Got “Blue” back home today! USPS had it all over the map but he made it home!! Boxed up beautifully too I might add. Although I have a room full of amps to plug in to, I wanna wait to really “ Kick the pig” through my on stage set up. So.... just to get a taste I plugged in to the Bugera T5 thru a 12” Kustom cabinet. It sounds amazing and feels like a million bucks! Can’t imagine how it’s gonna sound thru my Hot Rod Deluxe and Pedalboard....🤤🤤🤤 A HUGE THANK YOU to you Mr Boudreau for the awesomeness! So glad you were willing to take on this project! I’ve played for 35 years....never ever have I had a guitar that was this level. I’m excited to play our next gig with #1 and all his upgrades!
Incredible!! I hate there were some pain in the butt moments for you but you are amazing sir! Watching this video I felt very proud even though you were doing all the work! I hope your shop is completely swamped with customer guitars now!! Thank you so much for doing all this work on my baby.... very very much appreciate you and you’re amazing mad skills! Bubba
I have learned a lot from you ,Jerry Rosa,Randy Schartiger,and a couple others here on utoob. I have also learned the cost of luthiers tools.I gladly let the ads run for you.
Your attention to detail is amazing. It really helps for diy guys like myself, not to mention this will be my first hot rodding of a guitar. i have to. it's my first ever... guitar lol. I gotta learn now I'm hooked! Great instructional video your appreciated greatly!!!
Thank you so much for this!!!! I'm going to be doing a full electronics upgrade on my epiphone les paul custom soon and I couldn't find any videos on that until I came across yours! Awesome job!!!🎸
Since getting Ol Blue home back in December 2019.... I’ve played several gigs. Well, until the Rona hit and shut everything down...🙄 I am still 100% convinced Mr Boudreaux is a guitar master! Best money I’ve ever invested on a guitar was towards his talents in making it a beast! Thanks again Ken. Hope you are doing well here in 2020 and looking forward to doing some more upgrades on a 25 yr old Telecaster when you’re ready my friend! Regards, Bubba Stephens
I have always been a bit nervous about using power drills on instruments. Then I figured out that my violin/viola peg hole hand reamer worked fantastic for opening up the shaft holes for the pots.
Excellent video and step by step documentation, Ken! I enjoyed the whole process, and even picked up some tips along the way. If you have the time, I would like to ask a few questions, because you seem to have a good knowledge and skill level... Your soldering iron/station - how many Watts is it? I've recently purchased a Soldering Station, and I'm having a hard time findind a good temperature for soldering guitar electronic... I often feel that the pots/wires I'm tinning gets quite hot.. Is that the same case for you? I'm worried about frying the parts... Also, I find that the soldering tips are having trouble to accept solder... even though they are brand new and haven't been used much.. Tin just seem to fall off.. I don't know.. It's probably me and my poor skills.. Your help would be greatly appreciated! Cheers & Thanks.
Hi Ken I like your videos on these epiphone les paul pro's. Which normally come push pull to split the coils. To confirm, this change with the better electronics are no longer using the split coil, push pull method correct?
Definitely did away with the coil tap! No les Paul should try to sound like a Stratocaster! I was over the top happy with Kens work and all the upgrades on Ol Blue!
I have this exact guitar, and will be doing the pickup and electronics upgrade. The split coil is not impressive at all. I'll have no problem going to humbucker only!
man I wish I could still do work like this, I shake so fucking bad most days and can't see, I guess I should be thankful I'm still alive lol cheers brother Ken! do it while you can man!
@@BoudreauGuitars man I appreciate that, I probably could send you some work, I have to turn a lot down because I just shake too bad and can't see good enough to do it anymore, and it sucks! thank you Ken!
@@BigEdWo focal dystonia in both hands, more like both arms! plus they tell me rheumatoid arthritis 10 months ago in my last blood work. which I didn;t even know I had but the past 3 months or so I been knowing it. :( sucks getting old!
I was thinking about upgrading my epi les paul but wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Did you listen to the old pickups to get an idea of how much the upgrade improved the sound?
Clean work Ken! This is not related to your video other then it's an Epi you're working on, But I hear a lot of bad mouthing about the Epi peghead looking like someone just cut the corners off the Gibby open book style. But for me I like the Epi look better. Not a fan of the Gibby points hanging out there. What do you think? What that broken peghead laying on your bench?
Boudreau Guitars, awesome, I love watching your videos. Your very knowledgeable and I learn loads of stuff. Recently I swapped a set of pickups in my son’s Ibanez with some help from your videos. Keep them coming.
I really do like the extra attention to detail you make on the pick up rings. That’s quality my friend! Ken have you tried those True Tone output jacks yet?
