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Epiphone Schenker makeover... aka lipstick on a pig ;)


DaveL

Question

Posted

found this in the used section of my local store earlier this summer... once had

an epiphone LP that the previous owner (an engineer) rewired with Duncan's CTS

pots and orange drop caps... was pretty cool, still had that crap metal bridge so still

wasn't all the way there, but it got me thinkin

there were a couple things I had in mind when I started it

#1, I got it cheap, so I felt I had some room to play, nice neck, frets like new

#2 didn't want to put a lot into it

#3 do everything myself.

#4 these are relatively rare, if it came out right it might be pretty cool... and I'm a schenker

UFO, Pete Way fan from way back.

#5 where the hell am I gonna get a schenker guard?

parts list... a lot of the stuff, tonepros, pots, caps, pickups, were from my parts

box... only thing I really needed was the guard, bone nut and rings

CTS pots

orange drop cap

tone pros large post bridge and tailpiece

All Parts slotted bone nut for epi

Duncan JB and 59

Dimarzio black rings

white WD single ply 67 reissue guard (thin version, not the beveled one)

switchcraft jack and switch

and the key ingredient... stuff to make the pickguard half black...

pics the way it came... this was a guitar of the month back in 05 or so, it was not advertised as a schenker model.

which I think may be why it has a plain white guard...

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nut and original posts removed

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as you can see, the white guard looks weird... had done some research, and saw a few people were cutting black and white

guards and fitting them together... the only problem was that the WD guards were $30 a piece, and you'd need two, then

need some kind of jewelers saw (or a buddy with access to some good tools)... but... if you screwed up, you'd be out like

$80... way too risky if you ask me... and I had already blown $15 on a guitar fetish guard, was not even CLOSE to

being right.... briefly spoke to WD, they will actually make you a schenker guard (they'd take two pieces of acrylic and

glue them together then cut the guard), but it's well over $100. sooo... started researching all kind of contact paper

color adhesive laminates etc... found some material that people use to trick out their Honda civics, a stretchy plastic

looking vinyl adhesive that won't come off. I also chose a white guard, so I would only have to worry about

applying black vinyl pvc to a relatively small area on the upper guard. The other side would have been too tricky,

air bubbles etc...

guard and adhesive vinyl arrived... came out pretty good. bridge holes don't line up exactly , but going to have to live with that...

going to start wiring this weekend. once I get that done, I'll start fitting the bone nut, which is already rough carved and fitted.

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15 answers to this question

Recommended Posts

Posted

Great job! Now make it wail.

Posted

Cool. How about a clear pickguard and mask it off and paint it half black/half white on the back side, which should come out looking very shiny, and would probably look factory if done well, when viewed from the front side....

Posted

I have one of the ESP/Edwards Schenker guitars... as cool as it is, it's a copy of his and his #1 and #2 and they were years with extra thin bodies. So they're a bit neck heavy. Doing your own with an Epiphone is a great idea. I always loved the black/white sceme.

Posted

I have one of the ESP/Edwards Schenker guitars... as cool as it is, it's a copy of his and his #1 and #2 and they were years with extra thin bodies. So they're a bit neck heavy. Doing your own with an Epiphone is a great idea. I always loved the black/white sceme.

For a long time I was drooling about the Edwards, but I tried one not so long ago and didn't like it. It's a too slim guitar for my tastes -slim body, thin neck... Certainly well-built but not my stuff at all.

The Epis however, those are sturdy, with thicker necks and heavier bodies. I just love them, and I even prefer the SG Epis to their Gibby counterparts.

That's why I was about to say I don't think that Schenker Epi is a pig. It's just a player's axe, a tool made for the working men. Give me an Epi anytime, and I'll be happy, seriously. :)

Posted

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VERY sharp, Dave! Great idea using the vinyl sheeting...

Wait'll ya'll see what I got in store for my white, Gibson V. ;)

Posted

thanks for the comments everyone... zorrow, yeah, I agree solidly build, just not crazy about the points of

contact (bridge nut electronics) That said, I'm pretty happy... took some guitar that couldn't find a home

(was priced CHEEP that's all I'll say) and if all goes well with the nut, I'll have something pretty cool...

rob, definitely post what you have... btw: the Gibson rudy schenker V caught my eye, will keep an eye out

when they start hitting the used market.

One string, nut going on this weekend.... electronics worked great, I'm starting to get better with soldering

iron... one level above hack. :)

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Posted

thanks... forgot to post these. now completed, decided to stop short of cutting the nut slots myself, got a nice assist

from Thundernotes who recommended a local luthier who helped cut the nut slots and final setup, came out great he turned it around in a day and was very reasonable.

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Posted

Lookin' good!

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