Epi Les Paul Love?

[Binnerscot]

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?

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

i think that by definition they are good guitars, but by definition they are terrible Les Pauls.

If you want a decent Les Paul-shaped knockaround rock guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul is not going to disappoint you.

If you want a PROPER Les Paul, with a one-piece mahogany neck, mahogany body and 3/4" maple cap...hahaha you're gonna have to buy a really high-end gibson, or one of the nicer Agiles from Rondo Music.

That's cool that you dig it tho. I'm really into Les Paul studios....no maple cap but all that mahogany makes it sound so deep and heavy.

 

[34029324079]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

my epi les paul standard silver sparkle was my first real guitar. I still love it, with fret wear/dents and dingers and all. Its a guitar to wail on. i put a gibson sticker on it. I will never sell this guitar but I hope to get a gibson lp one day though *sigh*

^ my rig. downsized due to the college cause

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

i think that by definition they are good guitars, but by definition they are terrible Les Pauls.

If you want a decent Les Paul-shaped knockaround rock guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul is not going to disappoint you.

If you want a PROPER Les Paul, with a one-piece mahogany neck, mahogany body and 3/4" maple cap...hahaha you're gonna have to buy a really high-end gibson, or one of the nicer Agiles from Rondo Music.

That's cool that you dig it tho. I'm really into Les Paul studios....no maple cap but all that mahogany makes it sound so deep and heavy.

I know Epi does laminate necks, the neck itself on mine is not - just about an inch of the heel at the neck joint is laminated - the rest of the neck from tip of head stock into the body in one piece. The cap is plain maple, with a laminate flame top.

I haven't been impressed enough with Gibson's current of state of guitar building spend the "proper" amount of money on one of their instruments, others may find that 1-in-20 good Gibson LP, I haven't yet.

If IIRC, I have already identified you as one of "those guys"...so I will forgo the flogging you should receive for the saying the statement "Proper Les Paul" to a guy who has quite a few "proper" guitars.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I've had two and really liked them both.I especially miss my last one

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

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

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

My only knock on Epi's - uneven frets - and I have owned a few all of which needed the same thing, a fret level. Other than that they are not bad especially for the price. The pickups are fair but that's no biggie.

As for them comparing favorably to the Gibsons, I don't know I don't find that there are too many copies that really stand up to a properly set up Gibby. Granted there are some that slip through that never should have left the factory but I have never had a problem finding an excellent Gibson in a short period of time.

To give you an idea of my background a Soloist registers a "0" on my GAS meter.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I know Epi does laminate necks, the neck itself on mine is not - just about an inch of the heel at the neck joint is laminated - the rest of the neck from tip of head stock into the body in one piece. The cap is plain maple, with a laminate flame top.

I haven't been impressed enough with Gibson's current of state of guitar building spend the "proper" amount of money on one of their instruments, others may find that 1-in-20 good Gibson LP, I haven't yet.

If IIRC, I have already identified you as one of "those guys"...so I will forgo the flogging you should receive for the saying the statement "Proper Les Paul" to a guy who has quite a few "proper" guitars.

err you can hate all you want man but the 59 Les Paul i used to record and jam on in Salt Lake City has become the standard that i judge all others by...

haters just make me famous anyway. *gets dirt off shoulder*

i wasn't saying anything bad about your guitar man -- just that it won't get you 100% of the real Les Paul tone because the body is most likely a composite of alder and mahog. For all other intense and purposes, and for the pricepoint being offered, an Epiphone Les Paul does the trick and does it pretty well.

I wouldn't buy a new Gibson Les Paul either -- they're not worth it. Sounds like you have a cool guitar in that Epiphone but if I, personally, myself were to by a Les Paul-shaped guitar I would want it made out of the right woods (like a Rondo or a used Tokai), but that's just me and my opinion and reflects no will or desire to enforce my will upon you.

hater

 

[Aceman]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I have and love an epi LP classic. For a while it was my best sounding LP period.

That said, there is a difference between that and my #1 & Jaci.....a big difference!

But the epi is a solid rocking guitar!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

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

Really...I mean be honest with not only us but yourself as well, if you can look deep inside and ask this question and still say you see, hear and feel no difference in an Epiphone Les Paul and a Gibson Les Paul then either don't know good from so-so, don't care or are simply taking a pot shot as Gibson because it's the "In' thing to do...

Im not gonna say that an Epi is junk...they are decent made guitars that with pickup and electronics upgrades, a new nut and some fret work can, most of the time be made into completely pro ready guitars for stage or studio however they are no where near the quality of most Gibsons. Everybody makes a clunker now and then but I would dare say that the worst feeling, souding and looking Gibson at your local Guitar Center would run rings around the best feeling, looking and sounding Epiphone...

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I would dare say that the worst feeling, souding and looking Gibson at your local Guitar Center would run rings around the best feeling, looking and sounding Epiphone...

I did just that...7 Gibby's and 6 Epi's...and that was not case, I liked the Epis better - and I have a good job, price was not an issue. Deep down inside when I am honest with myself, I wonder why the Gibby's cost so much?

I would never knock Gibby or those that want a "real" Les Paul, I am just as anal with other brands for other reasons.

