Tokai Love Rock Les Paul Standard Upgrade Part 2 - Wiring & Pickup Upgrade - Better than Gibson?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ค. 2024
- A film of two parts.... first off we fit a 50's wiring loom before trying out two sets of custom wound PAF's through some hot tubes. It was a bit emotional but ended on a high with some great tones and a few lessons learned on your behalf. Join us to see what happened!
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Here are links to all the parts fitted in this video all of which I paid for as I am not affiliated to any of these suppliers.
Ben Murray is offering 15% discount on all orders quoting The Guitaristas and will custom wind to your own preferences!
Murray Guitar Pickups: murrayguitarpickups.com
Montys Guitars: www.montysguitars.com
Time stamps:
0:00 play in & coming up
1:52 what's happening today
5:07 wiring loom installation starts here
6:00 let's hear existing pots
7:34 some desoldering starts here
9:10 removing stuff & chatting
11:05 trying to install a 50's wiring loom kit
26:42 let's get on with it
28:40 at last it's in!
30:11 let's hear what it sounds like
31:45 a brief punk interlude
32:15 the pickup swap phase rig
33:56 pickup heights check
35:50 long or short legs?
36:36 BHC pickup readings
37:02 Murray's PAFs
37:32 fitting the Murray's
38:56 lets hear what they sound like
42:46 what did we think?
43:54 Monty's PAFs
44:45 fitting the Monty's
45:23 let's hear what they sound like
47:40 what have we learned?
52:00 quick pickup comparison
52:32 what did we think?
55:50 what's happening next week & beyond
57:02 let's wrap it up
58:03 play out jam
Signal Chain Info:
TC Polytune / Boss RC5 Looper / Boss SD1
Amp: Marshall JCM900 with 1936 Vintage 2 x 12
Mics AKG C414 & SM57
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 into Protools
I AM NOT AN EXPERT. Some things I do know and some things I don't know but think I know and sometimes I say things that are not entirely correct. Once I have said things it's too late to correct them so please check any 'so called facts' with an adult, google, wikipedia, or someone else that knows.
We run this channel to provide therapy for our gear addiction and for an excuse to buy more. Please like and subscribe and keep coming back to watch our films if you would like to support the channel!
#tokai #guitar #lespaul #guitaraddict #theguitaristas #guitarist - บันเทิง
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Seeing that smile on your face is what its all about for me, definitely one of my brighter sets but they really suit your playing and that guitar. Thanks for the kind words Colin
Hey Ben, you’re welcome mate I think you really nailed it with these! 👌 When you first contacted me it quickly became obvious how passionate you were about the black art of pickup winding and were ready to back yourself so I’m very pleased I decided to give it a shot… turns out you do know your stuff after all! 😁👍👍 Looking forward to Doug and Pat’s review of your PAF’s if they ever get around to making that video! 😎🎸
Ben, I really like the PUPs you wound for Colin! As I mentioned to him, I'm really partial to single coils (especially P90's). These really tickle my fancy and are actually the first PAFs (humbuckers) that aren't Filtertrons that I would want to swap into one of my guitars. Thanks to both of you for opening my 👀, or should I say 👂 ears to these sweet sounds...
@@theguitaristas Thanks mate, I'm just glad your happy, I think there may be a future in the pickup game for me!...a lot of people will find them too bright but I think the original Gibson 57 gold top is a very bright, too bright for some obviously because they changed it in 58. I think its a good problem to have though, you can always roll off the tone on the guitar or the amp. This way you get all the frequencies and its up to you to control them, definitely not a beginners pickup!
Your work sir is amazing
These videos are a breath of fresh air to me! Changing poorly-made, dull unresponsive pickups for a quality set, is only half the story; I'm so glad that you changed the wiring first! I did it the other way round and could not believe the difference a good electronics made!
The Murray's sound amazing! If you are used to hearing the sound of muffled, over-bass sounding (modern) Gibson pickups, the higher frequency of these will be something of a shock to the ears; just remember that original PAF's were made to copy the sound single coil pickups, just minus the hum. I also think that having a little more treble is a nice problem, you can always roll some off. Tuning a guitar's tone is all about balance; remember the Faber bridge..... the brass saddles will soften the brightness! Were they not used on original Les Paul's for that purpose?
