Hi folks..I've recently upgraded to a epiphone les paul standard and its 
just lovely! I've owned my SG with scalloped neck!..purchased that way,, for 
some 30 years and in my younger days replaced the tail piece and bridge with 
a one piece schaller bridge.. duhh..to do that meant I had to redrill the 
mounting holes for it..and patch up the holes..ugly mess there. I also 
replaced the nut with a brass one..and replaced the pickups with original 
'82 bill lawrence twin blade pickups. XL500's..I never liked the sound I got 
from the BL's btw..and always had staying in tune problems with the beast 
but I stuck to it like a faithful husband..it still has original Gibson 
tuning gears which seem fine no slack..the neck is straight..the back of the 
neck seems to have suffered some form of meltdown in the laquer dept..just 
normal use or what?? BIG QUESTION...is it worth my while restoring this SG 
to its original condition with maybe a relaquer or do I toss it in the bin? 
Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone for 
$800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)

On Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:01:54 +1000, "Lu R"  wrote:

>Hi folks..I've recently upgraded to a epiphone les paul standard and its 
>just lovely! I've owned my SG with scalloped neck!..purchased that way,, for 
>some 30 years and in my younger days replaced the tail piece and bridge with 
>a one piece schaller bridge.. duhh..to do that meant I had to redrill the 
>mounting holes for it..and patch up the holes..ugly mess there. I also 
>replaced the nut with a brass one..and replaced the pickups with original 
>'82 bill lawrence twin blade pickups. XL500's..I never liked the sound I got 
>from the BL's btw..and always had staying in tune problems with the beast 
>but I stuck to it like a faithful husband..it still has original Gibson 
>tuning gears which seem fine no slack..the neck is straight..the back of the 
>neck seems to have suffered some form of meltdown in the laquer dept..just 
>normal use or what?? BIG QUESTION...is it worth my while restoring this SG 
>to its original condition with maybe a relaquer or do I toss it in the bin? 
>Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone for 
>$800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :) 
>

I don't think it is worth restoring it to original, but it's worth
restoring it to a playable condition....which I think can be done with
aftermarket parts for much less than $800. Definitely don't "toss it
in the bin". Good luck.


-- 
WE'RE BAAAACK:
http://www.Gearforumz.com
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610
http://www.Reviewmymusicnow.com

"Lu R"  wrote in message
news:4ac356b7$0$5420$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
> Hi folks..I've recently upgraded to a epiphone les paul standard and its
> just lovely! I've owned my SG with scalloped neck!..purchased that way,,
for
> some 30 years and in my younger days replaced the tail piece and bridge
with
> a one piece schaller bridge.. duhh..to do that meant I had to redrill the
> mounting holes for it..and patch up the holes..ugly mess there. I also
> replaced the nut with a brass one..and replaced the pickups with original
> '82 bill lawrence twin blade pickups. XL500's..I never liked the sound I
got
> from the BL's btw..and always had staying in tune problems with the beast
> but I stuck to it like a faithful husband..it still has original Gibson
> tuning gears which seem fine no slack..the neck is straight..the back of
the
> neck seems to have suffered some form of meltdown in the laquer dept..just
> normal use or what?? BIG QUESTION...is it worth my while restoring this SG
> to its original condition with maybe a relaquer or do I toss it in the
bin?
> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone
for
> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
>

Scalloped?
Looks like you're stuck with it...

I play scalloped-neck guitars myself and 9/10 guitar players are horrified.

Elmo' 7#9

On Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:11:43 -0400, jtees4 wrote:

>On Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:01:54 +1000, "Lu R"  wrote:
>
>>Hi folks..I've recently upgraded to a epiphone les paul standard and its 
>>just lovely! I've owned my SG with scalloped neck!..purchased that way,, for 
>>some 30 years and in my younger days replaced the tail piece and bridge with 
>>a one piece schaller bridge.. duhh..to do that meant I had to redrill the 
>>mounting holes for it..and patch up the holes..ugly mess there. I also 
>>replaced the nut with a brass one..and replaced the pickups with original 
>>'82 bill lawrence twin blade pickups. XL500's..I never liked the sound I got 
>>from the BL's btw..and always had staying in tune problems with the beast 
>>but I stuck to it like a faithful husband..it still has original Gibson 
>>tuning gears which seem fine no slack..the neck is straight..the back of the 
>>neck seems to have suffered some form of meltdown in the laquer dept..just 
>>normal use or what?? BIG QUESTION...is it worth my while restoring this SG 
>>to its original condition with maybe a relaquer or do I toss it in the bin? 
>>Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone for 
>>$800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :) 
>>
>
>I don't think it is worth restoring it to original, but it's worth
>restoring it to a playable condition....which I think can be done with
>aftermarket parts for much less than $800. Definitely don't "toss it
>in the bin". Good luck.

