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I wonder how that Epi would sound with tape wound LaBella strings?
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01-17-2017 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by sgosnell
I absolutely, positively, was NOT going to buy any guitars this year. That lasted 17 days. There was no way that I could pass-up buying one of these for under $500. I really need to stop reading this forum.
Seriously - great post Lawson!
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I put one of the Stew-Mac bridges on my L-4. Pretty close fit...didn't even go through the sandpaper pasted to the top and rubbing back and forth procedure to match the contour of the top. Definite change from the TOM bridge: less metallic and jangly sounding. An improvement, to my ear.
I think I'm going to take the plunge on the LaBella tapewound string set, and bring in my baby to my luthier/tech guy. I think it's going to need a little nut work. He can fine tune the bridge contour.
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Is there a difference in the necks & playing feel b/w the vos 175 and the epi? I've read the 59's are supposed to be chunkier.
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Any bridge is going to need to be fitted, but the StewMac ones are definitely decent. I put one on my 575, as the original bridge had two different high E slots cut (and I didn't agree with either of 'em.)
The fitting process is kind of fun, and takes about a beer and half, two beers tops.
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The Stew-Mac bridge has a split base, which bends enough to match most tops without sanding. I did a little bit of sanding, but not a lot.
The pinned bridge isn't really a problem. You can just unscrew the adjustment screws themselves to raise them up into the base and allow movement. I had to do that on mine with the TOM because the setup drone put the pins in the wrong place, and I couldn't get the intonation correct with my strings even with a couple of the saddles moved as far as possible. The wooden bridge covers the holes in the top, so they're invisible. IMO the pinned bridge is a terrible idea, but it's not the worst thing they could have done.
I tried the LaBella tapewounds, and hated them. I took them off within a week or so. They just sounded bad on my Epi. I still have them coiled up somewhere, and I might try them on my electric 5-string mando. Those can always handle a little mellowing.
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Originally Posted by seaguitar
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Originally Posted by goldenwave77
There's no fitting needed - just slip a new wooden top part over the posts of the original base instead of the metal TOM. Although some bridge tops may need a bit of sanding away the recesses where the adjustment wheels sit. I've done it on ES175, L4 and Epi 175.
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I sincerely doubt the Epiphone Classic 57 is exactly the same as the Gibson Classic 57:
Gibson:
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Originally Posted by bleakanddivine
Experimentation (within reason) can be useful.
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Thank you very much for this video
The most informative test of the Epi and the original one. I like the Epi, it's very close, a bit brighter, but it seems to me it has a little more sustain?
It's really a great recreation for a modest price.
And your playing is very nice, singing and melodic.
Your work gives rewarding results.
Little Jay do you really think that Epiphones 57 pickups aren't real Gibsons, but clones?
Bigmike had the same feeling on a another thread... I was kind of sceptic but the idea seems making it's way?!
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And by the way Lawson, what strings are you using on the 3 guitars?
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Originally Posted by Little Jay
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If I carry on getting on with my Gibbo I might pick up an Epi as my touring box.
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Originally Posted by Jx30510
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Originally Posted by Jx30510
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
Also... let's not forget the "cost" of the pickup is an inner manufacturing cost, which I imagine is far less than we'd think... it's likely almost worth it to by the Epi 175 just to harvest the pickups!
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The newer Epi 175 Pros have the Gibson pickups.
Pickups ain't rocket science. I doubt they cost Gibson too much to make wherever they make them.
I have the Gibbie classics in my 135 and of course they have a sweet sound.
Interestingly, I have Epi Classic 57's in my Peerless Sunset, and they are great pickups for that guitar. I had an Epi JP with Epi Classics and didn't like them so much--makes me wonder if Epiphone has improved their production techniques from '99 to '14? Or maybe they just don't sound so great on certain guitars (fully hollow)?
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
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Originally Posted by christianm77
Last edited by citizenk74; 01-17-2017 at 05:54 PM. Reason: Clarity
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Originally Posted by citizenk74
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Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
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Originally Posted by lawson-stone
So you make an interesting case with your comparison! What causes the difference in sound? I would be tempted to make the Epi sound even closer to the Gibbies, starting with a wood bridge.
Btw, great playing!
Moffa Mithra
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