Epi Les Paul Love?

[BloodRose]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I do not see, hear, or feel ~ $1500 price difference between the Gibby and Epi.

Ditto x 1000!!
Yeah, Ive played some duds.. but play gibson duds too.
I have a Gibby Studio. Its one of the nicer studios Ive played. I bought a new Epi LP Standard Limited Edition with the black stain and flame maple top. I got it under $400 and I was so impressed with it, I turned around and snatched up another... They are my main players. The stock pickups were even pretty darn good, but upgraded, the both sing..... The build is very good, The ONLY complaint is that they were buffed so much that some of the black on the hardware is thin and there was alot of residue to clean up.
They are both about 8-9lbs and very solid. Frets are smooth and well done.
They have the tone, the sustain and play great...
Im pleased.

Congrats on your new toy BinnerScott!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Thats cool...I guess it's all about personal value...

An epi LP in a hard case is right around $500 while a Gibson Les Paul Standard in a hard case is around $2200...to me the Gibson is as much a $2200 guitar just as much as the Epi is a $500 guitar...

From what I've played and seen, I honestly think Epiphone does a better job of delivering bang for the buck.

I'm certainly not jumping on bandwagons, either. I've seen all my local shops quit carrying Gibson and heard why long before the anti-fanboy stance was popular.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I am curious when Epi claims a mahogany body whether it is solid or not, more so is it the material of the laminate they are stating? The Epi LPs had alder for quite a while, now that they have moved to China maybe they have gone to a full mahogany body? I tend to guess it is a luan or lower grade mahogany rather than the African mahogany Gibson uses these days.

I don't mean to knock anything I take this as an open discussion and yes congrats on the new guitar Binner!

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

From what I've played and seen, I honestly think Epiphone does a better job of delivering bang for the buck.

I'm certainly not jumping on bandwagons, either. I've seen all my local shops quit carrying Gibson and heard why long before the anti-fanboy stance was popular.

Bang for the buck is really what Epi is about. Gibson offers plenty of value oriented guitars, not everything they make is $2500. Epi is a value line, the success of the line has certainly made alot of people take notice and gives them the opportunity to step up their game considerably which I think they have done.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Gibson offers plenty of value oriented guitars, not everything they make is $2500.

I agree. I think if I were to go buy a new Gibby, I'd be much happier with my purchase if it was something like an SG, Explorer, or Flying V. They're all priced WAY below Les Pauls, and are a much better value (to me). Around $1400 or so seems to be Gibson's point of diminishing returns. Now, having said that, I think a good used LP for that price is a good value.

 

[heymcz]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

The Gibbo LP Standards are up to $2500. Two years ago, they were around $2000. You can still get one in a discontinued color for that price:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Les-Paul-Standard-60s-Neck-Electric-Guitar-?sku=513826

I was not happy with the Standard I got, it sent me back into Ibanez land for quite some time. I have since returned (details later).

I've played some nice Epi Pauls. If you're going to swap out the pickups and upgrade the electronics I think they're okay if you get a good one. Would it be the be-all end-all guitar? Probably not. But a lot of that is about the brand for me.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha re: epi LP = 59 gibson

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

My first Les Paul was an Epi with a birdseye top and Duncan 59's.

Really, nice looking axe. Sounded decent as well.

But it just didn't have that "feel" to it that my fave Les Paul has.

....of course, my fave Les Paul was made in Japan...

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I am curious when Epi claims a mahogany body whether it is solid or not, more so is it the material of the laminate they are stating? The Epi LPs had alder for quite a while, now that they have moved to China maybe they have gone to a full mahogany body? I tend to guess it is a luan or lower grade mahogany rather than the African mahogany Gibson uses these days.

I don't mean to knock anything I take this as an open discussion and yes congrats on the new guitar Binner!

They mainly use alder for the top and then a veneer of flame or quilt, instead of a 1/8-1/4 piece of maple and a mahog back. I know there was talk awhile back that alder was being used in the back as well. Seems to me Epi has made alot or improvements since the new factory in 02.

 

[SlowGroove]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

My dropped me off at the the old guitar store (GC unfortunately) to kill some time while she shopped. They had a sale on Epis and Gibsons.

I am not about to drop Gibson style cash on a Les Paul, but would glady drop full price on a Soloist - just so you have a frame of reference for my tastes.

I grabbed a little Epi, it was cool - much nicer than the Gibson Les Paul I had in the early '90s (both sound and feel - pups weren't bad, but not as nice as Gibson's pups, which are tolerable). It justed begged for a set of PRS pups I had sitting in a box without a home. So I look through the top row to find one that hasn't been beat on by noobs and kids and took it home for $450.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Standard-Electric-Guitar?sku=518341

I dropped a set of Dragon IIs in last night, gave the fretboard some lemon oil, and it got a good setup. I absolutely love that thing...I am really impressed with it.

What are your Epi Les Paul experiences?

My younger brother has a black Epi LP w. a set of Alnico2Pro's in it.

I sometimes jam on it, as i do not have a humbucker guitar yet (actually, i got a Gibbo SG Faded today w. all it's part in a box, minus the pu's - unwanted project guitar you see) and i love the thick "full" tone i get with it through my AC15. With an EHX Double Muff in there it sounds even better.

