after 10 plus years away from playing , gary moore/green was always someone i looked up to when i was younger, my youngest child has just started to learn to play , this has had a knock on effect on me lol, having owned many genuine les Pauls over the years , after a long break im not ready to re-commit to that kind of investment , so off the back of your 2 videos ive just rdered this exact guitar :) looking forward to your next instalment ! happy Christmas
I just bought one of these from a local pawn shop, paid $150. Totally blown away with the feel and look of it. Neck feels great and nice low action. It’s a keeper. I’m gonna mod it out so this video is a big help, thanks for making it
I await your pt3 video on this guitar and many more with it! Your not only the first but the only person that did a video on this guitar! Great job! And I see nothing wrong with buying a Chines made copy of a signature guitar just to have it and enjoy it for what it is! Especially with the extreme markup on the over priced originals, not everyone has a disposable income 😀! Thanks!
Exactly, Epiphones are made in China and many Gibsons are not made in the U.S.A., either. They're probably made in Usa, China, which is probably what "Made in U.S.A." stamped on the headstock is referring to !!! Sure, you definitely have to upgrade them, but you get the basic bones. Just cutting the middle man out of the deal !!!
@@jameslanclos568 Agree 100%! I to bought this same guitar from AliExspress and got it in 2 months and I'm upgrading the tuners, 500k pots and hand made Greeny/Moore pickups and It's still way better then spending $$$. $318. w/shipping, $33. locking tuners, 4 $9.=$36. 500k pots, $180. w/shipping D'URBANO MAGNETICS SUPERNATURAL pu's total $567. and still a great deal to enjoy and use on my YT-channel.
I now have a black Angus Young chibby SG,amazing guitar,close your eyes and it is one, what a great player and build,no other budget guitar comes this close,I'm lovin it.
So glad I found this video. I have the same guitar from the same seller. Bought it over a year ago and arrived with a broken neck. A quick message to the seller with some photo evidence and a new one was in its way ( very easy to deal with). New one has been sitting in my cupboard gathering dust. I’m now inspired to do a set up and mod. Thanks for the videos.
nice vid.. Chibson has an actual maple cap.. amazing.. yes, flame veneer, however, you should NEVER pound on the body while the neck is in a cradle.. stress on the neck joint.. too risky.. keep the body flat when hammering.. also.. use an alligator clip to hold the spring back and then thread the crew to the pickup ring.. it helps.. faber makes great stuff.. origianal ABR-1 has that small post drilled directly into the body.. NO bushing.. does faber make the OEM style as well? you could plug and drill if that was the case..
The body is more supported than it looks here lol i see why it doesnt look it. Theres also a wedge under the body. I dont think the original style abr post is even replaceable. I don't think ive ever seen someone offer the single post direct to body. I wish though!
I just found this video, nice job so far, lookin good!!! So the issue with the springs when putting the pickups back into the pickup rings. Here's how I do it, much better and safer than the electric drill mentioned in the comments, and much much better than replacing the springs with surgical tubing, although in a pinch that's not necessarily a bad thing. First thing is to put a screw in the hole of the ring, slide the spring on and push the spring up to expose maybe a quarter to half inch of the screw and secure it right there with an alligator clip, repeat this on the second screw. Put the alligator clips on the screws from the side so they will turn without killing the threads. Screw in the first one far enough for it to catch and remove the alligator clip, releasing the spring, then repeat for the other one. I'm sure there will be someone saying you'll ruin the threads on the screw, I have never had that happen once and I have repaired and worked on guitars for over 20 years. Makes that job super easy and pretty much eliminates the stress about it. You have probably already installed the new pickups, but still, save this for the next one. Cheers!!
I replaced all the hardware on my Joe Bonamassa (Epiphone)Lazarus with Faber 👍🏻 it’s a good replacement, massive difference on tone I also replaced the pickups with vintage Bare Knuckle Mule Humbuckers 🙈 the guitar is insane, it was expensive but worth it🙈
Glad that you made it clear that flipping the pickup is purely cosmetic and wont give the out of phase sound. I think a lot of people genuinely believe that turning the pickup will do this. If I recall correctly, the pickup was flipped round on Peter's guitar because, when the technician came to reinstall the pickup the cable was too short to fit it the right way round (Peter had removed the pickup and played it with only the bridge pickup before deciding to have the neck pickup refitted). It also turns out that it is the magnet that was reversed, not the wiring.
@@SteveSterlacci There have been other Gibson guitars that shipped with a pickup with reversed magnet, so it does seem more likely that this was the case here, otherwise the pickup would need to be disassembled (quite an easy task) to do this. I am surprised that Gibson's quality control did not pick out the error in manufacture🤔 I do like the out of phase sound and have a guitar (Guild S-300) which has a phase switch to reverse the wiring on one of the pickups. From all accounts, reversed magnet and reversed wiring sound slightly different, with the reversed magnet being considered the better sounding😎
1. to remove the stock insert bushings..place a washer that lays against the body and has a hole larger than the insert. build up with more washers so that their height is aprox 1/4" higher than than the top of the insert. with the threaded stud screwed into the bushing, thread the adjuster nut down onto the washers. as you tighten it will pull up the bushing....2. to align your new studs..(first make sure they are vertical when you install)....put the tool back over them to prevent the threads from being damaged by the hammer
These usually have overwound pickups with ceramic magnets to push output. You have to be careful when taking them apart compared to gibson pickups but if you get a3 magnets and flip the orientation of one youll get way lower output (far more useable) and get the out of phase PG middle sound. Fun $15 mod that will make them sound way better. The only issue is that they will be darker with those chrome covers and high winds (im guessing its 14k ohms). Buying raw nicklel pickup covers helps retain the uncovered high end. Just my 2c
@@SteveSterlacci have you ever seen them pressed in? They do it with a board across the two, then use bar clamps on the table to tighten down and draw them into place. Great video though!
