Gibson Les Paul Axcess (Custom Shop with Floyd Rose!)

[macphly]

Originally Posted by misterdistortion

1.I noticed that he radius on the Floyd-Rose was too flat and didn't match the 12 inch radius of the neck so I corrected this using the steel shims that were fitted under locking nut. Nice low action with out chocking on the G and D strings now

This makes me wonder if the radius of the Korean bridge is flatter than the German ones. I've always thought Floyds were universally 10 inch radii, and since that's a hair rounder than Gibson's fretboard, it should match up ok. I did notice a little bit of rattling on D and G strings when I got the guitar, but, either as a function of the German Floyd or the action I've set (or both), I don't have that problem.

2. I fitted some aged nickel pickup covers which I ordered from RSguitar as I prefer the look with the burst.
3.remounted the pots with extra washers to make the top hats sit closer to the top. I might swap these for CTS 500k ones which I did to my other Lester.

I agree with you about the trem arm getting in the way of the Volume pots BTW.

I had a nickel cover and agree that's much better than double black...I've never cared for the latter. I would definitely change the pots, esp if you use them much...I'm accustomed to making a lot of volume changes, and have trained my brain and hand to get around the trem, but I still get caught now and again, and sometimes I use the same "flail" to get to the volume on my non-trem LP and SG!

I've also changed the string lock inserts to titanium. Realizing I was probably over-tightening, I was having trouble with the black string lock inserts expanding and getting stuck in the saddles. I also had seen the beginnings of stripping on the string lock and nut lock screws, so I've changed all of those to stainless steel. Problem solved, yet still scratching my head...I never had that problem with Floyds in the '80s and '90s...and I'm pretty sure all of the bridges I had were "licensed" rather than original Floyds. Anyway, this all adds up to another aesthetic I like, so it's all good...but I can never sell this guitar and get my money back...what a money pit!

[macphly]

Originally Posted by Stu Blue

Got to say I'm always slightly in awe of the way some folks mod their amps and guitars. I could never trust myself not to wreck the sound, especially judging by my "at home" ears, since I don't have a regularly gigging band to reference thing by.

You're right about the looks on those pickups BTW, but pulling pickups apart to get the looks right... quel courage!

Yeah, I get lit up in the Les Paul forum sometimes. Although I was a geek before THD, I think that experience has heightened the notion that everything can always sound better with enough fidgeting.

Re: double cream...I'd not realized until a short while ago that Dimarzio has the corner on that look. Apparently, others will not build pickups that way.

...and re: "courage"...I'd practiced a couple of times on cheaper pickups before pulling these apart.

[ledfingers]

Macphly:

It's great to see that all your upgrades have resulted in a keeper for you.

I will only use original Floyd Rose whammy systems in my guitars. I've had enough non-original Floyds to notice the quality differences. I was surprised that a Gibson Custom Shop guitar used a cheaper version.

[macphly]

Let me just say that I was thoroughly disappointed that Gibson put anything less than a real Floyd on such a pricey guitar and I'm sure I'm not the only one that has bitched at them for it. The problem is that if you're intrigued by the idea, there's not really anywhere else to get one, and the thought of modding an existing LP to get a well-functioning trem on it is beyond my comfort level.

All of that said, and acknowledging that I've spent too much on the guitar, it is now one of the best guitars I've ever owned. It plays like butter and sounds fantastic...again, not like a fantastic LP, but a fantastic guitar tone nonetheless.

[Stu Blue]

Glad it's turned out so well for you. But I gotta say if the words "Custom Shop" don't mean top quality, then what does that say about "standard" quality? Gibson still don't seem to understand the value of reputation in the long run, as against a fast buck right now. Fender were almost dead in the water until they took quality seriously, now they're boom city. Mind you I think both companies could cut down on the advertising budget and put more into quality, and do better in the long run.

[PanamaJack]

The double cream pickups really make it vintage looking. Nice job. It's cool that your custom shop version is lighter than a normal LP. I bumped into a drummer friend that asked me, "Do you still have that old, black Les Paul...that thing sounded great!"

No more, sorry to say. I play an L5-S now. I got a sore back playing four sets with with the old LP. Not all gigs are sixty minute showcases.

[macphly]

Originally Posted by Stu Blue

Glad it's turned out so well for you. But I gotta say if the words "Custom Shop" don't mean top quality, then what does that say about "standard" quality? Gibson still don't seem to understand the value of reputation in the long run, as against a fast buck right now. Fender were almost dead in the water until they took quality seriously, now they're boom city. Mind you I think both companies could cut down on the advertising budget and put more into quality, and do better in the long run.

I couldn't agree more. I have a real love/hate thing going with this guitar...love the guitar, but pissed about the amount of money it's cost me to get it right. There's been a glimmer of hope over the last couple of years with the some of the less expensive "guitars of the month" and now the plekked LP Standard...based on my experiences with some of those guitars, I think Gibson might get the picture. Still, you shouldn't have to pay over $2000 for a guitar of that quality...

Have you noticed how many artists on television are playing Gibsons? Seems like us "regular guys" (who can't afford it) are buying guitars for rock stars that ought to be able to buy them. Something's really wrong with that.

[Stu Blue]

Originally Posted by macphly

Have you noticed how many artists on television are playing Gibsons? Seems like us "regular guys" (who can't afford it) are buying guitars for rock stars that ought to be able to buy them. Something's really wrong with that.

Funny thing is I always notice all the guys with their freebie Strats.... depends on what you lust after I suppose...

[macphly]

With a bit more help from Mr. Fralin, I have finally found the winning pickup combination for this guitar: In the bridge, we now have a Fralin High Output humbucker (I finally remembered to have him make it with 52mm spacing to match the Floyd!), which is wound with lighter wire in order to get more on the bobbin (resistance is around 13.5K). I didn't want a hotter pickup, but this one beefs up the low mids to sound more like a Lester. The extra gain's not a problem as is sounds nice with the volume backed off a bit and the surprise for me is that it taps GREAT...so the single coil sounds are thicker and my inbetween setting is a more believable Tele sound now...fantastic. In the neck I have an Alnico II, 8K humbucker...very PAF. Although I like the double creme, I'm also very happy with zebras in this guitar...I'm done...it sounds like I want it to!

[stephen sawall]

That guitar looks great ..... get a hair cut. People still tell me that once in a while, mines a lot longer.