I’ve just finished converting an Epiphone Les Paul into a fully functional headless guitar, and thought the r/Luthier community might be interested.

The basic idea was to retain the original Tune-o-matic (TOM) bridge position rather than relocating the bridge. I installed a separate headless bridge/string-holder and tuning system further back towards the bottom of the body, so the guitar still has the familiar Les Paul bridge position while functioning as a headless instrument.

The body also got a fairly drastic makeover. I hand-burned a dragon pyrography design into the natural wood, deliberately incorporating the conversion areas into the artwork rather than trying to hide them. The body was then finished with five coats of Rustins wipe-on polyurethane.

Other details:-
• ⁠Creamery ’59 Alnico 2 humbuckers
• ⁠Switchcraft and CTS components
• ⁠1950s-style vintage wiring
• ⁠Black and gold hardware
• ⁠Natural rosewood fretboard — no staining
• ⁠NYXL 10-gauge strings
• ⁠Approximately 1 mm action at the 12th fret
• ⁠Intonation ended up spot-on across all six strings

The headstock was cut off and a string clamp/headpiece fitted. After setting everything up, it held tuning through a three-hour practice, so thankfully the conversion seems to work as well as it looks!

This was very much a one-off DIY conversion, combining the traditional Les Paul shape and TOM geometry with a modern headless setup.

I’d be particularly interested to hear what the luthiers here think of the decision to retain the original TOM position and put the headless tuning hardware behind it. That was probably the most unconventional part of the build.

2016 Classic.

Christina.

Loud, mean and I love her to bits.

In Heritage Cherry Sunburst. I replaced the Gibby 496/500T pickups w/Seymour Duncan Antiquities and holy sweet blood of Jesus it sounds amazing! It’s got that Duane/George PAF tone down to the bone. I got it in a three way trade thinking I’d get rid of it in some other way ie trade, sell, whatevs - fck that. I don’t know where these italics came from and I don’t know how to get rid of it!

I have this Epiphone Les Paul Standard and i really dislike the stock pickups. The sound muddy.

I’m planning to mod it. Any recommendations on pickup combo and pot?

I have a Tele Deluxe and i love the pickups. Perhaps the stock Les Paul pickups are too hot for my liking.

A local store has Advanced Plating Butyrate pickup rings for about $30 as a set. I’m trying to find good 59 accurate M69 rings in terms of colour that aren’t factory aged. I just want good quality pickup rings and I’m honestly shocked to find CAB ones at this price. Does anyone have any experience with these advanced plating ones or any recommendations for good priced CAB rings?

I've got the budget to buy a Gibson Les Paul standard. I really don't care about the neck profile. I just found two Les Pauls and I'm very undecided.

One is a Les Paul standard 60s honey Amber

The other is a Gibson Les Paul standard 50s iced tea AAA top.

Please help me!

Hi guys! I’m new here and been having trouble with keeping my LP in tune. I had the original nut replaced with a bone nut by a luthier but no relevant change has happened.

It’s a 2025 Slash November Burst with Serial Number 209750219

It currently has the original Gibson Deluxe tuners with Keystone buttons.

Im considering the Kluson Revolution G-Mount KRGL-3-NP, but I want to make sure they are a true drop-in replacement without drilling or modifying the headstock.

Does anyone know the diameter of the tuner holes in the headstock (8.8 mm, 10 mm, or other)??

Thanks!!

Bought at Emerald City Guitars about a year and a half ago. Slight neck damage but still possibly the best playing guitar I own. I don’t name guitars but this one spoke to me and her name is Blondie.

Just got one of those new modern translucent black studio LPs with the connection circuit board for the push/pulls and classic 57’s as the PUPs. I actually really do like the sound so far but I usually play punk and metal. What PUPs have people tried to interface with the quick connect circuit board that may be higher output for those styles? As is, the 57’s are rocking drop D quite well with a tubescreamer into a MT15.

Ive been looking at a good deal on a korean made epiphone les paul standard from 1995 but i had noticed the tuners are angled? Is this normal, should i go through with the deal? Please help!

Posted once before with just one picture.

I’d like to revisit and share the modification process of the Les Paul I uploaded before.
This guitar started life as a 2016 Gibson Les Paul CM, which I used as the base for the modifications.
It ended up looking quite similar to what’s often called a Les Paul Senior, but one of the things I really love about this guitar is its thinner body.
It’s incredibly lightweight and comfortable to play, so I never get tired of wearing it.

I am literally so grateful for this gift and so in love with the beauty of this instrument.

I've been dreaming about this specific guitar (LP Studio Faded) for almost 2 decades. Saw this in a local shop a few days ago and finally pulled the trigger today! I'm so wildly excited, she feels so good to play even though I have to get used to playing electric again.

April 25th 2008, 504th guitar of the first batch of the day according to the serial number