I got a chibson about a yr ago, a jimmy page version, I told them I’d pay extra for a complete flame maple top! What do they do!?!? They take a maple top and put a veneer on it! Yeah got some $$ back for that, they apparently didn’t think I’d notice lol. But I had to do a complete fret job on it they were all uneven, but! That’s the price we pay when buying these guitars..
Very nice! lol I hope it turned out decent. I just finished up part 3 if you wanna check it out. Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
@@SteveSterlacci actually other than my PRS and my Strat it’s the best guitar I’ve ever owned. I put all original Gibson parts on it found a set of original PAF pickups that cost a pretty penny!! But worth it! This guitar sounds, and plays better than my buddies, actual Gibson, Les Paul!!
I saw a short video where Phil McKnight showed how to mount humbuckers on the pickup ring. He pushed the spring down and secured it with an alligator clip, he made it look so easy. I recently swapped the pickups in my Les Paul Ultra, and all I did was secure my fingers with the alligator clips (several times). I'm with you, not my favorite part of modding a guitar!
Tiny bit of woodworker here, but I always use soap. Yes just "dry" Irish spring, ivory, dove, any soap on the posts before you pound them down. It helps if you need to pull them out in the future so you don't get any tare out. Same with any screws. You can test it just by having fun with a drywall screw to see. Take a drywall screw run it across a bar of dry soap just to make sure it has a little shavings on the screw. It's a world of difference removing it. Instead of hearing squeaks and cracks, it will come out firm but easily.
Nice; the first repro of one I saw was over 15 years ago made by Vintage from Wilkinson. You could just flip the magnets on the neck pickup and it will give you the out of phase sound immediately.
Put one screw in the ring without the spring and attach to the pickup, then start the other screw with the spring on. Then remove first screw, put on spring, re-install.
My 2017 Les Paul Classic came with similar bridge posts. Threaded into a bushing, with a separate wheel, just like this. So it's not really a strange setup. Also you can use a metric bolt to drive the existing bushings out. With that being said, I just received a '56 esque goldtop with P90s, straight from China. It's built amazingly well. It's equal to if not better than my Epi inspired by gibson custom 59 les paul. The binding is better, and it has perfect fret nibs. The wood choices are better than my USA Gibson, including a one piece body and more of a vintage top carve. I have pickups and other hardware on the way
Dude! I’m getting this exact guitar ($400) to make it my own thing - something I can’t get on the market at all especially for the price. Yeah - I won’t even mind if it totals $1k by the end I (closing the guitar original price). I’ll be happier w the end result. Please keep the video series going or just a verbal update. I know I have questions too. Is it ok to private message?
The density of the Faber results in a tone that is so different from a vintage Gibson that I hated it on my LP, switched to a Tone Pros II, which I preferred.
@@SteveSterlaccimaybe I should have said compared to what my ears tell me is vintage tone but the Tone Pros comes closer to my R9. I found the Faber had exactly the kind of tone you’d expect from a very heavy dense piece of metal, kind of pingy.
Hi there! just wondering how was the fret level. I have 4 of this chibson and struggle with the fret level. I hope yours are okay?/.good luck to your project. My guitarist friend was impressed, he is not able to determine the real one on a quick look, I told him to smell first. that quickly you can . LOL
yo .. you ever put those pickups in? I just bought one and got it today.. needs a fret job.. milling mostly.. a few high frets.. and that bridge needs replacing.. that is the most important to do first.. gonna check out the tone lock. Thanks. I'm milling the frets tomorrow.. .. can't wait.. fun little fixer upper
Thanks for this, Steve, and congrats on the beautiful guitar. A luthier friend once told me to put masking tape on the pickups when using steel wool because the little fragments that come off will attach to the magnets and be difficult to get off. Where did you buy this guitar, if I might ask?
Thanks for checking it out. I had heard the same, but also heard about the oil trick I discuss in the vid and i think it works even better! No fragments on the pickups at all
Thanks for checking it out. I haven't replaced those. The tailpiece being shiny does bug me, but I haven't ordered one yet. Email Larry and he'll take care of you. Tell him i sent ya
On the topic of the bridge, did you have to get a replacement from the Epiphone selection at Faber or the Gibson selection? I bought a roller bridge for an SG from a different source, and the string spacing didn't match that of the Bigsby tremolo, which causes the strings to roll off the saddle rollers. And also, is the width of the posts (from center to center) the same or otherwise?
