Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
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PicoRiveraTele
New member
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
In recordings and in live performances you see the pros using Gibson's rather than Epiphones more often than not. They sound great, so you might be led to believe Gibsons sound superior to Epiphones, but what you'd be missing is that their amps are probably higher end, and that they can be mic'd and mixed in a way that makes them sound really great. You might put undo focus on the guitar because it's more highly visible than other elements along the signal chain. A few musicians use Epiphones on stage, such as Gary Clark and the lead singer of Vampire Weekend. It would be nice if more did, so that starting guitarists won't feel like they need to spend $2000 to get an adequate sound.
That being said, Epiphone guitars did, and might still come with brass pickup covers, when diminish the high end compared the better quality nickel silver covers. The new Probucker line is of high quality, but if you buy a used Epiphone that predates the Probuckers and it comes with covered humbuckers, you'd probably want to change the pickups.
In recordings and in live performances you see the pros using Gibson's rather than Epiphones more often than not. They sound great, so you might be led to believe Gibsons sound superior to Epiphones, but what you'd be missing is that their amps are probably higher end, and that they can be mic'd and mixed in a way that makes them sound really great. You might put undo focus on the guitar because it's more highly visible than other elements along the signal chain. A few musicians use Epiphones on stage, such as Gary Clark and the lead singer of Vampire Weekend. It would be nice if more did, so that starting guitarists won't feel like they need to spend $2000 to get an adequate sound.
That being said, Epiphone guitars did, and might still come with brass pickup covers, when diminish the high end compared the better quality nickel silver covers. The new Probucker line is of high quality, but if you buy a used Epiphone that predates the Probuckers and it comes with covered humbuckers, you'd probably want to change the pickups.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Plug them into the same amp and they probably will.
Plug them into the same amp and they probably will.
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Go Vols
Yep the head stock doesn’t bother me since I’m more focused on the rest of the guitar.
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Go Vols
Yep the head stock doesn’t bother me since I’m more focused on the rest of the guitar.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
I'm a firm believer that the amp and pedals make 10 times more difference than the volume itself. A Marshall JCM800 through a full stack will sound like a JCM800 through a full stack regardless of the guitar.
And with rising quality of foreign made guitars the gap in quality between Gibson and Epiphone is decreasing. My #2 Les Paul is a stock 2014 Epiphone Joe Bonamassa, with my #1 being almost identical in specs. The only signifigant difference is that the Gibby is 14 pounds and the Epi is 11.
In short, with the excellent quality pickups you have, no one will be able tell it's not a Gibson.
I'm a firm believer that the amp and pedals make 10 times more difference than the volume itself. A Marshall JCM800 through a full stack will sound like a JCM800 through a full stack regardless of the guitar.
And with rising quality of foreign made guitars the gap in quality between Gibson and Epiphone is decreasing. My #2 Les Paul is a stock 2014 Epiphone Joe Bonamassa, with my #1 being almost identical in specs. The only signifigant difference is that the Gibby is 14 pounds and the Epi is 11.
In short, with the excellent quality pickups you have, no one will be able tell it's not a Gibson.
Perry go round
New member
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Problem with some Epis are in playability, tuning stability, ease to set up, and hardware (and all of this vary from one guitar to another). But soundwise, they can be modded to sound just awsome.
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My experience too. Epi with duncans sounded better than stock Gibson. Both with duncans sounded so close, impossible to tell in a blindfold test.
Problem with some Epis are in playability, tuning stability, ease to set up, and hardware (and all of this vary from one guitar to another). But soundwise, they can be modded to sound just awsome.
Enviado desde mi HUAWEI SCL-L01 mediante Tapatalk
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
There is no definitive reason for a Gibson (rather than the epi) to be the tone you are after. Your ears are the final judge not a badge on the headstock.
Add in the fact that there is always variation in Les Pauls and you are shooting for a moving target anyway.
There is no definitive reason for a Gibson (rather than the epi) to be the tone you are after. Your ears are the final judge not a badge on the headstock.
Add in the fact that there is always variation in Les Pauls and you are shooting for a moving target anyway.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Epi's can sound better than a poor Gibson.
My Brent Hines V is my #1 guitar right now for the sound I'm after.
For vintage LP tones they won't even touch a carefully hand picked Gibson. For distorted sounds there will be MUCH less difference. The bridge, neck set, number of pieces of wood in the body and finish can make a small difference
Epi's can sound better than a poor Gibson.
My Brent Hines V is my #1 guitar right now for the sound I'm after.
