Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90...WOWZER!

[Unsprung]

Ordered one from Musician's Friend, this past Saturday, and it arrived today. The Sunburst option wasn't available, but the Ebony one looked promising, so that's what I went with. Took it out of the box, plugged into my Line 6 Guitar POD 2.0 to tune it, then switched to my Peavey TransTube 258 EFX combo...again, WOWZER! Not too shabby, for a single, bridge position Epiphone P90 pickup, and I tried nearly all of my amp settings, including the clean channel. I've got me a decent lil' surf guitar, with this one!

Of course things can be better, and as I was placing my order, I was already making plans to upgrade the pickup and hardware to Gibson components. I did have to call Gibson's Customer Service number, to make sure exactly WHAT the pickup is, which I was told is a P90 (dogeared), and not a humbucker as stated at the Musician's Friend item description page. Once I have the pickup and hardware upgraded, my Les Paul Jr. 90 should be every bit as good as a Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker, but at half the price of the Melody Maker.

My only complaint is nothing more than a minor aesthetic one, with the pickup cover and jack plate being cream against an ebony finish. But since I'm planning to upgrade with Gibson parts, this will be easily rectified. Once I've acheived total blackout (save for the white stripe at the edge of the pickguard), my Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90 will have more of a ballsy look to it, and with a Gibson P90 the sound should match the look. Overall, I'm happy, and at least I won't be the only owner of an Epiphone electric guitar that's sporting Gibson components.

Matt

 

[jonnyc]

Someone on here recently mentioned that the "wood" of the guitar is somewhat questionable. I think that may be the only thing that keeps you from a true Gibson tone but still should sound killer with the upgrades. Post some clips after you mod it.

 

[Unsprung]

This will be the one that I'll use, when I record my very first song (that I've been noodling with for 15 years or better), which will be a surf guitar instrumental. In keeping with the ideal that I've envisioned, over all these years, the instrumentation will be a 3-piece affair...guitar, bass and drums. The LP Jr. will be backed by my Fender Standard Precision Bass, and somewhere along the line I'll come up with software (or a drum machine) toward creating the beat.

As to the body wood being "questionable," at least Epiphone came right out and said it's PLYWOOD, unlike Squier trying to be fancy with "laminated hardwood."

Matt

 

[jonnyc]

This will be the one that I'll use, when I record my very first song (that I've been noodling with for 15 years or better), which will be a surf guitar instrumental. In keeping with the ideal that I've envisioned, over all these years, the instrumentation will be a 3-piece affair...guitar, bass and drums. The LP Jr. will be backed by my Fender Standard Precision Bass, and somewhere along the line I'll come up with software (or a drum machine) toward creating the beat.

As to the body wood being "questionable," at least Epiphone came right out and said it's PLYWOOD, unlike Squier trying to be fancy with "laminated hardwood."

Matt

Well if it sounds good who cares what it was made out of, good luck and post some clips.

 

[ez_willis]

Someone on here recently mentioned that the "wood" of the guitar is somewhat questionable. I think that may be the only thing that keeps you from a true Gibson tone but still should sound killer with the upgrades. Post some clips after you mod it.

I routed the pickup cavity out to make room for a Soapbar and the shreddings were a composite plastic resin type thing.

 

[jonnyc]

I routed the pickup cavity out to make room for a Soapbar and the shreddings were a composite plastic resin type thing.

Well how does it sound? I mean I'm sure it isn't great or anything but is it acceptable? I'm looking for a cheap studio guitar.

 

[hixmix]

Composite plastic resin has a most excellent resonance. It's the tonewood of the future.

 

[ez_willis]

Well how does it sound? I mean I'm sure it isn't great or anything but is it acceptable? I'm looking for a cheap studio guitar.

Sounds like ass, even with the vintage soapbar. Worst sounding thing I've ever heard, plays like crap, too. Too big for a paper weight.

If you want a cheap guit, get a Squier Strat with a humbucker at the bridge, and shield it.

 

[ez_willis]

It's the tonewood of the future.

Sadly, you're probably correct. You know we're doomed when you can buy drumsticks or Gibson picks and stuff at Walmart.

 

[travelin travis]

.........and guitar strings, guitar cables, mic cables...............

 

[solo.guitar]

I completely disagree with it "sounding like total crap". Maybe you got one that was setup poorly or something.

I have one, and I know a few other people who have one and there's nothing wrong with the way it sounds. Only one pickup so there is not as much control over the tone but it's still fine.

Remember that it is really intended as a beginner's guitar, and for $100 you can't really go wrong there.

And no, don't pick a Squire over the LP Jr. You will be extremely disappointed.

 

[jonnyc]

Sounds like ass, even with the vintage soapbar. Worst sounding thing I've ever heard, plays like crap, too. Too big for a paper weight.

If you want a cheap guit, get a Squier Strat with a humbucker at the bridge, and shield it.

Funny that you say that, I'm in the process as we speak. Actually considering a hot rail and cool rail to go along with it. Honestly though, other than knowing what a good tone is, I don't know shit about guitars. In fact I don't even deserve the equipment I have, it should be in the hands of a true guitar player. Any of you have opinions on the hot/cool rails? Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[ez_willis]

I completely disagree with it "sounding like total crap"..

Bro, you've never heard my guitar.

I didn't say your guitar sounded like crap!

 

[Unsprung]

Remember that it is really intended as a beginner's guitar, and for $100 you can't really go wrong there.

And no, don't pick a Squire over the LP Jr. You will be extremely disappointed.

I must have gotten lucky, on the "luck of the draw" with my Squier Bullet Special, as I didn't have any complaints about it, until I bought a Fender So Cal Speed Shop Strat. Now, to convert the Squier to a baritone, and using a TV Jones PowerTron, along with an upgraded Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90 and Fender Standard Precision Bass, I have all the instrumentation covered for my first recording effort, save for drums.

I'd had a Gibson Les Paul Melody Maker in my Musician's Friend Wish List, for quite a while, but when I saw the Epiphone Les Paul Jr. 90 and priced the various Gibson replacement parts, I realized that I could get as close as possible to the Melody Maker sound, without the price of the Melody Maker. Given my recent poll about modifying cheaper guitars, of course I'm not beyond it. Besides, as I'd mentioned at the beginning of this, I'm not going to be the first person out there with an Epiphone sporting Gibson upgrades. How many folks upgrade their Squiers, or Fender Standards with Fender American parts?

Honestly, some of us can't help but to tinker with stuff.

Matt