do you mod expensive guitars?

[Kellanium]

I don't own any expensive guitars. But if i wasn't happy with something like the pickups, i'd mod them. I wouldn't paint their names on them, though, like i do with some of my cheaper guitars. You shouldn't paint a Les Paul. It should have a nice cherry sunburst finish, unmarred by anything except checking.

[jtr654]

NO. I've learned long ago that a fools game. Buy what you really want don't try to make a guitar something that its not.

[cratz2]

NO. I've learned long ago that a fools game. Buy what you really want don't try to make a guitar something that its not.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

 

NO. I've learned long ago that a fools game. Buy what you really want don't try to make a guitar something that its not.

I agree that sometimes it can be a fool's errand, but what if you want Custom Shop tone but don't want the expense? Swapping out pickups isn't all that difficult and the old ones can go right back in should one tire of their guitar and want to sell it.

 

How much would I have to spend to buy a real Gibson with Classic '57 pickups in it? Quite a bit I would imagine. With a little sweat equity, a set of '57 Classic pickups, a used MIM Strat and a soldering iron I'll have something that sounds like a Gibby but plays like a Strat for not too much money.

[hank_chaos]

scared crapless about messing up wood stuff, but electronic stuff is semi reversable

[Northstar]

 

do you mod expensive guitars?

 

 

Hell yes. Nothing is sacred.

 

Jimmy Page has modded his 59 Les Pauls to hell and back.

[pixelchemist]

i'll mod anything... guitars, cars, electronics, etc... if I can make it somehow more to my liking with a little tweak here and there is getting done... regardless of initial cost of the item.

 

I do weigh my options a bit more carefully on more expensive stuff though

[jtr654]

I'm not talking pickups or tuners or reverseable changes.What I'm is routing for extra pickups adding Kahler trems cutting up of guitars.( like cutting a Firebird to look like a broom/V or cutting a Fender Strat or P bass in a teardrop shape)

[Belva]

I built every guitar I own (not counting the acoustic). I wouldn't own a guitar with so much value that I'd be scared to take it to that gig in the bad part of town. And If had one I'm in the same camp as most here. Minor mods if needed and save the original parts.

[joekkl]

I modded my $45k car; no reason I don't mod my thousands dollar guitars

[Dances w/carp]

Yep, I've completely gutted $2000+ guitars and put all new electonics in em, new knobs, rings, strap locks, etc. to make it exactly what I want. So what...

[Wizard of Ozz]

Yup... I've gutted several Gibson R9 & R0 Historic Les Pauls ($4000-$5000)... pickups, pots, and all wiring. I like what I like and I paid for it, so...

[NITROHOLIC]

{censored} yes i do.

 

absolutly {censored} yes i do.

[hellion_213]

I don't feel I should change the way I play to fit a guitar, I feel the guitar should change to fit the way I play. Whether it's a Wally World First Act, or a Custom Shop Rich.

[ermghoti II]

I put caps and reflector knobs in my LP Trad Pro, I have a ZZ Guitarworks Bigsby plate that I'd out on it if the top weren't so nice, maybe I'll get a Vibramate. I put pots, caps, bridge, tailpiece and pickups in my 78 LPC, it needed it, and is now a tone monster, whereas before it was a great player, great looker, rock-stable tuner, that sounded lifeless.

[Faber]

 

I'll mod any guitar if I think it will improve the sound, and playability, etc. My idea of what sounds good may not be the same as a luthier's.

 

 

This. With the caveat that I wouldn't buy an expensive guitar unless I found it exactly what I want. I've never bought an instrument with the intent of modding. That said, my perception of the instrument may change over time, and so I'll mod. It's a tool, and I want MY tools to work their best for me

[newbuilder]

I like to take all of the higher end electronics and pups out and replace them with mini pots and cheap pups with the bar mags on the back:thu: