Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

ErikH

ErikH

Well-known member
Went to GC to pick up a set of Texas Specials (which I did) but as soon as I walked in, I saw this gorgeous looking Les Paul, an Epi Ultra. I was hoping that is what it was at soon as I saw it. This was the first one I had seen in the stores here so I had to try it. Sadly, I didn't have the time to plug it in but man, what acoustic properties. It rings out really clear, resonates like mad, and is light. The light weight is mostly due to the chambers in the body. The neck feels chunkier than my Standard. Fret work was immaculate, inlays were perfect. The finish looked great. First LP with a gut-cut I've played. Pretty comfortable. I could add that one to the collection. Hopefully next time I see one I'll have more time and be able to plug it in.

My daughter liked the Flying V that was next to it. :) She ran off to the drum section as soon as she saw them though...LOL. That's my girl. :)

Happy New Year everybody!!
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

She LOVES the drums. Whatever she wants to do there, the wife and I will help.

I don't have LP gas really. I've been curious about the Ultra since they came out with it. One day, maybe, but not for a while, a good long while.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

I've got LP GAS like it's my job! Thanks for the info Erik! I'm going to have to check one of those out.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

I almost bought an Ultra right before Christmas... but I couldn't do it. The belly cut and light weight IMO make it much more comfortable to play than the Standard LPs. And, I love the satin finish neck; it was a breeze to slide my hand up and down the neck.

But, the narrower nut width (1 5/8") made me think twice. I'm used to my MIA Strat's 1 11/16" nut width, although I did have a MIM Strat with the narrower width. On the Ultra, instead of just being narrower at the nut and first fret or two it actually felt like it was still too narrow up around the 5th-9th frets; when playing full barre chords the neck didn't seem to "fill" my hand as much as my Strat.

I hate extra-heavy guitars, so the Ultra seems almost perfect. I'm hoping that I'll find other Ultras that have a slightly wider neck.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

You won't feel so guilty about spending a few dollars on the ultra when you see Fender's "new improved PRICE" on their Texas Special set. They are exactly the same price as Duncan's ANTIQUITY Surfers!! Fender has jacked up all their custom shops Pup's to match the other high end pickups from custom winders. I think Fender may be catching the Gibson "just because we can" disease. It would be different if the Texas Specials were good pickups....
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

Stratfan said:
I almost bought an Ultra right before Christmas... but I couldn't do it. The belly cut and light weight IMO make it much more comfortable to play than the Standard LPs. And, I love the satin finish neck; it was a breeze to slide my hand up and down the neck.

But, the narrower nut width (1 5/8") made me think twice. I'm used to my MIA Strat's 1 11/16" nut width, although I did have a MIM Strat with the narrower width. On the Ultra, instead of just being narrower at the nut and first fret or two it actually felt like it was still too narrow up around the 5th-9th frets; when playing full barre chords the neck didn't seem to "fill" my hand as much as my Strat.

I hate extra-heavy guitars, so the Ultra seems almost perfect. I'm hoping that I'll find other Ultras that have a slightly wider neck.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean about the narrower nut width. I thought that would be an issue when I got my Standard since I play Strats mostly too. But I found the adjustment to it to be very easy and I have big hands. Don't be too concerned about that.

Mr. B said:
You won't feel so guilty about spending a few dollars on the ultra when you see Fender's "new improved PRICE" on their Texas Special set. They are exactly the same price as Duncan's ANTIQUITY Surfers!! Fender has jacked up all their custom shops Pup's to match the other high end pickups from custom winders. I think Fender may be catching the Gibson "just because we can" disease. It would be different if the Texas Specials were good pickups....
Click to expand...
I have seen it and I didn't pay that new price. Far from it actually. I paid closer to the old price. I don't like the increase either but to me, they are the singles that work for me and I love 'em and think they're great pickups. Besides, this thread is about the Epi LP Ultra, not the price increase Texas Specials. ;)
 
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Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

That's cool I have not seen one in anything other than adverts so far. I would definitely like to check one out. That and the BFG, the BFG is so ready to be modded out it isn't even funny.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

Gotta check one out. It's be perfect for the set of Phat Cats sitting in my drawer.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

the Ultra's chambered body + decent pickups really made it a good sounding Epi, i hear less mud coming from it. the thinner body depth might have something to do with this clarity too.
 
Re: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra

The ultra happened to be what I picked up for the wife for xmas. It is a nice guitar, comfy to play and not a bad sound from the stock pickups. It looks amazing, much better than many epi's I have seen lately. I myself don't find too much of a difference in the narrower nut, the neck is awsome to play on similar satin finish to the Zack Wylde Epi.

I do think a PG in the bridge would be a nice addition though:smokin:
 
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