I didn't post to start a Gibby vs. Epi thread - that has been done to death. I posted because of my impression of the Epi....and I am impressed.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

If you want a LP and you like the epi's go for one, heck...go for 2! Im not trying to make an Epi vs gibson thread either I just hate to see all the Gibson bashing fo rno real good reason...

Why does a Gibson cost so much??? Look around...look at US Made Fenders, PRS, Gretsch, Hamer, etc...good guitars cost, plain and simple.

Everybody makes out like Gibson is charging several times more than what other companies charge for their guitars...if you look around wiht an open mind thats not the case.


Anyway...the Epi LP's are quite nice for the money and with a few upgrades and a little work they can be killer guitars that can and often will hold their own with guitars that cost lots more...

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

it won't get you 100% of the real Les Paul tone because the body is most likely a composite of alder and mahog

err...there is no alder, laminated yes, much like American Fenders. I highly suspect that grade and species of mahogany is very similar between Gibby and Epi. I don't think Gibby uses Honduran mahogany on the majority of production models (then they might rank up there with Hamer). While most Gibby's are chambered these days, the Epi I have is solid - it may be closer to the "holy grail" '59 tone than modern Gibson is, but who knows? That isn't my concern anyway.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Why does a Gibson cost so much??? Look around...look at US Made Fenders, PRS, Gretsch, Hamer, etc...good guitars cost, plain and simple.

Everybody makes out like Gibson is charging several times more than what other companies charge for their guitars...if you look around wiht an open mind thats not the case.

US Fender = $1000 for an American Deluxe (that is what I paid for mine new)
US Jackson = $1800 for a SL2-MAH Soloist (that is what I paid for mine new)
US Parker = $1800 for a Parker Fly Classic (that is what I paid for my first one new)

US Gibson = more than the others.....unless you get a Studio

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Why does a Gibson cost so much???

That has more to do with reputation than quality I think. I've read lots of people recently saying new Epi's are matching much more expensive Gibsons.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

err...there is no alder, laminated yes, much like American Fenders. I highly suspect that grade and species of mahogany is very similar between Gibby and Epi. I don't think Gibby uses Honduran mahogany on the majority of production models (then they might rank up there with Hamer). While most Gibby's are chambered these days, the Epi I have is solid - it may be closer to the "holy grail" '59 tone than modern Gibson is, but who knows? That isn't my concern anyway.

There IS alder in Epi LP's, also the grade of mahogany used in Epi's is nowhere as high as what gets used in the Epi's.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

Really...I mean be honest with not only us but yourself as well, if you can look deep inside and ask this question and still say you see, hear and feel no difference in an Epiphone Les Paul and a Gibson Les Paul then either don't know good from so-so, don't care or are simply taking a pot shot as Gibson because it's the "In' thing to do...

I didn't say "no difference". I said there's not a $1500 difference, meaning the Gibbies are typically nicer, but I don't think it's worth that much extra cash by any means.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

US Fender = $1000 for an American Deluxe (that is what I paid for mine new)
US Jackson = $1800 for a SL2-MAH Soloist (that is what I paid for mine new)
US Parker = $1800 for a Parker Fly Classic (that is what I paid for my first one new)
US Gibson = more than the others.....unless you get a Studio

IMHO Americal Standard Fenders, and those Parkers are Jacks are not made to the same quality as a Les Paul Standard...

A LP Standard runs between around $2300 and $2500...let's see what else falls close to those prices....

PRS Custom 24: $2400-3200
PRS Custom 22: $2400
PRS Standard 22: $2100
Ibanez Vai Signature: $2200
Ibanez RGT320Z: $2300
Parker Fly Mojo: $2600-2700
Parker Mojo Fly with maple top: $3000
Jackson US Kelly: $2000-2500
PRS McCarty: $2300
Hamer USA Studio: $2600
Gretsch 6122: $2400
New Taylor electric: $2300
Jackson SL2H: $1800-2300
Hamer Monaco: $2800
MM Axis Spot: $2800

These are just few guitars that cost as much (and often more) than a Les Paul Standard...why are these guitar so expensive??? Maybe because they are worth it...if you want a killer Strat you can spend up to and more than 5k to get it (no Im not talking about vintage...all new) but if you don't have 5k then you can get one for less...all the way down to a $199 Squire...is it as good as the 5k Strat, not no but hell no...now, if you want a killer les paul you can spend 5k or more, just like wiht the Strat but if you don;t want to drop 5 large you can get a standard for around $2200 or a faded Standard for $1800 or so or a studio for around $1300 I think or for even less you get into Epiphones...

The point is that people on the internet love to bash Gibson for charging too much for too little, I see nothing wrong wiht most Gibson guitars I pick up and I see nothing wrong with the prices...what about PRS, Hamer, Gretsch, Fender, Ibanex, Parker, etc...they all sell expensive guitars...

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

I didn't say "no difference". I said there's not a $1500 difference, meaning the Gibbies are typically nicer, but I don't think it's worth that much extra cash by any means.

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...

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Epi Les Paul Love?

There IS alder in Epi LP's

http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=45&CollectionID=6