Ive got the exact item numbers in the description. I believe theyre "import size" also, you can email Larry and tell him I sent you if you have questions. He will be able to anders better than I
That's a mahogany top. Getting one with a maple top is luck of the draw even if you ask first the sellers seem vunerable to untruths. Maple is obvious, it's practically white and unless the guitar is a plain top by design it will also always have figured veneer. Mahogany tops aren't bad, they'll sound different to sensitive ears. Mostly the envelope of the note, the attack and decay. A touch more growl. I just got a maple top Fibson purely by luck, it was a good surprise. None of the horizontal sandwich layers between the pickups, solid maple! 🍁
Wow how knew Gary was you favorite player of all time he is mine to he is the reason I left drums to be a sorted of axe man from His thin lizzy days to his rock cd and blue the his jazz playing was unreal to bro pure ace
This is an interesting series of videos, looking forward to the next. Im considering a Greeny tribute myself, as im making my own pickups these days, but would be nice if I could find one without the 'relicing' wear, as I think they go a little over the top on the area below the pickup in particular.
Well about the only thing that isn't right about this guitar, is the headstock angle,a real gibby tilts back moore, yes I spelled more that way on porpoise, that's a great looking copy and a real money saver, and in my opinion why not, if it plays good,&sounds good it is good, I have to laugh at a company who goes after copying, I think of it as an honor to the guitar, that should be allowed to be copied, actually this guitar may even play better,having less than the 17 degree headstock tilt.
@@2dazetake Yes, the copies are getting very very close these days, with the headstock angle as the main difference that I have yet to see copied. Unless of course its a copy of a Norlin era Les Paul as they were 14degrees. The binding is another one of the other small remaining details that you can pick out, specifically where the headstock meets the neck binding and also the underside of the heel. Hmm.. maybe also still the bridge posts, as I have yet to see one that has the posts threaded directing into the body like on a real 59. (or many other vintage Gibsons up until very recently).
@@2dazetake I will have to look into that compared to my real ones. I think it does still tilt back as much, but never really thought about it. Anyways, Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
One thing I'm curious about is what type of replacement bridge is compatible? Are they Epiphone equivalents? AB-1? When I order mine, I'm going to order the upgrades as well and need to know exactly what I'll be needing. Thanks.
Hey Steve, did you get this greeny from Polaris? I ordered the 59 R9 build, and am looking into getting the whole Faber bridge and tail piece locking mechanism, if so it means they should fit in smoothly with a few wacks of a hammer right? Assuming they make their holes the same size on all guitars, also I'm assuming you got the metric import version from Faber right? Thanks
Hi Steve, loving your videos! Just subscribed to your channel and already looking for more videos! I just wondered if you could tell me exactly where i can buy one of these Chibson guitars please? Many thanks mate 👍
The real Greeny mod, which is magnetically out of phase as opposed to being electrically out of phase, has been known about among guitar technicians and other experts for nearly 30 years. Here is an extract from the Guitar Player magazine (2020 November issue) that retold the story of how it was discovered: 'Andy Ellis already knew the “secret” behind the sound of Green’s Les Paul. In 1994, he’d approached Jol Dantzig, then with Hamer Guitars, to have him build a custom dual-humbucker guitar inspired by Green’s Les Paul. Ellis told the story in the same issue in which his Peter Green interview appeared. By the time of his visit to Dantzig, Green’s Les Paul had long been the main instrument of Gary Moore, who had befriended Green in the late Sixties and purchased the guitar from him a few years later, in the early Seventies. “As we discussed the wiring possibilities,” Ellis wrote, “Dantzig recalled that Gary Moore stopped by the Hamer factory in the early Eighties with Green’s Les Paul. “I asked if I could check out the wiring," remembered Dantzig, "and I carefully examined the pickups and their controls. Everything looked totally stock - the pickups were wired in phase - but I knew they didn’t sound stock when played together. “I used a compass to measure the pickups’ magnetic polarity. I discovered that one magnet was oriented north-to-south while the other was oriented south-to-north. The pickups were magnetically out of phase - this was the secret we’d all been searching for!" '
the black you have coming off as you rub the fretboard, is dye. they colour the fretboard with Black Dye to make it look rosewood, when it isnt, like yours
I'm not into copy guitars because 'some people try to 😮PASS them off as LEGIT 'but I like your whole outlook about it ,I actually think in looks its a more legit Greenie. I've ben considering this same guitar just not sure I can handle the upgrades needed. Im a auto painter I have skill just not a guitar tech type looks not to tough . This video is a big help in my decesion + like you id never try to pase it off I may even carve copy into the back I seen a really close copy get bought an sold as Gibson. Not sure if already in Comments Phil McKnight did a video with a trick about pick up rings ,I never watched because I have Single coil Fenders.
Can you by chance tell us where you ordered the guitar? I understand you don’t want to advertise for these places, but not all chibdons are the same ..
I bought something like this from China...made the mistake of light sanding the top (it was a lousy relic job!) and boy is that maple veneer paper thin! Easy to sand right through it!
Not a maple cap…… looks like mahogany up to a veneer… But still cool…I have 9 chibsons… if you take them and set them up properly with good electronics and good hardware they play beautifully and sound amazing🙂
And.... eff the righteous haters complaining about which screwdriver you use... lol....in my opinion....the right screwdriver is the one that got the job done. 👌🤘
Thanks for the Faber link., I will be using them as a source for guitar parts. I've always admired German craftsmanship. They build things that last a long time. America used to be good at manufacturing quality products, but they figured out that if you make an inferior product, they could make more sales. When it breaks, you have to get a new one and in this way, they can sell the same product over and over to the same customer, pathetic. Germans have pride in their craftsmanship, which is the way that it should be.
awesome video. what's the reasoning that no one will tell what seller or store they bought these chipsons from?. the last one i got was a total piece of sh*t!, i had to return it to get any kind of refund bake after 6 months.
