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So I picked up my first Gibson Les Paul around Christmas last year. I got a used Gibson Traditional 1960 Reissue Goldtop Zebra. PIC below from the Gibson website.
It's a great guitar and in truth, it got me gassing for Gibson's. I think many people have a similar story of never really being too interested or impressed until they find the right Gibson. I got this one at a steal of a price and it was in excellent condition with the USA Snakes Skin tolex case and all the case candy. I think the previous owner kept it in the case for a year before selling it. I love the traditional with the thin Nitro finish, 60 profile neck and the 57 pickups. While I loved the 57 in the neck, I did not love the 57+ in the bridge. While I liked the look of the guitar, I always associated Chrome covers with Les Paul's and Zebra's with super Strats and Shredders. Anyway, I found a great deal on Craigslist on a 57 neck pickup and Burstbucker Pro bridge in Chrome. I also picked up a new pick guard without the 1960 logo. When I opened up the electronics cavity I was surprised to see two tiny little 0.02 Capacitors. I was expecting to see some big ass Orange Drops or even Retro Paper Caps. So I exchanged the pick ups and also changed out the Caps with some extra Orange Drop I had left over from another project.
You can see I have been working some real playing wear (I personally hate fake relic'ing but love a well played instrument). Alway, here is how she looks now.
I like the Burstbucker Pro in the bridge way better than the 57+ and I found switching to the Orange Drop Cap's have made the guitar tone much more present. I would not have described the previous tone as muddy but you can clearly hear a difference. If there are any electronics Guru's out there, feel free to pipe in and explain why the tone is changing? Anyway, I have spent the last few hours enjoying the new tones and look. Super happy. I will keep all the stock parts just in case I ever decide to go back to stock.
It's a great guitar and in truth, it got me gassing for Gibson's. I think many people have a similar story of never really being too interested or impressed until they find the right Gibson. I got this one at a steal of a price and it was in excellent condition with the USA Snakes Skin tolex case and all the case candy. I think the previous owner kept it in the case for a year before selling it. I love the traditional with the thin Nitro finish, 60 profile neck and the 57 pickups. While I loved the 57 in the neck, I did not love the 57+ in the bridge. While I liked the look of the guitar, I always associated Chrome covers with Les Paul's and Zebra's with super Strats and Shredders. Anyway, I found a great deal on Craigslist on a 57 neck pickup and Burstbucker Pro bridge in Chrome. I also picked up a new pick guard without the 1960 logo. When I opened up the electronics cavity I was surprised to see two tiny little 0.02 Capacitors. I was expecting to see some big ass Orange Drops or even Retro Paper Caps. So I exchanged the pick ups and also changed out the Caps with some extra Orange Drop I had left over from another project.
You can see I have been working some real playing wear (I personally hate fake relic'ing but love a well played instrument). Alway, here is how she looks now.
I like the Burstbucker Pro in the bridge way better than the 57+ and I found switching to the Orange Drop Cap's have made the guitar tone much more present. I would not have described the previous tone as muddy but you can clearly hear a difference. If there are any electronics Guru's out there, feel free to pipe in and explain why the tone is changing? Anyway, I have spent the last few hours enjoying the new tones and look. Super happy. I will keep all the stock parts just in case I ever decide to go back to stock.
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