• Registered: 2012-11-01
  • Posts: 6

Topic: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

Just grabbed up a used Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio (2011) from ebay and am thinking about replacing the black plastic parts (switch ring & tip, pick guard & pickup rings) with cream ones.  I read that the pickup rings are taller than normal (the bridge one?) and that gibson vintage spec ones would be the correct size.  However, the vintage spec stuff seems over priced.  I'm thinking I'll have to get all vintage spec to get good color match and that makes it an expensive change.  Has anyone found any good alternatives for replacement parts that look good, fit well and aren't too expensive?

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

From what I hear the studio models are ever so slightly thinner in the body thickness. Whether or not this is true, I don't know so I couldn't tell you if regular standard model pickup rings will fit. I wanted a set of vintage looking rings and stuff and saw some at a guitar show that looked great except they were almost 100 bucks...No way! Instead; I took a pair of regular cream parts and spray painted them a flatter off white/bone color. Looked nice. You can pick up an amber switch tip for a couple bucks and that will look good too. I think I rubbed the plastic with steel wool first but I honestly didn't have a problem with the paint sticking or staying on the plastic.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

Don't sweat the thickness. They are easy to sand down, or nip, or dremmel if the rings are too high. Just take it slow. Just make sure you get the arched ones, not the flat ones for SG or Explorer. Having to get the curve right takes time, but also could be done in a pinch.

Some alternative places could work. Allparts makes some, Stewmac does, but beware of other places like ebay might sell you a generic yellow-y Epiphone looking cream. I like my cream to look more like a human skin color than a vanilla pudding color. haha. I can see a difference between epi cream and gibson cream colors. If you want white, you'll have to get DiMarzio ones. They bought the patent on white YEARS ago and nobody else can make them.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2012-11-01
  • Posts: 6

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

I have the guitar in hand now.  So sweet!

I am not worried about the aftermarket pickup rings being too tall, but rather too short.
Unless I get the gibson historic pickup rings.

The historic bridge pickup ring at it's highest part is 1/2" whereas standard is 3/8".

I am seeing historic pickup rings run from $27-35.  That's not so bad in and of itself, but then to make sure I match colors for the pickguard and pickup selector ring I probably also need to get the historic versions too.  Price wise, they are up in that ballpark as well.  The standard pickguard and selector ring are way cheaper...but then not likely to match color with the historic rings.

What a dilema wink

I am just wondering if anyone has gone through this and found a good solution?
I'd rather not shell out approx $100 or more for a few plastic parts (let's not forget adding a historic switch tip), but really would like to be able to swap out the black for creme parts.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

The shades of cream vary from the "standard" to the "historic" ones and I'm also fairly certain that a Historic pickguard doesn't quite fit right on a standard so I doubt it will a Studio in that case. I think the gap is off, somebody else might know a little better. Like I said earlier, you can always just get a set of cream parts for a studio model and shoot some spray paint on them if you don't quite like the color.

You might also be surprised when you put cream parts on. I like the cream on a regular goldtop with the lighter or reddish colored back but since this guitar has a black back, the black hardware really fits well.

  • synchu
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-06-15
  • Posts: 60

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

...Yeah and it sounds better wink the black one smile
Now joking aside, with gold top and black back I think that black rings do look better. Nothing beats cream on burst tops, though IMHO.

  • Registered: 2011-06-12
  • Posts: 7

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

I have a JB Studio 2011 that I bought when they first came out.  I switched to cream switch and pickup rings, pickguard, and amber tip.  I wanted Gibson stuff so I paid for it.  Bought from Guitar Parts Resource.  To get the right pickup ring height you need the Historic.  Everything fits perfectly.  Also bought the historic truss rod cover and gold top hat knobs.  With the SD JB pickups in it looks like a '57.

  • Registered: 2012-11-01
  • Posts: 6

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

Can you be more specific about which pickguard and switch ring you got?  And how well they color matched the historic pickup rings?
I am still on the fence about this....I just picked up another lester - a 50s tribute goldtop with humbuckers - and I am putting a JB sig set of humbuckers in it.  (or maybe putting the 57 classics from my burst faded LP and putting the JB set in that).  The cream parts of the tribute may satisfy my desire for goldtop with cream appointments, so I may just leave the JB studio stock.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

Gibson has specific neck and bridge rings (different thicknesses)
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ … MgodblAABg

You'll also want arched instead of flat if you're hoping for a plug and play set!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2012-11-01
  • Posts: 6

Re: Cream plastic parts for JBLP Studio

I don't see a 1/2" bridge ring which is what would be in a historic set and should match the rings on the JB LP Studio.