upgrade madness........

trioderob · 09-24-10, 05:45 PM

whats the most upgraded historic of all time ?

MIKE20 · 09-24-10, 06:22 PM

I probably own a few of them...

Greco · 09-25-10, 12:36 AM

I don't know if I necessarily upgraded anything....

Steven · 09-25-10, 01:43 AM

If you e.g. switch out a Burstbucker for a Antiquity its a CHANGE, not an upgrade. A different poker-chip wont make your instrument sound any better.

PHILBERT · 09-25-10, 04:33 AM

I wish I could get some "free upgrades" on my guitars with all the travel bonus points I have! Doesn't work for some reason.

I think the "Plastics" thread up in the sticky area has what you are looking for. Some have even changed all of the little screws. I'm in the process of collecting replacement parts for the big day. What a minute...today *is* the big day!

Steve Craw · 09-25-10, 08:30 AM

I'd have to say, mine is certainly in the running. It was refinished and relic'd, and every single part on it is 1950s vintage, including the pickguard, pokerchip, pickups, backplates, tuners, everything.

Neck was reshaped and pearl inlay moved.

Steve Craw · 09-25-10, 11:40 AM

Anyone remember Joe Ganzler's "Project X"? That as the first significant makeover that I recall. I think he put mostly 50s parts on it, he even got a fingerboard off of a 61 SG. What's ever become of that guitar? Anybody have a photo of it?

Steven · 09-25-10, 01:32 PM

Yupp, but that Historic did not turn into a 50s Les Paul because of all the 'reserve' parts ? Still just a ordinary post 1993.

Black58 · 09-25-10, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven

Yupp, but that Historic did not turn into a 50s Les Paul because of all the 'reserve' parts ? Still just a ordinary post 1993.

Well ... ye-ah.

Electric Lloyd · 09-25-10, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven

Yupp, but that Historic did not turn into a 50s Les Paul because of all the 'reserve' parts ? Still just a ordinary post 1993.

I'm sure there is nothing ordinary about it! Why would you make a comment like that?
I'm guessing that Joe used his Historic as a starting point to build his ultimate vintage style Les Paul. I'm sure it was a great test bed to see how close to the sound & feel of a vintage 1950's LP one could get by doing such mods. I'm sure many of us here have learned from it.
I also did the same with my own personal Les Paul, before I was even aware of this forum, but having the same intentions as Joe probably did. It is now my Les Paul for life, & I have owned many 1950's LPs.
To each his own, but I'm sure that "Project X" guitar is no "ordinary" Historic...

Black58 · 09-25-10, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven

A different poker-chip wont make your instrument sound any better.

Technically, no. ... but if you like the way somethin' looks,
that good spirit is certainly gonna trickle down to your performance/tone.

MIKE20 · 09-25-10, 06:37 PM

why on earth would someone try and make a stock Historic sound and look better....

Todd Louis · 09-25-10, 08:02 PM

This is a very intreaing thread.......

Todd Louis · 09-25-10, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Craw

I'd have to say, mine is certainly in the running. It was refinished and relic'd, and every single part on it is 1950s vintage, including the pickguard, pokerchip, pickups, backplates, tuners, everything.

Neck was reshaped and pearl inlay moved.

I say, I say, I say that there is SPIFFY!!!

Steven · 09-26-10, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electric Lloyd

To each his own, but I'm sure that "Project X" guitar is no "ordinary" Historic...

Of course it is not a Historic of the shelf. But its not a 50s LP either.
Does it sound much 'better' than of the shelf ?
To each his own is very much true.

bluesjuke · 09-26-10, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electric Lloyd

I'm sure there is nothing ordinary about it! Why would you make a comment like that?
I'm guessing that Joe used his Historic as a starting point to build his ultimate vintage style Les Paul. I'm sure it was a great test bed to see how close to the sound & feel of a vintage 1950's LP one could get by doing such mods. I'm sure many of us here have learned from it.
I also did the same with my own personal Les Paul, before I was even aware of this forum, but having the same intentions as Joe probably did. It is now my Les Paul for life, & I have owned many 1950's LPs.
To each his own, but I'm sure that "Project X" guitar is no "ordinary" Historic...

A few years back at the Dallas Show I commented to Ganz about how I wish I couls swap the board on one of my LP's to another one.

Then I said to him, "Oh, wait a minute, I forgot who I was talking to".

That was quite a feat that Joe & Terry pulled off on that one.

Steve Craw, Your guitar has always impressed me with what you have made it into. It sure is temptimng as I have the template for it sitting here.

sapi · 09-26-10, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven

Of course it is not a Historic of the shelf. But its not a 50s LP either.
Does it sound much 'better' than of the shelf ?
To each his own is very much true.

Yep... if the owner likes it better, it's all that counts

I def like mine better, so it is an upgrade... for me ;)

Steve Craw · 09-26-10, 07:01 AM

Ever since I was a kid, I've loved tinkering with things, and the more I liked something, the more likely I was to mess with it. Those of us who have makeovers done on our guitars, and/or put vintage parts on them, I think, have a bit of tinkerer/customizer in them. But for me, if Gibson built thse guitars with a greater regard for accuracy, this wouldn't be nessessary, (IMO). For the plastic parts, pickup covers that have too rounded corners, the swirly inlays, the rubbery finishes, someone out there has recreated those parts, and employed skilled people to refinish using correct laquer. If thse guys can do it, then so could Gibson. Show a more forward thinking marketing strategy, make the AVH edition Les Paul that has the proper parts and inlays, shit, you could get them from Retrospec. Have your guys spray a finish without all the plastic in it. With the cost of a Pearly Gates, Bloomfield, etc, it indicates to me, that there are guys out there who would pay a little more for a really special guitar. Certainly Kim and co. at Historic Makeovers is proof of that. If a guy will drop X amound of dollars into a guitar, them $2500.00 more to have it madeover, what more proof do you need! Are you listening Henry?! Probably not.