I just don't want to be a middle man when it comes to buying countefeit goods 🤷♂️ there is a fb group called polaris 4 music that can get you that info though!
I would of just hammered them down straight instead of trying to tilt the post back, at least that's what it looked like from our angle,then you had to hammer the post back,so did that in large the bottom of the stud hole so it's still not tight,who knows who cares, I was yelling no no Steve, get them in at exactly level 90 degrees, you did alright though for your first time, just trying to be honest brother, love your channel,the guitar looks and sounds great, I need to get one,already have a cherry burst standard chibson LP.
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
Only 2 likes? Apparently you dont know WTF youre doing. Hence the poor subs, as well.
Take that to your safe space, idiot.
after 10 plus years away from playing , gary moore/green was always someone i looked up to when i was younger, my youngest child has just started to learn to play , this has had a knock on effect on me lol, having owned many genuine les Pauls over the years , after a long break im not ready to re-commit to that kind of investment , so off the back of your 2 videos ive just rdered this exact guitar :) looking forward to your next instalment ! happy Christmas
Very nice! Hope you enjoy it
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
I just bought one of these from a local pawn shop, paid $150. Totally blown away with the feel and look of it. Neck feels great and nice low action. It’s a keeper. I’m gonna mod it out so this video is a big help, thanks for making it
I await your pt3 video on this guitar and many more with it! Your not only the first but the only person that did a video on this guitar! Great job! And I see nothing wrong with buying a Chines made copy of a signature guitar just to have it and enjoy it for what it is! Especially with the extreme markup on the over priced originals, not everyone has a disposable income 😀! Thanks!
Exactly, Epiphones are made in China and many Gibsons are not made in the U.S.A., either. They're probably made in Usa, China, which is probably what "Made in U.S.A." stamped on the headstock is referring to !!!
Sure, you definitely have to upgrade them, but you get the basic bones. Just cutting the middle man out of the deal !!!
@@jameslanclos568 Agree 100%! I to bought this same guitar from AliExspress and got it in 2 months and I'm upgrading the tuners, 500k pots and hand made Greeny/Moore pickups and It's still way better then spending $$$. $318. w/shipping, $33. locking tuners, 4 $9.=$36. 500k pots, $180. w/shipping D'URBANO MAGNETICS SUPERNATURAL pu's total $567. and still a great deal to enjoy and use on my YT-channel.
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
Waiting for part 4@@SteveSterlacci
I now have a black Angus Young chibby SG,amazing guitar,close your eyes and it is one, what a great player and build,no other budget guitar comes this close,I'm lovin it.
Did u get from ebay.
Looking forward to how this would come along in the end when everything is complete!
Thanks ! Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
Great video man I just ordered a relic gold Faber abr-1 for my 1989 Orville les Paul custom
Thanks ! Nice choice!!!
So glad I found this video. I have the same guitar from the same seller. Bought it over a year ago and arrived with a broken neck. A quick message to the seller with some photo evidence and a new one was in its way ( very easy to deal with). New one has been sitting in my cupboard gathering dust. I’m now inspired to do a set up and mod. Thanks for the videos.
Nice!!! Go fixer up!
@@SteveSterlacci is there a part 3 video coming with sound demo?
@rickau8457 absolutely! I have been on tour so its halted my progress on the vids!
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
@@rickau8457
nice vid.. Chibson has an actual maple cap.. amazing.. yes, flame veneer, however, you should NEVER pound on the body while the neck is in a cradle.. stress on the neck joint.. too risky.. keep the body flat when hammering.. also.. use an alligator clip to hold the spring back and then thread the crew to the pickup ring.. it helps.. faber makes great stuff.. origianal ABR-1 has that small post drilled directly into the body.. NO bushing.. does faber make the OEM style as well? you could plug and drill if that was the case..
The body is more supported than it looks here lol i see why it doesnt look it. Theres also a wedge under the body. I dont think the original style abr post is even replaceable. I don't think ive ever seen someone offer the single post direct to body. I wish though!
I just found this video, nice job so far, lookin good!!!
So the issue with the springs when putting the pickups back into the pickup rings. Here's how I do it, much better and safer than the electric drill mentioned in the comments, and much much better than replacing the springs with surgical tubing, although in a pinch that's not necessarily a bad thing. First thing is to put a screw in the hole of the ring, slide the spring on and push the spring up to expose maybe a quarter to half inch of the screw and secure it right there with an alligator clip, repeat this on the second screw. Put the alligator clips on the screws from the side so they will turn without killing the threads. Screw in the first one far enough for it to catch and remove the alligator clip, releasing the spring, then repeat for the other one. I'm sure there will be someone saying you'll ruin the threads on the screw, I have never had that happen once and I have repaired and worked on guitars for over 20 years. Makes that job super easy and pretty much eliminates the stress about it. You have probably already installed the new pickups, but still, save this for the next one. Cheers!!
Cool tip! Thank you
I replaced all the hardware on my Joe Bonamassa (Epiphone)Lazarus with Faber 👍🏻 it’s a good replacement, massive difference on tone I also replaced the pickups with vintage Bare Knuckle Mule Humbuckers 🙈 the guitar is insane, it was expensive but worth it🙈
Thats a killer guitar with those mods! Congrats 🙃
Hi Steve! Can't wait for part 3!
Thanks garry! Its all filmed
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
Been so tempted to buy one of these just to see what they're like.