Just discovered your EXCELLENT channel. Recently purchased my first TOKAI Love Rock in Lemon Burst (made in China). Began modifying her immediately. Swapped out the pups with 2 DiMarzio Super Distortions, Gotoh locking 'Tulip' tuners, complete wiring harness with CTS 500k pots with Orange drop caps, Switchcraft 3-way toggle switch, Switchcraft input jack, and just for a sorta vintage look, volume and tone 'pointers'. Absolutely LOVE this guitar.
Nice one Jimi!… did you have much fun installing the switch? 😆👍
@@theguitaristas Man, that switch was the toughest part!
This was a lot like watching my neighbor (the musician) trying to change the spark plugs on his
Lawn mower. He worked on it for two days, then bought a new one.
🤣🤣👍
So totally involving content! Your suffering gave way to total bliss... Outstanding!!! 👍❤️🦻😉
Cheers Jorge! 🙏😊
The grittiest, saltiest episode of Guitaristas yet! But the pain was really worth it I think. I loved both sets of PAFalikes. The Murrays sounded more Page-y to my ears; especially that lovely, biting bridge p/u. The Montys sounded more, well, Green-y; beautiful flutey and chiming overtones to them. What a great episode. Thanks a million and have a great weekend!
Thanks man , and the Murray's definitely looked more Page-y with those uncovered coils! 😎👌
Ahh those murry's were beautiful!...like scraping the tarmac off an old country lane!...want! :)
@@mkilner 😆👍
I really liked the Monty's. Those sounded clear and articulate, even with that beautiful dirt on em. The Murray's were nice but a little hot, for my taste. The Monty's just seemed to respond a little better to subtleties in pick attack.
I thought the wiring change when playing with the tone knobs really sounded a lot better , both sets of pickups where really nice. I might actually prefer the murries, at any rate- you Sir definitely have more patience than I will ever have with wiring& it is greatly appreciated , all the work & swearing , lol is awesome & a great bit of knowledge I can definitely use to learn. Thanks Collin.
Collin, your constant depiction of Les Paul Goldtop’s has proven too much for me to be able to resist, and I succumbed to my lust a few weeks ago as there was a good deal on a Gibson Victoria locally. My goodness. It was well worth the nearly 20 year wait as I’ve always wanted a Goldtop LP. So thank you for featuring Goldtops so frequently and reminding me of my white (gold) whale.
😆👍👍
I, too, succumbed to a gold top 70s deluxe 🤑7️⃣0️⃣
@@El-Scorcho Nice one!! 😆👍👍
@@El-Scorchoawesome!
Rock on its all golden now
I feel your pain and frustration. You have ventured much further than i could have...you are a trooper
another great episode very informative! I really appreciate all you do here especially this episode. the pots made a huge difference compared to the stock being all or nothing for tone. Now it's definitely usable so fine tuning your drive! I'm a fan of the Murray pups myself although I'd probably cover them. can't wait to see this week's episode next!
Wow, you’ve got me with this, glued to the series…
Lovely work 👍🏻
Cheers Andrew! 😎👍
Nice one Colin, you certainly put the work in, great sounds from the Murray's and the Monty's....
The BHC pickups from the Tokai were EXACTLY what was in my 2018 Epiphone standard les paul . same labels, k ohm readings etc. after trying other treble-enhancing wiring /pots and uncovered pickups ,I've gone back round to putting them and original pots back in , and the the fat tone returns and the middle p.u. sweetness is back. sometimes ya gotta futz it up to figure it out. it's a system -wiring AND pickups AND potentiometers. it DID originally win out over thinner sounding Lps in the shop w more 'desirable' pickups (Epiphone's pro-buckers.)
I am IN LOVE with this series.
Thanks mate! 😆👍
@@theguitaristas No problem. love from Ukraine :)
Great episode. Astonishing pleasure hear you play with this fantastic upgraded instrument and with a Gibson too. Thanks, but i must say that at last the Tokai sound very very Greeny.
A great video Colin, I do appreciate you putting yourself through those testing moments. Those PAFalikes where beautiful . Great fun and thank you.
