Epiphone Les Paul 100 - Pickup Upgrade & Extreme Makeover!

Let's change all the plastics on my Epiphone Les Paul 100 and install new pickups!
Buy a Les Paul 100 here: amzn.to/3Vpq5Iw
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Parts Used:
Electric Guitar Pickups Zebra Faced Humbucker Double Coil Pickup 1 Set
amzn.to/3hRUEcl
Musiclily 50mm Neck and 52mm Bridge Metal Guitar Humbucker Pickup Covers Set,Chrome
amzn.to/3I556I5
KAISH 4X Black with Silver Cap LP Guitar Witch Hat Knobs Top Hat Knob for Epiphone Les Paul SG
amzn.to/3FTsXYg
KAISH Black 3 Ply LP Guitar Pickguard with Black Bracket for Epiphone Les Paul
amzn.to/3VtxW7V
KAISH Black Metric Threading Electric Guitar Jack 6.35mm Electrosocket Jack Plate for Tele/Telecaster Guitar(Import Style)
amzn.to/3VvSoF6
Musiclily Pro LP Control Back Plate and Switch Plate Cavity Cover for China Made Epiphone Les Paul Standard, 1Ply Black
amzn.to/3VuU8yy
Musiclily Pro Metric Size Thread Plastic Guitar 3 Way LP Toggle Switch Tips Pickup Selector Switch Knobs for Epiphone Les Paul, Black (Set of 2)
amzn.to/3G0ySem
Inlaystickers Sticker/Decal (F-006DT-AW)
amzn.to/3i32z6n
00:00 Intro
01:00 Pickup Mounting
06:06 Knobs, Switch Tip, and Switch Ring
09:59 Pickup Soldering Overview
10:38 Tap Test
12:09 I Got the Pickup Covers to Fit!
13:50 Back Plates, Pickguard, Electrosocket, and Inlay Decal Overview
15:12 Electrosocket Jack Installation
18:46 Control Cavity and Switch Plate Installation
20:55 Pickguard Installation
22:18 Fret Inlay Decal Installation
23:03 Complete! Let's String It Up!
23:17 Pickguard Plastic Peel!!!
23:55 Sound Demo
27:15 Final Thoughts
28:24 OUTRO JAM!!!

[@FitraFadilana]

should make comparison of sound before and after pickup changes

[@MrMarac63]

Great. I replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan hot rodded set, and tuners with Grover tuners on my black Epiphone LP 100 and the guitar is great. The neck is also perfectly made. I kept the original cream plastic including the knobs for the potentiometers because this combination is perfect for a black guitar.

[@BigJakeMusic]

This is a great guitar stock and even better modded!

[@MM-uh9pz]

These les paul 100 guitars resonate really well. I got mine upgraded to gibson 496R and 498T. And the rest is history. I literally play it daily now... and I have not touched my epi prophecy and epi lp custom in a while.

[@BigJakeMusic]

These are very fun to play, and very light!!

[@dr.slimewise7650]

I'm saving to buy one now for 200​@@BigJakeMusic

[@baDWolf_75]

I have an LP100. I replaced the pickups with SD Phat Cat P90s (fit perfect and retained the chrome cap look), replaced the nut with a Graphtech Tusq, the Pots are original but I replaced the knobs with the amber top hats, and the Tuners with Klussons. Didn't change the bridge in any way. I have the Tobacco burst. Love that guitar. I have many (almost all "higher end"", but that is the one I go to the most.

[@beherenow1668]

I just bought a LP 100 sunburst and this vid made me want to give it a face-lift too. Thanks for the inspiration

[@mystngt1966]

THIS IS THE FIRST GUITAR I PURCHASED. ALWAY THOUGHT IS WAS THE LESSER OF ALL THE GUITARS I HAVE . However the more I see guitarists working on The Epi 100 and the things that I can do sound wise , The more I will have to look in to this gem. Thanks for uploading this video.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! Don't give up on it, it's an amazing guitar and absolutely worth upgrading. It even sounds great as/is, in my opinion! I just wanted to customize it a little bit. :)

[@markpell8979]

Nice job, looks great! My local pawn had an LP 100 left-handed just like this, cherry burst in v. good condition, that they tried for six months to sell for way too much money and I walked in one day to find it marked down to $15 to clear it out. No shit! I'm a righty and already owned four various Epi LP models so I picked it up thinking I'd use it for spare parts. Got it home and cleaned it up and it was beautiful and sounded great so I converted it to RH play with a new Graph Tech Tusq nut, a curved arm rest like the chin rest on a violin to keep from bumping/twisting the knobs accidentally as I play (worked like a charm!), and a PRS-style scooped access carve on the front, on the switch side of the upper bout, to reach the high notes easier. A substitute for a full cutaway like on a Jr. which let me leave plenty of wood structure by the neck pocket and switch and still keep the classic single-cut outline shape of a Les Paul as seen from the front, and no visible difference at all from the back. This was a compromise but it lets me play pretty easily up to around the 20th or 21st fret with three fingers, and I almost never go higher anyway. Who really does? Painted the scoop and arm rest to match the cherry red perimeter of the burst. Looks cool and unique, and kicks ass for a total outlay of less than $50. There may be a limited but real market for this kind of mod.

