Fender Neck on Gibson/Epiphone Les Paul-doable?

[Drunkentig3r]

Question to any Guitar Aficionados and Hobbyists: I'm actually in the process of modifying my Epiphone Les Paul with various quality parts, replacing many of the cheap Gibson knockoff parts that came on it. For the neck, I've been thinking-to lend a unique look to my guitar, is it possible to put a Fender neck on the Les Paul? I mean, looking at my friend's stratocaster, the neck design is a bolt-on just like the current neck on my Les Paul, and they seem to be about the same length and width. I'm going to be getting new D'Áddrio strings, so string length is of no concern. If Jeff Beck can put Gibson pickups on his Fender (or was it the other way around?), why can't I mix and match the neck?

 

[imported_Imp]

Not sure about the fit, but this actually surprised me. I thought Les Pauls were solid, single piece guitars (i.e. the neck isn't bolted on, but one with the body). However, check the string gauges. Don't remember what my strat uses, but larger strings might put too much tension on the instrument and pop. As for comparing pickups to a neck... pickups are just small electronics that have no effect on the guitar's structure, the neck is half the structure.

 

[Scarpozzi]

You can, if it fits....

Most of the parts are interchangable. Usually the only spec differences in those, to my knowledge is the quality of parts and the factory in which they're made. Epiphone is made in Korea and most of Gibson's stuff is made in Nashville...

 

[thirdlegstump]

The answer is NO. Pickups are a different story as they generally follow standards and don't require such tight fitting. My advice is don't even bother.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Plan on making the next Blackie eh?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Imp
Not sure about the fit, but this actually surprised me. I thought Les Pauls were solid, single piece guitars (i.e. the neck isn't bolted on, but one with the body). However, check the string gauges. Don't remember what my strat uses, but larger strings might put too much tension on the instrument and pop. As for comparing pickups to a neck... pickups are just small electronics that have no effect on the guitar's structure, the neck is half the structure.

Good points. I just figured that as long as the neck is flush to the body, the string tension is controlled by the tuner on the neck more than anything. Usually the springs at the bridge can be adjusted accordingly and when it tunes up, it should all be the same, no matter what the string length across the body.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
The answer is NO. Pickups are a different story as they generally follow standards and don't require such tight fitting. My advice is don't even bother.

I know a guy that replaces necks all the time. He works on a lot of older guitars that weren't stored in the case.... The necks end up warping, etc... So he orders replacements and puts them on. It's precision work....but as I stated before, the neck and the body need to be flush where they come together or the strings might drag.

The toughest guitars to do this on have low action, but that can be remedied by putting a slightly higher bridge on the guitar or getting additional hardware added to make the new neck work. Trust me, it can be done....but you have to start by seeing how well it lines up. The downside is that it's a lot of work to get that far...

 

[midwestfisherman]

I highly doubt it will work. The neck radius and length will not be purportionate to the Epi.

BTW lmp, Les Pauls are solid guitar where the neck is actually inlaid into the guitars body. The Epi's being a less expensive guitar, use the bolt on necks.

 

[Platypus]

Don't even bother... it will never sound right.

Invest in a better guitar to start with.

 

[thirdlegstump]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: deathkoba
The answer is NO. Pickups are a different story as they generally follow standards and don't require such tight fitting. My advice is don't even bother.

I know a guy that replaces necks all the time. He works on a lot of older guitars that weren't stored in the case.... The necks end up warping, etc... So he orders replacements and puts them on. It's precision work....but as I stated before, the neck and the body need to be flush where they come together or the strings might drag.

The toughest guitars to do this on have low action, but that can be remedied by putting a slightly higher bridge on the guitar or getting additional hardware added to make the new neck work. Trust me, it can be done....but you have to start by seeing how well it lines up. The downside is that it's a lot of work to get that far...

Scale length etc. can vary as well. It's just not worth the trouble. Gibsons are mostly set neck. That means they are glued in place instead of bolted on. That alone makes the job a bit more difficult.

 

[aircooled]

I thought "real" Les Pauls were "neck through body", in which case the answer is no. If it has a bolt on neck and the holes match then you can probably do it.

 

[misle]

Most Les Pauls are "Set Neck" which is not the same as "neck through." Many cheaper Epiphones are bolt on, similar to Fender guitars. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Guitar_neck_joints

The biggest problem you will have is that Epiphones have a scale length of 24.5" and Fenders have a scale length of 25.5". I don't know how this would effect your tuning and intonation.

 

[RapidSnail]

Originally posted by: Imp
Not sure about the fit, but this actually surprised me. I thought Les Pauls were solid, single piece guitars (i.e. the neck isn't bolted on, but one with the body). However, check the string gauges. Don't remember what my strat uses, but larger strings might put too much tension on the instrument and pop. As for comparing pickups to a neck... pickups are just small electronics that have no effect on the guitar's structure, the neck is half the structure.

You're right, Gibson uses set necks on their guitars while Fender use bolt-on necks. And Les Paul's generally have a mahogany body with a maple top.

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: Imp
However, check the string gauges. Don't remember what my strat uses, but larger strings might put too much tension on the instrument and pop.

Guitars have a truss rod that allows you to adjust the tension on the neck. And no, larger strings will not make a well made guitar "pop."

If you look at your neck and it is bowed a lot in either direction, you need to adjust your truss rod (or, preferably, have a seasoned tech adust your truss rod.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss_rod

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: midwestfisherman
I highly doubt it will work. The neck radius and length will not be purportionate to the Epi.

BTW lmp, Les Pauls are solid guitar where the neck is actually inlaid into the guitars body. The Epi's being a less expensive guitar, use the bolt on necks.

Ah, the cost factor. Thought even budget Les Pauls would at least copy a real Gibson more closely. Oh well, there goes the though of saving money on an epiphone if I ever go for an LP.

 

[Drunkentig3r]

So...basically no?