Hey this video is great! Im about to embark on the same project. The braided wiring you use, is it just some kind of standard wiring or anything specific?
I'm also in the process of re-building my old Les Paul. Along with pickups, pots, etc., I found this exact wire at Stewart Mac: www.stewmac.com/electronics/components-and-parts/wires/
I hear a lot of guys rave about electronics and/or upgrades on their Epiphones, PRS, Squires, etc. what is a ballpark price range to have that done if someone does not want to do it themself?
Commercial Forest, you supply the pickups, I supply everything else, $250 to $300 depending where in the USA I have to ship your guitar back to. Shipping and insurance is included.
I only use Stew Mac, I've never been disappointed with the quality of their parts or tools, their customer service is second to none, and I've been on the free shipping list now for two years. A lot of people bitch about them but honestly they're the best out there!
As long as you use shielded wire and make sure you do all the ground connections (especially to the bridge) you shouldn't need a faraday. If this was a single coil setup I would say you should line the pup cavity w copper foil tape but w humbuckers that's overkill. As I write this I'm realising that this comment is a yr old and you've likely already done your swap lol but FYI for future.
Hi guys, my old 2006 Les Paul Epiphone's screws are all stripped and I cant unscrew like 1:04, 1:33 or pretty much everything. i tried methods with thicker rubber band, didn't work. I am thinking about drilling the screws, but I seem cant find drill bits that is small enough for the guitar's screw. Any idea or advise? t
I have the identical guitar color and all it sounds great the way it is. I get what your doing must be just a hobby of yours .does the guitar gain any value .in the end sounds the same as the old hardware.
I can assure you the factory coil tap set up that was on this axe was good. But it was no pearly gates set up! The sound difference was immediately noticeable when I got it home and plugged it in to my hot rod deluxe. Also, the brand of strings went from Ernie ball to D’Addario thanks to Ken. Ol Blue has done about 40 shows with the new set up. I couldn’t be happier!
Interestingly, I've heard pickup swaps will not increase resale value, and may actually decrease value some. However, they can be a huge improvement in tone.
I'm a little confused on how you soldered the pickup switch. It seems you grazed over that process and went straight to the pots. Can you explain what you did there?
Nice DIY project, but I would've kept the probuckers over the SDs. I'm completely unimpressed with just about every Seymour Duncan humbuckers I've heard. I think the probuckers sound better and have better lows and mids. If I were going to swap out pups, I'd have gone for a real upgrade, like Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays.
how would you say a modded epi stacks up against a stock gibson les paul studio? i have en epi lp standard with cts pots, orange drop caps and switchcraft switch, seymour duncan 59s and all but i don´t know if it would be worth to trade ir for a gibson studio
I won't lie I hardly ever use the boost on mine. I like my 57's Zebras to rock!! I find and I must say I am only a year in playing, but every time i use those boosts man just gets so muddy.... maybe i need new pots and switches. Like i said i am a noob but i really try to know my Guitars. I don't have many of them. There is just so much to know. lol
@@BoudreauGuitars bolt on of course haha. I'm thinking about getting a jazzmaster neck bound with maybe block inlays. I cant seem to find any for sale anywhere
Got “Blue” back home today! USPS had it all over the map but he made it home!! Boxed up beautifully too I might add. Although I have a room full of amps to plug in to, I wanna wait to really “ Kick the pig” through my on stage set up. So.... just to get a taste I plugged in to the Bugera T5 thru a 12” Kustom cabinet. It sounds amazing and feels like a million bucks! Can’t imagine how it’s gonna sound thru my Hot Rod Deluxe and Pedalboard....🤤🤤🤤 A HUGE THANK YOU to you Mr Boudreau for the awesomeness! So glad you were willing to take on this project! I’ve played for 35 years....never ever have I had a guitar that was this level. I’m excited to play our next gig with #1 and all his upgrades!
Bubba Stephens rock it like you stole it, brother🤘
Incredible!! I hate there were some pain in the butt moments for you but you are amazing sir! Watching this video I felt very proud even though you were doing all the work! I hope your shop is completely swamped with customer guitars now!! Thank you so much for doing all this work on my baby.... very very much appreciate you and you’re amazing mad skills! Bubba
I have learned a lot from you ,Jerry Rosa,Randy Schartiger,and a couple others here on utoob. I have also learned the cost of luthiers tools.I gladly let the ads run for you.
Your attention to detail is amazing. It really helps for diy guys like myself, not to mention this will be my first hot rodding of a guitar. i have to. it's my first ever... guitar lol. I gotta learn now I'm hooked! Great instructional video your appreciated greatly!!!