Agreed, don't toss it. But if you do toss it my way.

On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone for
> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)

Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....

Lu R wrote:
 > Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups
 > alone for $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
 >


  Post pictures of it .. we're let you know.

  I think people who deface Gibsons should be hung in a public square,
  and whipped into submission, so you treading on thin ice ;-} .

Lu R  wrote:

> BIG QUESTION...is it worth my while restoring this SG 
> to its original condition with maybe a relaquer or do I toss it in the bin?
> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone for
> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :) 

Stick it on ebay as a restoration project, or a relic'd SG. it will
probably go for twice what a perfect one would go for - I don't know
why, people just love that!


-- 
Woody

On Sep 30, 10:14 am, "Elmo' 7#9"
 wrote:
> I play scalloped-neck guitars myself and 9/10 guitar players are horrified.
>
> Elmo' 7#9

Yep.....fraidy cats all of 'em. I dunno if I'd scallop an SG....they
have enough stability problems off the rack. Plus the block/trap
inlays....nope.

"boardjunkie"  wrote in message 
news:ec74ecf3-7f90-4745-be9f-46cd04888563@e8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone 
> for
> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)

Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....

Sure ! It goes something like this..new bridge and tailpiece = $240 new 
pickups $440 new bone nut $80 add some labour component to that and there's 
$800!! That still doesnt address the neck that may be coming apart at the 
base deal which has been the cause of my tuning problem for years either.. I 
love my LP Epi..built like a brick shit house sings like a lady.

"Lu R"  wrote in message 
news:4ac356b7$0$5420$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
> Hi folks..I've recently upgraded to a epiphone les paul standard and its 
> just lovely! I've owned my SG with scalloped neck!..purchased that way,, 
> for some 30 years and in my younger days replaced the tail piece and 
> bridge with a one piece schaller bridge.. duhh..to do that meant I had to 
> redrill the mounting holes for it..and patch up the holes..ugly mess 
> there. I also replaced the nut with a brass one..and replaced the pickups 
> with original '82 bill lawrence twin blade pickups. XL500's..I never liked 
> the sound I got from the BL's btw..and always had staying in tune problems 
> with the beast but I stuck to it like a faithful husband..it still has 
> original Gibson tuning gears which seem fine no slack..the neck is 
> straight..the back of the neck seems to have suffered some form of 
> meltdown in the laquer dept..just normal use or what?? BIG QUESTION...is 
> it worth my while restoring this SG to its original condition with maybe a 
> relaquer or do I toss it in the bin? Its genuine USA. I got a quote to 
> repair the hardware and pickups alone for $800..will I get my money back? 
> Thanks in advance. :)

Generally speaking, if you put money into this, it will stay there, and you 
will never get it back.

Generally speaking, refinishes on guitars with histories like this are a 
waste of money - and I say that having been paid to do many.   It will cost 
hundreds of dollars and won't add much of any value.

Tuning problems are a matter of setup.   It can even be that it's never been 
properly intonated, and hence never *got* in tune anywhere but in one 
position.    This can be a result of a mis-positioned bridge, as you've had 
it replaced; it can also be that the pickups are too high, and prevent 
accurate tuning.

I'll suggest starting here:   Unplug the guitar, and play it.  Do you like 
the feel, is it resonant, does it sound good acoustically?   If so, take it 
to a decent tech, and try various guitars with different pickups to find 
ones you do like.   Pay to have the guitar cleaned up and set up *properly*, 
with the bridge moved into the correct position if that's what's causing the 
tuning problems.  Have the new pickups put in temporarily, on approval - it 
is possible to temporarily install them (with clip leads) to get a very good 
idea of how they sound, without committing to cutting the cables to length 
and soldering.   If they don't sound right, they can go right back in the 
box.

