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modified

Mini to full size humbucker conversion :: 2012 Gibson Les Paul Studio 70's Tribute [9.0 lbs]

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Mini to full size humbucker conversion :: 2012 Gibson Les Paul Studio 70's Tribute [9.0 lbs]

A local player wasn't digging these mini humbuckers and wanted to install full size humbuckers in his Gibson 1970's Tribute Les Paul Studio.  This involves enlarging both pickup cavities with a router.  I used a straightedge to guide my cuts.

Next is installing corner blocks in order to mount the pickup rings.

The player supplied a Gibson PAF for the neck and a WCR Icebreaker for the bridge.  New cream pickup rings were fit to the top before the pickups could be mounted.  Making the solder connections at the pots finished off the mini to full size humbucker conversion.

I used this video from the Youtube channel of Paoson WoodWorking for inspiration on this project.

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Hipshot to fix a 2 point leaner :: 1970s Gibson EB-3

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Hipshot to fix a 2 point leaner :: 1970s Gibson EB-3

Ah, more on the heavily modified 1970s Gibson EB-3.  A combination of a low neck angle and poor design of the original 2 point bridge made it the ideal candidate for a modern upgrade.  As you can see from the photo above, the two maple wedges were an attempt to keep the bridge from leaning forward.  But leaning issues aside, the action could not be lowered any further.  In comes a Hipshot 2 point Supertone bridge to help out.  It has a lower profile and it's machined with far greater tolerances to maximize sustain and allow for proper action and intonation.  I agree that it does change the vintage vibe of the bass, but if you value playabilty over vintage-correctness, this is the way to go.

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WTF? :: 1970's Gibson EB-3

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WTF? :: 1970's Gibson EB-3

This is a severely modded 1970's Gibson EB-3. Someone moved the rotary switch and plugged a couple controls, not to mention adding a middle P pickup.  This freak show has random cavities routed/filled, an active preamp installed, stock controls either plugged/rerouted/removed and a 3rd P pickup installed. The customer and I decided to remove the preamp and try to make sense of what's left.

I try to keep an open mind with these older modifications as there was not the plethora of information floating around like nowadays. But what the fuck is going on here?  Maybe it was used in some historic recording session?  Or maybe someone just had a bunch of ideas they wanted to try out.  I need to know why!  #eb3mystery

Check out the video below to find out what's under the mysterious gold foil!

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Installing a middle pickup :: 1997 Fender Jaguar [8.9 lbs]

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Installing a middle pickup :: 1997 Fender Jaguar [8.9 lbs]

Installing a middle pickup :: 1997 Fender Jaguar [8.9 lbs]

A made in Japan Jag in for a middle pickup installation.  This guitar has been in the shop a few times before to remove a Buzz Stop, replace a Tuneomatic with a Mastery bridge and swapping out the pickups for Lollars.

Adding a middle pickup involved routing the pickguard, copper top shield and the body (prep photo here).  The low-cut / strangle switch was moved to a Bourns 1 meg push-pull pot that replaced the stock tone pot.  The original Lollar neck pickup was moved to the middle position and a new Curtis Novak went up front.  All pickups are selected via the three-switch plate.

This setup sounds incredible.  Wow.

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