Thank you so much for this!!!! I'm going to be doing a full electronics upgrade on my epiphone les paul custom soon and I couldn't find any videos on that until I came across yours! Awesome job!!!🎸
This is quite the documentary! And a excellent way to relax(at least for this viewer ;-) )
thanks for checking it out Wolfie :-)
Since getting Ol Blue home back in December 2019.... I’ve played several gigs. Well, until the Rona hit and shut everything down...🙄 I am still 100% convinced Mr Boudreaux is a guitar master! Best money I’ve ever invested on a guitar was towards his talents in making it a beast! Thanks again Ken. Hope you are doing well here in 2020 and looking forward to doing some more upgrades on a 25 yr old Telecaster when you’re ready my friend! Regards, Bubba Stephens
I have always been a bit nervous about using power drills on instruments. Then I figured out that my violin/viola peg hole hand reamer worked fantastic for opening up the shaft holes for the pots.
love the shirt met Paul Stanley back in 2011 love kiss by far Paul is my favorite rhythm guitarist as well as Mr. Ace frehley as lead back in the day
Noice PAF'S sounding, cheers Ken, good to cya back on the geetars! Best wishes,🆑ive 👍✌
Very cool! I required mine and it’s one of my favorite axes. Mine got the Duncan Hot Rodded Set. JB & Jazz.
great set of pups!!!
Enjoyable watch
Thanks
Great job! Well done.
Excellent video and step by step documentation, Ken! I enjoyed the whole process, and even picked up some tips along the way.
If you have the time, I would like to ask a few questions, because you seem to have a good knowledge and skill level...
Your soldering iron/station - how many Watts is it? I've recently purchased a Soldering Station, and I'm having a hard time findind a good temperature for soldering guitar electronic... I often feel that the pots/wires I'm tinning gets quite hot.. Is that the same case for you?
I'm worried about frying the parts...
Also, I find that the soldering tips are having trouble to accept solder... even though they are brand new and haven't been used much.. Tin just seem to fall off.. I don't know.. It's probably me and my poor skills..
Your help would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers & Thanks.
Awesome job as always ken !! 👍☺
Hi Ken I like your videos on these epiphone les paul pro's. Which normally come push pull to split the coils. To confirm, this change with the better electronics are no longer using the split coil, push pull method correct?
Definitely did away with the coil tap! No les Paul should try to sound like a Stratocaster! I was over the top happy with Kens work and all the upgrades on Ol Blue!
I have this exact guitar, and will be doing the pickup and electronics upgrade. The split coil is not impressive at all. I'll have no problem going to humbucker only!
Great work Ken!
man I wish I could still do work like this, I shake so fucking bad most days and can't see, I guess I should be thankful I'm still alive lol cheers brother Ken! do it while you can man!
If you ever need help with this type of work, Randy I'd be more than happy to lend a hand, my friend.
Awesome to see you two are friends. Y'all both have awesome content.
why are you shaking, randy?
@@BoudreauGuitars man I appreciate that, I probably could send you some work, I have to turn a lot down because I just shake too bad and can't see good enough to do it anymore, and it sucks! thank you Ken!
@@BigEdWo focal dystonia in both hands, more like both arms! plus they tell me rheumatoid arthritis 10 months ago in my last blood work. which I didn;t even know I had but the past 3 months or so I been knowing it. :( sucks getting old!
Is there still going to a pull knob split coil function? How do you find the pull-knobs?
Is it really necessary to replace the pots just to upgrade the humbuckers?
Great video, what kit did you buy from StewMac? Was this the Premium Wiring Kit for the Gibson Les Paul?
I was thinking about upgrading my epi les paul but wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Did you listen to the old pickups to get an idea of how much the upgrade improved the sound?
Clean work Ken! This is not related to your video other then it's an Epi you're working on, But I hear a lot of bad mouthing about the Epi peghead looking like someone just cut the corners off the Gibby open book style. But for me I like the Epi look better. Not a fan of the Gibby points hanging out there. What do you think? What that broken peghead laying on your bench?
I have that exact guitar, will replacing the wiring and pots make a noticeable difference?
zaxbysfixit , yes
Boudreau Guitars, awesome, I love watching your videos. Your very knowledgeable and I learn loads of stuff. Recently I swapped a set of pickups in my son’s Ibanez with some help from your videos. Keep them coming.
I plan to do the same thing, if it's worth it.
I really do like the extra attention to detail you make on the pick up rings.
That’s quality my friend!
Ken have you tried those True Tone output jacks yet?
Hey this video is great! Im about to embark on the same project. The braided wiring you use, is it just some kind of standard wiring or anything specific?