Thats how I got here. Sub to see how it turns out!
Thanks for a great, informative video, Steve.
Thanks John!
Glad that you made it clear that flipping the pickup is purely cosmetic and wont give the out of phase sound. I think a lot of people genuinely believe that turning the pickup will do this. If I recall correctly, the pickup was flipped round on Peter's guitar because, when the technician came to reinstall the pickup the cable was too short to fit it the right way round (Peter had removed the pickup and played it with only the bridge pickup before deciding to have the neck pickup refitted). It also turns out that it is the magnet that was reversed, not the wiring.
Yeah its shrouded in mystery for sure. I went off the Garys tech who had first hand experience with its owners
@@SteveSterlacci There have been other Gibson guitars that shipped with a pickup with reversed magnet, so it does seem more likely that this was the case here, otherwise the pickup would need to be disassembled (quite an easy task) to do this. I am surprised that Gibson's quality control did not pick out the error in manufacture🤔 I do like the out of phase sound and have a guitar (Guild S-300) which has a phase switch to reverse the wiring on one of the pickups. From all accounts, reversed magnet and reversed wiring sound slightly different, with the reversed magnet being considered the better sounding😎
@mandoprince1 I assume its from the stereo semi hollow 335 and 355s. Those have a flipped magnet
@@SteveSterlacci Could be, or possibly just an error in assembling the pickup🤔
@@mandoprince1 i love that we will never know for sure! Adds to the legend of the guitar
Part3 please
Part 3?
Left for a tour! Coming soon
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
1. to remove the stock insert bushings..place a washer that lays against the body and has a hole larger than the insert. build up with more washers so that their height is aprox 1/4" higher than than the top of the insert. with the threaded stud screwed into the bushing, thread the adjuster nut down onto the washers. as you tighten it will pull up the bushing....2. to align your new studs..(first make sure they are vertical when you install)....put the tool back over them to prevent the threads from being damaged by the hammer
These usually have overwound pickups with ceramic magnets to push output. You have to be careful when taking them apart compared to gibson pickups but if you get a3 magnets and flip the orientation of one youll get way lower output (far more useable) and get the out of phase PG middle sound. Fun $15 mod that will make them sound way better. The only issue is that they will be darker with those chrome covers and high winds (im guessing its 14k ohms). Buying raw nicklel pickup covers helps retain the uncovered high end. Just my 2c
I've already swapped them so all good there!
I always dispose of those springs right away and replace them with medical tube when putting pickups back in the rings. Much easier!
Thats a great call! I should buy a bunch
Good stuff, but I wouldn't have hammered those bushings in while the guitar was resting on its neck.
Its off screen, but its safely held under the body!
@@SteveSterlacci have you ever seen them pressed in? They do it with a board across the two, then use bar clamps on the table to tighten down and draw them into place. Great video though!
I got a chibson about a yr ago, a jimmy page version, I told them I’d pay extra for a complete flame maple top! What do they do!?!? They take a maple top and put a veneer on it! Yeah got some $$ back for that, they apparently didn’t think I’d notice lol. But I had to do a complete fret job on it they were all uneven, but! That’s the price we pay when buying these guitars..
Very nice! lol I hope it turned out decent. I just finished up part 3 if you wanna check it out. Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
@@SteveSterlacci actually other than my PRS and my Strat it’s the best guitar I’ve ever owned. I put all original Gibson parts on it found a set of original PAF pickups that cost a pretty penny!! But worth it! This guitar sounds, and plays better than my buddies, actual Gibson, Les Paul!!
@matthewsalyersjr4965 wow nice score!!! Would love to try that axe
How did you do your fret work, I have the double neck one
I saw a short video where Phil McKnight showed how to mount humbuckers on the pickup ring. He pushed the spring down and secured it with an alligator clip, he made it look so easy. I recently swapped the pickups in my Les Paul Ultra, and all I did was secure my fingers with the alligator clips (several times). I'm with you, not my favorite part of modding a guitar!
Come on pt.3!!!!!!!
Tiny bit of woodworker here, but I always use soap. Yes just "dry" Irish spring, ivory, dove, any soap on the posts before you pound them down. It helps if you need to pull them out in the future so you don't get any tare out. Same with any screws. You can test it just by having fun with a drywall screw to see. Take a drywall screw run it across a bar of dry soap just to make sure it has a little shavings on the screw. It's a world of difference removing it. Instead of hearing squeaks and cracks, it will come out firm but easily.
Great idea! Thank you
That's a great tip. Thanks for sharing it with us.
i recommend you also flip the magnet to get the out of phase sound like the original greeny
Check out part 3 😃
@@SteveSterlacci oooo okay thank you! my bad
You may want to cut about 1/4 inch off the pickup springs to make it very easy to install the pickup into the rings. Makes it so easy!
You have to flip one magnet to get the Peter Green sound in the middle position with one volume slightly lower
See part 3 😁
I'm about to do exactly this. Thank you
Enjoy! Thanks for checking it out
I always just cut the spring a lil shorter to get those pickups in the rings.
Fret erasers. They’re awesome
I have them! I use them in part 3 😁
@@SteveSterlacci viewers jumping the gun. WTH
@@chadwaller6072 🤣🤣🤣🤣 good taste!
Nice; the first repro of one I saw was over 15 years ago made by Vintage from Wilkinson. You could just flip the magnets on the neck pickup and it will give you the out of phase sound immediately.