For vintage LP tones they won't even touch a carefully hand picked Gibson. For distorted sounds there will be MUCH less difference. The bridge, neck set, number of pieces of wood in the body and finish can make a small difference
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Absolutely. In fact, I challenge anyone to either listen to a recording or see a band live (without being too close to see the headstock) and guess if the guitar is an Epi or a Gibson. On sound alone, there are many brands that can sound just like an LP
Absolutely. In fact, I challenge anyone to either listen to a recording or see a band live (without being too close to see the headstock) and guess if the guitar is an Epi or a Gibson. On sound alone, there are many brands that can sound just like an LP
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
I have a Gibson Custom Studio
An Epiphone Florentine
An Asian made Signature guitar
And a Dean Shire
Each have unique voice
The Dean is more ES with piezo
The Florentine has the Probuckers and have smooth mellow vibe that is just creamy goodness
The Signature has JB/Jazz in a semi Hollow LP and drives an amp with 80s metal
The Gibson Custom Studio is a swamp ash and maple neck that is just in your face and ready to rock
I have a Gibson Custom Studio
An Epiphone Florentine
An Asian made Signature guitar
And a Dean Shire
Each have unique voice
The Dean is more ES with piezo
The Florentine has the Probuckers and have smooth mellow vibe that is just creamy goodness
The Signature has JB/Jazz in a semi Hollow LP and drives an amp with 80s metal
The Gibson Custom Studio is a swamp ash and maple neck that is just in your face and ready to rock
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
I frequently counsel my clients to go with Epi stuff on the road, in the bars, or just to have - as long as they upgrade the pickups and all the electronics. New Switchcraft jack is a must, and quality pots and switches are a good investment.
I frequently counsel my clients to go with Epi stuff on the road, in the bars, or just to have - as long as they upgrade the pickups and all the electronics. New Switchcraft jack is a must, and quality pots and switches are a good investment.
Thundermtn
New member
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Yeah, jack and pots for sure.
I also have to say the new Epi's are light years ahead in quality from the early 2000's. Attention to detail, tuning stability, and playability now are on point.
Yeah, jack and pots for sure.
I also have to say the new Epi's are light years ahead in quality from the early 2000's. Attention to detail, tuning stability, and playability now are on point.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
I bet it does:chairfall
Is that how it works? :lmao:
I bet it does:chairfall
Is that how it works? :lmao:
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
Put a set of Duncans in a set neck Epi, and it pretty much levels the playing field tone-wise with many of the equivalent Gibson models with stock '57's, 490's, or the 498T/490R set. PU's make a difference, and an artist like Seymour who has spent his life in pursuit tone quality, can produce a better sounding product than the winders at Gibson who have to meet Henry J's cost objectives.
Put a set of Duncans in a set neck Epi, and it pretty much levels the playing field tone-wise with many of the equivalent Gibson models with stock '57's, 490's, or the 498T/490R set. PU's make a difference, and an artist like Seymour who has spent his life in pursuit tone quality, can produce a better sounding product than the winders at Gibson who have to meet Henry J's cost objectives.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
I agree with everything already stated about the Epi's. Assuming the neck is straight and you can adjust the action/intonation correctly, there is no reason to feel that your Epi is substandard in the tone dept. Spend some of the money you saved vs. buying the Gibson and upgrade the pots AND the switch and put in your flavor of SD pickups. You'll have a tone machine to be very happy with.
There was a long period of my life that I couldn't afford a Gibson. I rocked an Epi LP and it sounded great. I'm fortunate enough now to be able to buy a Gibson if I find one I like. It's sad, IMHO, that one has to sort through so many Gibson's to find a real keeper. Epi has quality issues at times too..... but as stated their quality is much better than at the turn of the century. I think finding a good Epi is a much easier task honestly.
Enjoy your new guitar and play it til' the strings fall off.
I agree with everything already stated about the Epi's. Assuming the neck is straight and you can adjust the action/intonation correctly, there is no reason to feel that your Epi is substandard in the tone dept. Spend some of the money you saved vs. buying the Gibson and upgrade the pots AND the switch and put in your flavor of SD pickups. You'll have a tone machine to be very happy with.
There was a long period of my life that I couldn't afford a Gibson. I rocked an Epi LP and it sounded great. I'm fortunate enough now to be able to buy a Gibson if I find one I like. It's sad, IMHO, that one has to sort through so many Gibson's to find a real keeper. Epi has quality issues at times too..... but as stated their quality is much better than at the turn of the century. I think finding a good Epi is a much easier task honestly.
Enjoy your new guitar and play it til' the strings fall off.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Can an Epi Les Paul Sound Like a Gibson?
I 100% agree an upgraded Epiphone can/wlll sound and feel better than a Gibson. But I'll offer this caution: I've played many/owned several Epiphones, and my impression is that Epiphone-badged guitars tend to be the worst value for the money among any budget brands.
There are, for sure, Epiphones that are 90% there out of the box, or a set of Duncans away from greatness. But... They seem to be the guitar brand most likely to need extensive setup work, or immediate upgrade to cheap hardware/electronics, or to just have the impression of "dead wood." Then again, maybe I'd say the same thing about Gibsons themselves. Off-hand I'd rather trust other Les Paul clones with equivalent purchase dollar values.
I 100% agree an upgraded Epiphone can/wlll sound and feel better than a Gibson. But I'll offer this caution: I've played many/owned several Epiphones, and my impression is that Epiphone-badged guitars tend to be the worst value for the money among any budget brands.
There are, for sure, Epiphones that are 90% there out of the box, or a set of Duncans away from greatness. But... They seem to be the guitar brand most likely to need extensive setup work, or immediate upgrade to cheap hardware/electronics, or to just have the impression of "dead wood." Then again, maybe I'd say the same thing about Gibsons themselves. Off-hand I'd rather trust other Les Paul clones with equivalent purchase dollar values.
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