Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

[theboatcandream]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

If Epiphone was not going to be honest about the type of woods they were using, why would they spend all those years advertising their bodies as being mahogany/alder. They had to know that the "alder" word made their guitars less attractive to Les Paul fanatics. I would like to see pictures of these "Solid Maple" guitars. What do these guitars weigh? 57 pounds??

Actually, for years they advertised their guitars as being made out of "100% real tonewood", and before their guitars were "mahogany/alder", they were "mahogany/alder mat".

The thickness of the finish also has an effect on the feel and resonance.

In the end though, with new pickups, a professional setup, and perhaps a refinish... the difference is diminished if you're using a lot of overdrive and a really good amp.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

Just play a lot and pick one when you feel its worth buying. I've said it before and I'll say it again, my fiance's uncle has a killer LP Special II. This thing is one of the best Les Pauls I've ever heard and he got it for $150. You can tell it's a sandwich type body (the top doesn't look like mahogany to me, but it sounds so good you honestly stop caring at that point).

If you guys aren't on the prowl for a good Epiphone, I am - so watch out! Seriously, I'd love to own a few killer backup guitars on the cheap. I need a P90 guitar again, so I just may stalk the Goldtop Epis until I found one worth buying. I may be snobbish about some gear, but when it comes to guitars, I'm all about a) the feel of the guitar and b) the tone of the guitar. At this point I could care less about specs (I've played too many 3 and 4k guitars that sound like junk to care anymore).

 

[SizzleSale.com]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I've compared my Gibson Studio next to my Epi Classic side by side and the Classic is best bang for the buck hands down after a pup upgrade.

Epi's are great guitars

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

Compared to Gibsons, Epiphone guitars seem economical, but Gibsons are very overpriced. Epiphones aren't cheap.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

This whole thing depends on your perspective. As an older cat who started on a Kent Strat clone with one weak single coil and nosebleed action, the Epiphones are dynamite. Would LOVE to have had one of those back in the day. Since then, thank God, I've finally got my hands on some Standards and even Historics since then and the Epi's don't compare, particularly to the Historics.

But the bottom line is that you still get a LOT of guitar for the money with an Epi if you choose the right one and can make the necessary mods.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I've probably had a dozen set neck Epi LP's over the years, & think they're a good deal. The recent models have Grovers, and the quality is just as good. Figure that the PU's need to be replaced, as do ALL Asian-made PU's.

You can get a used LP Std, or LP Custom, in excellent condition for $350-400. Pop in a set of SD's or DiMarzio's (also used), and you have a great-sounding guitar. These aftermarket PU's actually sound better than most, if not all Gibson PU's, so you're holding your own tone-wise. No need to apologize.

I love taking an Epi LP to a gig or jam, and usually have the best-sounding guiar there (I get lots of compliments from players & the audience). The other guitarists may joke with me at first, but after the first set, they want to know how I get mine to sound so good. Why spend 5 times as much for a name on a headstock?

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

last month, i went to my local music store to buy some strings and went out with a new Epi Custom Black Beauty!!!! i just can't pass on this one. its the best regular(non-MIJ) Epi i'ved played. its the newer Customs that are now Made in China. first thing that caught my eye is how it looks. Selector switch position and knob position are close to a real Gibby( i'm anal on these on epis). second was the neck angle. its low like my R8 and the bridge is not way high. third is the top carve. it is very close or not the same as my R8 and better than my USA Standard! so i thought i gotta play this. if it sounds good i'll buy it. so i tried it and it sounds way way better than i expected. even with the stock pups, i think the tone is on par with my USA Standard. the tone is not the same as the Standard due to the all mahogany body but it it is as good. the only advantage of the Gibby is the playing feel and finish. the gibby has a nitro finish and plays like buttah. although the set-up is good on the epi(low action), the feel is not as good as the gibby.

 

[kherman]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

To me the best bang for the buck Epi is a used Elite/Elitist.
Usually can be found for around $700 used.

Excellent guitars.

They fair very well against the Gibby Production models.
Basically boils down to one thing.
Do you prefer the feel of nitro? Go gibby
Or do you prefer the feel of poly? Go Elitist.

If the headstock bothers you, look on ebay for a Epiphone Japan limited.
Those will have the correct headstock.

Also look at Edwards, Greco, Tokai, Burny, Orville, Bacchus, As well as older replicas from Aria Pro and Yamaha.
Just make sure it's MIJ.
Burny and Tokai do have MIK/MIC versions as well.
Which are reallly no better than MIK/MIC Epis.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I love the Elite line! Though for some reason the Standard really shines compared to the Studio.

No Gibson-alternative list is complete without mentioning Godin, even though the body shape is wonky.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

Actually, for years they advertised their guitars as being made out of "100% real tonewood", and before their guitars were "mahogany/alder", they were "mahogany/alder mat".

The thickness of the finish also has an effect on the feel and resonance.

In the end though, with new pickups, a professional setup, and perhaps a refinish... the difference is diminished if you're using a lot of overdrive and a really good amp.

