I think I've gone mad!

[That90'sGuy]

I've rediscovered my old 80's Epiphone Les Paul and I actually really enjoy it :saeek:

Yes, I know, it's an Epiphone, it's probably not made with the finest wood around, it has clunky import parts on it, etc. etc. etc.

I had put in a bridge Dimarzio Classic PAF in there (it was taken from my Grosh Bent Top Custom... it had come stock). Yes, somehow the Classic PAF works extremely well with whatever woods my Epi is made out of. It's fat, smooth and still causes my amp to crunch. It sings under a boost pedal too! It currently has a single volume control and Graphtech saddles (from a long time ago).

The amazing thing with this guitar is just how loud it rings unplugged. It sustains very well too and I just don't understand it. This is a fine guitar that goes against every stereotype that Epiphone typically falls under.

This guitar was pretty banged up. The neck had various nicks and dings (one big reason why I never played it). Well, I was bored yesterday and decided to take some sandpaper and smoothen it out. I'm no guitar tech, but it did what I wanted (it faded the finish on the back, but I could care less at this point). So on top of everything, it has a kinda raw wood, broken in feel (and I can't feel the bumps on the neck anymore... which is the best part).

I'm going to have fun with this thing. The tuners on it actually hold their tuning extremely well! My next thing will be to put in a P90 or minihumbucker in the neck (I realize it won't fit perfectly, so I'll have some fun routing it). This could be a seriously fun guitar that will be great to take out and use live because I won't have to worry about it getting stolen.

Just figured I'd share some of my current madness. I can't believe I like an Epiphone this much. :laugh2:

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Remember that Epiphone was it's own company, rivaling Gibson in stature.

Remember that Epiphone was built in Kalamazoo MI, with the same machinery and alongside with the same wood and hardware that Gibsons were made.

Basically, from 69-80 or so, all Epiphones were made in Japan. The started making Epiphones in the US in the 80's. I played an80's Epiphone Spirit, US made, a double cut LP Special body style. Nice guitar.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Hey, if you like it, that's all that matters. Who cares about the name on the headstock?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Anytime you make thousands of guitars out of wood, there's a few that will be gems, no matter what the price or logo says. I've got a $300 DeArmond that probably plays and sounds as good as an Epi Elite. It's for sale, but I almost feel like I'm giving it away for $300, when it feels like a $750 guitar.

 

[DARTHWOLFGANG]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Epiphones will never get the respect they deserve!I have 2 Epi LPs,and I swear that most guitarist give that nose in the air,*pushaw*look when I pull mine out :smack: Nobody wants to give you a second look if you pull out an Epi It's that whole 'branding' mentality that's so prevalent everywhere you go in the US.It makes me laugh when I pull out my PRS Custom 22-suddenly I'm taken seriously.It's not like I turned into Satch or SRV,I can sound crappy on ANY guitar I play :laugh2:

~GLENN

 

[Mewmender]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Epiphones arent bad... they are just misunderstood :blackeye:

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Epiphones will never get the respect they deserve!

For the most part, they get a lot more respect than they deserve. Mystery wood, multi piece bodies, veneer tops, cheap pickups, cheap electronics, cheap hardware.

I've played a few I've liked, though.

These days, with CNC machining and such, cheap guitars can be very good guitars, but that doesn't matter when the materials you're working with are sub par.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

pictures!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Here you go guys, feast your eyes on the fine specimen that is my Epi LP :laugh2: :
http://photobucket.com/albums/v298/the_Chris/80s Epiphone Les Paul/

I'd like to put a minibucker or p90 up there for the neck, but I'm not sure the best way to go about it (I may just have to suicide route it like I did the G&L I sold on here).

Gotta love the MIK tag on the back of the headstock. I love the serial number on the back of the headstock as well

The guitar has definitely seen better days, but it will be a fun one to mod the heck out of and maybe actually use. I'd almost rather be playing an Epi on stage, because if I had my RI 0 Gibson or Don Grosh, I think people would expect much better playing

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Epi's are fun, especially when you blow away the other guitarists at shows with your "EL-CHEAPO SUPREME". They can't beleive you can get great tones (sometimes better than theirs) without a PRS, MIA Fender, or Gibson. I play an Epi Sheraton at shows along with my Gibby LP and my Hamer Special.

