I think in this big discussion, it comes down to the " break point". You can spend money up to a certain ammount and quality will go up in steady measures, and after that you hit the break point. The break point is where you start paying a lot of money for little things. Most people consider Gibsons to be past the break point.
We all know players that have to have a big name brand on the headstock. They'd die of embarassment to be seen in public with a mid-priced import. Thinking about it, the guys I know that are like this also don't know anything about working on their guitars. And just about every guitar can benefit from some tweaking to fit our personal tastes (manufacturers put a certain PU in a guitar model, and never check that it matches well with the wood's tonality. If they did, every high-end guitar model would come with a variety of PU's, carefully selected to fit individual guitars. They combine high-quality components that may or may not blend together well).
Personally, I like taking an Epi that I bought used and put a set of used Duncans in, for a total outlay of around $300, and having the best-sounding guitar at a gig or a jam. It appeals to my perverted sense of humor. The guy with the $2,000 guitar probably thinks he has to rush out and buy an even more expensive one.
every instrument I get usually ends up getting different pick ups eventually in them. So to me spending 600 on a les and putting in another 300 in pickups is worth it to me. I really see little sense in spending top dollar for something when I can make this my own extension. Besides as someone said, why pay top bucks for a guitar and run the risk of it getting trashed at a gig? I played so many guitars in the last few months before I made this decision.
I had a 70 SG and was afraid to play it out. I don't wish to repeat this.
Bottom line is , when it feels good.........
I think the dividing line is whether or not one makes a living playing guitar...the Epi, to me, would be a better value to someone who's never gonna have gigs pay for it. If someone is playing enough to quickly make a guitar pay for itself, the Gibson is a better value in the long run.
The problem I see lately is people go into a store, pick up a piece of crap gibson, and then compare it to a good epi. Of course the epi is going to play better if the gibson was a piece of poo.
I played 27 les paul studios before buying mine ( I counted). There are good and bad guitars in all lines, period. Some custom shop gibsons suck. All I am saying is that any day, anywhere a good gibson kills.
Anyways dude, I totally respect you for picking a guitar that felt right over the name. That takes a special kind of musician to do that. I really hope you will enjoy your guitar, and I will still be waiting on those pics.
I was gigging regularly up to the point where my last cover project busted up. I relied on my EPI's heavily and they never let me down.
I also own three American Fenders that are the real McCoy. I just can't see plopping down 2K + for a guitar that 8 out 10 people couldn't tell from the 400 dollar one in looks and sound.
Before you take a $2,000 or $3,000 guitar or two to your next local gig (plus an expensive amp), think about this. How many patrons in a bar are sober at midnight? How many people know the difference between a Gibson & a Fender? And in a cramped room with lousy acoustics, with a poor mix of instruments and PA, probably with some distortion in everything, do you think anyone can tell the difference between an Epi LP Std with upgraded PU's & a Gibson LP? If it makes you feel better, great, but don't think that anyone else there notices. To me these gigs cry out "mid-priced import!"
Am I the other guy?![]()
Nice!
Seriously though, I know I came in a little strong in this thread, but I do believe you have a beautifull instrument. Those black beauties are epic man, epic. I wish you the best with the guitar, and may it be by your side for a thousand gigs! Like I said, I came on strong, but I mean no harm by it. Hopefully some day you wont concider me a d-bag, maybe. Lol.
Anyways, do you plan on keeping the pickups stock, or are you dropping something special in there?
No problem , as long as you say what you feel. As for Pickups, I am, contemplating what to put in there. I will probably replace them within a year, but need to figure out what with.
Let me tell you this, I feel this instrument has made me a better player, for some reason. I sat down tonite and wrote some blues in A, and it felt so right. I speak my mind sometimes and piss off people, so speak your mind as much as you like. Its all good to me. From an 18 year old to a 51 year old who has hung with many popular folks, trust me, I have learned to listen to everyone. It is what made me who I am. Hopefully it will aid you to become better to.
I've had this for about five years.When i got it ,it went straight to the guitar doctors and was re-fretted with wider flatter frets.The nut was replaced with an ivory one that was custom fitted to the guitar.It plays best of my guitars and other people think it feels great.
Thanks for the advice man! I actually think you are totally right on the matter, and I hope to grow from listening. Heck, I learned from this thread.
Anyways, I know how you feel about an instrument making you better. It's almost like an inspiration that comes strait from the guitar, and opens up another dimension of music. Same thing happens when I play one of my godins when I got composer's block for blues.
Final question : does it have a name yet?
ps. I'm glad you can both agree you have an amazing guitar. Better karma for both of us.
I've had this for about five years.When i got it ,it went straight to the guitar doctors and was re-fretted with wider flatter frets.The nut was replaced with an ivory one that was custom fitted to the guitar.It plays best of my guitars and other people think it feels great.
.........I hacked the pickups.The coils are the original Epis.They had Alinco magnets in them[no idea what type]They were replaced with pole magnets.
I rewired the second Vol pot to be a balance/blend control[white knob;actually a fender knob]
:kabong: