Jerry Cantrell "Wino" Les Paul Custom - PART 2: Modding - The Bassett Bros Biased Reviews

Previous episode in the series: • Jerry Cantrell "Wino" ...
The second installment of the The Bassett Bros. reviewing the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell “Wino” Les Paul Custom. The Bassett Bros. take the Epiphone version and mod it with Gibson pickups and other hardware to make the instrument closer to the Gibson Murphy Labs counterpart.
The brothers discuss the playability, pros and cons, and the differences from the original Epiphone version that comes stock. They also compare the Wino to other Epiphone artist signature series and follow through on the teased modifications for those interested in upgrading this affordable instrument. Sean keeps his guitar in classic gold Jerry colors while Ian changes his hardware to chrome
All credits to the music tracks go to Alice In Chains and their various record companies (Columbia, BMG, Capitol, Virgin, EMI, Round Hill Music, etc.). In other words, we don’t claim to own this music! Also, the footage of the Gibson Jerry Cantrell all comes from Gibson Guitars.
Visit www.thebassettbros.com for more music, videos, and educational entertainment!
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#aliceinchains #epiphone #gibson #epiphoneguitar #gibsonguitars #guitar #guitarreview #rockmusic #metal #metalmusic #musictheory #twins

[@80shairmetalband]

I like the Epiphone stock pickups better. Listen to man in box, the mod pups sound bassier, less bite. The Epiphone pups sound more complex, fuller, more like the actual recording.

[@Naughtforeye]

TRUTH!!! I have one and the Epi 98T bridge and Alnico 2 classic neck sound KILLER compared to the standard Probuckers they put in most everything. I did swap them for the Gibson pickups, but I kept the Epis for something else. I also did the Fishman power bridge, and the wino is now my favorite guitar for gigging, recording and just jamming in my place. It's an insane guitar for the price, I've seen Gibson USA's put together wayyyy worse lol. I might get a second!!!

[@Bairov]

Amen! The cleans sounded better on the Gibson pickups only because they changed the modulation settings 😮

[@SIRiAlerion]

Yeah, I agree. The Gibson pickups had a better midrange in clean tones but once they added distortion the Epiphones were way better.

[@MeandtheOwls]

Yeah, I love the stock pickups too.

[@MB-xw1lc]

I got one last year, and haven't modified anything on it. I like the way it sounds stock. Nice video.

[@Sir_Gonzo]

Awesome follow up video, Lads! Love what you've done with them. I'm a sucker for the gold, but they both look great. The pick-ups really added a difference. You've convinced me to look into modding my Wino. Great video, fellas.

[@TheBassettBros]

Thanks Gonzo! We hope you have a blast doing so.

[@jamesseverin]

Thanks for the upgrade video guys, Once again enjoyed it! Both guitars look great and sound fantastic!

[@TheBassettBros]

Thank you James! We quite literally did it for you.

[@jamesseverin]

@@TheBassettBros You guys rock! Take care

[@craigwright9685]

You forgot to say what effects pedals you guys used. Not Gibson or Epiphone make those sounds without effects. I can get that sound on any Les Paul with effects. Nice job boys but you can get any sound with pedals.

[@rj-zero1453]

Thanks for the great video. I left the 90T Pro in mine and put a SD 59 in the neck of mine. I agree, such a great feeling/playing/sounding guitar, definitely money well spent getting an Epi JC 'Wino'.

[@mortonwilson795]

Congratz to you both and thanks for this - very timely as I bought the Epi Wino a coupla months ago with a view to modding it a bit. I can understand you guys going for the Gibson pick-ups, glad they are working for you! FWIW I will be installing Monty's Bethnal Green PAFs, a bone nut and Gotoh hardware. Will also shoot for new, most likely 50's style, wiring + switch craft selector. I have the Epi 'Gibson' 59 LP (which I won't touch - lovely instrument) & my own vintage 1968 LP Custom so not shooting to necessarily 'emulate' the Gibson Wino.

[@spinnywise]

"When I pay extra for it, yes I do!" Cracked me up because it's true! Good videos, guys. I just pulled the trigger and got myself a deal on a dent&scratch sale used JC LPC Wino! Should arrive tomorrow. I'm planning on some of the same upgrades as you guys. That is a GREAT idea of having gold pole pieces on the bridge pickup. It gave it just that extra lil' pop! I'm copying that idea for sure.

[@motorbikeray]

👍to Ian for doing the guitar mods himself. 👍to Sean for keeping the classic gold hardware colors. Both guitars sound noticeably fuller and growlier after the mods. I agree that the mods are worth the end result. If I had money in cash to buy one of those guitars, then I'd take out my credit card to go home with both guitars. Thanks for the updated video Bassett Bros!

[@TheBassettBros]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video and could hear the differences!

[@81giorikas]

@@TheBassettBros Dude a lot of the after videos which are supposed to be middle position are in the bridge position (where you have the switch). What gives?

[@thomasjohnson7712]

The pickup change was the right move, sounds so much better, beefier.