Late 60s Wes Montgomery had his front pick up turned around on his custom L5 with the single neck humbucker.
Nice!
Put one screw in the ring without the spring and attach to the pickup, then start the other screw with the spring on. Then remove first screw, put on spring, re-install.
Is there a Part 3? Couldn't find it
I've been on tour, but its coming soon once I get back! Thanks for checking the first 2 out
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html Thanks for checking it out
Steve did you replace the Stop Tailpiece? Thank you for the info!!!
I did not. I am not convinced it makes any difference 😄 thanks for checking it out
@@SteveSterlacci Thank you for the quick reply!!!
That's what it is, a very thin veneer, with a slab of maple, then mahogany for the back!
Man..for 300 dollar counterfeit, that is a nice looking guitar. Those builders are getting better and better as they gain more experience.
That's a pretty nice top! Forgive me if you have already, but did you share the seller?
You should use a rubber hammer for the insertion of the inserts… I have Faber furniture on nearly all my LP guitars… excellent upgrades
My 2017 Les Paul Classic came with similar bridge posts. Threaded into a bushing, with a separate wheel, just like this. So it's not really a strange setup. Also you can use a metric bolt to drive the existing bushings out. With that being said, I just received a '56 esque goldtop with P90s, straight from China. It's built amazingly well. It's equal to if not better than my Epi inspired by gibson custom 59 les paul. The binding is better, and it has perfect fret nibs. The wood choices are better than my USA Gibson, including a one piece body and more of a vintage top carve. I have pickups and other hardware on the way
Dude! I’m getting this exact guitar ($400) to make it my own thing - something I can’t get on the market at all especially for the price. Yeah - I won’t even mind if it totals $1k by the end I (closing the guitar original price). I’ll be happier w the end result.
Please keep the video series going or just a verbal update. I know I have questions too. Is it ok to private message?
Where you getting it from?
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html thanks for watching!
The density of the Faber results in a tone that is so different from a vintage Gibson that I hated it on my LP, switched to a Tone Pros II, which I preferred.
Ive got a bunch of different options and posted a whole video on the ABR1. What vintage examples did you compare to ?
@@SteveSterlaccimaybe I should have said compared to what my ears tell me is vintage tone but the Tone Pros comes closer to my R9. I found the Faber had exactly the kind of tone you’d expect from a very heavy dense piece of metal, kind of pingy.
Hi there! just wondering how was the fret level. I have 4 of this chibson and struggle with the fret level. I hope yours are okay?/.good luck to your project. My guitarist friend was impressed, he is not able to determine the real one on a quick look, I told him to smell first. that quickly you can . LOL
Smell definitely is a giveaway! Frets on this were okay. Definitely usable and did not need a ton of work
Glue a piece of wood into where the tenon would extend, get the vibrations into the meat of the body.
Good idea for an addition!
I can't find the other parts. Is RUclips shadowban? 😢
yo .. you ever put those pickups in? I just bought one and got it today.. needs a fret job.. milling mostly.. a few high frets.. and that bridge needs replacing.. that is the most important to do first.. gonna check out the tone lock. Thanks. I'm milling the frets tomorrow.. .. can't wait.. fun little fixer upper
custom buckers are in and magnet is flipped in the neck. hope yours comes out great!
I see you didn’t change out the stop tailpiece. Are you planning on doing that in the future? And if so, which one from Faber would fit?
I do want to after seeing how it looks on camera. I would email him and ask. Im sure the "import" ones fit
When will there be a part 3 on this
I left for a tour so I will be back in thr studio soon!
Hey Bart Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
Thanks for this, Steve, and congrats on the beautiful guitar. A luthier friend once told me to put masking tape on the pickups when using steel wool because the little fragments that come off will attach to the magnets and be difficult to get off. Where did you buy this guitar, if I might ask?
Thanks for checking it out. I had heard the same, but also heard about the oil trick I discuss in the vid and i think it works even better! No fragments on the pickups at all
I got it from a website called badcat guitars. If you dm their customer service they'll get you where you need. Tell them i sent ya!
@@SteveSterlacci Sneaky good idea!
@@SteveSterlacci Thanks! Will do!
I don’t see the part three on your page. What pick ups did you put in and what tuners did you use? Thanks for this video.
Part 3 is being finished. But im currently on tour so had to hold off til August . Gibson custom buckers and still stock tuners at the moment
@@SteveSterlacci look forward to seeing it….what’s your bands name?
@@apogeedata Jessica Lynn. Country artist that I tour with. We are currently out in Switzerland and the rest of Europe
Are you also planning on replacing the tail piece and bushings? If so which parts would you recommend. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for checking it out. I haven't replaced those. The tailpiece being shiny does bug me, but I haven't ordered one yet. Email Larry and he'll take care of you. Tell him i sent ya
@@SteveSterlacci Thank you!
Regarding the pickup springs. Stew-Mac used to sell a tool that compressed the spring for a much easier install, and I'm assuming they still offer it.
For pickups - I recommend Guitar Madness PAF's and spin the neck pickup around ! Works Well ..
Never heard of them! I went with Gibson Custombuckers. Check them out in part 3 that just went live
On the topic of the bridge, did you have to get a replacement from the Epiphone selection at Faber or the Gibson selection? I bought a roller bridge for an SG from a different source, and the string spacing didn't match that of the Bigsby tremolo, which causes the strings to roll off the saddle rollers. And also, is the width of the posts (from center to center) the same or otherwise?