Steve Craw · 09-26-10, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapi

Yep... if the owner likes it better, it's all that counts

I def like mine better, so it is an upgrade... for me ;)

+1 ! My guitar will never be a 1950s vintage Les Paul, no matter what I do to it, or how many vintage parts are on it, but, it thrills me every time I pick it up, and I think a really cool guitar has come from the efforts of everyone involved with this project. And that starts with the skilled workers at the Gibson factory.

Steven · 09-26-10, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapi

I def like mine better, so it is an upgrade... for me ;)

Yapp.

bjm007 · 09-26-10, 02:13 PM

Yeah, thanks to Joe (who with Terry's help blazed the trail for many of us to follow) I have turned just about every guitar I own into "Project X" guitars. There's no "old wood" in 'em so they don't quite resonate like a vintage guitar, but they sure do feel and play much better. Look better too...

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09-24-10, 05:45 PM	#1
trioderob Les Paul Froum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 810	upgrade madness........ whats the most upgraded historic of all time ?

09-24-10, 06:22 PM	#2
MIKE20 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Reflectorland Posts: 7,427	Re: upgrade madness........ I probably own a few of them...

09-25-10, 12:36 AM	#3
Greco Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Shire. Posts: 1,890	Re: upgrade madness........ I don't know if I necessarily upgraded anything....

09-25-10, 01:43 AM	#4
Steven Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Lillehammer, NORWAY Posts: 1,534	Re: upgrade madness........ If you e.g. switch out a Burstbucker for a Antiquity its a CHANGE, not an upgrade. A different poker-chip wont make your instrument sound any better.

09-25-10, 04:33 AM	#5
PHILBERT Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,416	Re: upgrade madness........ I wish I could get some "free upgrades" on my guitars with all the travel bonus points I have! Doesn't work for some reason. I think the "Plastics" thread up in the sticky area has what you are looking for. Some have even changed all of the little screws. I'm in the process of collecting replacement parts for the big day. What a minute...today is the big day! __________________ Phil "Sometimes life is a beach." http://youtu.be/ttqhJy9UA9Q (warning: 1080P full screen HD content with wide stereo sound. High speed connection advised.) http://youtu.be/ybDROZZphAQ

09-25-10, 08:30 AM	#6
Steve Craw Formerly Lefty Elmo Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,628	Re: upgrade madness........ I'd have to say, mine is certainly in the running. It was refinished and relic'd, and every single part on it is 1950s vintage, including the pickguard, pokerchip, pickups, backplates, tuners, everything. Neck was reshaped and pearl inlay moved. __________________ Keep your 'bursts guys, give me gold! Last edited by Steve Craw : 09-25-10 at 10:27 AM.

09-25-10, 11:40 AM	#7
Steve Craw Formerly Lefty Elmo Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,628	Re: upgrade madness........ Anyone remember Joe Ganzler's "Project X"? That as the first significant makeover that I recall. I think he put mostly 50s parts on it, he even got a fingerboard off of a 61 SG. What's ever become of that guitar? Anybody have a photo of it? __________________ Keep your 'bursts guys, give me gold!

09-25-10, 01:32 PM	#8
Steven Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Lillehammer, NORWAY Posts: 1,534	Re: upgrade madness........ Yupp, but that Historic did not turn into a 50s Les Paul because of all the 'reserve' parts ? Still just a ordinary post 1993.

09-25-10, 06:37 PM	#12
MIKE20 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Reflectorland Posts: 7,427	Re: upgrade madness........ why on earth would someone try and make a stock Historic sound and look better....

09-25-10, 08:02 PM	#13
Todd Louis Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 13,974	Re: upgrade madness........ This is a very intreaing thread....... __________________ The World Needs a MARSHALL ENEMA ! Brooklyn,Manhattan,Queens,Da Bronx, Staten Island..... NYC The Greatest Country in DA World....! "Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it." John Lennon

09-26-10, 07:01 AM	#18
Steve Craw Formerly Lefty Elmo Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,628	Re: upgrade madness........ Ever since I was a kid, I've loved tinkering with things, and the more I liked something, the more likely I was to mess with it. Those of us who have makeovers done on our guitars, and/or put vintage parts on them, I think, have a bit of tinkerer/customizer in them. But for me, if Gibson built thse guitars with a greater regard for accuracy, this wouldn't be nessessary, (IMO). For the plastic parts, pickup covers that have too rounded corners, the swirly inlays, the rubbery finishes, someone out there has recreated those parts, and employed skilled people to refinish using correct laquer. If thse guys can do it, then so could Gibson. Show a more forward thinking marketing strategy, make the AVH edition Les Paul that has the proper parts and inlays, shit, you could get them from Retrospec. Have your guys spray a finish without all the plastic in it. With the cost of a Pearly Gates, Bloomfield, etc, it indicates to me, that there are guys out there who would pay a little more for a really special guitar. Certainly Kim and co. at Historic Makeovers is proof of that. If a guy will drop X amound of dollars into a guitar, them $2500.00 more to have it madeover, what more proof do you need! Are you listening Henry?! Probably not. __________________ Keep your 'bursts guys, give me gold!

09-26-10, 02:13 PM	#21
bjm007 Les Paul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: ...uncharted tropical isle... Posts: 1,115	Re: upgrade madness........ Yeah, thanks to Joe (who with Terry's help blazed the trail for many of us to follow) I have turned just about every guitar I own into "Project X" guitars. There's no "old wood" in 'em so they don't quite resonate like a vintage guitar, but they sure do feel and play much better. Look better too... __________________ Inventor of the PAF Blue Background...