Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

G

greco

New member
I read some old threads (in this forum) about the EPI LES PAUL ULTRA and most of the comments were positive. However, that was at the time it new and was just being introduced.

What are your comments on it now?

Please don't tell me to save up for a "real" Gibby LP.
This axe is at a comfortable price point for me and after playing it, I liked it. The lighter weight is certainly welcomed.

Thanks

Dave
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

The Les Paul Ultra is a different animal than any non-custom shop Les Paul since it's heavily chambered- and I understand that gives it a semi hollow body tone. If you like it, get it, because there are features on it you won't find on a USA made Les Paul.

I picked one up at a Guitar Center- it certainly felt high quality- I didn't get a chance to play it, but it didn't feel like junk. I think it's the best Les Paul Epiphone makes unless you get an Elitist
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

Have you tried the solid Epi LP Stds? They're really not that heavy (its more something to joke about). I have no problem playing a solid LP for hours. To me the rich tone & sustain make the weight a non-issue. If you go with an Ultra, understand that you're losing some of both those qualities. But that's not all bad either. Solid LP's can be pretty bassy and dark. With an Ultra, you're dealing more with a semi-hollow body, and 335's are legendary for nice tones.

I assume that if you're interested in a quality tone, you're putting on a set of Duncans, DiMarzios, or Gibsons (stock Epi PU's are muddy, period, as all Asian-made ones are; different windings & smothered in wax, both ruin the tone & definition. Don't scrimp on PU's). With a solid LP, you can use bright PU's; in an Ultra, you need to go a little warmer. A set of '59's, Jazz, or PG's would be good. If you want more power for solos, put a Custom 5 at the bridge. Avoid all ceramic magnet PU's!

I love set-neck Epi LP's (Stds & Customs), can't beat them for the price, especially if you get a used one in like-new condition and put in a set of (used) American-made PU's. That's what I do. Some of the flame maple tops are very nice. You'll have a nice looking and sounding guitar for $400 to $500. Why spend $2,000 on a Gibson that MIGHT sound slightly better? I love taking an upgraded Epi to a gig or jam, and having the best-sounding guitar in the place. Makes a lot of sense to haul an Epi around town, than an expensive Gibson that could get banged up or stolen.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.

I tried some other Epi LP's but really liked the satin neck on the Ultra. The (belly) cut in the back is a nice feature also. I'm not too excited about the gold hardware and quilt burst top. I really liked the plain amber burst Epi Standard from an appearance standpoint. The Ultra was very resonant unplugged (likely due to the chambers).
Decisions, decisions....

As far as pickups go, I have several SD humbuckers that I have bought used from this forum to experiment with in my MIJ 335 copy. I have a PG set, Custom Custom and Custom..among others.

Any other comments ?

Thanks again.

Dave
 
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Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

blueman335 said:
Avoid all ceramic magnet PU's!
Click to expand...

ouch. let me repeat. ouch. that said did you mean for warm tones?? or avoid them in any case?? because that whole alnico trumps ceramic thing has been discussed so many times before...
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

i'm not an Epi LP fan but i have the utmost respect for the Ultra:

*belly cut- something Gibson's afraid to include in theirs
*satin neck- for those of us who like the neck profile but not the gloss finish of others
*tone- the chambered body has got everything to do with this but this is one of the best sounding Epi i've come across; the body/ pickup chemistry is impressive
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

I like them. I have looked at a few of them and seriously considered one last go 'round. I'll probably look again too. I wish they gave a few more finish options, I'd really prefer a Goldtop.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

Had one for about a year now, the only thing I really didn't dig was the pup's, easy change on that though. The ultras do not feel like normal epi's to me. They have more features that I like, a very comfortable sweet sounding guitar.
The only thing I had to replace was the toggle switch. I highly recommend the ultras for the price.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

3nz said:
ouch. let me repeat. ouch. that said did you mean for warm tones?? or avoid them in any case?? because that whole alnico trumps ceramic thing has been discussed so many times before...
Click to expand...

I meant for warm tones, avoid ceramics. From my perspective, ceramics have been awful in any of my guitars, way too bright & sterile. For metal, they work. For blues & classic rock, there's a lot of better choices. Yeah I know, I'm old fashioned.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

Wattage said:
I wish they gave a few more finish options, I'd really prefer a Goldtop.
Click to expand...

Same here. That is the only small frustration I have with the Ultra. I can live with the short lifespan of the gold hardware.

I checked out the Epi. forum and apparently there is/was a limited edition that was offered in various finishes. This was in the Epi catalogue for Australia. Probably at an upcharge.


Dave
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

If you like the Ultra, then go for it. I've always liked Epi guitars, I've owned several of them and they look and sound great for the price point. I would recommend changing the pups adn maybe eventually changing the pots and toggle switch.

I haven't tried the Ultra plugged in, but I did play one acoustically at the local GC. The guitar was very light and the acoustic sound was bright and airy. I liked the tones alot, but wonder if the chambers take away much of the low end crunch LP's are famous for.

I much prefer my solid Epi LP's. I'm used to LP's feeling heavy. They just feel "right" that way. I do have a Gibson LP that is weight releived and that sounds great too.

I'd spend some time comparing the Epi Standard or Custom with the Ultra in a side by side tone test. If you don't feel that the Ultra is lacking at all, then go for it.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul ULTRA

lex666 said:
I'd spend some time comparing the Epi Standard or Custom with the Ultra in a side by side tone test. If you don't feel that the Ultra is lacking at all, then go for it.
Click to expand...

That is my intention.

Dave
 
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