Ive got the exact item numbers in the description. I believe theyre "import size" also, you can email Larry and tell him I sent you if you have questions. He will be able to anders better than I
That's a mahogany top. Getting one with a maple top is luck of the draw even if you ask first the sellers seem vunerable to untruths.
Maple is obvious, it's practically white and unless the guitar is a plain top by design it will also always have figured veneer. Mahogany tops aren't bad, they'll sound different to sensitive ears. Mostly the envelope of the note, the attack and decay. A touch more growl.
I just got a maple top Fibson purely by luck, it was a good surprise. None of the horizontal sandwich layers between the pickups, solid maple! 🍁
Wow how knew Gary was you favorite player of all time he is mine to he is the reason I left drums to be a sorted of axe man from His thin lizzy days to his rock cd and blue the his jazz playing was unreal to bro pure ace
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
Who was the seller boss man?
I'd like to give the maker some biz as well
This is an interesting series of videos, looking forward to the next. Im considering a Greeny tribute myself, as im making my own pickups these days, but would be nice if I could find one without the 'relicing' wear, as I think they go a little over the top on the area below the pickup in particular.
Well about the only thing that isn't right about this guitar, is the headstock angle,a real gibby tilts back moore, yes I spelled more that way on porpoise, that's a great looking copy and a real money saver, and in my opinion why not, if it plays good,&sounds good it is good, I have to laugh at a company who goes after copying, I think of it as an honor to the guitar, that should be allowed to be copied, actually this guitar may even play better,having less than the 17 degree headstock tilt.
@@2dazetake Yes, the copies are getting very very close these days, with the headstock angle as the main difference that I have yet to see copied. Unless of course its a copy of a Norlin era Les Paul as they were 14degrees. The binding is another one of the other small remaining details that you can pick out, specifically where the headstock meets the neck binding and also the underside of the heel. Hmm.. maybe also still the bridge posts, as I have yet to see one that has the posts threaded directing into the body like on a real 59. (or many other vintage Gibsons up until very recently).
@@MRTHUDTV Thanks for checking it out! Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
@@2dazetake I will have to look into that compared to my real ones. I think it does still tilt back as much, but never really thought about it. Anyways, Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
What are your recommendations for the aged look on the Chibson hardware?
Is there a kit order number on faber for this upgrade? Thanks for the video man.
Thanks for checking it out! It's kind of a piece meal order but its all in the description
You need a Seyomur Duncan pickup box for install your pickup rings easily ;)
Yes!
One thing I'm curious about is what type of replacement bridge is compatible? Are they Epiphone equivalents? AB-1? When I order mine, I'm going to order the upgrades as well and need to know exactly what I'll be needing. Thanks.
Hi how good are the inlays? Thank you
They are fine so far
@@SteveSterlacci thank you for you answer, in your opinion what you would change ? Pickups, pot ? Thank you again
@@Desa-n2g i changed all the wiring and pickups out. They weren't bad, but werent great
check out part 3 ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html @@Desa-n2g
Link to purchase the guitar itself, please!
Hey Steve, did you get this greeny from Polaris? I ordered the 59 R9 build, and am looking into getting the whole Faber bridge and tail piece locking mechanism, if so it means they should fit in smoothly with a few wacks of a hammer right? Assuming they make their holes the same size on all guitars, also I'm assuming you got the metric import version from Faber right?
Thanks
Yep! The links in the description should work if you have a polaris abr style
Hi Steve, loving your videos! Just subscribed to your channel and already looking for more videos! I just wondered if you could tell me exactly where i can buy one of these Chibson guitars please? Many thanks mate 👍
Thanks John! I can't share the seller. But theres a FB group polaris 4 music that can help.
Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html
What is the link for that bridge
Where did you buy the Greeie
Where did you get this? I cannot find a website that has this guitar and I would like to get it. Thx
Theres a fb group Polaris 4 Music that will get u the link
@@SteveSterlacci There are about 4 or 5 with that name. One was Private .. have to joiin group .. is that the one? thx
Love it nice work!!!!!
Thanks Ty!
@@SteveSterlacci your Welcome!!
The real Greeny mod, which is magnetically out of phase as opposed to being electrically out of phase, has been known about among guitar technicians and other experts for nearly 30 years. Here is an extract from the Guitar Player magazine (2020 November issue) that retold the story of how it was discovered:
'Andy Ellis already knew the “secret” behind the sound of Green’s Les Paul. In 1994, he’d approached Jol Dantzig, then with Hamer Guitars, to have him build a custom dual-humbucker guitar inspired by Green’s Les Paul. Ellis told the story in the same issue in which his Peter Green interview appeared.
By the time of his visit to Dantzig, Green’s Les Paul had long been the main instrument of Gary Moore, who had befriended Green in the late Sixties and purchased the guitar from him a few years later, in the early Seventies.
“As we discussed the wiring possibilities,” Ellis wrote, “Dantzig recalled that Gary Moore stopped by the Hamer factory in the early Eighties with Green’s Les Paul.
“I asked if I could check out the wiring," remembered Dantzig, "and I carefully examined the pickups and their controls. Everything looked totally stock - the pickups were wired in phase - but I knew they didn’t sound stock when played together.