[@BigJakeMusic]

That’s totally awesome! These guitars are perfect modding platforms and I love them. Thanks for your feedback and your story!

[@TheBuzz490]

I like how it turned out with those upgrades. Nice guitar!

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you!

[@onzemuziek]

Looks great! Nice video!

[@lmoore5264]

I bought 2 different LP100's. The first one I bought in 2008 and on a whim I bought another in 2012. I modded the 2012 one. I put Stewart McDonald metal covers over the 650 and 700 pickups. Learned there is a difference in that Epiphones are sized up in metric sizes because they are made in China. Gibson guitars are sized up in inches because of being USA made. So the parts aren't interchangable without some modding. I went with metal chrome rings. I replaced the pots and jack, added pearl trapezoid inlays and painted black binding around the body. I am a working musician and as crazy as this is gonna sound I have a Gibson Les Paul custom with 490 and 498 pickups but I like my modded LP100 better. I love the bite as I play classic rock. I originally bought a LP100 because in clubs and bars guitars can get banged around and I didn't want to take my expensive Gibson in that environment. I call it "Old Faithful" and paired to my Fender Mustang 3 amp I fell totally in love with the combo. The metal pickup covers adds more clarity to each string so every note you play really stands out. If you love your guitar and it's tone you will play better. I have had so many compliments on it's tone. My 2008 LP100 does not sound as good as the 2012 one. It's just a magical thing that each guitar even from the same model will sound different and unique. Your Les Paul looks almost identical to mine. You will love that guitar for many years to come. Get you some 3mm Big Stubby picks and you can really bring out the harmonics and dynamics of the guitar.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you so much for your insight!! I’m a working musician too and haul mine around for the exact same reason. I found another one at a local shop for 100 bucks but it’s a weird one. It has what looks like the body of an LP 100 but it says “Les Paul Special” on the headstock, with an “E” truss rod cover. It’s black. It’s super weird and I can’t find anything about it online. Was there ever an Epi Les Paul Special with four controls like a Gib/LP100?

[@MM-uh9pz]

I have been using my lp 100 as a test guitar every time I get new pickups. I have had wilkinsons and dimarzio 192 and 196 and they all sounded amazing.

[@BigJakeMusic]

That’s awesome!

[@moises-salazar]

this is great! I'm basically doing this to an Epi Les Paul Studio but mine came with black and i'm switching it to cream and golden knobs lol. I wanted the LP100 but they're out of stock till May! Glad that it can actually be done! Great vid man!

[@jakeswearengin6972]

Picked one up at guitar center last week for $189

[@catzdollz9810]

I came for the Epiphone LP100 but, after witnessing you play, I'm subbing.

[@jameshansing5396]

They're great little guitars and good job. We do have very different interpretations of the word "extreme" though..........

[@chrisball8080]

Thats a great sound coming out of that guitar Jake. I have a 1995 Epiphone Nighthawk 3, Cherry Burst and it is a great guitar. Doesnt sound quite like yours though. LOL I'll try a few adjustments. Thanks for the Amazon Links as well. Great info. Cheers from OZ. Chris.👍

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I love this guitar and am very happy with how it turned out!

[@JohnBurdette-or7if]

Looks good man

[@jamesseverin]

That really came out nice!!

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you!

[@vrn986]

I have the same guitar. Epiphone Les Paul 100.... Also from 2013. Awesome guitars!

[@BigJakeMusic]

They are great!

[@richc.9273]

I've got a 94 LP-100 in Black. Ditched all the cream plastics for black (except for the input jack surround.). Ditched pickguard swapped pickups to Gibson 490r and 498t with chrome covers. Love it. It's responsible for me owning more Epiphones than any other brand. (SG custom p-90, Casino, and a dreadnought) Reading through the comments it seems there should be a crapload of discarded stock pickups around.

[@BigJakeMusic]

I kept my Epiphone humbuckers to put in something else someday. This LP100 started it for me too. It started with that, and now I own three Epiphones, a Gibson, and a Maestro(if that counts!) 😂

[@WesleyWattley-xy4fg]

Maestro by Gibson 'mustang?​@BigJakeMusic

[@mantequilladecacahuate7581]

Did the same thing to my lp 100 a few years back. Inlays also lasted nicely.

[@BigJakeMusic]

That's awesome! They are still holding up very well for me :)

[@HERUSEPTIAWAN]

where you bought the inlays?

