L5.
That means Alnico 2 magnets and under-wound to produce a softer, warmer, rounder tone instead of that ear-bleeding screech this guitar can make.

[joe2758]

why is there a clock in it lol

[Maxxx]

why is there a clock in it lol

Help me keep time and reflect on it's passing...

[arnie65]

Probably the single most important upgrade. Kent Armstrong's hand carved out of raw gold bullion.

We all know that Ibanez website spec for this guitar lists them as having the Super 58's.
But that's a load of rubbish. What they have is some 'Super 58 Customs' which is a cheap overwound, too hot, too bright, Alnico 5 magnet Chinese knockoff of the real thing. despite this decent laminate body being built in Malaysia.
So I had some Kent Armstrong hum-buckers made for me which are basically 'Gibson 57 Classics' that you find in an L5.
That means Alnico 2 magnets and under-wound to produce a softer, warmer, rounder tone instead of that ear-bleeding screech this guitar can make.

Great choice!



Arnie..

[Maxxx]

I've never experienced 14s before.. but that's what came on the WesMo L5 I just got and I suddenly realised what I've been missing my whole life!
Always thought 14s would be hard but I'm finding them actually easier and I now get a nice thick blunt attack.

I've been using 11s practically my entire noodling years.. well it's time to grow up and join the big boys, so 14's are going on this baby.
Not to mention it's my small gesture to contribute to George's retirement fund.

[Maxxx]

That entire head stock veneer is coming off along with the Ibanez logo, branding, the GB etc, and replaced with something a lot simpler and a darker look.
Maybe put my Goddaughter's name on it..



I haven't been able to sign find a suitable tail piece yet.. I know how much everybody hates the one that's currently on the LGB30 so I'm all open to suggestions please..

[DawgBone]

I always thought the finger tailpiece was the classiest of them all until I saw a Campellone.....

[Maxxx]

I always thought the finger tailpiece was the classiest of them all until I saw a Campellone.....

You mean this? Getting a nice tailpiece might be tricky.. As most come with a three hole mounting bracket but the Ibanez has a four screw square and you need a hole in the centre hole for your strap pin.

[DawgBone]

You mean this? Getting a nice tailpiece might be tricky.. As most come with a three hole mounting bracket but the Ibanez has a four screw square and you need a hole in the centre hole for your strap pin.

The factory George Benson tail piece is more than acceptably pimp already so maybe just run that since finding a suitable alternative won't be easy. I'm liking your thought processes though. I love gold hardware.

[Maxxx]

I'm not so sure.. Reminds me of that spatula thingy I saw in IKEA.

[DawgBone]

I'm not so sure.. Reminds me of that spatula thingy I saw in IKEA.

Can't you get one of the gold tulip shaped pieces? Seems like it'd be perfect and they are damn beautiful.

[2bornot2bop]

I've never experienced 14s before.. but that's what came on the WesMo L5 I just got and I suddenly realised what I've been missing my whole life!
Always thought 14s would be hard but I'm finding them actually easier and I now get a nice thick blunt attack.

I've been using 11s practically my entire noodling years.. well it's time to grow up and join the big boys, so 14's are going on this baby.
Not to mention it's my small gesture to contribute to George's retirement fund.

the Benson 14’s have been my string of choice for 14 years. Welcome to the club! To me they feel like D’Addario chrome 12’s.

[Maxxx]

That's bit too Gotham City for me..
How about something simple and minimalist?

[DawgBone]

Hey it's your guitar. I'm in to the Gotham City look myself. I like big chunks of gold. I gotta gold bigsby on my semi hollow. Nick name her "knox" as in Ft. Knox.

[Maxxx]

Hey it's your guitar. I'm in to the Gotham City look myself. I like big chunks of gold. I gotta gold bigsby on my semi hollow. Nick name her "knox" as in Ft. Knox.

Lol.. Gold is sure pretty. I had the Japanese GB10.. and the tailpiece didn't endear me too much.

You have a pic of your 'Knox'?

[arnie65]

That entire head stock veneer is coming off along with the Ibanez logo, branding, the GB etc, and replaced with something a lot simpler and a darker look.
Maybe put my Goddaughter's name on it..



I haven't been able to sign find a suitable tail piece yet.. I know how much everybody hates the one that's currently on the LGB30 so I'm all open to suggestions please..

Here's one, Steve Holst is a great start, in addition to crafting beautiful guitars, he also makes parts. He carved me a beautiful D'Aquisto style tailpiece in ebony for my Ibanez FG100, and I think I only paid $100.00 I would give him a call, or shoot him an email.



Cheers,
Arnie..

[DawgBone]

Lol.. Gold is sure pretty. I had the Japanese GB10.. and the tailpiece didn't endear me too much.

You have a pic of your 'Knox'?

Just a reverb pic but it's the same model. Edwards E-SA168 Great playing semis for really reasonable money.