Epiphone SG Special VE - Max Upgrades!!!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 พ.ย. 2023
- I wanted to play around with doing upgrades on an inexpensive SG guitar. I found the Epiphone SG Special VE (Vintage Edition) and purchased it.
Epiphone SG Special VE Features:
• Poplar body with an okoume neck and rosewood fretboard
• Neck shape: '60s SlimTaper D
• Neck is Bolt-on
• Scale length: 24.75 in.
• Neck finish: Satin
• Radius: 14 in.
• Fret size: Medium jumbo
• Number of frets: 22
• Inlays: Dot
• Nut width: 1.687 in. (42.8 mm)
• Neck: 650R Humbucker
• Bridge: 700T Humbucker
• Worn Vintage Edition Cherry finish
• Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
• Vintage Cherry
• $199 new
• Purchased mine for $115 used
I wanted to replace the nut, tuners, pickups, and install a Bigsby B5 Vibrato with Vibramate
The electronics actually look okay, and I left alone for now.
Installing the Bigsby requires tune-o-matic - and stop bar bridge system as it replaces the stop bar. There is an Epiphone Limited-Edition SC
Special-I guitar that only has the wrap around bridge. Without altering the guitar, you cannot install the Vibramate and Bigsby on this guitar.
First, I installed the Vibramate adapter on the guitar for the Bigsby. I like the idea of the Vibramate because it replaces the stopbar tail piece and aligns the Vibrato without having to drill anything into the guitar. You can remove the Bigsby and Vibramate in minutes and return the guitar to its original configuration. The Vibramate goes for $70.
Next, I installed the Bigsby Vibrato onto the Vibramate. The Bigsby goes for about $149. It is a solidly made, quality unit.
I installed the replacement humbuckers. I used the Blizzard of 59 - Vintage Humbucker Set in Nickel. The manufacturer states this set of pickups will deliver 59 PAF like tones. I paid only $109 for them. I wanted a set of PAF like pickups with covers installed. I thought this would not only improve the sound of the guitar but compliment the Bigsby with a more classic vintage look.
I removed the existing plastic nut and replaced it with the GraphTech PT606000 TUSQ XL Nut, Epiphone Style for only $12. I had to remove some of the nut material with sandpaper, so it slid snuggly into place.
Lastly, I replaced the crappy stock tuners. The B tuner would not turn the tuner head at all. I installed a set of Kluson 3+3 Plus Series Tuners that are made for Epiphones to replace the stock tuner using the same tuner sleeve and the same screw holes.
I know, I know, I can hear it now - here are some of the comments:
• You should just save up for a set neck model - this is crap.
• You spent more on the guitar (itemized amount inserted here) than you did for the guitar. You could have just purchased a set neck Epiphone sg.
• What a piece of crap!
• Etc!
I did this because it was fun. I was curious as to how it would sound once I was done. I also wanted to try out the Bigsby installation on an SG without worrying about making marks or damage.
I really like the outcome. It is really classic looking. Without turning the guitar over you would not know this was a bolt on neck $199 new guitar. - เพลง
People think you have to find the right guitar for you, but its far more rewarding to take a guitar and MAKE it just right for you.
I love that statement!
So true.
Nice video. This is cool for people who like to learn how to bem their own guitar technician. Thanks for sharing. I’m still trying to muster the courage to get a cheap guitar and mod it.
Thank you
The bigsby thing is so cool, no need to mess with the wood cuz it just screws into whats already there. Genius.
Sounds much better after the mods
the pickups made it have good new looks
Right on brother!!! Love that stuff!! I been wanting to mod up an epiphone les paul. My strat I Modded. Love the content
Thank you!
Go for it - my Epiphone Les Paul Standard got brand new good quality tuners, new Pots, new selector switch and Input jack and vintage sounding Seymour Duncan pickups - an Alnico Pro II bridge and a '59 PAF neck. It sounds incredible.
Cool work, but you can always tell a bolt on SG neck by how the fingerboard is set deeper in the body. That's really the downside to them. Upper fret access is better with the set necks.
Hello! I own this guitar too and I love it to death, and I've been making some mods too (for both aesthetic and playability reasons). I noticed that the Graphtech nut you used was a 6060, which according to Graphtech fits perfectly with guitars made before 2014. Graphtech recommends that one use the 6061 nut for guitars made after 2014. So was your guitar made before 2014? Does the 6061 nut still fit perfectly with the strings and guitar even if the guitar was not made before 2014? I'd love yo use your video as inspiration. Rock and roll, sir!
"I did this project because it was fun" There you go. All you purists out there, did you hear what the man said, it was fun. If you have never bought a cheap guitar and modded it, you don't know what you are missing. Put your custom shop SG away and do what this guy just did. The results speak for themselves.
I have the wrap around bridge model... and cannot find a replacement bridge to save my life. Not sure what the proper measurements would be. Nice to see drop in tuners!
The wrap around bridge from the factory annoys me the most actually. I can tolerate the tuners lol.
I have found that any of the Epiphone spec'd bridges would fit this model.
The new pickups are far superior to the stock efforts.
Thanks, I agree.
I've got an Epiphone SG-310, my favorite of the Epi SGs (apart from any white ones, natch). It's getting upgraded soon - usually with Seymour Duncan Invaders!
Always wanted one of these to tinker around with, but the neck shape is wrong for me.
Do you know if it can (where from) and how hard it would be to get a thicker (50's style) neck on there?
Thats a tough one. I do not know off the top of my head.
Great job. 👍 I bought one of these for making fretless. I'm looking for tuner. The original tuner hole size is 6mm?
I believe the tuner is around 6mm but the bushing is 8.5mm to 8.7mm
@@guitarcollectorguy thank u. I order a Kluson vintage style. It says Bore:8.5mm. I hope it will fix.
@@Erkin_Baba_Arsivi it should you may have to ream the holes a little.
@@guitarcollectorguy ok. So, i need a reamer.
@@Erkin_Baba_Arsivi if you are installing or changing tuners - I would have one. I have a set of these that has served me well. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QT4P7BP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hey man! I just bought this guitar and I want to replace the tuners. Could you share the size of the tuners' holes? I can't find it anywhere. Thanks!
This is a direct replacement tuner. Should have dimensions. www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-machines/solid-peghead-guitar-tuning-machines/kluson-33-plus-series-tuners/
5/16" diameter pegholes required (7.93mm)