Upgrade Plastics Comparision Thread

[ReWind James]

Ask, and you get a commercial.

Me? I don't sell any of that stuff. Just gave straight answers to what was asked.

 

[CS Murphy 'R9]

Gibson has lightened and un-pinked their plastics a handful of times in the last decade. At least twice since 2016, so yes. Even the current Philadelphia Luthier ones will likely be lighter than a 2016 Historic. The last revision (late 2023 or 2024) may have involved new tooling for the molding, as well. Those very recent ones, you can't get outside of Gibson Custom guitars and their aftermarket support, presently.

Thank you! ?

 

[Dave P]

Would they be a shade or two lighter than a ring on a 2016 Historic? I was going to order them in "Vintage white" but they look too actual white compared to what i see in the BOTB book?
Obviously old Burst's plastics are all different due to darkening/aging over the years but none look actual white to me? They look very light cream and i was hoping Phillys cream ring was that shade?

The white rings are very white. You could age them. The cream rings are the same color as the cream butyrate humbucker bobbins they sell. They aren't 100% accurate, but for $17 they are good for the price.

 

[CS Murphy 'R9]

The white rings are very white. You could age them. The cream rings are the same color as the cream butyrate humbucker bobbins they sell. They aren't 100% accurate, but for $17 they are good for the price.

Thank you for the info. I will just go with the cream butyrate rings for $17. I cannot see paying $150 for 100% replica rings right now. maybe later on i will.

 

[Brian H]

Philadelphia Luthier Supply top hat knobs. They look a bit more yellow in the pics than in real life. Very nice!

View attachment 25243

 

[mooser]

Nice!! The dimples really make a difference. I'll have to A/B them with the MTM ones I have but at first glance they look great at a fraction of the price.

 

[Brian H]

Exactly! 6 knobs for $58 shipped. They do have a funky smell to them that’s hard to describe. But I’m very happy with ‘em.

 

[mooser]

I recognize that Special you did such a bang up job refinishing. Looks like a MTM pickguard to me.

 

[Brian H]

Couple more close-ups.

 

[Brian H]

I recognize that Special you did such a bang up job refinishing. Looks like a MTM pickguard to me.

Thanks so much!! It’s actually the stock ‘22 USA pickguard, lightly aged by playing and a bit of browning/yellowing around the bevel.

 

[Brian H]

Couple more of the gold ones from Philadelphia Luthier.




I think the top knobs are Allparts, bottom/installed are Phil:

 

[dnabbet2]

I haven't read the whole thread, so I apologise if this has already been addressed, but does anyone make accurate reproductions of the alnico staple pickup with the small circles in the top of the cover?

The photo's Zhivago's from the Beauty of the Black Beauty thread.

 

[Tommy Tourbus]

where is crazyparts sourcing their knobs from?

 

[fakejake]

where is crazyparts sourcing their knobs from?

What's the consensus on those? I thought about ordering a set but they are pricey... Are they considered to be the best ones, at least in the EU?

 

[ReWind James]

I haven't read the whole thread, so I apologise if this has already been addressed, but does anyone make accurate reproductions of the alnico staple pickup with the small circles in the top of the cover?

The photo's Zhivago's from the Beauty of the Black Beauty thread.

View attachment 25309

Yes, actually I do. ...and for the same reasons the originals are like that. The holes for the original mounting screws had to be plugged in the mold (and the mounting screws moved towards the outside) to make covers that would accommodate the internal magnets and mechanics on the back. In this case, it was more of a "Oh, that's just how happens" than intentionally copying a visual feature.

 

[dnabbet2]

Yes, actually I do. ...and for the same reasons the originals are like that. The holes for the original mounting screws had to be plugged in the mold (and the mounting screws moved towards the outside) to make covers that would accommodate the internal magnets and mechanics on the back. In this case, it was more of a "Oh, that's just how happens" than intentionally copying a visual feature.

That's interesting to know, and I wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks. But are you saying you do make accurate reproductions of the originals?

 

[ReWind James]

But are you saying you do make accurate reproductions of the originals?

Yes, but I'm not interested in spamming up the thread with my products. You can see them in my website photo gallery or contact me.

 

[mooser]

Posted on Instagram yesterday:




Interesting . . . . very curious who the vendor is!

 

[ReWind James]

He's talking about Advanced Plating.

...but he's also right that they don't make everything for those other outfits. Just most of it.


There's about 10 companies actually making most of these aftermarket parts that 500 other individual companies claim they "painstakingly researched and recreated" when, really, it's mostly all the same stuff everyone else has too.

 

[ReWind James]

If you see companies selling hundreds of a plastic part at $15 each, knowing that tooling for injection molding costs maybe $30k and requires tens of thousands of parts made, you know that company isn't actually making anything themselves. They are reselling someone else's part.