Advise Needed For Gibson Les Paul Replacement Parts

[MrBukka]

Dear Softies, I am currently looking to upgrade the hardware for my 2011 Gibson Les Paul Classic but I have some queries before I plunge into it.

Firstly, I am looking to upgrade the stop-tail, the bridge and the tuning pegs to locking ones. I have done my research and narrowed down to 2 brands, TonePros and Graphtech. For the TonePros I am looking at their locking stop-tail and system 2 abr bridge, and for the graphtech I am looking at the Resomax bridge system with matching tail piece. I would like to know which system requires minimum retrofitting and is tonally superior.

As for the locking tuners, I am looking at the gotoh and tonepros variants. I have read that people didn't like the tonepros due to the ugly locking mechanism but there are also others who feel that the gotoh magnums are not really stable and the slime green tuning keys are kinda off. Any views on these issues?

Lastly, I would like to know which plating (chrome or nickel) is more popular among softies and why? It would be great if you guys can let me know which shops sell these products, and pricing would be an added bonus if possible. Many Thanks!

 

[CyanideJunkie]

I would go with TonePros all the way, along with nickel hardware. I just prefer that vintage patina you get with nickel after some time, but if you prefer nice and shiny then chrome's the way to go! Also heard from a reliable source that the ResoMax bridge is all hype.

Regarding the locking tuners issue, I would just like to ask if you're getting it because your strings have trouble staying in tune or are you just uncomfortable with using non-locking tuners?

For parts and pricing you can check out either Guitar Connection or TYMC.

 

[MrBukka]

I would go with TonePros all the way, along with nickel hardware. I just prefer that vintage patina you get with nickel after some time, but if you prefer nice and shiny then chrome's the way to go! Also heard from a reliable source that the ResoMax bridge is all hype.

Regarding the locking tuners issue, I would just like to ask if you're getting it because your strings have trouble staying in tune or are you just uncomfortable with using non-locking tuners?

For parts and pricing you can check out either Guitar Connection or TYMC.

Thanks alot, as for the locking tuners, i just find them easier to restring and keeps in tune better as i have experienced with my MM JP6 with schaller locking tuners and and fender strat with fender "f" locking tuners. Well i guess for a fixed bridge guitar like the les paul it the difference may not be as obvious as the above mentioned guitars with trems. Honestly i am totally comfy with the current tuners, and i guess i am just being abit anal that's all lol.

 

[CyanideJunkie]

I hear ya on the restringing part, but on the " keeping in tune" issue might I suggest you take a closer look at your nut. Is it the stock Corian and is it properly filed? It should have been factory-PLEKed right?

 

[MrBukka]

I hear ya on the restringing part, but on the " keeping in tune" issue might I suggest you take a closer look at your nut. Is it the stock Corian and is it properly filed? It should have been factory-PLEKed right?

Yeah it is the stock corian nut that's PLEKed. Honestly I dun suffer from any tuning issues as the tuners r the upgraded tonepros vintage tuners. Like I said I guess I am just kinda anal cause my other guitars do have locking trems and ease for string changing haha. I saw the gotoh magnum tuners going for a great price of 60 bucks at tymc that has made my heart twitch haha.

Just saw that u own a les paul traditional 1960, a lovely guitar indeed. how r u liking the baked maple fret board and have u done any mods to ur guitar?

 

[CyanideJunkie]

Well I would stick with the TonePros in any case lol, never found any fault with their products!

My Trad 1960 is a pre-raid piece, that is to say that it was manufactured at and left the factory before the FBI raid on the Nashville site that resulted in rosewood blanks being confiscated, so I'm happy to report that it comes with a rosewood fretboard! Only performance mods I've done are switching the pots out to CTS "TVT" 500k audio pots and caps to a pair of NOS .022 Russian K42Y-2 metalized paper caps, wired 50's style. The rest are purely cosmetic like switching out the amber knobs to Monster Relic aged ones and the stock cream pup selector switch to a Monster Relic aged amber one.

 

[funky-one]

I recently changed the tuners on my LP to the Gotoh Magnum. I am really happy with it.

Awesome price for locking tuners that work great