2003 Epiphone Les Paul Custom | Part 1

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Preamble

The first time I'd ever worked on an Epiphone Les Paul Custom was back in 2022, and it was a gloss black 2009 model with gold hardware. Fast forward to today, where I'm about to start work on a similar instrument. Bearing the serial number EE03045689, this guitar still belongs to the original owner, who purchased it brand new in 2003. Sadly, the years have taken their toll, and his pride and joy isn't quite what it used to be. I know that a lot needs to be done to get this black beauty back in shape, so I'm definitely in for the long haul. There'll be lots to see and lots to tell, for sure. We'll begin our journey by perusing some information gathered from online sources. I've also taken the liberty of including my own observations and a few measurements.  

Background Information

Origin: Epiphone Qingdao Plant, China

Date: April, 2003

Production Number: 5689

Information sourced from the Guitar Dater Project

2003 Epiphone Les Paul Custom

Hardware

Sealed Three-a-Side Tuners

Bell Shaped, Two-Ply "Les Paul Custom" Truss Rod Cover

5/32" Truss Rod Socket

Black PPS Nut, Retrofit

Black Toggle Switch Tip

Black Toggle Switch Washer

Black Pickup Mounting Rings

Black Control Cavity Cover

Black Switch Cavity Cover

Black Speed Knobs

Black Output Jack Plate

Gold Pickup Covers

Gold Strap Buttons

Gold Sung Il BM003 Bridge

Gold Stopbar Tailpiece

Electronics

Epiphone "F" Neck Humbucker, DCR 8.60K

Epiphone Bridge Humbucker, DCR 8.84K

Three-Way "Box" Toggle Switch

Two Alpha B500K Full-Sized Volume Pots

Two Alpha A500K Full-Sized Tone Pots

Two 0.047uF Polyester Film Tone Capacitors

1/4" Mono Output Jack

Headstock

"Clipped Dove Wing" Profile

Gloss Black Headcap

Pearloid "Epiphone" Logo

Pearloid Split Diamond Inlay

Five-Ply Crème/Black/Crème Binding

Neck

Finish: Gloss Black

Material: Mahogany

Neck Joint: Glued-In/Set Neck/Short Tenon

Profile: 60s SlimTaper™ 

1st Fret Width/Depth: 43.36mm/21.06mm

5th Fret Width/Depth: 47.06mm/23.35mm

12th Fret Width/Depth: 52.44mm/25.18mm

Fretboard

Material: Rosewood

Single-Ply Crème Binding

24-3/4" Scale, 14" Radius

22 Medium-Jumbo Frets

Pearloid Block Inlays

Body

Material: Mahogany

Depth: 45.72mm

Style/Shape: Les Paul

Finish: Gloss Black

Top/Back Binding: Five-Ply Crème/Black/Crème