Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

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guitarrob

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Please do shoot me guys. I have seen a few threads around like this but reading a thread and discussing the points with people that have played both guitars is a bit different.

I am coming in to some cash to get a new guitar, I was eyeing the Gibson studio model but also glancing at the more expensive Epiphone models.

Truth be told, I have never played either outside of just noodling in a store if I had a minute.

I know it is really hard to say as my fingers and ears will make the final call but what is the general opinion around here on this question?

What is your opinion on buying either a Gibby LP Studio or investing the same amount in a Epiphone LP?

I would appreciate any and all opinions and information. This decision is driving me nuts and some information from both camps might help.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

I abosolutely loved the newer Epi LP Ultra I's. High end epi stuff feels great, many times they are my favorite <1000 dollar guitars in GC or Best buy and I end up spending an hour in front of a Deluxe reverb.

Years back when I was deciding on my first good guitar, I had my sights set on an entry gibson and I tried most of the SG specials/fadeds and LP specials and was very disappointed at all of the jagged edges in the fretwork and cheap feel. I got my hands on the 50th ann american strat and it blew away the others, but nowadays the higher end epi's feel as good as highway strats in terms of finished quality and sound.
 
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Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

I'd go for the Gibson. You get a LOT more for your money, as in features and quality, than you did just a couple years ago. The wood's better, the hardware's at least marginally better, the electronics are better, the pups are MUCH better, and I prefer their nitro to the plasticky, thick poly used on the Epis.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

I was once in your exact position, about eight years ago. Based on what was available at the time, I bought an Epi Les Paul Custom. I now wish I'd made a different choice.

Don't get me wrong; I thing Epiphones are fine guitars, both now and when I bought mine. I think they're better now. But even with that, there are some things I didn't realize about the differences:

1.) The Gibson will probably hold resale value better.

2.) The higher-end Epiphones usually have more manufacturing cost invested in making them look full-featured and cosmetically "complete" but they often don't have better wood, hardware, electronics, etc. than Epi models lower in the line.

3.) Some Epi models now come with premium Gibson USA pickups, which is nice.

4.) Some Gibsons (particularly in the lower-end) will probably have rough fret ends and that kind of thing. A piece of 2x4 and some sand paper takes care of that easily. Because of this kind of thing, it might take more polishing to get the Gibson to play, sound, and feel the way you want, but it's the kind of thing that pays off.

5.) In the years since I bought my Faded V, I've sunk an unbelievable amount of time and money into trying to get my Epi LP Custom to sound and feel like a good faded Gibson. I wish I'd just bought a Studio instead. I don't care about bindings and inlays anymore. On the other hand, I care about sound and feel a whole lot more.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

Les_Paul_Studio_Gold_Hardware_Wine_Red_127500574_1.jpg

AND YOU ARE HEARING THIS FROM AN EPI USER! BUY USED AND CHANGE THE PUPS AND WIRING
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

Quencho092
Thanks. As I said, I am going to let me ears and hands decide.
I won't buy a guitar just because of the name... I have always wanted an LP because I liked the sound. However, I will have to try them myself.
I have heard great things about the Epi Ultras.
That is my dilemma, to get a Gibby studio, or a new Epi LP UltraIII for example.

I appreciate your help and advice.

Edit, sorry it seems a few of you posted responses while I was posting this one.


@Formula73, it seems from the look and features that you get more on the Epis for your money then the Gibsons. This may not be the actual case here.
 
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Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

JakeBluesRocker said:
AND YOU ARE HEARING THIS FROM AN EPI USER! BUY USED AND CHANGE THE PUPS AND WIRING
Click to expand...

Buy a used....Gibson or Epiphone?

Jessie's ghost said:
5.) In the years since I bought my Faded V, I've sunk an unbelievable amount of time and money into trying to get my Epi LP Custom to sound and feel like a good faded Gibson. I wish I'd just bought a Studio instead. I don't care about bindings and inlays anymore. On the other hand, I care about sound and feel a whole lot more.
Click to expand...
I really don't care about the binding or inlays...they do nothing to help my tone.
I just want to get the best value for my money.


To note, that faded Studio model is the one I really like and I am interested in possibly purchasing.
 
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Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

If it's LP style guitars you are looking at spend some time with the new Epi LP Tradtional as compared to a used Gibby Studio.

Lots to like about both IMO. The Gibson will need fewer upgrades than the Epi though you may want to do some anyway. The new worn finish Epi Trads are quite nice if you pick through them to find a winner. You'll still want to do some upgrades but none are absolutely necessary if you find one with good frets out of the box.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

Wattage said:
If it's LP style guitars you are looking at spend some time with the new Epi LP Tradtional as compared to a used Gibby Studio.
Click to expand...

I played a couple of those recently at the GC and thought they were very nice guitars.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

Wattage said:
If it's LP style guitars you are looking at spend some time with the new Epi LP Tradtional as compared to a used Gibby Studio.

