Ibanez PIA "MOD" I Turned my PIA into a Modern EVO

[@pyratoothNL]

Nice mods, and doesn't detract from the guitar. I probably wouldn't do that to a PIA though, just get a cheaper donor RG or something and do the same. The PIAs are like works of art in themselves for me (and not cheap!).

[@nafis6668]

that perloid tuner choice is brilliant !

[@Music_Art_Creativity]

Love the modification. I believe, unless you’re buying a rare guitar as an investment piece, you should modify the hell out of it. I haven’t been able to post a ton of videos on my channel (family, work, etc.) but I have a couple with a double-cut Les Paul Standard with black and gold hardware upgrades, as well as a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF in the bridge and a Lollar Novel 90 in the neck. My friends thought I was crazy for modifying an expensive Les Paul, but it was never going to be a collectible and you only get so many trips around the Sun, so I thought, “Why not?” It looks awesome and I have zero regrets. This PIA modification is sick and I bet you give it a little smirk every time you look at it. Hats off to you!

[@tonlarj37]

Absoliutly agree! Thanks for the comment!

[@stewweimer6615]

I think it looks better with the mods. Very cool guitar

[@etherboy3540]

I like the new look better. The stock version was just way to blingy to me.

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! Me, too!

[@nafis6668]

that gold finish is the only thing that keep me from getting the PIA, my acidic sweat is worst on gold finish.

[@brightwings7788]

I have never been a big fan of gold hardware, except on black guitars. I would have done exactly what you have done here. It looks great! I am glad to see that it can be done. I always wondered how hard it would be to change out all gold hardware for something else. Doesn't look too difficult. Great video, and rad guitar!

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks!

[@shaunfriedberg4944]

Hey man this looks AWESOME!!! I just got a black PIA and looking to do the same. Do you happen to have links to where you got everything? finding it hard to get an accurate replacement parts list together… especially for the pots and screws.

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks. It's been so long, I don't have links. I remember that I ordered the Edge tremolo off reverb from over seas. The pickups from Dimarzio. Most everything is off reverb, though.

[@MattSofianosGuitar]

Why didn’t you just buy a Jem ? Do you need locking machine heads if you have a locking nut ?

[@tonlarj37]

I thought about that, but like this PIA neck profile with SS frets. Locking tuners are for string changes... way easier.

[@MattSofianosGuitar]

@@tonlarj37 yeah - makes sense now 👍

[@pbgas3434]

Great set of mods done and great detail on what you did! Nice work! I think it looks great now and you personalized it for you! I am just slightly modding my PIA. Leaving the gold...I picked up the extra-long Gotoh locking tuners in gold (don't need staggered because you have a locking nut and bar), I added in Graphtech locking saddles #1 size because the Edge is pre-radiused, titanium blocks, and stainless screws, as well as titanium lock pads on the nut. Thx for sharing!

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! You’re sounds cool, too!

[@eddiejr540]

Tony...love the mods...looks fantastic...the only thing for me is, I cannot connect with that vine inlay...I don’t even like the PRS dragon inlay...I like dots or blocks...call me crazy!!!

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! And, don’t think you’re crazy at all. I used to feel that about the vines, too. I just got used to it. ;)

[@rafajakubowski7014]

Nice job! I love it!

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks!

[@davidnuzzaci2459]

Very cool and I've done similar upgrades to very expensive guitars as well to fit my tastes, Great job again!

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks

[@joaonuno439]

Good work! Next time try a black and white video for identical results and a matching headstock logo 😁

[@HorrorMonsterCollectibles]

Where did you find a Edge Zero tremolo? I can’t seem to dig any up. Tons of 2’s out there though. 😢

[@tonlarj37]

Reverb. reverb.com/item/40774874-ibanez-prestige-edge-tremolo-6-string-in-cosmo-black-made-in-japan?

[@HorrorMonsterCollectibles]

@@tonlarj37 Thanks. I somehow missed that. What are your thoughts on the guitar since doing this video? I’m wanting to pull the trigger, and do your mod (I love what you did and feel the same about the gold as you), but it’s a lot to dump into it.

[@tonlarj37]

@@HorrorMonsterCollectibles thanks! Yeah, it’s a lot. But, I sold the gold hardware and got most of the money back. So, around the same price wise. I have the black one, now. I’m really happy with mine. I’ve had no issues with them.