“I used a compass to measure the pickups’ magnetic polarity. I discovered that one magnet was oriented north-to-south while the other was oriented south-to-north. The pickups were magnetically out of phase - this was the secret we’d all been searching for!" '
Thank you Benny!!
@@Murphy_R9 Please delete this question from my comment and start a new comment.
Can you share that’s guitar shop? I want too
where did you order this from? thanks
Was this purchased on Ebay? Saw a few on there but wondering whats the best seller.
I got it from a site. Not ebay. Look for a Polaris 4 music group on facebook
the black you have coming off as you rub the fretboard, is dye. they colour the fretboard with Black Dye
to make it look rosewood, when it isnt, like yours
Did they tell you this?
You are very lucky you didn’t chip the wood when pulling those off, I had used a special tool and it came out clean.
it survived thankfully! Part 3 is live here - ruclips.net/video/IIc12f8-Jtw/видео.html if interested
Was it mentioned anywhere how much this thing weighs?
I'm not into copy guitars because 'some people try to 😮PASS them off as LEGIT 'but I like your whole outlook about it ,I actually think in looks its a more legit Greenie. I've ben considering this same guitar just not sure I can handle the upgrades needed. Im a auto painter I have skill just not a guitar tech type looks not to tough . This video is a big help in my decesion + like you id never try to pase it off I may even carve copy into the back I seen a really close copy get bought an sold as Gibson. Not sure if already in Comments Phil McKnight did a video with a trick about pick up rings ,I never watched because I have Single coil Fenders.
Which seller did you get it from? I’d like to grab one!
Check out the fb group polaris 4 music and they'll get you the links
Where did you bought this guitar exactly? (Link)
Thanks!
There is no link. Go to fb group polaris 4 music and ask there
Hi , did you change the pots? Are long or normal Shaft
Thank you
I just put in long shafts, but they seem too long. I definitely had to widen out the hole a bit too
@@SteveSterlacci thank you 👍
Can you by chance tell us where you ordered the guitar? I understand you don’t want to advertise for these places, but not all chibdons are the same ..
Theres a fb group polaris 4 music that can help
Did you like this replica? Is it worth buying one? Is it well built? I want to buy a replica and make some upgrades, do you have the store link?
50,000? R u serious? This is great I can’t wait for Paul Reed Smith Chibson
Was the bridge upgrade worth the hassle?
Absolutely 1000% yes
@@SteveSterlacci Are the slots precut on the saddles?
@@6AM_YT yes
Where did you order that from
Theres a fb group called polaris 4 music. They can help ya
where did you get the guitar?
If you are located in NY or nearby, I will sell you mine from this video with all the upgrades...
@@SteveSterlacci unfortunately I live in Europe
What pick up did you go with?
Part 3 is also up! I got gibson custombuckers
I bought something like this from China...made the mistake of light sanding the top (it was a lousy relic job!) and boy is that maple veneer paper thin! Easy to sand right through it!
Yikes... this one looks good in the relic areas
I can't believe you actually hammered the bridge studs in...with the guitar on a raised neck stand...ummmm.
It's supported. Don't you worry!
Putting rings back on pickups, cordless drill. Will make your life better in a thousand ways.
Not a maple cap…… looks like mahogany up to a veneer… But still cool…I have 9 chibsons… if you take them and set them up properly with good electronics and good hardware they play beautifully and sound amazing🙂
I've learned that! I filmed this over a month ago. I already have part 3 filmed as well. Its come out so good!!!
I wish they would use expensive material on some of them, because it doesn't cost that much more to. They have the workmanship figured out.
Quantity over quantity? Instead of 9 fake fire woods you could’ve had a real standard one
Ok, but how does it sound?
In part 3!
And part 1...
And.... eff the righteous haters complaining about which screwdriver you use... lol....in my opinion....the right screwdriver is the one that got the job done. 👌🤘
Thank youuu! 🤣🤣🤣 unreal what people get upset over
That’s a photo finish on the top.
Veneer
@ JH, It is a 3mm veeneer, did you not see when he did the closeup shot?
Thanks for the Faber link., I will be using them as a source for guitar parts. I've always admired German craftsmanship. They build things that last a long time. America used to be good at manufacturing quality products, but they figured out that if you make an inferior product, they could make more sales. When it breaks, you have to get a new one and in this way, they can sell the same product over and over to the same customer, pathetic. Germans have pride in their craftsmanship, which is the way that it should be.
Same here dude, solid german construction of durable products is a thing of the past. Only the myth remains.
awesome video. what's the reasoning that no one will tell what seller or store they bought these chipsons from?. the last one i got was a total piece of sh*t!, i had to return it to get any kind of refund bake after 6 months.
I just don't want to be a middle man when it comes to buying countefeit goods 🤷♂️ there is a fb group called polaris 4 music that can get you that info though!
@@SteveSterlacci btw, us an alligator clip the keep the spring pushed back on the screw when mounting the pickups.
Gary paid his life! That's why he will always be better!
Taken too soon
I would of just hammered them down straight instead of trying to tilt the post back, at least that's what it looked like from our angle,then you had to hammer the post back,so did that in large the bottom of the stud hole so it's still not tight,who knows who cares, I was yelling no no Steve, get them in at exactly level 90 degrees, you did alright though for your first time, just trying to be honest brother, love your channel,the guitar looks and sounds great, I need to get one,already have a cherry burst standard chibson LP.
I tried to 🤣😅 i didnt wanna have to adjust it again. Just a little love tap did it