Epiphone Gothic Les Paul revamp!

Here's an Gothic studio LP model by Epiphone.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_gothic_lespaul_studio.htm?partner_id=73786

It's a very nice electric guitar with minimal features, pitch black finish and great playability. 4 years ago, I found this Epi LP goth stripped down at the local used market. The guitar had literally nothing on it once I got it. The wooden parts were "relic'd" in a bad way and there ware no hardware parts or electronics on. This was one of my first rebuild projects at the time, so I used every part I had lying around. The final result was okay and it worked but there were a few minor issues that had to be taken care of. There was definitely room for improvements.

http://guitar-dreamer.blogspot.gr/2010/05/epiphone-lp-goth-restoration.html

Nut:
The best way to keep your guitar in tune is to install a proper nut. I had already replaced the old plastic nut with a brass one. Nevertheless, the brass nut didn't stay in place so I reinstalled it using a drop of glue ton ensure it will stay in place. I oiled up the nut with some nut sauce for ultra low string friction.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/saddles_and_nuts.html?partner_id=73786

Frets and fretboard:
Epiphone did a really good fret job at the factory but this is a heavily used guitar and the frets had to be leveled a little bit. I used a fret "rocker" metal plate and an 8" oil stone to level the frets a little. Once everything was even, I used a crowning file to shape the fret crowns. The last step involves polishing the frets with ultra high grit sandpaper and oiling the fretboard.

Grover Tuners!
The Epi LP studio range has usually a set or 3L-3R Grover rotomatic tuners on. This one had no tuners once I got it and I only had a few silver and gold tuners lying around. I places these tuners on the guitar without drilling any new holes at the time. It was a choice I had to make as I knew I would install a proper tuner set later on. The time came and I ordered a brand new set of Grover tuners that fitted like a glove on the headstock. I didn't have to deal with new holes etc. The new Grover tuners were bolted right on the headstock in the existing tuner and bolt holes. Man these Grover tuners are smooth and precise! Most quality no-name closed type tuners work okay but Grovers are more precise and easier to use.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/grover.html?partner_id=73786

Pickups and controls:
I've already installed a really hot IBZ/Dimarzio pickup at the bridge position and a Bc rich "bdsm neck pickup. The result sounds really good and the tones I get are way better than the stock Epiphone sounds. After a couple of years though, I had to spray all pots, switches and jacks with some oil-free contact cleaner spray. The contact cleaner gets rid of scratchy pot sounds and problems caused by dust and filth accumulated on electronics over the years.

New pickup rings:
The old pickup rings were black and I wanted to add a little silver color to the pitch-black finish of this guitar. Therefore, I painted its pickup rings silver with a marker and used a set of chrome metallic knobs for the controls. I always wanted to use a proper set of chrome pickup rings though. And so I did! I installed proper metallic rings on the guitar and it looks much better.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/goeldo_humbucker_frame_pl1uc.htm?partner_id=73786

Setup and go!
The final step was to put some new strings on the guitar and set it up. I used a fresh set of 0,09" coated strings to ensure long lasting playability. Then I set the action and intonation right. Man what a playable instrument! These Epiphone studio series guitars are made for serious playing and the neck is so comfortable. My others studio series guitars (G400, Les Paul etc) are also very playable so I guess it's not just this one.

Epiphone SG G-400 model:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_sg400_wc_egitarre.htm?partner_id=73786
LP studio:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_lpstudioeb.htm?partner_id=73786

Check it out:

Cheers,
Thanos