Cheers John! 😎👍
I am trying to watch this @ 2x speed but you make it so dam hard because every time you have your guitar playing in the back ground I have to play at normal speed because I enjoy your playing soooooo much! I love these videos and am so glad I found your channel!
Thank you!
😆👍
Great video!!! I really loved the Murray pickups the best!
Yeah there was no audible difference with the wires but the Pots were obviously giving much better Tone variance and smoother volume control!
The combination of your amp setup and Murray's pups did it for me and of course your playing Colin 👍👍👍.
Cheers Andrew! 😎👍
Greetings from Memphis, Thanks for doing what I often daydream about, Love seeing the process and hearing!!! the difference. Keep up the Gr8 work.
Cheers David, thanks for supporting!
When you first started the reaming the light reflection when you changed hand positions looked like a huge crack! Loved it
Good morning from Chicago!
Good morning Chicago... have a great day! 😎👍
Thanks for taking one for the team with all that wiring! Superb watch as usual (even if some of it was sadistic pleasure 😅👍)
I didn't hear any difference with the wiring swap, the Murrys sound really really nice and angry.
Thanks Colin another great video, can't wait for part three
Thanks Charles! 😎👍
Everything sounded great! It'll take another listen to. Maybe even another one after that. Thanks for all the hard work, you're a great teacher.
Thanks Margaret... it was a bit like a 'how not to' video though eh? 🤣👍
Great real life video of the experience of modifying a guitar. The lessons to learn from this: If you want to add aftermarket parts, you're probably going to have to adapt them to your particular model, or alter the guitar itself, but if you are persistent it can be done. Or just have your luthier do it.
That play out jam was epic, especially around 59:40. Superb content, thanks.
Thanks that's appreciated! 🙏😊
my experience with LP toggleswitches is they are a lot easier to install when the wire is soldered in a 90 degree angle towards the switch tip making the total package just a bit slimmer than the wires sticking out to the side.
Also i prefered the warmer more rounded sound of the monty's. I'm curious to see next weeks comparison
Oh the Monty PAF's sound right! Nice! Smooth and nice breakup!
You brought the Tokai to life, sounds great. Now, I'm off to listen to Wait for the Blackout. Cheers.
Well spotted! 😆👍👍
Hi Collin, I love watching all of your videos and just wanted to say that I especially enjoyed the "play out" on this one.
Cheers John! 😎👍
that was pure delight the outward playing...
Loved this episode. You got your sweat on mate. Those Murray's were sensational. Grunty. The Montys all class, a little subtle when compared. I think both challenging the Gibson pick ups. Keep 'em coming. Great job. 👍
Cheers mate, thanks for the support it's really appreciated! 🙏 I'm a big P90 fan and I think those Murray's got close to what I imagine Seth Lover was aiming at in '57 😎👍👍
Another great video man! For my taste and to my ears I really dig the Murry pickups I love that even on the neck it still has plenty of bite!
Oooh the creaminess on those murray pickups!! I love them, definitely changing the pickups is crucial in order to shape your tone the way you want
Those Murrays were incredible.
Bravo 👏. Good job. Really helps one appreciate how comparatively easy modding a strat is compared to a Les Paul. Cheers!
😆👍👍
Well done Colin for not throwing the guitar across the room when fitting that switch! The frustration was evident on your face. I’ve been there before and it’s no fun is it. It wascworth it in the end though. Great vid as usual and nice playing 👍🏻
Thanks Lee... it was a close call this week! 🤣👍
Outstanding transformation! Your channel is the best in class, Structure,and information on TH-cam by far! From my ear I believe the Murray's Sounded the best. Bright ,clean ,crisp, Articulate and no fuzz. Have been an electrician for 29 plus years, With wiring patience is always the key. I've learned a lot by watching you perform your craft. (Great job.)
Cheers Tim! I wouldn’t trust me with a distribution board though!... 😆👍
I’m late seeing this. I really enjoyed that Murray pickup set.
Colin, another excellent video, thank you!!! I use a tapered Dremel sanding stone to open up the control cavities. The size of the tapered sanding stone bit should fit about halfway through the hole before you start. I dremel both ends of the whole and open it up bit by bit until the shaft of the pot just fits in. Never had any finish issues or chip out. Be careful not to run the Dremel too fast or you can scorch the wood/finish.
