Epiphone Electar - factory strings and tuners are garbage

[Michael Van Brackle]

New member and fairly new to lap steel (had a 59 Supro Comet for a few months a couple years ago). Decided to give it another try.

I shopped around for a good vintage, but finally decided just to go inexpensive and get the Epiphone. It arrived today.

I don't know what strings are on this thing but they feel almost like 9s or something. I've got a Clinesmith bullet and a Scheerhorn SS. Both will bend the strings out of tune just from their weight alone.

What gauge strings would y'all recommend for swapping around between Open D, E, G, etc? I realize those tunings aren't optimal on a short scale lap.

Also, the tuners on this instrument are terrible. The knobs are slipping on the first day out of the box.

[Jack Hanson]

I would recommend purchasing strings by the individual gauges rather than in preassembled sets. I purchase nickel wounds and plain steels in bulk from JustStrings.com:

https://juststrings.com/electric-guitar ... ngs-1.html
https://juststrings.com/guitar-plain-st ... gs-10.html

Use a string gauge calculator, such as Ernie Ball's to determine the appropriate gauge(s) for your scale length (presumably 22-1/2" on your Epi).

[Michael Van Brackle]

I would recommend purchasing strings by the individual gauges rather than in preassembled sets. I purchase nickel wounds and plain steels in bulk from JustStrings.com:

https://juststrings.com/electric-guitar ... ngs-1.html
https://juststrings.com/guitar-plain-st ... gs-10.html

Use a string gauge calculator, such as Ernie Ball's to determine the appropriate gauge(s) for your scale length (presumably 22-1/2" on your Epi).

I found an unopened pack of Scotty's C6th strings I'd bought when I had the Supro Comet. I'm going to give those a try for awhile. But I will order some singles based on the chart for future use.

Does anyone know what size the tuner holes are on these Epiphone Electars? Thinking about replacing them.

[Jack Hanson]

Most of the new "Inspired by..." imported Electars that I've seen appear to be fitted with Chinese knockoffs of Kluson strip tuners. If that's what's on yours, a set of Gotoh TK-0700-001s should slip right in. They will likely be the highest quality components on the instrument.

[Glenn Wilde]

I would recommend purchasing strings by the individual gauges rather than in preassembled sets. I purchase nickel wounds and plain steels in bulk from JustStrings.com:

https://juststrings.com/electric-guitar ... ngs-1.html
https://juststrings.com/guitar-plain-st ... gs-10.html

Use a string gauge calculator, such as Ernie Ball's to determine the appropriate gauge(s) for your scale length (presumably 22-1/2" on your Epi).

I found an unopened pack of Scotty's C6th strings I'd bought when I had the Supro Comet. I'm going to give those a try for awhile. But I will order some singles based on the chart for future use.

Does anyone know what size the tuner holes are on these Epiphone Electars? Thinking about replacing them.

Those C6 strings will not be good in those major tunings you mentioned, some regular heavy gauge electric strings will do it, keep the first two C and E strings from the C6 set and you'll be good to go.