HTH
-pk

"Lu R"  wrote in message 
news:4ac40d9b$0$1157$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>
> "boardjunkie"  wrote in message 
> news:ec74ecf3-7f90-4745-be9f-46cd04888563@e8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
>> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone 
>> for
>> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
>
> Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....
>
> Sure ! It goes something like this..new bridge and tailpiece = $240 new 
> pickups $440 new bone nut $80 add some labour component to that and 
> there's $800!! That still doesnt address the neck that may be coming apart 
> at the base deal which has been the cause of my tuning problem for years 
> either.. I love my LP Epi..built like a brick shit house sings like a 
> lady.

A bone nut shouldn't be more  $75 or so, and must include a setup (which 
will be extra).   $440 is wildly high, and must be including some extras - 
like a complete refret and neck refinish.

If the neck joint is unstable, don't do any other work without having that 
fixed - first.

For reference and comparison, this page has some pretty ordinary rates for 
quality work:
http://www.12fret.com/shop/index.html

HTH
-pk

"Patrick Keenan"  wrote in message 
news:N9mdneYLbKiKvVnXnZ2dnUVZ_oednZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> "Lu R"  wrote in message 
> news:4ac40d9b$0$1157$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>
>> "boardjunkie"  wrote in message 
>> news:ec74ecf3-7f90-4745-be9f-46cd04888563@e8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
>> On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
>>> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone 
>>> for
>>> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
>>
>> Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....
>>
>> Sure ! It goes something like this..new bridge and tailpiece = $240 new 
>> pickups $440 new bone nut $80 add some labour component to that and 
>> there's $800!! That still doesnt address the neck that may be coming 
>> apart at the base deal which has been the cause of my tuning problem for 
>> years either.. I love my LP Epi..built like a brick shit house sings like 
>> a lady.
>
> A bone nut shouldn't be more  $75 or so, and must include a setup (which 
> will be extra).   $440 is wildly high, and must be including some extras - 
> like a complete refret and neck refinish.
>
> If the neck joint is unstable, don't do any other work without having that 
> fixed - first.
>
> For reference and comparison, this page has some pretty ordinary rates for 
> quality work:
> http://www.12fret.com/shop/index.html
>

You fell for the poor formatting and lack of punctuation like I initially 
did.  The bone nut is $80.  $440 was for pickups and $240 was for bridge and 
tailpiece.

-- 
Lawrence
"Butters, we're done talking about girls' balls right now.  Pay 
attention!" - Eric Cartman - 14 November 2007

"Patrick Keenan"  wrote in message 
news:3Zudnfamav-CglnXnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> "Lu R"  wrote in message 
> news:4ac356b7$0$5420$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>> Hi folks..I've recently upgraded to a epiphone les paul standard and its 
>> just lovely! I've owned my SG with scalloped neck!..purchased that way,, 
>> for some 30 years and in my younger days replaced the tail piece and 
>> bridge with a one piece schaller bridge.. duhh..to do that meant I had to 
>> redrill the mounting holes for it..and patch up the holes..ugly mess 
>> there. I also replaced the nut with a brass one..and replaced the pickups 
>> with original '82 bill lawrence twin blade pickups. XL500's..I never 
>> liked the sound I got from the BL's btw..and always had staying in tune 
>> problems with the beast but I stuck to it like a faithful husband..it 
>> still has original Gibson tuning gears which seem fine no slack..the neck 
>> is straight..the back of the neck seems to have suffered some form of 
>> meltdown in the laquer dept..just normal use or what?? BIG QUESTION...is 
>> it worth my while restoring this SG to its original condition with maybe 
>> a relaquer or do I toss it in the bin? Its genuine USA. I got a quote to 
>> repair the hardware and pickups alone for $800..will I get my money back? 
>> Thanks in advance. :)
>
> Generally speaking, if you put money into this, it will stay there, and 
> you will never get it back.
>
> Generally speaking, refinishes on guitars with histories like this are a 
> waste of money - and I say that having been paid to do many.   It will 
> cost hundreds of dollars and won't add much of any value.
>
> Tuning problems are a matter of setup.   It can even be that it's never 
> been properly intonated, and hence never *got* in tune anywhere but in one 
> position.    This can be a result of a mis-positioned bridge, as you've 
> had it replaced; it can also be that the pickups are too high, and prevent 
> accurate tuning.
>
> I'll suggest starting here:   Unplug the guitar, and play it.  Do you like 
> the feel, is it resonant, does it sound good acoustically?   If so, take 
> it to a decent tech, and try various guitars with different pickups to 
> find ones you do like.   Pay to have the guitar cleaned up and set up 
> *properly*, with the bridge moved into the correct position if that's 
> what's causing the tuning problems.  Have the new pickups put in 
> temporarily, on approval - it is possible to temporarily install them 
> (with clip leads) to get a very good idea of how they sound, without 
> committing to cutting the cables to length and soldering.   If they don't 
> sound right, they can go right back in the box.
>
Thanx Patrick. Sounds like the wtg. I just wonder if my original SG 74 
pickups were good to start and I misconceived that thinking hotter pickups 
means better. I did own a terrible amp back then too.. a Fender Super Twin.. 
ughhh lol.. 180 watts of pure NONTONE..

