The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Guitars: Looking for ideas for EPI Howard Roberts mods...

Looking for ideas for EPI Howard Roberts mods...

- Rated: 5 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 12:20 p.m. Dlaf:

I’d appreciate suggestions from all of the creative souls here on what kind of mods could be done to my Epiphone Howard Roberts late-90's reissue. If you are not familiar with this guitar, it is a full hollowbody with a large oval soundhole and floating mini-humbucker. Let me start this by saying that I do not want to sell this guitar. It is one of my wife’s favorite guitars (appearance-wise), and it was also the first guitar I bought after selling every bit of my musical equipment, and going on a 3-year no-music sabbatical 10 years ago. It sounds great acoustically, plays like butta, but really is rather dull when plugged in - probably due to a poor floating pickup. I am not a jazz player, and would prefer something that could brighten up this otherwise amazing guitar. (The photos are not my guitar, but identical to it)

I’ve thought about replacing the floating PU, but won’t most replacements will be darker jazz types? I’ve even thought of using a piezo-type bridge/pickup.

Any ideas??

Thanks in advance.
- Rated: 52 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 12:48 p.m. Bear:

Try this (CLICK HERE). Even though it is named after me, don't hold that against it, it is a great pickup anyway.

...but really is rather dull when plugged in - probably due to a poor floating pickup. I am not a jazz player, and would prefer something that could brighten up this otherwise amazing guitar. (The photos are not my guitar, but identical to it)

I’ve thought about replacing the floating PU, but won’t most replacements will be darker jazz types? I’ve even thought of using a piezo-type bridge/pickup

I think you'll find this is exactly what you're looking for.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 1:27 p.m. RhythmMax:

I have one that I use a LOT in the studio. I put a Kent Armstrong floating pickup on mine. It sounds great. I'm about to experiment with a Bartolini. Also, I added Grover Imperial tuners.
- Rated: 56 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 1:39 p.m. yettoblaster:

One o' them Fishman archtop piezo bridges would add all the brightness you might ever need. You'll need some outboard gear to blend it with though.

I've used the Fishman archtop piezo bridge and had decent results with good balance.

I'm not totally into piezo's, but blended with a magnetic they offer some nice alternative sounds.
- Rated: 43 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 1:43 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

Bear said: Try this (CLICK HERE). Even though it is named after me, don't hold that against it, it is a great pickup anyway.

Is that you playing in the video on that page then?
- Rated: 52 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:28 p.m. Bear:

Your honor; I plead the Fifth Amendment due to the fact that anything I might say could incriminate me.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:30 p.m. Dlaf:

Bear - that PU looks and sounds great (yes, is that you in the video?). That just might do the trick.

RhythmMax - which Kent Armstrong PU do you use?

Yettoblaster - the idea of mixing the piezo & floater is tempting, too.

I knew I'd get some great feedback.
- Rated: 52 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:34 p.m. Bear:

Dlaf: said: Bear - that PU looks and sounds great (yes, is that you in the video?).

Once again Your honor; I plead the Fifth Amendment due to the fact that anything I might say could incriminate me.
- Rated: 43 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:38 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

That's some slick lickin' you're pickin' there, Bear!
- Rated: 21 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:40 p.m. GentlBen:

I have an Emperor Regent that I hacked a few holes in and mounted 3 DeArmond 2Ks and it sounds amazing. You might have to put some plywood over the sound hole but I'm guessing you wouldn't want to do that to your Howie.
- Rated: 52 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:43 p.m. Bear:

Thank you, Tsar Nicholas. You should hear me when I'm not so hammered. My new blood pressure medicine was kicking my butt the day I recorded that. I look (and move) like a zombie.
- Rated: 43 ↑
Aug 11, 2008 2:45 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

Well let's hear it then! Record us some more!
- Rated: 40 ↑
Aug 12, 2008 3:01 p.m. JC:

Beautifully played Bear
- Rated: 52 ↑
Aug 12, 2008 3:11 p.m. Bear:

Thanks JC, I appreciate your kind words.

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Looking for ideas for EPI Howard Roberts mods...

Aug 11, 2008 12:20 p.m. Dlaf:

Aug 11, 2008 12:48 p.m. Bear:

Aug 11, 2008 1:27 p.m. RhythmMax:

Aug 11, 2008 1:39 p.m. yettoblaster:

Aug 11, 2008 1:43 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

Aug 11, 2008 2:28 p.m. Bear:

Aug 11, 2008 2:30 p.m. Dlaf:

Aug 11, 2008 2:34 p.m. Bear:

Aug 11, 2008 2:38 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

Aug 11, 2008 2:40 p.m. GentlBen:

Aug 11, 2008 2:43 p.m. Bear:

Aug 11, 2008 2:45 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

Aug 12, 2008 3:01 p.m. JC:

Aug 12, 2008 3:11 p.m. Bear:

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