MIK ED "Let's Play Music" Les Paul

[Raisinbrain]

This is my first post so please be patient if my images don't show up correctly. Last week I purchased an El Degas Les Paul copy for $225. This thing just oozes vibe. The only issue I have is that I have the bridge screwed down as far as it will go on the high E side and I wish I could screw it down further. If it was a strat I would just shim the neck but since it is set I cannot. I've tried 9's 10's and 11's and cranking/loosening the truss rod. My next step is likely to try filing down part of the bridge so that the action can be adjusted lower. Strangely, when I removed the bridge and tailpiece, they said 'Epiphone" on them. Why someone would put Epi parts on an El Degas is beyond me. Anyone out there in El Degas land have one of these great axes and can confirm for me that the bridge and tailpiece are not original?

[charles]

I've got a MIK Let's Play model... I'll run down and loosen the strings to check my hardware. I can pretty-much guarantee it won't say Epiphone!

Epi parts are what people will use to upgrade hardware on these models because Gibson USA parts will not fit properly (metric vs. imperial).

[charles]

OK, the tailpiece says "JIN HA" on the back, and the tunomatic says "B-2" on the back. Both are kind of crummy chrome-plated affairs, but they get the job done.

Here's something interesting... a forum post at Gibson where someone got a 94 Epiphone with hardware stamped Jin Ha... maybe my hardware is upgraded Epiphone stuff too, or...???
http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topi ... i-goldtop/

[Raisinbrain]

Thanks Charles,

A little filing of the Epiphone bridge was all I needed. Now its set up with 11's and if the truss rod was any looser it would be off completely. This guitar is starting to look like its going to around for a while...

[charles]

Enjoy!

[Barry]

Nice looking guitar Raisinbrain. Pity you had to result to filing the bridge. Kinda crude but hey, it's an Epiphone part, and it gets the job done eh?

Yeah, you're experiencing the key frustration with restoring/upgrading many of these instruments, metric versus imperial measurement. It can be maddening to be "just" a millimetre or two off! As you're seeing it does mange to screw up playability very nicely.

When you have time, try to take some accurate measurements and then have a sniff around some of the web sites specializing in parts Made in Japan. You may find a more suitable replacement there, albeit likely at a premium. Good 'ole eBay may yield something too. Have a look at Wilkinson parts in particular. They are generally good value for the money.

[Raisinbrain]

Thanks Barry.

I still remember seeing El Degas guitars being sold brand new when I was a kid growing up in Mississauga so its even more exciting when I come across a used one all these years later!

[guitargrant]

Nice sunburst. I've got one in deep burgundy with chrome hardware.
These guitars are really decent for MIK. I have a few MIJ Les Pauls, Tokai, Aria, Yamaha, and the El Degas is the one I've been grabbing lately to go play. Great neck profile, feel and sound. You can hear it in action at band practice here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/RetroRuckus ... &flow=grid

[charles]

Ooooo, wine red. Beauty.

The only thing I'd do (and this is purely a personal preference) is switch out the amber hat knobs for a set of cream hat knobs to match the pup rings & pickguard.

[Barry]

That wine red finish with creme accents is my favourite combo in this model. Very nice!

[charles]

I know I could possibly be convinced to buy another Les Paul copy if a wine red Let's Play became available at the right price. It's just very pretty - impossible to resist.