Need Some Opinions

[Kratken2112]

So I recently inherited a guitar from a friend... unfortunately it wasn't a Musicman, but rather an OLP Petrucci, so I'm still pretty excited. It didn't have any of the pickups and I aim to replace its electronics, but I am not sure exactly what to do with the pickups, trem, and paint. Would love to get opinions from you guys!

My thoughts:
- fix up trem cavity and put a Wilkinson trem in it?
- repaint, but I have no clue as to whether I should do a simple single color or maybe do a design? (take in mind I am fairly conservative with colors)
- Pickups (crunch lab + liquifire) or something a bit different like pafs?

In the end I would like to make this a good and solid backup guitar to what would hopefully be a JP6 (that I still need to buy someday soon)

 

[David Corrales]

I'd say just change the pickups and leave the rest as it is

 

[beej]

I'd have to agree. You could sink a lot of money in there and you'd never get it back. Get it to play well, then leave it as is.

 

[browndog]

I would just sell it and put it towards a real JP6. The OLPs are not worth the money to modify.

 

[Tung]

man, unless you plan to do the paint job yourself, the cost of a repaint and the new pick ups will be enough to buy a brand new JP50, which is a way better guitar than an OLP.

 

[threeminutesboy]

i would just sell it and put it towards a real jp6. The olps are not worth the money to modify.

+1

 

[Kratken2112]

I would be repainting it myself so it wouldn't break the bank, also I enjoy painting a lot so it would be a fun project. I actually have a Wilkinson trem laying around the house that I could use. In the end I would only pay for new pickups and the little cost of the paint.

Like I said this would be a guitar that would be a backup, maybe alternate tuning. I enjoy the thought of a project so I don't really want to sell it and I really wouldn't get too much for it anyway I don't think. But thank you guys so far for the opinions.

 

[adouglas]

Don't do a design or any graphics. Stuff like that gets old fast. Do a good job with a classy, timeless color and it will please your eye for years to come.

It's like basic fashion advice. You'll never go wrong with a timeless classic... the conservative dark, tailored suit for guys, or the little black dress for women. Do it right and you will always look great, no matter what the trend may be.

Just look at photos of 1970s leisure suits to witness the folly of not doing this.

 

[beej]

If it's for fun, then what the heck. I love a good project. You usually learn something in the process and that's always worthwhile. The caveat just is that you almost never get the money back when you try to sell.

 

[Kratken2112]

Just to go a little off topic in my own thread. I never really noticed the OLPs much when they were around, so what was it about them you guys did not like? I understand the trem was garbage and had mediocre pickups. So take in mind I'm going to replace that horrific looking trem, replace electronics and pickups, tuners, and refinish myself (if I actually go about doing this and not sell it). Is it still truly not worth the money?

 

[threeminutesboy]

exactly what beej mentioned. getting that OLP to your specs will cost you something around 500$ (pups, trem, paint...) and hours of work on it

For that money + the money you get from the OLP you can get a silo spec or Axis sport and you will have a real quality backup guitar

But that's your call

 

[jamminjim]

In particular, and in answer to your question, the OLP I had experience with had very poor workmanship, fret buzzing around the 10th to 14th frets and the fret dress was horrible. It needed a fret level or plek-ing.

I would check your neck and frets out well before I sunk much time and effort into it. If they are good and it plays well, no dead spots, fret buzz etc.
Then cool, man, What color are you leaning towards... ?

 

[Kratken2112]

The silo and axis do sound tempting but I would only have to spend about $150-200 if I decided to go ahead with this project. Jamminjim, I will definitely check out the quality of the neck this weekend when I'm home, thanks. I don't mind putting in the work hours to fix any fret problems, I find it fun . Leaning towards a brownish color I think, sort of like sequoia gold (except probably not nearly as nice looking )