I'd put a Phat Cat on the neck position of that bad boy. I have a pair in my own Epi and they sound wonderful.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Epi's are fun, especially when you blow away the other guitarists at shows with your "EL-CHEAPO SUPREME". They can't beleive you can get great tones (sometimes better than theirs) without a PRS, MIA Fender, or Gibson. I play an Epi Sheraton at shows along with my Gibby LP and my Hamer Special.

I'd put a Phat Cat on the neck position of that bad boy. I have a pair in my own Epi and they sound wonderful.

Thanks for the recommendation Benjy. I just finished ordering a Dimarzio Bluesbucker before I read your post :smack: I actually really love the PAF Classic that's in the bridge, so the Bluesbreaker might balance well with it (the resistance for the two are 8.71 and 9.8K). I've heard great things from someone I trust on TGP, so it should be interesting.

Oh yeah, a zebra pup is going in the neck, so I'll have some new pictures to come with that installed as well as a 3-way toggle, and perhaps another potentiometer. :32:

I really love the guitar, so hopefully this combination will work well and give me some smokey blues and jazz tones to boot :fing2: Still can't believe I'm excited about rediscovering this thing. It was a free hand-me-down and never thought anything of the guitar when I first was starting playing.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

There is a certain mojo to a highend guitar. You can feel the Craftsmanship
the Attn. to details and the choise selections of wood. That said...
El Cheapo's have there own mojo. A good set of PuPs and a straight
neck and you've got a winner. On a few of the Forum jams I did I used
a $200 Sonata (PRS Knockoff) it's nato wood,got a set of Duncans
and a straight neck. I own a $2000+ guitar . But the El cheapo just
sounds and feels right. Don't worry... if your going mad? Then I've
been there a Long time. :laugh2: :laugh2:

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

MINIBUCKERS!!

It doesn't look too bad except everybody I know owns an LP that color...I'd go for the Epi LP Classic, that guitar's got some chops. There's a red one at the GC near me with some thicker-than-stock strings on it and it's got some monster tone, I mean, it sings and plays so well.

I also like the lone volume control, I'm not big on knobs...in fact, I'd just have a direct output if I had my way, use an external volume control which actually works...and who needs a killswitch, just pull out the cord, lol!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

Thanks for the recommendation Benjy. I just finished ordering a Dimarzio Bluesbucker before I read your post :smack: I actually really love the PAF Classic that's in the bridge, so the Bluesbreaker might balance well with it (the resistance for the two are 8.71 and 9.8K). I've heard great things from someone I trust on TGP, so it should be interesting.

Oh yeah, a zebra pup is going in the neck, so I'll have some new pictures to come with that installed as well as a 3-way toggle, and perhaps another potentiometer. :32:

I really love the guitar, so hopefully this combination will work well and give me some smokey blues and jazz tones to boot :fing2: Still can't believe I'm excited about rediscovering this thing. It was a free hand-me-down and never thought anything of the guitar when I first was starting playing.

Cool. Let us know how that Blues 'bucker sounds when you get it in there. I have a Yamaha AES 500 (cheaper-than -thou ) with an old Super D in the bridge that needs a good neck pickup.

 

[JeffB]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

My Epi Std+ in some ways is a better guitar than my Gibson Std.

Yeah it's built outta 4 pieces of wood and a veneer...but it's got great sustain, good resonance, classic LP tone and plays very nicely "outta the box". I'm sure with a prof setup and and some new pups/electronics it would rival most any non-custom shop Gibson.

My biggest "problem" is the neck...It's very small/thin almost like a Jackson (not as wide, but that shallow)...which I know most folks prefer...but it's too small for me, I prefer the slightly fatter neck on my Firebird or the bigger 50s neck on my Gibson LP Std even though I do not have big hands. If the Epi had a neck like the FB I wouldn't be selling it: I'd upgrade it with new wiring/elctronics and pups.

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: I think I've gone mad!

For the most part, they get a lot more respect than they deserve. Mystery wood, multi piece bodies, veneer tops, cheap pickups, cheap electronics, cheap hardware.

I totally disagree with this, I'm afraid. The pickups and electronics in my Epi 335 were a bit... well, pants, it's true. But the general construction is pretty dashed good, and the wood is laminated maple - which, if I'm not mistaken, is the same as the Gibson 335. The girl who put my SD into it said that, whilst there are a load of "el cheapo" guitars out there which are never gonna be great, Epis these days buck the trend, and - with some upgrading - aren't THAT far away form the real Gibby. Not quite in the same league, of course, but still instruments that do their job pretty damned well. I live the way she plays, and with the '59 she's sounding a bit better each day.