Cheers Bradley, yes a good alternative and very versatile tool the Dremel but somehow I always seem to forget I own one! 🤷♂️ Mind you that may be a good thing as there is power in that electric motor that can cause damage in the wrong hands.... 😂👍
Man, first, great series! So, first set, the bloom on those pickups was beautiful, the second set was defined and certainly would cut through the mix to take the lead and front stage. At home, .. the first set for sure.
Oh yea....the Murrays are it..... so glad to see a top wound tail piece. Got that tip years ago. Lots of editing but so far it so much fun to watch you go thru all this. When you get to the "its dun" part, add tone bleeds in there then your tone pots will respond so much better. Hope the frets on the Tokie wont tarnish over time & you got a nice gold top to show off. We all have that "bragging rights" guitar that we put in the parts, hours, changes, playing, swap amps to find the Holy Grail tone. Thanks for this vid..... 🧐
Cheers Mark! 😎👍👍
with this sound the guitar deserves a name. i'd call it "The UpGREAT". Your patience is admirable! love the vid!
Cheers mana I like that! 😆👍
Yes! My favourite Colin. Gotta be friday night guitar nerding! I like the normal tailpiece routing (not top wrapping). Monty's for me. The first time I replaced all the wiring, switch, jack and pickups in one of my Epiphones the same shennanigens ensued. I felt your pain. Thanks Colin.
Cheers Adrian, have a great weekend mate! 😎👍
Cheers Colin! Thanks for the vid! You have the patience of a saint!
Thanks Brent, yes but all the stuff I left out may tell a different story.... 🤣👍
Nice to hear you borrow a terrific line from the late, great George Best. "I'm doing this so that you don't have to."
:)
It wouldn't be Friday without a dose of this.guitar brilliance. Thanks mate.
😆 Cheers David! 👍
Both PAF's sounded great, I would go for Montys (Greenie) ones for now. Really appreciate the work that has gone into 'Pimp my Tokai!'
Thanks Cee Bee, just wanted to point out the price difference between my PAFs and the Montys. Mine are 450AUD, about 250 pounds, last I checked Montys were 450 pounds. Not saying its not justified, Matt from Montys has put loads of research into his PAFs, just something to think about.
@@murrayguitarpickups9545 Hey, both pick ups are great. I mean your pick ups are basically P.A.F's right?
I would rather order something unique like yours rather than the usual Seymour Duncan's etc.
Thanks for letting us know the prices mate.
@@ceebee491 No worries mate, yeah they are PAF replicas, but original PAFs varied quite a lot and evolved through the years, so I've taken aspects from several variations to customise it more towards Colin's playing style, I've given them a bit more bite and treble than average, still within the parameters of a PAF though. My 59 set is a bit fuller and smoother
Thank you Awesome Brother Colin.
Thanks for the video! had 50's loom, cts 550k pots and motor city detroiter pups put in my les paul classic. I looked at the dreadful pcb pots in my guitar and decided to let sweetwater do the work. picked it up yesterday. after 6 days work time, it was well worth the money to me.Sounds much better and no static crackle. My plexi was pushed harder by the pups and sounds amazing. I think yours sounds much better now.
Nice one Hod... smart man! 🤣👍
I must say Colin - The most entertaining video you have shared to date! Well worth my subscription to your paid channel! Not a project for rookies!
Cheers man... it's what I call 'reality modifications'! 🤣👍 watch out for some outtakes on the subscription channel!
@@theguitaristas you do a great job!
Okay man the new wiring and those Murray Pickups are the way to go sounds great
It had me at the first strum I think! 😆👍
Love your videos!! Thanks for them Fratello!!!
Cheers man! 😎👍
The more expensive pots seem to have a more useful taper, so with thumb bleeders you can go 10-9-8-7 on the volume with a different sound on each which is really useful. I liked the thinner sound of the Murrays best. Auditioning pickups gets expensive and I don't really like taking the guitar apart, so thanks for doing the hard work for us Colin!
