Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

[Metalblaze]

I've decided to get my first LP-type guitar at some point in the summer and I'm torn between these two.

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Les-Paul/Prophecy-Les-Paul-Custom-Plus-EX.aspx (this one I can find at 629 €)

http://www.espguitars.com/products/9526-ec-1000fm-asb (this I can find at 899 €)

What do you think about these two guitars? I want to stay in that kind of price level more or less.

Never mind the colors (I like both equally, the ASB looks really good but the black is also sharp, especially for a metal guitar).
Also I don't mind the pickups as well, they'll be replaced.

I think the Epi has a thicker body which is always better and the price is quite lower, on the other hand the LTD has probably better hardware etc.

Any thoughts would help as I'm 50-50 between the two.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I'm a fan of abalone, and think they've gone a little overboard with it on the ESP.

You mention that you plan to swap the pickups in the new guitar before even playing them . . . I'd suggest that this is a bit of a waste of money. I would not say that a thicker body is always better, and it sucks to stand with 10 lbs hanging off your neck for a couple hours. Four pots and a switch works well for an LP type guitar, and is my preference. Tonepros makes a good bridge. So, kinda a crapshoot just glancing at the specs for both.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I'm a fan of abalone, and think they've gone a little overboard with it on the ESP.

You mention that you plan to swap the pickups in the new guitar before even playing them . . . I'd suggest that this is a bit of a waste of money. I would not say that a thicker body is always better, and it sucks to stand with 10 lbs hanging off your neck for a couple hours. Four pots and a switch works well for an LP type guitar, and is my preference. Tonepros makes a good bridge. So, kinda a crapshoot just glancing at the specs for both.

I've played all four pickups for quite some time in different guitars and I'm not a fan (apart from the 59 which I might keep), so they will be definitely replaced. No waste of money as I will give them to my brother anyway for his guitar, he's an EMG fan but lately he asked me if I had a spare JB too at some point, so that's not a problem at all.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I'm a fan of Epis and have a half dozen or so. I also have a Prophesy...love the guitar, not much of a fan of the EMG pups, however. They came out a long time ago and I replaced them with passives (P-90 bridge and C/59 hybrid neck).

I'm definitely not a fan of the LTD...I could never stand to look at the weird body shape, and there was always something about the feel that I just couldn't get along with...it just feels cheap. Also, this particular one is a little over the top with bling. At nearly $300 more than the Epi, it's a no-brainer for me.

Since the pups don't really enter into the equation, save yourself a couple hundred and go for the Epi.

 

[tombogiri]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I owed that LTD at one time and loved it. Wish I could go back and "undo" that sale

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I owed that LTD at one time and loved it. Wish I could go back and "undo" that sale

Same here. A few years back, after a had an accident and had to undergo surgery, I decided to quit playing altogether and sold all my gear.

But no matter what, both music and GAS always came back. Bought an Gibson LP Traditional Iced Tea to replace the LTD, but although it's an awesome guitar, I miss that LTD a lot.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Are you looking for 24 frets LP type guitar? Well besides Epi and LTD, Ibanez has ARZ series. And within your price range, you could get PRS SE Bernie Marsden - a modest take on his '58 LP - if you don't mind with 22 frets.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Thank you guys so far! No it's ok with 22 or 24 frets too, I don't mind. The Iron label Ibanez ARZ is really interesting too, I looked at it at some point. I wonder how different will the bubinga top be from the maple one? I really like the sound of maple tops.
The PRS is a nice idea too, however the scale is a bit different on these last two.:scratchch I think the best idea is to go out and play them. That would make the decision a lot easier...

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

This bad boy looks really good!! http://www.kirstein.de/E-Gitarren/LP-Modelle/Gibson-Les-Paul-Studio-2015-WR.html
Do you think It's worth waiting to save some more and get this one instead? Normally I wouldn't do it but this looks really cool!

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Take a look at the epi les Paul tribute. In my opinion, it is just as good as a gibson studio model. Every one of them that I have played are loud acoustically, they have that les Paul sound, and it has a full maple cap. Plus it comes with a case.

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Yeah the tribute looks really interesting. You know the only thing that drives me away from the studio is the massive weight relief and the wide neck. If it had a solid body and normal neck it would be the one.
This one is another nice alternative: http://www.thomann.de/gr/prs_se_245_tobacco_sunburst.htm

Anyway thank you people, I really need to give it some time. I think the right choice will come on its own with time. :friday:

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Ok I think I'll get the Epiphone Tribute Les Paul. It's the only one out of all these that has a full thickness solid body and a full solid maple top. Thanks for all the insightful replies guys! ANd the price is super at 579 €.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Nice man, better share some pics when you get her

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I've got an esp ltd ec 1000 deluxe and I love the thing! The fit and finish were fantastic when I bought it and I've never changed a thing on it. It's got a great feel to it, and the neck is a lot more comfortable (to me) than any les paul I've picked up and played. Either way, hope you're happy with your new guitar!

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Nice man, better share some pics when you get her

Of course!

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I've got an esp ltd ec 1000 deluxe and I love the thing! The fit and finish were fantastic when I bought it and I've never changed a thing on it. It's got a great feel to it, and the neck is a lot more comfortable (to me) than any les paul I've picked up and played. Either way, hope you're happy with your new guitar! View attachment 61981

That's a cool guitar PushedCrayon! ECs are always high in my list. Before I buy anything of course I want to play them. Maybe I'll go to some store here at some point and try some. I live 1,5 hours from Thomann so it's a good idea...

 

[greekdude]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Thank you guys so far! No it's ok with 22 or 24 frets too, I don't mind. The Iron label Ibanez ARZ is really interesting too, I looked at it at some point. I wonder how different will the bubinga top be from the maple one? I really like the sound of maple tops.
The PRS is a nice idea too, however the scale is a bit different on these last two.:scratchch I think the best idea is to go out and play them. That would make the decision a lot easier...

My ARZ800 smokes several LPs without a sweat (ergonomics, tone, bass low end, mids, clarity, volume, sustain, etc...). Now they produce this : http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg...3&cat_id=1&series_id=7&data_id=187&color=CL01 which should be perfect from any standpoint (but expensive).
Generally the ARZ is much easier to play, and access to last frets much better than the old-type neck heel Epis and LTDs

 

[Metalblaze]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

My ARZ800 smokes several LPs without a sweat (ergonomics, tone, bass low end, mids, clarity, volume, sustain, etc...). Now they produce this : http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg...3&cat_id=1&series_id=7&data_id=187&color=CL01 which should be perfect from any standpoint (but expensive).
Generally the ARZ is much easier to play, and access to last frets much better than the old-type neck heel Epis and LTDs

Ωρε πατριωτη τι γινεται;

Yeah the ARZs are very cool guitars! I like the style and the cool headstock too.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

Ωρε πατριωτη τι γινεται;

Yeah the ARZs are very cool guitars! I like the style and the cool headstock too.

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[Aceman]

Re: Epiphone Prophecy Les Paul Custom Plus EX vs LTD EC-1000FM ASB

I'm a Les Paul guy - but I would so hit that ESP. Way better guitar all around, plus that set of pups sounds great in there.