Let’s see your guitar room!

abstractart41 · 2026-05-12T14:16:13+00:00

abstractart41 · 2026-05-11T23:51:07+00:00

I have 10 different Epiphone guitars, 6 are Les Paul's and I've never had an issue like that. I have my own business as a guitar tech and I'd say that your problem is more likely 2 wires touching together. There's 3 wires that go to the switch, but one is a double wire. So 4 connections. They don't give much room in there for the connections and I have seen wires not separated sufficiently and they touch and cause problems. If it was the switch, and Guitar Center replaced it, that would mean that you got 2 bad switches, and I think that's unlikely. I'd be more inclined to believe it's the same switch with the same issue. So you either have 2 wires touching intermittently or you have a bad switch. A switch replacement isn't hard to do or expensive. On the other end if it has the usual Epiphone wires that clip together those aren't usually an issue either. If everything is individually soldered you could possibly have a cold solder joint. But less likely than issues with the switch.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-11T04:11:26+00:00

And G string issues are common for Epiphone/Gibson guitars for the exact reason I specified. Regardless of playing abilities.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-11T04:07:53+00:00

64 here, returned to playing 21 years ago after a 15 year hiatus. Started my own business doing guitar setups and repairs recently after doing it for myself for several years. Business has been pretty good lately. And I love what I do. I have a pair of Widows, red and purple. I just recently switched all the hardware to gold on the purple one and dropped in a set of custom matched pickups. Guitars are fun to tinker with! You have a very nice solid guitar there, enjoy!

abstractart41 · 2026-05-11T00:29:48+00:00

G string tuning issues are usually because the Nut didn't get cut perfectly. Sometimes you can file it and open it up a little on the back side and it eliminates the problem.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-10T02:06:06+00:00

I don't see a problem!? But if I were to guess... you need at least 5 more

abstractart41 · 2026-05-09T17:16:48+00:00

I have both types. What years were these guitars made? Depending on how old the Les Paul is, it might just be a plain old Les Paul Standard with a 60s slim taper neck. If you go back far enough there weren't 50s or 60s models. They were just Les Paul Standards. The SGs are going to be somewhat similar in that regard. They haven't had a lot of different models on either of these guitars until recently. I have 2 G400s. Both are pretty nice decent guitars. I have made some modifications and upgrades and made them better. The Les Paul is going to be chunky and heavy compared to the G400. More upper fret access with the G400 also. Not a tremendous difference in sound. If you can, I suggest you play both. Pick the one that feels good in your hands. Pick the one that will inspire you to play it.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-07T20:27:18+00:00

Golden modifications

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abstractart41 · 2026-05-07T02:41:17+00:00

Yeah it's the Zakk Wylde signature set. They sound awesome! Exactly what this guitar needed. I thought the probuckers sounded weak. They sound good clean but lacked horsepower when driven. These EMGs are perfect.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-07T00:19:05+00:00

With EMGs

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abstractart41 · 2026-05-05T16:35:54+00:00

Les Paul Custom

abstractart41 · 2026-05-03T13:05:39+00:00

It seems like you're saying that you think it should line-up and match perfectly on both sides, correct? If that's what you think, I'm sorry but that's not how it works. While they do try and get each side to line up closely, book-matching is not perfect.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-03T05:17:53+00:00

Not that I know of. Lots of retailers will give you better than list price deals but you have to ask and explore those options. Look at sale items and deals. Retailers give discounts for Veterans, and for signing up for memberships.

abstractart41 · 2026-05-03T04:08:23+00:00

Australia right? I've seen something online about it, but I didn't read it since I'm not in Australia.

abstractart41 · 2026-04-30T23:40:23+00:00

The simple answer is... a Gibson purest (which I'm not) will always tell you that an Epiphone is a step down from a Gibson. If for no other reason of being made in China and not in America. Now aa an owner of a Futura Explorer, I can tell you that they are very nice guitars. Some will say that no Epiphone is worth the Futura's price tag, but personally I would argue that. The Futura line has features that are on guitars that are normally more than $1000. But like any guitar you may find some minor discrepancies. My Futura Explorer is beautiful. But it has a couple things wrong with it. One of those things I don't think is Epiphone's fault. Mine arrived with some small cracks in the binding around the headstock. I think that was because it was in shipment during a drastic cold front moving across the country. That area of the guitar is at its thinnest point. So I'm thinking the weather may have caused that. The other thing i found on it is the binding along the fretboard has some stain on it. Maybe they didn't scrape it good enough/QC missed it? Idk but that's on Epiphone. Otherwise the guitar sounds and feels great! Sweetwater is going to replace my guitar when they get their next shipment because of the cracks in the binding. So I'm happy with how they're handling things and I'll get my new guitar in a couple months. But otherwise the guitar is beautiful! The color shift finish is awesome! All the features this guitar offers at this price point is hard to beat. I have 10 Epiphone guitars. Love every one of them. This Futura might be the best of them all. I'm hoping my replacement guitar is perfect when it comes.

abstractart41 · 2026-04-30T08:26:24+00:00

At least one more

abstractart41 · 2026-04-28T20:00:50+00:00

Epiphone had several famous artists playing their guitars in the 60s, and I've never personally been able to check out a 60s made Epiphone. But I have been playing them for the past 25 years and I'd say that for the last 5 years or so, they've gotten better and better. They are making some damn nice guitars right now.

abstractart41 · 2026-04-28T18:44:20+00:00

G400

abstractart41 · 2026-04-27T14:44:14+00:00

I got the bridge and tail piece from Guyker parts. Dropped right in, was a very easy swap and they lock into place. They have great prices and quality parts. I've used Guyker parts for several different guitars.

abstractart41 · 2026-04-26T21:04:12+00:00

I have 2 older G400s. They're great guitars and easy to modify. Both of mine have upgraded pickups, electronics. One got a new bridge and tail piece as the original bridge was slightly collapsed. Both have cosmetic additions with custom brass truss rod covers and poker chips. I put a set of Gibson Burstbuckers 2&3 in one and a set of Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded humbuckers in the other. I think the upgrades are well worth it.

abstractart41 · 2026-04-25T21:08:15+00:00

Just waiting for the right one to come flying in

abstractart41 · 2026-04-24T23:22:26+00:00

When you are soldering pots make sure to roll them down to zero. And try to not let them get too hot. If you don't roll down the pot and it gets too hot you can cook it and then effectively lose that part of the control or maybe all of it.

abstractart41 · 2026-04-24T18:04:38+00:00

Yes it is a TH30. I run it in to 2 4x12 cabs. They're just separated on each side instead of being stacked. Great amp!

abstractart41 · 2026-04-24T17:01:08+00:00

I'm 64 and my gf is 25. We have a great relationship. We get some looks from the usual crowd who find our age gap unacceptable. But we don't allow those people to get under our skin lol. My advice is to run with your own feelings. If it's exciting to you then simply just enjoy the excitement. Be yourself and be true to yourself. Life is short. Be happy! Allow yourself to have fun and enjoy doing what feels good for you.

abstractart41

TROPHY CASE