PUP upgrade on cheap Les Paul Custom copy?

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Gear_Junky

Gear_Junky

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So, I got this "shameless wonder" at a pawnshop (cheap). It's a Samick Les Paul Custom copy. I was somewhat disappointed after I opened up the controls cavity - the whole thing is made of plywood, the arch-top is laminated and the body is lam. There is actually a hollow cavity between the arched top and the flat thick "back" - I don't know that original Les Pauls have that, I didn't think so. The neck is bolt-on, I saw that even at the store. This is kind of a "Kia/Hyundai Les Paul", it's even made in Korea :D

I'm still ok, for the money I paid I couldn't even get a nice entry-level guitar and this Samick has a pretty good fast neck and was even set up ok. I couldn't even afford to have an electric and this one gives me something to practice my scales on. The sound is ok, I like it better than my friend's son's Squier Strat-in-a-box and another friend's MIM Fender Strat (I like Les Pauls, used to have Epi LP Custom with Gibson Classic '57's and loved it).

And none of the people I actually know have to know that it's all plywood, either :D It actually looks pretty good - the top and back are actually single-piece (not book-matched) and I like the tobacco sunburst, kinda looks like a violin.

Anyway, I'll likely have to replace the wiring, because the jack is scratchy, although it's gotten better after generous electronics contact cleaner in all the moving parts (POT's, switch and jack), but I figure I'll get a little wiring harness and renew everything.

So, I'm wondering how much of improvement in tone I can expect by upgrading pickups. Now, I won't go with Gibson Classic '57's, they would each cost more than this guitar. But something "budget" - would that improve the tone over the stock pickups? After all, this is an electric, not acoustic...

Thanks!
 
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Hmm..idk if i'd be able to help you, i wouldve said 57s if u wanted to step up to the plate...btw, whyat happened to that Epi Custom w/ 57's that u had?
 
JPXTom said:
Hmm..idk if i'd be able to help you, i wouldve said 57s if u wanted to step up to the plate...btw, whyat happened to that Epi Custom w/ 57's that u had?
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I'm certain that '57's would improve things, but it'd be like having spinners on a Yugo :D

The Epi had to be sold years ago for financial reasons (along with all my gear). I did get ALL of my money back for it, because I bought the guitar used, added a brand-new Epi LP case, the pickups, locking tuners, etc. It was a beloved instrument. But hey, any time I run into money (yea, right) I can always do that again and maybe even have a better color (mine was sunburst maple or cherry, whatever those red sunbursts are called).

Thanks!
 
Really, I was curious if anyone HAS ACTUALLY upgraded a cheap laminated Les Paul with custom pickups and experienced improvement or achieved useable sound. THanks!
 
cheap lp copy

i have put hot pickups in a few cheap lp copies ... it helps the sound quite a bit ............. check out [guitarpartsusa] for cheap decent pickups
 

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I put a Rio Grande BBQ humbucker into a plywoood SG style guitar, and it sounded hugely better.
 
Cool, now that's the kinda posts I was looking for! Keep 'em coming. Thanks!
 
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