Re: Epiphone Guitars on backorder
$850 for a poor chinese Gibson clone ...
:bigeyes:
I picked up a used Epiphone LP for a pretty good deal. It is in immaculate condition. Here's my thoughts:
The Epiphone is finished very well and a solid instrument. The electronics feel cheap and the finish/neck feel cheap too, however. On its own, the guitar sounds decent unplugged (no fret buzz, decent sustain). Plugged in, it sounds like an Epiphone LP... a bit muddy, dark, undefined. I don't think any sort of pickup/electronics swap will help that because I'm pretty sure it is a tonewood issue and possibly a finishing materials issue as well.
Compared side by side with my Gibson (which I know isn't fair, but this is what they are supposed to imitate, right??) Les Paul Traditional model, the difference is night and day. My Gibson is very much more responsive and resonant while unplugged. The neck and all finishing materials feel more luxurious (although my particular guitar has a couple finishing imperfections). The frets are better, electronics are better as well. Hands down my Gibson is a vastly superior instrument. The lesson for me (and others that may be in the same curiousity boat) - just get the Gibson.. do whatever you must do, save money, work an extra job, skip fancy dinners for two months and only eat cans of soup and PB&Js.
Whether I'll keep this Epiphone or not is undecided for me. I wasn't digging the neck so that may be the deciding factor for me.
