Bonefish Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 For those of us that like to tinker, I thought it'd be cool to have a thread listing some of our favorite mods and why. So far, I haven't made any mods to my H157, but have certainly thought about it. So, I'd love to hear about the things you've tried and how they turned out.
DetroitBlues Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 .015 poi cap for the neck pickup... For BIgbob, I'd wager he say screw on bigsby...
Tallershadows Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 For me, it's all about the pickups. My personal favorite are the skatterbrane benwabranes on my H150. Also currently have installed in my other Heritages are Sheptone ABs, Heritage HRWs, Manlius fat dianes, and fralin pure pafs slightly overwound versions. Each has a distinct personality, but all sound great.
mars_hall Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 1) Put a Gibson TP-6 on everything. You do not end up backing into being in tune on overshoots of the center cause the turn ratio is much smaller and you do not wear out your tuners. Most tuners have too much play before the string bearing pin starts to rotate.You great more mass at the end of your string and less of a break angle when screwing the TP all the way down. Easier to change strings. You just place the end into a fork. 2) Adjustment to achieve contrasting appointments. Some folks think light colored maple cap, light colored rings and knobs. I go for contrasts which make features stick out in darker situations. They are also more appealing 'cause they direct the eye to the details as opposed to camouflaging them. 3) I always change the pickups to what I perceive as balancing the guitar's tonal character. The original guitar is too bright sonically, throw known darker pups on there. Guitar is too dark sonically, put something like Seths on there with their higher frequency content. 4) Tarnished tuner heads get replaced with acrylic in pearl or ivory. 5) Bridge slots cut for a biggerset of strings, add new insets with a minimum of slot depth. 6) Everything goes down to the lowest achievable action without fretting out. You get better intonation because the string is stretched less from its open state and your play with the sensitivity of your fingertips, not the palm knuckles. Snaps and hammers are easier. Less of the fret crown touches the string, so less wear on stretches. 7) Ensure correct straplocks 8) All skull decals are removed. ;p
pegleg32 Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 I know I've told this story before, but when I bought my matched set 150/535 I immediatly fell in love with the 535 but really had trouble bonding with the 150. I went through several different pickup combinations etc until Kuz turned me onto the Throbak Peter Green pickups. I have loved it ever since.
Spectrum13 Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 Nut correctly filed and spaced or replace. Match knobs, pickup rings and trim. Replace the pots and caps if needed. Quality toggle switch and jack. Locking bridge and stud tailpiece unless its an archtop Strap locks,
Hfan Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 I remove all fancy schmanzy boutique pickups and install Schallers ASAP. Only kidding, though the Schallers don't bother me. I did remove the Schaller tailpiece and installed a Gotoh Gibson style on my 157 just because I thought the Schaller was kind of unatractive. The gurus on the LP forum swear that the Gotoh is as good as the tone pros for less $.
Trouble Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 The only things I've done to my 150 are re filed the nut and installed Schaller straplocks. It is the most versatile guitar I've ever owned the way it is. My next one will have a different voicing, probably hotter bridge and slightly brighter neck, for a more rock oriented guitar.
Kuz Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 RS Guitar Works Bumble Bee caps, Throbak pickups, and a "poker chip" Rhythm/Lead over the toggle switch. I am also quickly wondering why I don't put speed dials on all my 150s..........
bolero Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 If they have them, I change out the funky schaller bridge & tailpiece, otherwise they are just great as-is!! I believe tone pros now come stock on them which is a good move I'm also very partial to wolfetone legends pups
Bonefish Posted August 31, 2012 Author Posted August 31, 2012 So what specific bridge and tailpieces do you recommend? What advantage over the Schallers do they have? Also, any favorite strap locks? Links are much appreciated if so inclined...
mars_hall Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=TP-6+-tonepros+-ad&_sacat=619&_sop=1&LH_Price=..60%40c&_dmpt=Guitar_Accessories&_odkw=TP-6+-tonepros&_osacat=619&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
kidsmoke Posted August 31, 2012 Posted August 31, 2012 I know others here think highly of the Faber. German made, tight tolerance, LOCKING bridge and stoptail. Faber Tone Lok master kit full kit, with INserts bridge posts, seen here in Aged Nickel. (not a 150/7, however)
mtpatty Posted September 1, 2012 Posted September 1, 2012 tone pros bridges, sperzel locking tuners, Bare Knuckle pickups...
Bonefish Posted September 1, 2012 Author Posted September 1, 2012 Has anyone tried the Ernie Ball strap locks? I'm thinking about the black or gold ones with my H157. Awesome feedback by the way. This has been fun.
SouthpawGuy Posted September 1, 2012 Posted September 1, 2012 Did the mods cost so much you guys couldn't afford cameras ?
Kuz Posted September 1, 2012 Posted September 1, 2012 Has anyone tried the Ernie Ball strap locks? I'm thinking about the black or gold ones with my H157. Awesome feedback by the way. This has been fun. Well, yea, I forgot my first "mod" with any electric or archtop is a set of Schaller strap locks. Every guitar except my acoustics, have the Schaller strap locks.
JackBaruth Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 Poker chip, every time. To me, a Les Paul looks wrong unless it has one. Sheptones or Throbaks.
H Posted September 4, 2012 Posted September 4, 2012 Poker chip, every time. To me, a Les Paul looks wrong unless it has one. Wrong? Nah My favourite mods: Tone Pros locking bridge and tailpiece, Tone Pros Kluson tuners.
proxmax Posted October 10, 2012 Posted October 10, 2012 i swapped pups to prs 57/08s, made a new bone nut with correct spacing, new bridge with brass saddles and alu stp. complete new wiring with braided wires new cts pots, military nos pio caps.
DetroitBlues Posted October 10, 2012 Posted October 10, 2012 Refinishing the top from clown burst to amber... What a beauty that became...
heritagefan7 Posted October 10, 2012 Posted October 10, 2012 honestly, no mods...I got it (150) from Millineum Mestro and love it just as it is! Can't bear to touch the H 574 as it is 1 of 20.
Bonefish Posted October 10, 2012 Author Posted October 10, 2012 honestly, no mods...I got it (150) from Millineum Mestro and love it just as it is! Can't bear to touch the H 574 as it is 1 of 20. So far that's been my style as well. However, I'm thinking about some new pick ups before too long could be fun. I need a good project every now and then and that could be fun.
jamison162 Posted October 10, 2012 Posted October 10, 2012 Favorite Mods, hmmm...I can think of a few. I kind of wish I had one stock H150 in addition to my macked out H150 Goldtop...maybe one day. 1) TonePros Klusons, TPKB3-N 2) Bone Nut 3) Custom Engraved Truss Rod Cover 4) Schaller Strap Locks 5) Metal jack plate 6) Proper switch ring & amber tip 7) "G" style pickguard 8) Gold speed knobs 9) Complete rewiring 50's style w/graded CTS pots, Luxe Bumblebee Caps (0.022uF B, 0.015uF N), all braided shield wire. 10) Pickups (WCR, Wolfetone, Klein, Zhangbucker Pure Hand Wound) 11) Faber BSWkit w/Gibson Historic ABR Bridge 12) Pull brass tailpiece bushings and replace with steel 13) Faber Tone-Loc steel tailpiece studs w/Gotoh aluminum tailpiece
big bob Posted October 10, 2012 Posted October 10, 2012 .015 poi cap for the neck pickup... For BIgbob, I'd wager he say screw on bigsby... +1
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