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99 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Parts Question)

Darkscience

New member
Joined
Aug 17, 2021
Messages
3
Hello Everyone,

I have never posted here but recently acquired a 99 Les Paul Std. I have two questions:
1. The Jackplate / Pickup Selector / Screws, basically all hardware except for the pickup covers, bridge pieces and tuners have all tarnished and look vintage. Are these parts nickel? I think I read all the hardware should be chrome. The pots inside the cavity also look aged.
2. There was a rattle inside the electronics cavity, when I opened it, a small piece fell out, almost looks like a tiny rivet. I could not find where this had come from, does anyone have any idea? Pictures below (Pictures are as blown up as I could get it, the piece is tiny).
Also pictures of the guitar below, I am in love with it.
21-08-14_Les Paul Standard_6 (RED).jpg
0816212217b (RED).jpg
0816212218 (RED).jpg
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I believe the metal parts are nickel . I was going to say that it might have been a piece of solder knocking around in the control cavity , but from the photo I am not sure . Love your Les Paul as she is a beauty ! How does she play and sound ? Do the electronics work ? Switching from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup ? and the center position ? Do the volume and tone controls work ? Without noise ? If everything works and checks out fine then maybe throw that loose part whatever it is inside the case pocket just in case , as you never know . Best Wishes !
 

Darkscience

New member
Joined
Aug 17, 2021
Messages
3
I went through all the settings and it all worked fine, (I need to check middle position completely forgot to check middle). Some hum from the pickups but I have my gain cranked so I think that is normal, it gets quieter when my hands touch the strings etc. I think that is pretty normal too. It looks like a tiny rivet, could it be from the base plate inside the control cavity? There is a plate that the pots are mounted to, my best guess right now is that it somehow is related to that?

Also, as an add to the story, I know for a fact it came from inside the guitar because I am the one who caused the piece to break loose. There was no rattle when I first got the guitar 2 days ago, the guy I bought it from kept this under his bed since he bought it, he was not a real player.

All that aside, yea this thing kicks ass, it sounds terrific and the neck feels great. I have not put it down since I got it, very clean guitar.
 

wild.joz

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Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
1,934
Looks like chrome to me (blueish hue), and not that tarnished at all. Plus I can't remember seeing a Nashville bridge in nickel. Always chrome or gold. Doesn't mean they're not around...

That metal part could very well be some solder that didn't "stick" to a pot and was left there accidentally. Hard to tell from the photo. Maybe less blown up could help as resolution will be better.

Badass guitar no matter what. The little figuring looks really cool and makes it unique.
 

Darkscience

New member
Joined
Aug 17, 2021
Messages
3
Looks like chrome to me (blueish hue), and not that tarnished at all. Plus I can't remember seeing a Nashville bridge in nickel. Always chrome or gold. Doesn't mean they're not around...

That metal part could very well be some solder that didn't "stick" to a pot and was left there accidentally. Hard to tell from the photo. Maybe less blown up could help as resolution will be better.

Badass guitar no matter what. The little figuring looks really cool and makes it unique.
Thanks, the tarnished parts are the jackplate, all screws, all metal parts of the switch and knobs. Basically they all turned into like a dull grey, I am guessing thise parts must be nickel I guess and the bridge and tail plus covers in chrome. The little part that broke from the inside does not look like soder because it is perfectly round, it looks like the top of finish nail head that broke off is best way to describe it. I took better pics.
0817211911~2.jpg
 

wild.joz

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
1,934
Oh yeah, those parts are nickel. PU covers, bridge, Stopbar and maybe the grovers, are chrome.

Absolutely no clue what that little metal thing is…
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
I went through all the settings and it all worked fine, (I need to check middle position completely forgot to check middle). Some hum from the pickups but I have my gain cranked so I think that is normal, it gets quieter when my hands touch the strings etc. I think that is pretty normal too. It looks like a tiny rivet, could it be from the base plate inside the control cavity? There is a plate that the pots are mounted to, my best guess right now is that it somehow is related to that?

Also, as an add to the story, I know for a fact it came from inside the guitar because I am the one who caused the piece to break loose. There was no rattle when I first got the guitar 2 days ago, the guy I bought it from kept this under his bed since he bought it, he was not a real player.

All that aside, yea this thing kicks ass, it sounds terrific and the neck feels great. I have not put it down since I got it, very clean guitar.
I am glad that all is well with your Les Paul and she sounds and plays fine . Rock out and enjoy ! I want to say that it sounds possible that the piece could have been a rivet /screw type thing to hold the control/shielding plate in place , just not sure ? 2 guitars of mine that came with that plate I had removed by my tech and replaced with wiring harnesses with 500k pots and caps , so I can't tell on that one .
 
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