[@ronyeahright9536]

great video......i actually like the chromed out look better in this case, but i dont think id go thru all the time and expense to do it.....only thing im considering doing when I order one is a Plek service, maybe a new nut to go along with it. How do you think the stock fret work is on the wino?

[@jessicahayden1415]

I like the gold touch. It gives it a little more flavor, like nuts on a sundae.

[@guitarforfun2596]

Hey guys I have had one for couple years now. Im not loving the pickups I have never really swapped out puckups in a guitar before. Im thinking of swapping out the bridge to a seymour duncan jb. Really keen to know your thoughts on that?

[@bigjohnson9561]

Nice upgrades guys. Personally I could care less about the resale value of a guitar simply because everyone wants to low ball you. Rather I’m very selective as to the guitars I purchase because I tend to keep them long term. Therefore, any mods I make to the guitar I see as investment that repays me every time I plug the instrument into an amp. Again great job guys and thanks for posting!

[@VN9001]

I couldn't agree more. I am the same way!

[@RivieraOrthodontics]

So true. 90% of messages: "Is this still available?" with no response. 8%: Same question with a lowball offer attached. 2%: Serious buyer with a fair offer. I have yet to have someone pay my asking price flat out, or they magically show up $10 short

[@darthdurkelthewise320]

IMO, it was a bit of a miss for Epiphone not to install Gibson pups on this one. Since they didn’t include the piezo bridge, or even upgrades like locking tuners or better than average pots/switch. The Adam Jones model had the TLC that this one should have had. Nevertheless a great grab and you guys nailed this IMO. I’ll be doing the same or similar w/mine.

[@Zoso981]

I agree, but if they had installed Gibson pickups, the price probably would have been much higher. Personally, I love the stock pickups in mine. All I've done was install locking tuners.

[@christran2484]

Links to the gold Tonepros locking tom bridge and stopbar? Metric or standard?

[@gr6146]

Or just by a Boss 7 band eq for $100 and basically get the same sound without $500 in upgrades

[@mougabo]

Would it be too much asking for you guys to share links for each item you bought ?

[@salvotesta9239]

Please tell as about the elettronic partes we need for the upgrade

[@TheBassettBros]

We did not change the actual pots or wiring, that is what was stock in the Epiphone.

[@deanallen927]

Gibson put out a lot of LP Customs wit NICKEL (not chrome) hardware, so it's not a weird change.

[@tylerduffett7805]

Actually the Gibson Custom Shop models didn’t even have the proper pickups that Jerry Cantrell actually uses. I’m pretty sure he uses the Motor City Pickups Afwayu model in the bridge and one of the PAF style models in the neck.

[@TheBassettBros]

I will have to look into this! I wonder if the other pickups apply more to his other guitars. I'd love to find Jerry talking about the original basis for the Wino.

[@thankyougreen]

I did a vip meet and greet and he won’t sign guitars unfortunately.

[@Lean6]

Interesting. Got one of these Epiphone Jerry Cantrell LPs on the way. I personally wouldn't upgrade an Epiphone...just like I wouldn't upgrade a Squier. I'm getting older, and losing hearing and the ability to appreciate it. 🤫 I mean, there would have to be something very special about the mass produced, inferior brand guitar for me to reconsider. I think those realizations are usually in hindsight...the ones that got away. Glad that you covered that mods sometimes decrease resale value.

[@johntownsend2943]

When all is said and done and with the cost of the upgrades you are still left with a Chinese Epiphone Les Paul that you've just spent £400 on.....Admittedly a better sounding one. Look at it this way...The Japanese built FGN Neo classic has a long neck tenon, Gotoh hardware and far superior build quality closer to the original spec of the LPC. Shop around and you'll get one for around £1000 new and without the quality control and finish issues so many of these suffer from. I have 2 of these and the only mods i have made are Gotoh locking tuners and a pair of Iron Gear pickups.....All in costs, less than 1200 quid if you do the work yourself. They rival my Gibson Les Paul Custom which cost £4300..... If it were me and i was going to buy the JC Epiphone i'd probably leave it stock, it's a nice guitar with a decent spec and looks killer in Wine Red. Thanks for the interesting video though, always nice to see this type of content and your informed efforts to show what can be done should you wish.

[@AceJams]

Nice job fellas... When I first got mine I was already wanting to do the locking tuners and I happened to be on Amazon and they must have seen me coming or something because I looked up the 502G lockers and they had them listed for 27 bucks. I bought them immediately, when I went to show off to a co-worker the same item I just bought was listed for 127 bucks. glad I pulled the trigger. Also put some Ernie Ball strap locks. Next up are the pickups for sure and I will 100% get the same ones you guys installed. Do the new Tone Pro bridge posts fit into the same inserts because that's next for me.

[@seanbassett4817]

They will fit but make sure you buy the METRIC version! I think it’s LPM-02 or something like that

[@TheBassettBros]

@@seanbassett4817 it's also a pretty tight fit, you'll notice I mentioned NOT changing the posts on my guitar (Ian-Chrome) and they are still gold. That's evidence that the Tonepros (the one mentioned above) does fit.