[@HorrorMonsterCollectibles]

@@tonlarj37 What made you switch to the black? The one you modified looks great.

[@tonlarj37]

@@HorrorMonsterCollectibles nothing really. I just like the black. Kinda wish i’d kept the one I modified, though. But they’re both equally great! I have the white JEM. I may mod that one?

[@guitarz]

Love these mods exactly what I would do.

[@Joec9t]

At first i went oh no, what's happening but that's only because i'm too afraid to mod anything for fear of making a mess of it but honestly this looks and sounds brilliant. I totally get the EVO look. Great video

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks!

[@garyweber8201]

I love the look. If the PIA that I bought was the white version, I might have been inspired to do the same. But the gold hardware & pickups look just awesome on my Sun Dew Gold model, as you also said. Of course, then I now see the Onyx Black version is going to be available this year, and it is just stunning... So much envy! It would be silly to own both, now wouldn't it? ;-)

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! I do think that black covered pickups with gold pole pieces on those other guitars might look cool, but they’re good like they are. I’ve been thinking of just getting the black one, too and keeping one tuned lower. But, yeah....might be a little silly having both.

[@Sconzanator]

Looks so cool. Awesome to see modded Pia. Where did you get the Ibanez Backstops? Or Trem stops? Are they worth the trouble?

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! Got the backstop from Reverb. They're not a lot of them out there and hard to find. Really expensive. I like it! And, it works great... easy to use, but probably better off with a tremolo stopper. (way cheaper)

[@ThePokerBull]

Nice job and very nice channel mate, I have the same guitar, love it and also don t love the shine ish style. I think I am going to just out a black pickguard on it and may help. I think the green is badass so the white with black may be a nice combination

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks!

[@arash5550]

hows the weight balance of pia? i really admire this beauty. such a perfected piece of art it is

[@tonlarj37]

It’s nicely balanced. Thanks

[@Doug5524]

I'm not a metal player and probably will never buy a Floyd Rose, but I appreciate what you have done here I am not so scared of Floyd Rose, anymore keep up the good work Tony, and thank you

[@tonlarj37]

Thank you for the kind words! I'll try... lol

[@ESP12345]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN MAN, METAL IS FUCKING LIFE!!

[@ESP12345]

Only reason to play electric

[@drewogain1431]

Looks awesome man. I have an Onyx black model coming in January (ordered in June), if the white was sold like you just modified it, I would’ve ordered the white model.

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! And, congrats!

[@smen407]

Beautifull my friend

[@tonlarj37]

Thank you!

[@smen407]

@@tonlarj37 nothing my friend really good 👏🤟

[@willman100]

Tony, It looks better now after the mods. The gold had as little too much bling for my taste. I love modding as well. Did you order the bridge from Rich at Ibanez Rules?

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! Hiroshima Ibanez in Japan

[@pdiddysea8599]

I prefer the gold. I think this was a bad move.

[@tonlarj37]

I know this was a bit crazy to do, but Apparently, many disagree. Including the guy I sold it to, who offered my purchase price for it. But, to each their own. Either way, It was a fun project. I ended up getting the black one. I don’t mind the gold on that one. Thanks for watching 🙏

[@pdiddysea8599]

@@tonlarj37 Anything in particular you prefer on the black one that made you go with that finish? I really like the gold coloring on the tree of life part. But the matte black finish im not sure on yet.

[@tonlarj37]

@@pdiddysea8599 I just like black and gold better. The matte Finnish is holding up so far. Seems way more durable than other matte finishes. Not smudging like others guitars I've had. The Gold PIA petals on the fretboard can be a little harder to see in low lighting, but I really like them. I did a short review of it some time ago. The new Blue Powder is really cool looking.

[@cdnpunk2270]

Get you one of them automatic screw drivers. Make life easier.

[@cdnpunk2270]

Not the huge power tool ones. The little USB rechargeable ones. 😉

[@scrattenherz]

........ok.....i mean, this guitar was perfect but well...is yours and you can do whatever you want

[@tonlarj37]

Yes, sir! Thanks for watching

[@ajackfees319]

what pickup is that?

[@tonlarj37]

Utopia. Same pickups. They’re just different covers

[@GERMAUG]

what? why ?