Cheers Frank that's for watching! 😎👍
Sir, let me tell you something. Found your channel after buying my first guitar ever, 2 months ago, an Epiphone Les Paul Classic... I can't play guitar whatsoever, but you have become sort of like an uncle I look up to. You are the epitome of patience and you're incredibly therapeutic to watch or (listen to) during my long commutes here in California. Although I have to say, today you got me real good with the sirens sound!!! 🚨... I was looking around while driving to see where the ambulance or police were coming from 😂😂😂😂 and second of all, I realize you're probably the only person that gets away wearing cross and play like a real badass! Thank you so much for being who you are... hopefully one day I get at least 1% of your talent and play my guitar like you do!! Cheers!
*autocorect: I meant "crocs" 👞
Cheers man thanks for all the kind words and support it’s appreciated! 😁🙏 the secret to my playing skills is all in the crocs! 🤣
From what I understand all Guitars made outside of the United States are Metric(yes even Epiphones are Metric being made in China). Meaning holes are smaller, bridges and tail pieces are slimmer. So measure everything multiple times before doing this kind of work. From what I can tell the new Harness doesn't sound as dark as the original. I personally suggest a solderless Harness if trying multiple types of pickups. Then when that's over put in a high grade Harness and solder everything permanently. Just a thought. Loved the Murray '57 P.A.F. clones nice sounding.
Cheers Todd, the issue here wasn't that, but the routing in switch cavity is not as substantial as Gibson and Epiphone so it needed further routing. Also the switch shaft (although the correct diameter) wasn't long enough to protrude sufficiently above cap. Both entirely unexpected! 🤷♂️
Thanks Todd!
I have a Japan Tokai and have been considering doing the monty loom and maybe some Seymour D's (JB and 59) - now after watching yours I am considering the bridge and tailpiece changes too - thanks for the time you put into your vids, nice simple friendly and realistic format.
and now I have GAS for a Tokai Custom Korean/Chinese to just do some upgrades to as well. Damn you !
Sorry! 🤣👍
Another GREAT! show. This is the best show on youtube related to guitars! Thanks mate awesome playing also
Thanks James that's appreciated! 🙏😎
This is fantastic work ! I have to say the tokai with those Murray pickups is a revelation! Can’t afford a Gibson but I think what you have there sounds better 😊
Cheers man! 😎👍
Sounds awesome Colin
Cheers Rob! 😎👍
Col, you have much more patience and dexterity than me. A worthy project, and I’m voting for the Murray’s.
Cheers John, you didn’t see the bits I left out! 🤣👍👍
Thanks John, I should point out the significant price difference too, those Montys are fantastic but cost a lot more.
Collin, as usual... Outstanding content!.. Thank You👍
Cheers Michael, thanks for supporting! 😎👍
Those new pickups are Boss (Murray’s)! They are distorting so much more nicely than the stock pups. You’re making me want to grab up a set! Edit: Damn! The Monty’s are sick as well! Although my vote is still for the Murray’s.
Excellent job! I really liked the Murray pickups. I really don't understand top wrapping. Personally I have found I get the best results by standard wrapping and adjusting the stud heights to get the desired tension on the strings. This is the beauty of guitar set up and mods you can get what works best for yourself! Nobody is right and nobody is wrong. I really enjoy all of this! Have a great weekend!
Cheers man and you have a good one! 😎👍👍
Agreed, the stud tailpiece is designed to be adjustable for a reason. But does the guitar sound better with the stud tailpiece decked, rather than raised? I seriously doubt any audible difference can be discerned, and if you rest your hand on the tailpiece smooth metal feels better than top-wrapped strings. But THEY (your heroes) did it that way you say? "Do whatcha like, that's what I say - do whatcha like - do it all day!".
Jim Lill did a wonderful video about pickups and exactly how much they contribute to the overall sound of the guitar. Here as well it was quite evident how large a role pickups play in the overall tone of the guitar! Those Murray's sounded so good that I think you are absolutely putting the Gibson on notice! Had you played the same licks with the Monty's I could have made a better assessment of their sound in relation to the other two, but nonetheless an improvement over the original pups. I have a set of Monty's in my Tokai that really sound good so they'll stay...
This is fun to watch, and I'm looking forward to the next installment!