Lots to like about both IMO. The Gibson will need fewer upgrades than the Epi though you may want to do some anyway. The new worn finish Epi Trads are quite nice if you pick through them to find a winner. You'll still want to do some upgrades but none are absolutely necessary if you find one with good frets out of the box.
Click to expand...
Well that is the point behind the thread. To go with a Gibson Les Paul studio or a higher end Epiphone LP such as the UltraIII...etc.

What upgrades are you speaking of, pups, frets?

I don't know that much about EPI LP's so which is considered their top model?
I thought it was the ultra series...
 
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Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

guitarrob said:
Quencho092
Thanks. As I said, I am going to let me ears and hands decide.
I won't buy a guitar just because of the name... I have always wanted an LP because I liked the sound. However, I will have to try them myself.
I have heard great things about the Epi Ultras.
That is my dilemma, to get a Gibby studio, or a new Epi LP UltraIII for example.

I appreciate your help and advice.

Edit, sorry it seems a few of you posted responses while I was posting this one.


@Formula73, it seems from the look and features that you get more on the Epis for your money then the Gibsons. This may not be the actual case here.
Click to expand...


You misunderstand. What I meant was that you get a lot more for your money with a new Gibson than in 07/08/09. They've been pumping out some seriously awesome stuff for reasonable prices since the Feds raided. Epis aren't more for your money. They're PRETTIER for your money. The Gibsons are better materials in every way and that comes through.

Regardless, it sounds like you've already made your decision to buy an Epiphone and you just want people to tell you it's a good decision.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

formula73 said:
You misunderstand. What I meant was that you get a lot more for your money with a new Gibson than in 07/08/09. They've been pumping out some seriously awesome stuff for reasonable prices since the Feds raided. Epis aren't more for your money. They're PRETTIER for your money. The Gibsons are better materials in every way and that comes through.
Click to expand...
Thanks for clarifying. I thought that is what you meant.
I will say the new Epi's Ultra III's have alot of other features not found on the Gibby Studio model.

Don't both LP's basically use the same materials though but are assembled in different locations?
I have read in a few places that the Gibby use better quality or better grade materials.

However, if the materials are lower quality, these other features won't help anyway.
 
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Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

guitarrob said:
Well that is the point behind the thread. To go with a Gibson Les Paul studio or a higher end Epiphone LP such as the UltraIII...etc.

What upgrades are you speaking of, pups, frets?

I don't know that much about EPI LP's so which is considered their top model?
I thought it was the ultra series...
Click to expand...

The Ultra's are nice but I can't see a $650 Epi making a lot of sense unless it is MIJ.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-traditional-pro-electric-guitar

The Trad Pro is pretty sharp for the buck. The pickups are OK, slightly better than the standard Epi Classics. The bridge and tailpiece are lowend pot metal and dull a lot of the guitars dynamics and could use a Gotoh/Tonepros upgrade. It'll need the nut cleaned up and cut properly and may need a fret level, the bulk of Epi's do. For that effort though you get a solid guitar that will be a good player with good tone. The lighter finish is a good thing IMO and lets more of the natural sound come through. Maybe this is a guitar you keep for the long haul maybe not.

If you are looking for a keeper spend the time looking for a good used Gibson. Play a bunch before deciding, Gibsons are like apples, lots of variation. Play until you notice the different types and get a good solid idea of what you like. Once you've dialed that in go hunting for real, there are deals galore out there these days.
 
Re: Entry Gibby or higher end Epi?

Wattage said:
The Ultra's are nice but I can't see a $650 Epi making a lot of sense unless it is MIJ.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-traditional-pro-electric-guitar

The Trad Pro is pretty sharp for the buck. The pickups are OK, slightly better than the standard Epi Classics. The bridge and tailpiece are lowend pot metal and dull a lot of the guitars dynamics and could use a Gotoh/Tonepros upgrade. It'll need the nut cleaned up and cut properly and may need a fret level, the bulk of Epi's do. For that effort though you get a solid guitar that will be a good player with good tone. The lighter finish is a good thing IMO and lets more of the natural sound come through. Maybe this is a guitar you keep for the long haul maybe not.

If you are looking for a keeper spend the time looking for a good used Gibson. Play a bunch before deciding, Gibsons are like apples, lots of variation. Play until you notice the different types and get a good solid idea of what you like. Once you've dialed that in go hunting for real, there are deals galore out there these days.
Click to expand...
What is "MIJ"? The reason I mentioned the Ultras is because they seem like the lightest quality out of the lineup...but perhaps there are others that are better as I am not that familiar with their lineup.
It would be nice to go shopping for a used Gibby but I don't have much money probably just enough to afford a used Gibson LP Studio.

Buying a lower end EPI and then investing more money...you might aswell go with the Ultra that will probably not need much as much work?
 
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