Does this count ?


James

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I am curious when Epi claims a mahogany body whether it is solid or not, more so is it the material of the laminate they are stating? The Epi LPs had alder for quite a while, now that they have moved to China maybe they have gone to a full mahogany body? I tend to guess it is a luan or lower grade mahogany rather than the African mahogany Gibson uses these days.

I don't mean to knock anything I take this as an open discussion and yes congrats on the new guitar Binner!

Thanks, I think the alder references that are coming up stem from a model or two where Epi used alder for the carved top vs. maple as mentioned earlier. I have never seen or heard a laminate body on any guitar that was mahogany and alder mixed (of course neck-though doesn't apply here as that is an entirly different construction).

I can see the wood grain from the back and sides, there is no alder laminate in that body.

Also, just an FYI, back in the 80s, we called African Mahogany crap - I still do (as far any comparison to the mahogany I know), you'll hear the difference when you play nice Honduran Mahogany guitar. I have four of them, three different builders, much darker and fuller sounding.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

My younger brother has a black Epi LP w. a set of Alnico2Pro's in it.

I sometimes jam on it, as i do not have a humbucker guitar yet (actually, i got a Gibbo SG Faded today w. all it's part in a box, minus the pu's - unwanted project guitar you see) and i love the thick "full" tone i get with it through my AC15. With an EHX Double Muff in there it sounds even better.

Does this count ?


James

Yup, it all counts, even just playing one for few minutes off the rack.....

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

They mainly use alder for the top and then a veneer of flame or quilt, instead of a 1/8-1/4 piece of maple and a mahog back. I know there was talk awhile back that alder was being used in the back as well. Seems to me Epi has made alot or improvements since the new factory in 02.

From everything I can dig up at the moment, Epi's current tops are plain maple with the flame or quilt veneer.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha re: epi LP = 59 gibson

And a famous guy once took a few hundred dollars worth of second class parts and created a new sound and style, no need for an expensive LP....

 

[butnut]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I played my '70 LP Custom over 10 years, sold it when I 'hung up' and did the family/house thing...yup sold that AND my BF Deluxe Reverb for 800 bucks.
Got a killer MIJ Epi Custom (from bruddah Wattage) that looked, played and felt just like my old Gibby. He did the electronic upgrades and with the Duncans in, I did'nt miss my old Custom at all. Did'nt hurt to have his buddy Chris Mirabella do a sweet setup as well as MOP inlays. A few months ago, I decided to sell off part of my herd, yeah even that nice Epi Custom to acquire a nice Gibby. Luckily, I held on to it as when I did get my '01 Classic PP, it was not what I wanted, ebay deal and my first 'bad' buy. It was gorgeous, played well but no balls....my Epi Custom smoked the pants off of it. I have a feeling it was due to the light weight of the Classic. Sold it, took a chance on a gold top which was nicely upgraded by Fiesta Red with 59's and RS and YES!!!! This has everything I love about a Gibson Les Paul, they way it feels, plays and the thick tone, the Duncans rock it a lot, but there's that Gibson mojo that I know, if I go into the Gibby/Epi dealer here, I know the best Epi LP, won't hold a candle to it...I was gonna put a hold on a nice Gibby GT Standard I saw/played there, they dropped the price to $2,200 since it was 'old stock' but glad I got Fiesta's GT instead, it played much better, it's a keeper. So now I have 2 Les Pauls, Goldie and Blackie...I'm happy. Which one is better...:cool2:

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

It's funny but in the 80's I probably wouldn't have known there was a difference in mahogany from any particular spot in the world.

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Why has that got a Gibson headstock on it?

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Oh BTW I have a Black Beauty (Epi) and I absolutely love it. Plays fantastically well - lovely low action and it's just great fun.
I need to replace the stock pups but that's been a topic for discussion elsewhere. Overall it's a great guitar.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I have a real deal 56 jr, Epi SG 400 and an Epi V. I ended up with both the V and SG cause they both felt better in the hands than the 1000.00 + gibbys I was looking at. For me it comes down to the neck, on the Gibby 67 RI I was looking at, the nut was missing a string groove completely. This was installed and passed inspection, that stuff drives me crazy. I ended up playin 6 Gibby V and then hit a pawn where there was the Epi with case for 225.00. Played it, and in seconds knew this one was coming home with me. Put some HighOrders in it and have been rocking it ever since. No label regret and still have not played any V that feels better in the hands. The Epi SG, neck is absolutely perfect. Moved the neck pu top the bridge, got a different neck pu, changed the tone caps and that guitar sounds amazing. My 56 Jr is a very special guitar, will never be sold, and sounds every bit as good as the hype. But those Epis I have are as good a players as I have ever had. It is an amazing time to be buying cheap guitars, there are a lot of great cheap options. My two Korean 52 RI Teles were better built than theUS Fender 62 RI I sold prior to getting them. I have not missed the 62 RI for one moment....

My amps and tubes and speakers tend to do the talking for me in terms of my 'sound', good pickups and set up gets a lot of miles in my book. Never cared about the brand with anything musically, so the truths I attach to them are only created by what the instrument does for me. Saved a fortune over the years......

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Why has that got a Gibson headstock on it?

Japanese market guitar.