Cheers man, yes the Jim Lill video shows how much of the work the pickups apparently do 😎👍
Colin, you need a deep toggle switch nut. They fit down into the toggle switch hole and grab the toggle switch threads further down allowing you to use the star washer and the poker chip. They're readily available. I just want to add how enjoyable your videos are. I really look forward to them every week. Thanks for what you do. It's greatly appreciated!
Cheers Eric, yes that is exactly what I needed... it just didn't occur to me at the time I wish I taken a breath and thought it through before plowing on! What's even more annoying is I probably even have one in my box of guitar parts 🤷♂️
@@theguitaristas LOL! I probably have 4-5 of them but if I needed one I'd never be able to find any of them. I'd have to order a new one!
@@ericweissberg1101 Exactly! 🤣🤣
Only getting around to watching this now Colin. Great video.
I think the Montys sounded more to my taste.
As Always good job Colin...waiting for the next step and to see where you Will take us🤣🤣🤣...Cheers👍👍👍
Thanks Marco! 😎👍
I like your quote "It's at the verge of ripping you face off. " it sounds very good.
😆👍
Wow feel the pain … but no pain no gain ! … the pay off was the Monty’s pots the tone control was stunning …and the Murray’s pups … well those pickups are on another level with a lot of Flyod vibes effortlessly ringing through with a wonderful abundance of sound trail which the Gibson has a little and unfortunately Monty’s got none… be great to see the Murray’s dialed in… hope Matt see this and gets at new switch sorted !
Cheers Gerry, great quote for Murray’s there! 😎👍
Nice work. I've been diving deep into your channel of late and am really enjoying the videos (and you). A great "down home" style of presenting. No BS!!
I preferred the Monty's in the end - the Murray pups were too bright for my liking, although I'm sure they could be softened somewhat depending on amps and other gear. Keen to hear if swapping out the saddle will make any difference. Keep up the good work mate and try not to go broke in the process! Cheers!
Cheers man thanks for supporting! 😎👍
Hey Gary I just want to mention my regular PAF is a bit warmer smoother and fuller, less bright than these but after discussions with Colin we decided to go for a bit more bite and treble than average. I custom wind every set to suit the player so I could definitely make something more suitable for you.
Cracking video Colin. To my ears the loom did improve the sound a little, but then those pups. For me the Murays sounded superb, with the Montys just slightly behind. The Murrays definitely sounded a tad hotter. Stick them in the gibbo and that would be a match made in heaven. However star of the show...cranked JCM900. 😍
Cheers Mark, yes it was nice to get that JCM900 properly cooking without the ears bleeding! 😆👍
Happy Flannel Friday! Cracking job... not yeah, but HELL YEAH! Those pups ROCK, both sets. The pots are essential, I think I prefer the Montey's. The BAD thing is now I want a Marshall... I can't wait till next week's episode of "Colin in Wonderland" TOP WRAP for me now and Brass saddles the switch is LOUD
Cheers Bob, have a great weekend mate searching for a used Marshall on Craig’s list! 🤣👍👍
@@theguitaristas that's the easy part.... searching for the $$$$, that's the real issue here. There's a reason I play cheap guitars, it's called disability... they sure sound good, maybe I will build one.
Your valve drive pedal looked pretty good Bob... yes your next project should maybe build a valve amp!
Sorry I'm late to this colin but that said those Murrays sound absolutely heaven to me keep doing what you do mate love it
Cheers Chris! 😎👍
100% needed the brass saddles & better bridge for the comparison, the stock pickups were too dark but that’s not uncommon. I guess you have to stick with the stock one for now.
Nickel plated brass is period correct for a burst, and standard fitment on new high end Gibson’s.
The wiring is a wonderful thing, for many guitars it can make as much difference if not more than a pickup swap. “50’s” wiring in particular gives such a high level of tonal variation & that sweet top end remains when you roll back.
Very tasteful playing I must say, the amp helped bring something out in you which was evident in your dynamics. I bet you were having some fun 🤩
Loving this project and looking forward to the next one! 🙏😊
Cheers man, yes I will pop it back in a later episode 👍 I had a lot of fun making this and playing for it…. and there was a some pain! 😆👍
@@theguitaristas I really appreciate a content creator leaving in raw parts like that 🙏, we all felt your pain! Hahaha. No pain no gain!