"Patrick Keenan"  wrote in message 
news:N9mdneYLbKiKvVnXnZ2dnUVZ_oednZ2d@supernews.com...
>
> "Lu R"  wrote in message 
> news:4ac40d9b$0$1157$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>
>> "boardjunkie"  wrote in message 
>> news:ec74ecf3-7f90-4745-be9f-46cd04888563@e8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
>> On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
>>> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone 
>>> for
>>> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
>>
>> Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....
>>
>> Sure ! It goes something like this..new bridge and tailpiece = $240 new 
>> pickups $440 new bone nut $80 add some labour component to that and 
>> there's $800!! That still doesnt address the neck that may be coming 
>> apart at the base deal which has been the cause of my tuning problem for 
>> years either.. I love my LP Epi..built like a brick shit house sings like 
>> a lady.
>
> A bone nut shouldn't be more  $75 or so, and must include a setup (which 
> will be extra).   $440 is wildly high, and must be including some extras - 
> like a complete refret and neck refinish.
>
> If the neck joint is unstable, don't do any other work without having that 
> fixed - first.

How can I tell if its unstable? I can see the glue has lifted a little from 
the seam that's all. The neck is straight.

Lu R wrote:
> "Patrick Keenan"  wrote in message 
> news:N9mdneYLbKiKvVnXnZ2dnUVZ_oednZ2d@supernews.com...
>> "Lu R"  wrote in message 
>> news:4ac40d9b$0$1157$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>> "boardjunkie"  wrote in message 
>>> news:ec74ecf3-7f90-4745-be9f-46cd04888563@e8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
>>> On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
>>>> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone 
>>>> for
>>>> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
>>> Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....
>>>
>>> Sure ! It goes something like this..new bridge and tailpiece = $240 new 
>>> pickups $440 new bone nut $80 add some labour component to that and 
>>> there's $800!! That still doesnt address the neck that may be coming 
>>> apart at the base deal which has been the cause of my tuning problem for 
>>> years either.. I love my LP Epi..built like a brick shit house sings like 
>>> a lady.
>> A bone nut shouldn't be more  $75 or so, and must include a setup (which 
>> will be extra).   $440 is wildly high, and must be including some extras - 
>> like a complete refret and neck refinish.
>>
>> If the neck joint is unstable, don't do any other work without having that 
>> fixed - first.
> 
> How can I tell if its unstable? I can see the glue has lifted a little from 
> the seam that's all. The neck is straight. 

This might be of interest:

http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm

GDS

"Let's roll!"

"Greendistantstar"  wrote in message 
news:qKadnU1tPOS901nXnZ2dnUVZ_gWdnZ2d@westnet.com.au...
> Lu R wrote:
>> "Patrick Keenan"  wrote in message 
>> news:N9mdneYLbKiKvVnXnZ2dnUVZ_oednZ2d@supernews.com...
>>> "Lu R"  wrote in message 
>>> news:4ac40d9b$0$1157$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...
>>>> "boardjunkie"  wrote in message 
>>>> news:ec74ecf3-7f90-4745-be9f-46cd04888563@e8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
>>>> On Sep 30, 9:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
>>>>> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups 
>>>>> alone for
>>>>> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)
>>>> Care to show me that quote? Jumpin' jesus....
>>>>
>>>> Sure ! It goes something like this..new bridge and tailpiece = $240 new 
>>>> pickups $440 new bone nut $80 add some labour component to that and 
>>>> there's $800!! That still doesnt address the neck that may be coming 
>>>> apart at the base deal which has been the cause of my tuning problem 
>>>> for years either.. I love my LP Epi..built like a brick shit house 
>>>> sings like a lady.
>>> A bone nut shouldn't be more  $75 or so, and must include a setup (which 
>>> will be extra).   $440 is wildly high, and must be including some 
>>> extras - like a complete refret and neck refinish.
>>>
>>> If the neck joint is unstable, don't do any other work without having 
>>> that fixed - first.
>>
>> How can I tell if its unstable? I can see the glue has lifted a little 
>> from the seam that's all. The neck is straight.
>
> This might be of interest:
>
> http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm
>
> GDS
>
> "Let's roll!"