I'm also in the process of re-building my old Les Paul. Along with pickups, pots, etc., I found this exact wire at Stewart Mac: www.stewmac.com/electronics/components-and-parts/wires/
I hear a lot of guys rave about electronics and/or upgrades on their Epiphones, PRS, Squires, etc. what is a ballpark price range to have that done if someone does not want to do it themself?
Commercial Forest, you supply the pickups, I supply everything else, $250 to $300 depending where in the USA I have to ship your guitar back to. Shipping and insurance is included.
Commercial Forest and worth every penny to have this man do the work!
Great Video... Besides Stew Mac, where do you get good parts at a decent rate?
I only use Stew Mac, I've never been disappointed with the quality of their parts or tools, their customer service is second to none, and I've been on the free shipping list now for two years. A lot of people bitch about them but honestly they're the best out there!
I like the knob pulling tool. Where did you get it?
Thanks
Hey Ken got an exact same guitar and planning to upgrade pots. The pots you installed in this video, was it push pull coil split ?
Amad Iftikhar this was a split coil...I had him swap it all out . The Pearly gates are amazing through my fender hot rod deluxe and my Bugera T-50
I have the exact same guitar, Would you suggest to do a Faraday cage if i do this upgrade? I Plan to upgrade all the electronics exept the pickups.
As long as you use shielded wire and make sure you do all the ground connections (especially to the bridge) you shouldn't need a faraday. If this was a single coil setup I would say you should line the pup cavity w copper foil tape but w humbuckers that's overkill. As I write this I'm realising that this comment is a yr old and you've likely already done your swap lol but FYI for future.
Hi guys, my old 2006 Les Paul Epiphone's screws are all stripped and I cant unscrew like 1:04, 1:33 or pretty much everything. i tried methods with thicker rubber band, didn't work. I am thinking about drilling the screws, but I seem cant find drill bits that is small enough for the guitar's screw. Any idea or advise? t
Sure buy a new guitar dont be cheap.
I have the identical guitar color and all it sounds great the way it is. I get what your doing must be just a hobby of yours .does the guitar gain any value .in the end sounds the same as the old hardware.
I can assure you the factory coil tap set up that was on this axe was good. But it was no pearly gates set up! The sound difference was immediately noticeable when I got it home and plugged it in to my hot rod deluxe. Also, the brand of strings went from Ernie ball to D’Addario thanks to Ken. Ol Blue has done about 40 shows with the new set up. I couldn’t be happier!
Interestingly, I've heard pickup swaps will not increase resale value, and may actually decrease value some. However, they can be a huge improvement in tone.
My less paul has coil taping, so use different pots?
I think so but there are splittable versions of PAFs.
I'm a little confused on how you soldered the pickup switch. It seems you grazed over that process and went straight to the pots. Can you explain what you did there?
Check out any relevant wiring diagram. Seymour Duncan has a bunch. That'll clearly indicate which connections to solder your leads to.
Soldering is its own art bro not too hard to pick up just gotta play with it
Funny, I own one just like your "Blue"
Very cool
Nice DIY project, but I would've kept the probuckers over the SDs. I'm completely unimpressed with just about every Seymour Duncan humbuckers I've heard. I think the probuckers sound better and have better lows and mids. If I were going to swap out pups, I'd have gone for a real upgrade, like Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays.
how would you say a modded epi stacks up against a stock gibson les paul studio? i have en epi lp standard with cts pots, orange drop caps and switchcraft switch, seymour duncan 59s and all but i don´t know if it would be worth to trade ir for a gibson studio
What's the name of that tool you used to take off the knobs.
It's called a spanner tool
So your “upgrade” removed the push pull feature?
I won't lie I hardly ever use the boost on mine. I like my 57's Zebras to rock!! I find and I must say I am only a year in playing, but every time i use those boosts man just gets so muddy.... maybe i need new pots and switches. Like i said i am a noob but i really try to know my Guitars. I don't have many of them. There is just so much to know. lol
Is there a model number on that soldering station? Thanks.
Matt Liebenau MX 500P-11, I just looked on eBay and the prices have gone way up on these over the past 6 months. Just search metcal for other models
Thanks again. Do you know if replacement tips are available?
Matt Liebenau yes they are.
Gold hardware would really compliment that color .
Do you bind necks for a price?
The504lego set, or bolt on?
@@BoudreauGuitars bolt on of course haha. I'm thinking about getting a jazzmaster neck bound with maybe block inlays. I cant seem to find any for sale anywhere
@@BoudreauGuitars is there a way you can email me??
Boudreau_guitars@yahoo.com
@@BoudreauGuitars I sent you an email I wasn't sure if you had gotten it or not.
Holl i like your video and i have?to ake you
I you not Happy With Stock Epiphone go To Gibson...3500 Bucks..And Dont Think Gibson make a Better Players is Not Magic....