For anyone interested I can say from experience, a straight carving 8-10mm #8 profile chisel makes extremely short work of the cavity modifications, and you can easily recess the switch further with the right size reamer or drill bit (with the drill in reverse!) to get the chip on. You can apply this method if you must use short shaft pots (which only fit vintage and True Historic/Custom Shop Les Paul’s to my knowledge).
Hey there Colin, two great videos on the Love Rock upgrade. Your modifications are very similar to what I did with my Love Rock Traditional two years back .
I fitted CTS pots with orange drop capacitors , Switchcraft toggle switch and output jack socket , Gibson bridge and tailpiece , Grover machine heads .
I changed the BHC pickups after trying them with covers on and covers removed, then I changed to Dimarzio PAF pros with the covers removed , and finally a set of Zebra PAF types from BYO
Guitar parts. It's been an interesting experiment, I actually like all the pickups , they all suited the guitar and sounded great , I'd find it difficult to pick a favourite set , but removing the cover's off the BHC and Dimarzio pickups definitely improved the tone . I use a Peavey Delta Blues with a 15 inch speaker and the Love Rock is as good as any Gibson Les Paul that I've owned and I've had plenty over the years . The Love Rock impressed me so much I ended up buying a Tokai ES78 traditional (335 type) and then a Tokai traditional SG type which I modified both in a similar fashion and I'm more than happy with the results . Having been a Gibson fanatic for decades now , I'm sold on the Tokai traditional range of guitars .
I'm really looking forward to your next videos Colin, keep up the great work
Cheers Anthony, did you have any problems with the switch? 🤣 I agree these are great guitars... it feels right so providing I don't break it in the process I will end up with a great Les Paul 😎👍
Hi Colin, from your videoing looks like the pre made wiring harness to the switch is quite bulky for the cavity it has to fit in . I wired my switch and potentiometers etc from scratch so I didn't have any problems . The switch cavity is a little bit tight but with careful soldering , wiring it yourself gives you the best chance to make all the cables fit snugly. The original switches that are fitted to the Tokai are very much the same as the old Japanese copies from the 70s and aren't the best so it's a good thing to change them as well as those small potentiometers.
Those Tokais are great for upgrades , they're really good as they come stock but fitting some higher quality parts does make them feel and perform as good as any American guitar I've owned .
I PLAY AUTHENTIC ( COPIES )
Both sets sounded great. I'd lean Montys just because I tend to gravitate to less bright and esthetically I prefer covered humbuckers. But if the Murrays found their way into one of my guitars I'm sure I could make them work for me!
Love your videos. Warts an all! Montys pickups are fab in my opinion. I have the DP set in a tele and they transformed it into a wonderful sounding guitar. I think the wiring made a big difference alone in your tokai.
Cheers Marc! 😎👍
Bloody Hell Colin, that was a job and half mate! lol felt for you all the way through that. Great vid mate. All the best and have a great weekend sir! EDIT: PUPs, Has to be the Montys for me.
Cheers Jeff, have a great weekend mate! 😎👍
Can I buy your vote?....haha.... with a massive price difference
50's style wiring with proper paper in oil type capacitors and 'traditional' PAF style pickups is an amazing combination. A good example of this setup should sound closer to vintage P90s than modern humbuckers in my opinion.
Wonderful what you do, love it....
Thanks that's appreciated! 🙏😊
Mate, you had a rough day of it Final product sounds pretty good. I’m sure by now you have a pickup height that you go to All around good job Colin. Your problems caused me to have flashbacks of my own problems. Good video Colin.
No doubt the wiring/ pots was very nice, and I like the uncovered pickups for sure
Another great video Colin. I've never tried a Japanese made Tokai LP but they have a v good reputation, I have a Chinese made Tokai LP and I can report its an excellent guitar! They make a fantastic modding platform as your video proves. I prefer normal not top wrap.
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really enjoy the videos thanks for posting!
You're welcome thanks for supporting!
You so much fun dude. Good job done.
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Totally with you on this. I've done it twice on Starshines. One got EMGs and the other Seymour Duncan P- rails. Like whatching one them sleeper Hondas beat a super car. I bet the brass roller bridge makes things even brighter mate. But sustain will increase a bit. Good shows about mods.
