'61 SG

Epiphone has released this SG called the '61 Les Paul SG Standard. The LP name is there because back then, the SG took over the monicker after the LP was discontinued.

And there's a white version as well. Is it a worthy '61 reincarnation? Not quite but they did include Gibson humbuckers, CTS pots, Mallory caps & a gorgeous hard case. Also, the neck is a one piece unit, not that it's 'better' but it's something not done elsewhere.

OK... we don't have an Epiphone dealer here. Hmph.

Special arrangements

It's doom Tuesday & time well spent with the Epiphone SG Special. Yes, I'm not averse to the Epiphone brand name, just that not many appeal to me. 

As you can see there, this guitar came default with B500K pots (as indicated); all four of them. This is perhaps why they sound a little restrained when it comes to clarity. To me, single coil pickups go well with 250K pots & the P90 is a single coil pickup. 

Brought this down to Beez's today to have A250K pots in there. As the default pots were CTS ones, I made it a point to get CTS replacement pots as well. Also, the capacitors are a pair of HOSCO .047uf ones, unlike the .22uf that came with the B500K pots. CTS pots are available at TYMC, Hosco capacitors are available at Davis GMC.

While I'm at it, a pair of Wilkinson P90s are the new pickups here. These are easily available through Amazon & they are very affordable.

A fresh set of Darcos 10s for today's doom adventure - available at City Music. 

Antigua (3)

It seems that the Japanese Fender instruments are now moving away from Gotoh pots. Seen here are CTS pots straight from the factory. The default capacitors are also quality ones (TK brand). The best discovery here (to me) is the 3-way selector; it's now the non-boxy, non-circuit board version. No markings on it to suggest a Switchcraft product but will probe further soon. It's unclear if this move applies to all Japanese models with immediate effect, I'm just glad to see good components in my guitar. 

Classic catch

I had no plans to get anything from the recent Swee Lee sale except that Epiphone Viola bass for my dad; it was an easy decision. Maybe those stash of D'Addario & Harmony strings were part of the plan as well. But when they slashed prices by 40% on the final two days of the sale, some guitars in store were under my serious considerations. Inevitably, this early 2019 Les Paul Classic went home with me. I preferred a non-black option but choosers are losers during such times.       

Another blank truss rod cover treatment. 

I'm actually OK with these so called modern electronics. Those CTS embossed pot base plates remind owners they are worthy components in this rather crowded existence. I thought the tone taper is rather impressive & hope the magic came from those yellow capacitors there - look suspiciously like a pair of Mallories. 

I had a negative experience with Gibson's '61 humbucker in a Melody Maker. I guess the 61 needs a hefty body to make it sound, at the very least, useful. That's what is happening here, the '61 has that rather stinging midrange which I didn't hear from the '57s coupled with a good dose of bottom end thanks largely to the weight of the guitar. On that note, this guitar is heavy despite whatever body chambering that took place at the factory. 

A quick fretboard 'shower' & re-string. The default 9 - 46 strings were quite lifeless despite looking new so this DR set took over. There's something about the DR's rigidity that is so appropriate for angry music & that happened for about 30min or so before I got all sweaty & required a shower.  

Quality

Had been playing my offset Tele for the past few days or so. This thing is heavy.

Was curious to see what those Japanese folks included in there in terms of electronics & was surprised they didn't go with Gotoh. A pair of CTS pots but both are A models. Hmm...