Epiphone 59 Les Paul

[jalguitarman]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

Henry has stated that one of the reasons Epiphone has their own headstock, is because the brand had existed for a very long time before the association with Gibson, so it deserves to stand on it's own. Or something like that.

I have read that. He also asked on the Gibson forum if people would prefer a smaller, more elegant headstock. To me the epi headstock looks deformed. Not enough to keep me from owning one but I really don't care for it. As for Henry saying the brand deserves to stand on it own. I would have to say to him, how can Epiphone stand on it's own? The Les Paul is a Gibson design.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

For what it's worth some people like Gibson using single conductor because it's more "vintage correct." I personally can't hear a difference but whatever.

That would be on a handful of 1950's reissues. What's the excuse on everything else? For them to do that to save a dollar or two on a $2,500 guitar makes you wonder what else was shortcut.

A friend of mine, professional player all his life, recently bought a new ES175, for several grand. One tuner did not turn at all (he was sent a replacement), one PU ring was installed backwards, and there were no strap pins. How did that guitar get past quality control? Funny thing is, I've never run across any of that on any of the Epi's I've seen. And people complain about the Asian laborers who build guitars.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

As for Henry saying the brand deserves to stand on it own. I would have to say to him, how can Epiphone stand on it's own? The Les Paul is a Gibson design.

Bingo! That's why people buy Epi's, to get a Gibson-designed instrument at an affordable price. They want them to be as close as possible to the original. Gibson dumped all the original Epiphone designs back when they bought the company in the 1950's.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

For what it's worth, If I buy a Gibson I will likely go custom shop.
Or maybe a PRS Al DiMeola Sig model.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

Well Fender is also guilty of overpricing too. I mean... a Jeff Beck Strat, that doesn't even match the specs of his real #1 (basswood instead of alder, custom-wound Suhr pups instead of Fender ceramic noiseless, etc, etc) for $3000+. That's insanity. I could BUILD a to spec Jeff Beck for around $800 at the most.

But overall, that's what you get when you let an American who makes a 6-figure salary put together a guitar and slap a star's name on it. $25,000 Frankenstein that is, essentially a piece of s#$%. I mean, wow.

Gibson.... upcharging a Page #2 by $10,000 just for having his signature on it, should automatically make a person facepalm, no matter how big of a Gibby fan they are.

 

[Ventilator]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

On the subject of head stocks:

If you are hung up on the headstock the way I used to be consider this: You dont look at the headstock when you are playing and if you do then you are doing it wrong. Usually.

Certain styles like Jose Feliciano's may require you to detune a string mid song, but when it comes to Les Pauls, you are more than likely NOT playing those. Those typically are played on classical acoustics.

Most guitarists, while playing, look in one of a few paces: Where their fretting hand is, where their strumming hand is, where they are in relation to other things around them on stage, the microphone, or that hot blond in the tube top in the front row. Not the headstock.

I know the only time I consider a headstock is when I'm looking at an instrument and not playing it, so I dont worry about head stocks so much these days. Not even that people will see me using an odd headstock. When I'm playing, people look at my face, hands, or overall movement. If someone is going to stop enjoying my playing because of the shape of the headstock, then screw them. It is their loss.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

Most guitarists, while playing, look in one of a few paces...that hot blond in the tube top in the front row. Not the headstock.

+1. Keep your eye on the blond. :eyecrazy: The headstock ain't going anywhere.

 

[ken361]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

I have a Epi 59 great sounding guitar with lots of bite keeper for sure.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epiphone 59 Les Paul

Epi headstocks make great whammy bars, it is true, I use mine all the time.

I wish they would put ebony boards on their "Customs" more than I wish they would use the proper Gibson headstock shape.

To the OP, the Epi's are really nice guitars when set up properly.