NGD

[Byrdman]

I have been looking for a reasonable P90 guitar to play through my Marshall amps, and was in-between appointments today, so I stopped by my favorite local guitar store, https://www.jimmysvintagemusic.com/

Here we have an Epiphone Wilshire P90. It's pre-owned, but other than a decent setup, it has not been played much at all or the person is real particular with his gear, not a blemish, scratch, or smudge anywhere. Figured $300 all in wasn't going to kill me if I didn't like it, but so far, it plays very well and weighs considerably less than my Epi LP's. Nice wide 43 mil nut width and med neck. Usually Epi electronics are crap so if they start giving me issues, I'll get another 50's wiring kit from Toneman and start looking for some Gibson P90's unless someone suggests something better.

 

[State of Epicicity]

I have been looking for a reasonable P90 guitar to play through my Marshall amps, and was in-between appointments today, so I stopped by my favorite local guitar store, https://www.jimmysvintagemusic.com/

Here we have an Epiphone Wilshire P90. It's pre-owned, but other than a decent setup, it has not been played much at all or the person is real particular with his gear, not a blemish, scratch, or smudge anywhere. Figured $300 all in wasn't going to kill me if I didn't like it, but so far, it plays very well and weighs considerably less than my Epi LP's. Nice wide 43 mil nut width and med neck. Usually Epi electronics are crap so if they start giving me issues, I'll get another 50's wiring kit from Toneman and start looking for some Gibson P90's unless someone suggests something better.


View attachment 41813

This is exactly where the freaking pickup selector should be! That's one of my big pet peeves about Les Pauls. How's the balance between the neck and bridge pickups? That neck is placed like a 24 fret guitar, like 22 fret SGs too.

 

[Byrdman]

This is exactly where the freaking pickup selector should be! That's one of my big pet peeves about Les Pauls. How's the balance between the neck and bridge pickups? That neck is placed like a 24 fret guitar, like 22 fret SGs too.

Not bad, I was getting some really good blend tones yesterday with the volume on the neck in that 6-8 range.

I will say that the electronics are crap. First thing I'm going to do is replace all the pots and wiring and see if that makes the PU's sing better. If not, I see some Gibson or Bareknuckle P90's in it's future.

 

[Eagle]

Not bad, I was getting some really good blend tones yesterday with the volume on the neck in that 6-8 range.

I will say that the electronics are crap. First thing I'm going to do is replace all the pots and wiring and see if that makes the PU's sing better. If not, I see some Gibson or Bareknuckle P90's in its future.

Better pots improve the function of the pot not really an effect on the pickup. Unless they are way off the values.

 

[Byrdman]

Better pots improve the function of the pot not really an effect on the pickup. Unless they are way off the values.

But changing to 50's wiring with better pots, wiring, and capacitors does make the guitar sound better IME

 

[Eagle]

But changing to 50's wiring with better pots, wiring, and capacitors does make the guitar sound better IME

I like better caps and 50s wiring but it doesn’t really make the guitar any better with everything up full.

 

[Byrdman]

I like better caps and 50s wiring but it doesn’t really make the guitar any better with everything up full.

Whatever dude... My Epi with the stock P90's sounds a lot better now that I changed all the wiring, pots, and caps, regardless of whether you think so or not.

 

[Eagle]

Whatever dude... My Epi with the stock P90's sounds a lot better now that I changed all the wiring, pots, and caps, regardless of whether you think so or not.

On 10 it’s the pot value so it could be different.

 

[norminal]

If a “vintage” cap or resistor has the exact value and tolerance as a modern variety, please explain how a vintage cap or resistor sounds any different than a modern variety.

 

[Mikael Dez]

If a “vintage” cap or resistor has the exact value and tolerance as a modern variety, please explain how a vintage cap or resistor sounds any different than a modern variety.

That sweet vintage feel it gives. You can't describe it, until you hear it.

 

[Mikael Dez]

/s

 

[gearJunkie]

If a “vintage” cap or resistor has the exact value and tolerance as a modern variety, please explain how a vintage cap or resistor sounds any different than a modern variety.

The type of capacitor used in audio filter circuits can influence distortion, size, and cost, but it generally does not affect the frequency response or operation of the filter. For optimal performance, non-polarized capacitors like film or ceramic are often preferred.

 

[Byrdman]

If a “vintage” cap or resistor has the exact value and tolerance as a modern variety, please explain how a vintage cap or resistor sounds any different than a modern variety.

IME, most cheap Chinese pots, wiring, and caps are not what they say they are. Wiring is smaller gauged including the grounding wires, and rarely shielded properly that can cause additional noise. Pots are usually under valued and more openings in the housing that don't hold up as well, need cleaning more often, get scratchy, etc. Caps are usually pretty good on stated values, but to my ears, a modern cap made in china just doesn't sound as warm as a paper in oil tone cap of the same value. The chinese 3 way switches on all my Epiphones were total garbage and always fail at some point. Between the super thin wiring solder joints failing at the switch, or the switch's contacts don't keep their bend internally they always fail, IME.

The soldering job on import guitars, obviously not all imports but generally, is usually shit and looks like a big rat's nest. It will need to be redone within at year or so of heavy playing anyway, so why not upgrade everything for around $40-$50 while you are in there to make everything more reliable. Imports are made to hit a price point and one of the places they cut costs is in the electronics and labor, not saying it is not expected but this is another area that you get what you pay for. Epiphone wiring and components are copies of Gibson's but IMO the cheaper parts on the Epi's will fail sooner and dont sound as nice so I upgrade all of them with better components and in most cases, Gibson PU's as well.

 

[Eagle]

IME, most cheap Chinese pots, wiring, and caps are not what they say they are. Wiring is smaller gauged including the grounding wires, and rarely shielded properly that can cause additional noise. Pots are usually under valued and more openings in the housing that don't hold up as well, need cleaning more often, get scratchy, etc. Caps are usually pretty good on stated values, but to my ears, a modern cap made in china just doesn't sound as warm as a paper in oil tone cap of the same value. The chinese 3 way switches on all my Epiphones were total garbage and always fail at some point. Between the super thin wiring solder joints failing at the switch, or the switch's contacts don't keep their bend internally they always fail, IME.

The soldering job on import guitars, obviously not all imports but generally, is usually shit and looks like a big rat's nest. It will need to be redone within at year or so of heavy playing anyway, so why not upgrade everything for around $40-$50 while you are in there to make everything more reliable. Imports are made to hit a price point and one of the places they cut costs is in the electronics and labor, not saying it is not expected but this is another area that you get what you pay for. Epiphone wiring and components are copies of Gibson's but IMO the cheaper parts on the Epi's will fail sooner and dont sound as nice so I upgrade all of them with better components and in most cases, Gibson PU's as well.

This takes the price way too high for what you end up with. I generally don’t find Epiphone to be good value because even after you replace all the substandard parts and hardware you still have poor wood selection thick plastic paint and soft frets.
I see plenty of used low end Gibsons that are a far better option.

 

[Byrdman]

This takes the price way too high for what you end up with. I generally don’t find Epiphone to be good value because even after you replace all the substandard parts and hardware you still have poor wood selection thick plastic paint and soft frets.
I see plenty of used low end Gibsons that are a far better option.

I agree, especially now that the Epi's you want to buy are $1200-$1500. But when I bought my Epi 59 LP, it was only $600 brand new and came with Gibson Burstbuckers. That same guitar is $1300 now. I also picked up a used Epi Custom LP for $300 that sat in a case for 2 years that will cost you $1300 now. I replaced the wiring and put a Gibson 490T in the bridge, so I'm around $400 all in on that one. I also put Gibson Classic 57's and 50's wiring in my Epi 335. A buddy gave me his 57's so that did not cost anything and the 50's wiring parts were about $50 at the time.

Even low end Gibson's are going to be well above what I am spending on these guitars. For now I need multiple guitars set up in different tunings for what we are playing to cover everything and not have to deal with tuning and issues at a gig. My next move is to slowly upgrade them for better guitars now that I am done doing the same with my amps. My SS Catalyst is gone and been replaced with Marshall heads and cabs.

 

[Eagle]

I agree, especially now that the Epi's you want to buy are $1200-$1500. But when I bought my Epi 59 LP, it was only $600 brand new and came with Gibson Burstbuckers. That same guitar is $1300 now. I also picked up a used Epi Custom LP for $300 that sat in a case for 2 years that will cost you $1300 now. I replaced the wiring and put a Gibson 490T in the bridge, so I'm around $400 all in on that one. I also put Gibson Classic 57's and 50's wiring in my Epi 335. A buddy gave me his 57's so that did not cost anything and the 50's wiring parts were about $50 at the time.

Even low end Gibson's are going to be well above what I am spending on these guitars. For now I need multiple guitars set up in different tunings for what we are playing to cover everything and not have to deal with tuning and issues at a gig. My next move is to slowly upgrade them for better guitars now that I am done doing the same with my amps. My SS Catalyst is gone and been replaced with Marshall heads and cabs.

I think people should look for used low end Gibsons before they buy Epiphone ( unless they are happy with it as is) . I just fitted a second hand set of Lollars in a Les Paul 50s tribute and did a little extra detailing and the Guitar parts and my labour cost the owner less than £1k all together. This stuff is out there to be found.

 

[Byrdman]

I think people should look for used low end Gibsons before they buy Epiphone ( unless they are happy with it as is) . I just fitted a second hand set of Lollars in a Les Paul 50s tribute and did a little extra detailing and the Guitar parts and my labour cost the owner less than £1k all together. This stuff is out there to be found.

I agree, but that's in today's market. When I started playing with others over a year ago, prices were considerably higher than they are now.

I'm on the lookout for a Gibson Studio w/ HB's and an SG with P90's. I know I'll find what I'm looking for and at more reasonable prices than they were 2-5 years ago.