WOW! Thanks for that..explains everything now. Damn SG neck was never made 
to handle the string pressures involved.

"Lu R" wrote:

> I just wonder if my original SG 74 
> pickups were good to start and I misconceived that thinking hotter pickups 
> means better. 

I have an SG I bought the same year, and my recollection is that the 
original pickups were nothing special.

I ended up with the "standard" late-70s replacement set of a DiMarzio 
PAF in the neck position and a Super Distortion in the bridge position. 
Few years after that added a single-coil in the middle. It's been a 
versatile instrument over the years since, though these days I would 
have put something more subtle in the bridge position.

-- Jon

-- 
- 
"Coloured and animated, the concerts and spectacles are as
many invitations to discover the universes of musicians and
artists who tint with happiness our reality."

Lu R wrote:

> WOW! Thanks for that..explains everything now. Damn SG neck was never made
> to handle the string pressures involved.

Yes, of course.  That's why half the records that lunatic Roman
listens to were recorded and toured using SGs.

rct

On 2009-10-01 02:37:25 -0400, Greendistantstar 
 said:

>> How can I tell if its unstable? I can see the glue has lifted a little 
>> from the seam that's all. The neck is straight.
> 
> This might be of interest:
> 
> http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm

	ah yes, Ed Roman - Comedy website of the year. Just ask EB/MM why they 
no longer deal with this guy.
-- 
Dan Dreibelbis, CGN (Cerified Guitar Nerd)
http://guitarnerd.ca
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=121942
http://www.myspace.com/dandreibelbis
Current Songs - "Oh No! Not Blues Again!"

Daniel Dreibelbis wrote:
> On 2009-10-01 02:37:25 -0400, Greendistantstar 
>  said:
> 
>>> How can I tell if its unstable? I can see the glue has lifted a 
>>> little from the seam that's all. The neck is straight.
>>
>> This might be of interest:
>>
>> http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm
> 
>     ah yes, Ed Roman - Comedy website of the year. Just ask EB/MM why 
> they no longer deal with this guy.

I didn't say I was supporting everything that Ed Roman said; it was 
merely provided as a counterpoint and possible cause.

Think what you will of Roman, he knows his stuff, and he and his guys 
make some great guitars.

GDS

"Let's roll!"

"Greendistantstar"  wrote in message 
news:Zu6dnWycNNqW51jXnZ2dnUVZ_jJi4p2d@westnet.com.au...
> Daniel Dreibelbis wrote:
>> On 2009-10-01 02:37:25 -0400, Greendistantstar 
>>  said:
>>
>>>> How can I tell if its unstable? I can see the glue has lifted a little 
>>>> from the seam that's all. The neck is straight.
>>>
>>> This might be of interest:
>>>
>>> http://www.edroman.com/rants/les_paul_necks.htm
>>
>>     ah yes, Ed Roman - Comedy website of the year. Just ask EB/MM why 
>> they no longer deal with this guy.
>
> I didn't say I was supporting everything that Ed Roman said; it was merely 
> provided as a counterpoint and possible cause.
>
> Think what you will of Roman, he knows his stuff, and he and his guys make 
> some great guitars.
>

When you consider that the OP appreciated your link very much, no 
explanation or defence is required.

Speaking of link, does anyone remember Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp?

-- 
Lawrence
"If I was a towel, why would I be wearing this hat and this fake 
moustache" - Steven McTowelie - 19 April 2006

On Sep 30, 8:01 am, "Lu R"  wrote:
> BIG QUESTION...is it worth my while restoring this SG
> to its original condition with maybe a relaquer or do I toss it in the bin?
> Its genuine USA. I got a quote to repair the hardware and pickups alone for
> $800..will I get my money back? Thanks in advance. :)

Sell it as is, you should get a decent price for it.