[@ThePope406]

I'm rebuilding the same one right now. It was my first guitar I bought years ago. Came out of the box with a twisted neck. And horrible fret buzz. It's a pain and a half finding a new neck but the EMG kit should help sound.

[@BigJakeMusic]

These guitars are definitely worth upgrading!

[@franz873]

It's looks beautiful like Epiphone LP Studio.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you so much!! I’m so happy with how it came out.

[@corylittrell2109]

I was debating on getting an Epiphone Les Paul Studio E1(Lt) it has a bolt on neck like Fender guitars normally do but it's a Les Paul so it's the best of both worlds

[@BigJakeMusic]

They are great instruments and I recommend them! I’m not totally convinced that a set neck is that much better, anyway. Especially because you can’t shim or replace a set neck very easily(if at all)!

[@leodanryan966]

It's a shame about the covers, but at least you got it done. Good luck with the new band and "Break a Leg!" 😉👍! Wow! I spoke too soon. You got the covers to work. My lord that guitar sounds great 👍!

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you so much!! I hope you are all doing well :)

[@leodanryan966]

@@BigJakeMusic Well, I ain't dying or anything, but I'm old and fat and butt ugly and I smell bad even from a distance.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Haha, sounds like things are going good for you :) I’m definitely taking this guitar gigging. I think it will look great on stage too!

[@JohnBurdette-or7if]

Nice 👍

[@HERUSEPTIAWAN]

what you use for inlay decal?

[@mhdz10]

Hey Jake, great video. Thank you for sharing. One question: Does this guitar midel have a thick hard maple cap on top or just a veneer?

[@BigJakeMusic]

I believe it’s a maple cap, but I could be wrong. It is definitely much smaller and lighter than a normal Les Paul.

[@doty2u]

good job jake looks awsome and sounds great, what kind of strings did you use? i just installed ernie ball super slinkies. on my 100

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you! I’m very happy with how it turned out. I have a nickel allergy that has only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older, so I use Fender Stainless Steel 10s on everything now :) I use Fender Stainless 9s on my SG, though.

[@gibson.sg1]

Where and what is the name of the plastics you buyed

[@dbrown6451]

200 grit sandpaper & 5 mins per cavity would have opened it up. How do you plan on removing them if they fail, or sound like hell?

[@Celticsaint777]

Is the body of the LP 100 a good quality body? Are they well made? How thick is the maple top?

[@BigJakeMusic]

The body is very well made, but it is a little bit thinner than a standard Les Paul body. It is very similar to a Les Paul Studio body in construction, weight, and quality.

[@tornparachute5702]

Looks sick man! How have the inlays been holding up?

[@BigJakeMusic]

They are still as nice as they were when I put them on. Zero peeling or discoloration! I’ve gigged it a few times too, and it’s been played pretty heavily at home with no issues!

[@tornparachute5702]

@@BigJakeMusic Decent! I got one for free and I'm still toying with the idea of beefing it up. Starting to be swayed by your videos though.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Let me know if you have any questions. This one is definitely worth the time and money. It’s a fantastic base for whatever you want to do to it!

[@Mihei1973]

😊👍

[@DonDadaTR5150]

I have the exact same guitar. I want to put the EMG het set into it. Would that work with the configuration or would I need to get it rewired

[@BigJakeMusic]

It would probably work if you get the set that includes the entire wiring harness :) The battery would have to sit in the control cavity somewhere, but otherwise I don’t see why it wouldn’t work!

[@DonDadaTR5150]

@@BigJakeMusicsweet!!! Where do you get the inlay decals??? In Canada our main store is Long and Mcquade. Would they sell something like that.

[@BigJakeMusic]

I am 99% sure you can find them on Amazon.ca. I found mine on the American Amazon site!

[@catzdollz9810]

Im keeping mine all original. Ive got an Epiphone Gibson LP 100 made in Korea. Cherry burst. I hate the tuners.

[@Filipinopride18]

hi is that a cherry sunburst color? thanks!

[@BigJakeMusic]

Yes, the official color name is "Heritage Cherry Sunburst!"

[@Filipinopride18]

@@BigJakeMusic thanks man, where did you buy the pick guard and the knobs? Any link? Thanks more power to your channel.

[@BigJakeMusic]

Thank you so much! The links to everything I used in this video are in the description :)

[@ElbertTreble]

I want upgrade my Les Paul 100 too what should I get ?

[@BigJakeMusic]

The parts featured in my video are what I like best for this guitar. However, it depends on the type of music and tone you are looking to play. What are you wanting to do with it?

[@ScottDreyfus]

Not all pickups are the same size.

[@BigJakeMusic]

You’re spot-on, and I don’t know how I didn’t think of the obvious!

[@coreyoffman8739]

Are you American and do you still have the les Paul 100 And you have Instagram