[@tonlarj37]

I knew I’d get hate on this, but I explain in the video.

[@GeneralAwesome21]

cause it looks badass

[@MrKittles1123]

I mean as long as you’re happier with the end result, that’s what matters. Personally, I don’t entirely understand why you would pay $3500 for a signature guitar that is spec’d very specifically and designed to have a signature look and then pay another $600 in an attempt to modify it to resemble something you could’ve had for hundreds of dollars less that would’ve been closer to what you were emulating. Yeah, I get the attraction of SS frets, but this seems like a lot to go through just to have basically a Jem with that perk. Obviously money must not be a concern for you, so good for you on that front as well. To me though, this would be like buying a Lamborghini and doing everything in your power to make it more like a Ferrari. To be clear, I’m not hating on your choice and it made for an interesting video (and obviously you like it and plenty of folks agree with you); it just makes little sense to me.

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks for the rely, Yeah.... this is one of those quircky things, I guess. It's basically, for personal (fun) and KZbin value. The neck is different than the JEM. ( just a little thicker with more of a shoulder) I was also able to recupped the $600 in selling the parts. It's not like changing a Lambo to a Ferrari, but maybe just changing the trim and wheel colors. Nothing is different except the color of the components. And, you'll not find a RG like this. Besides, I hate the Wizard necks. lol This neck is quite different. So... I just went with it. It was a fun project! I sold this guitar for its value. Planning to get a Black one. I'll not touch that one. ;)

[@fernandolucas4596]

It looks like jem junior and makes look less epic

[@tonlarj37]

I think it actually looks more like Steve’s EVO JEM. Which is the quite epic. ;) thanks for the comment. ✌️

[@fernandolucas4596]

@@tonlarj37 that's right, i have a ibanez rg 350 black and i wanna buy the utopia pickup because i love the PIA ONYX black

[@tonlarj37]

@@fernandolucas4596 cool! Yeah, that black PIA looks amazing! I wouldn’t change a thing on that one. I just always dreamed of having a JEM that looked like EVO... so I decided to transform my PIA. ;)

[@Lutzifer31337]

[@madpedalboards]

Much better looking to me. Who Dat?!

[@tonlarj37]

Thanks! Who dat!🤘

[@brziri]

Congratulations! You've spent 3500$ on a guitar, then spent who knows how much more on those other parts and ruined that perfect work of art in the process. I'm not a fan of gold, but man...that guitar was perfect...why didn't you also change the frets if you wanted an EVO? Or just bought a 7V? It would be cheaper. And here I am, considering to sell my left kidney just to get Pia... P.S. If you have some extra money, I'll send you my account number...

[@tonlarj37]

I sent $3100 on the guitar after selling another guitar. $600 on parts and recouped the $600 by selling off the gold parts. Kept for a while and sold it for what I had invested. It was a fun project and looked better IMO. Also, looks better to many others. Especially, the guy who bought it from me. I also have the Black one. No modifications…. I like the gold on that one. I don’t like the JEM as much.

[@brziri]

@@tonlarj37 I feel a bit like an ass.... right now. I just want PIA so bad for some reason. I've always been a Gibson/Fender/Gretsch kind of a guy, but lately I've realized that I'm missing something. Maybe it's just midlife crisis...but, I am glad for you. Cheers!

[@tonlarj37]

@@brziri no worries. I understand. I’ve been a professional musician for 30 years. I know what it’s like living with plenty and with little. I hope you’re able to get one soon. They’re fun guitars.

[@brziri]

@@tonlarj37 Yeah, I know what you mean...it's been tough ever since that covid sh.. but I'll never give up. I can't... :)

[@be5627]

i dont see the reason of modifying it

[@tonlarj37]

For fun!

[@rockarolla9054]

To each their own but I’m not taking a 3500 dollar guitar and modding anything.

[@tonlarj37]

@@rockarolla9054 I totally understand. However, I sold the guitar for $3600. Bought another one.

[@rockarolla9054]

@@tonlarj37 Just meant you’re braver than me. I ordered a blue powder today actually. Needless to say I’m keeping it stock.🤣

[@luckylicks3497]

Sell it to me

[@tonlarj37]

I promised myself I wouldn't sell this, but I guess most things have a price. ;)