Cheers man! 😎👍
My Saturday lunchtimes just get better and better! The Monty's sound great but not ruling out the Murray's - they have a bit more sunshine over in Oz and it shows in the top end, I think. Both great. "I did warn you there might be some swearing." Well, fuck, yeah - rather you than me and thank you for going where I would never dare to go - I learn a lot from your stuff and this certainly helps me appreciate the work guitar tech people do . . . you demystify things for civilians like me - thank you! While we're on the subject, I caved and bought the Epi / Gibson hybrid 59 and love it. My 68 LP Custom is with Nameless Guitars here in HK right now getting a new jack plug put in (keeping all the original pick-ups and vol/tone rig) and really looking forward to comparing them when it comes back. Cheers from the mystic East!
Cheers Morton, hopefully things getting a easier for you over there now? Let me know how the 68 Custom stacks up against the fraction of cost imposter! I sold my reissue 68 Custom earlier this year… it was great but just didn’t get used in the face of such reasonably priced competition! 😎👍
Excellent Colin thanks for sharing 🎶🎶🎸🎵👍👍
Cheers Paul! 😎👍
God bless the trier and we salute you. It might help to go through the neck pickup routing hole and try with the right tools very carefully and patiently trying to copy the Gibson measurements as close as possible. Other option is using the original switch which the guitar came with. Don't worry it's normal to get upset we all still keep learning new things even after decades in our professions, the main thing is your smile, determination and your efforts are worth our respect appreciation for the great work on your channel and we are all salute you because every second is priceless and please keep the good work. Best regards from 🏴🤘🔥🔥
great video Colin its amazing the sounds of these boutique PUPS. For you next guitar review you should consider the Epiphone inspired by Gibson Firebird. I just bought one and its really amazing.
Cheers Paul, definitely going to get one of those.... 😎👍
The uncovered Murrays highlighted the difference between covered/uncovered pups. The uncovered burstbuckers on my LP Classic have a similar sound compared to the covered ones. Not sure which I prefer as both have their place. I usually play with the neck pick up and tone rolled down and find this gives a really nice warm sound but with some bite when you want it. I also just want to say how much I'm enjoying this channel. You remind me of a slightly rebellious Jack Hargreaves from his Out of Town TV show from the 70s.
Thanks man that’s appreciated, Jack Hargreaves’s has been mentioned before! 😆👍
Hey Colin, Murray's 39:39 to 39:42, your joy, priceless, they sounded great, bite. Montys sounded articulated and mellow. Hilarious, just wack them on ten and there you go.🤣 Cheers mate.
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The Tokai is definitely taking it to the Gibson. I like the uncovered PAF's. Good show. I did think you were gonna lose it with the switch 😆
Cheers Bill... I cut out the bit where I lost it with the switch! 🤣👍
Drill in hand "do I look stressed" ? YES, it was palpable ! 😁 great Video !
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Thanks for the interesting content.
Awesome G《☆》Wow So many combinations👍✔I've had my Epiphone LesPaul standard Top wrapped ever since I installed Gibson Burstbucker Pro 1 & 2 in 15 years ago. Maybe I'll go back to regular wrap next time I re string. I like the Murray uncovered bridge sound & the Covered Neck sound🖖🤓🏈
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That “special tool” for the switch makes things MUCH easier and it’s cheap and also has several other uses. I wish I hadn’t waited years to get one.
I love when you play punk rock stuff! It's obvious that you 'get it' and it sounds like Steve Jones. Keep it up!
Cheers man, I try and sneak them in whenever possible but must do more!! I am a 70's child and grew up listening to the stooges, pistols, siouxsie, and the clash 🙌😎🧷
Great video Col. It is possible to purchase CTS pots etc made for metric / import guitars. Makes life a little easier. I recently upgraded the wiring in the Vintage PG Lemondrop. The switch was a bugger in there also. You could probably replace just the switch for a better fitting one if it drives you OCD mad!
Cheers Dave, the problem here was it turned out I didn't have correct part (who would have known?) or the correct tool to fit it! 🤣 Ah the benefit of hindsight... 😆👍