You completely missed my point.... :smack:

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

To me the best bang for the buck Epi is a used Elitist.
Excellent guitars.

They fair very well against the Gibby Production models.
Basically boils down to one thing.
Do you prefer the feel of nitro? Go gibby
Or do you prefer the feel of poly? Go Elitist.

I have an Epiphone elitist LP from a couple of years ago. Bought it for 700 NEW when MF was blowing them out.

The fit and finish are flawless. It is made better than 75% of the Gibson LP's I have seen going for close to 2000$. The finish IS VERY thick poly and you can hear that the wood/tone suffers from being encased in it. The wood/tone does not breath, like even the least expensive Gibson Classic antique models with matte finishes do. It makes for a very bright, sterile sound, no matter what you do. (and yes I have replaced the: bridge with a tonepros and graphtec sadles, tailpeice with an aluminum, pickups with seths / 59's / Virtual vintage / Dimarzio Pafs, pots and caps with CTS etc and tried 250k pots.) It just does not sound as natural as a gibson no matter what, and I have played a few more in the same store, which sound exactly like it. I also miss the Gibson fret size. Conclusion: it just ain't the same.

If I had it to buy over I would get a good Epi Plain-top Standard and save the extra cash for pickups.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

You completely missed my point.... :smack:

Yeah, I'm set in my opinions.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

Target is selling the Epi LP Std. for $399 (ebony). I saw it in the weekly ad today. :S

 

[Oudy]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I have an Epi LP Jr. that I picked up as my first gutiar..i still have it actually. it's held together pretty well (except its missing both volume knobs and the pots are bad after 5 years). it sounded alright but with those guitars you ether get a good one or a bad one.

i still love that guitar to death.

 

[SoundAt11]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I've had a late 90's Epi LP Standard and a G400, both had alder bodies with maple necks. Back then, they didn't even try to hide it. Now, if you walk into a store, grab an Epi LP Std off the rack and it'll still have a maple neck, but the body will have some awesome looking striped mahogany veneer on top of a multipiece (4, 5, 6) body of mystery wood.
They sound good, but keep in mind, they're not the true Les Paul woods, so they can't ever sound truly the same as the Gibson one unless you luck out and find one with the right woods or buy a Japanese one.

Now the Japanese ones, those are legit. I had an early 90's Epi LP Custom from Japan with the Gibson headstock. It had a long tennon, real mahogany and maple and sounded killer (and weighed 11 lbs to).

 

[SoundAt11]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

If you just want to play it and don't care about the resale value, just buy an Elitist, a sand/strip the poly finish off and refinish with with lacquer or tung-oil.
Boom, problem solved.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

The Ace Frehley model comes with a maple neck. And it is listed that way in the specs.

In answer to the title, they dont.. I own Gibson and Epi. Sadly, I still "prefer" to see Gibson on the headstock when I play, due to all the flack epis get. Even some of my buds rag me about my Epis. BUT>.... I have played a BUNCH of new Gibsons and they all disappointed me for some reason or another. Then to see the price tag, it nauseates me. My dream guitar has always been a black Gibson LP Custom, but the last ones Ive played turned me off.
On the other hand, Epi quality seems to be on the rise.
I recently bought a Limited Edition Transparent Black Epi LP standard and have been blown away by how nice it plays and sounds. Im no fool and know that the hardware and woods are not the same as gibson, but with Grover keys and the improved hardware Epi is using, the gap has narrowed.
The one flaw that my Epi had is that it was so heavily buffed, some of the black paint was worn off some of the screws and I had to clean alot of compound dust off the fretboard.
But it feels solid, plays like a dream and sounds every bit a Les Paul. The stock pups werent bad, but lacked clarity at high gain and they lacked some character, but with a pup swap, this has become the guitar that I reach for first and think about playing all day. It sounds that good to me. The frets arent too small and they are finished nice. And considering I got it new for $375 (!!!!!!!!), it was easy to overlook the screws. I love it so much, I bought another. This one was $375 with a gig bag! It is just as nice and also was overbuffed.. screws only. Even the $499 these normally sell for would be a good deal.


Anyhow, Epis can be great guitars.. Try them if you can. Im sure there are still clunkers. I got mine both online and am thrilled! Even the toggle doesnt feel as cheesy as they used to. and has so far held up to some abuse.

Get an Epi, swap the pups and dont worry about the name game.. If it says Gibson, you paid too much...:deal:

 

[guitarded]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I have two. A standard and a standard Plaintop. Neither plays as good my friend's Gibson supreme, but they both sounded better before he installed Dimarzio's in his Supreme. Now his sound is happening but he went through two different sets of replacement pickups before he was happy and that is on top of the 3G's he dropped on the actual instrument.

I kept both with stock pups. Replacing the plastic nut was a must and I installed some sperzel locking tuners for convenience purposes.

The plaintop looks pretty decent.... The poly on the standard is very think, and causes the flametop veneer not to show up in photos and videos. I paid $500 for the standard and $400 for the plaintop which was supposed to be a backup for the standard but ended up being my main les paul.

I am not a pro, but I have been playing for 30 years, and I think these guitars are good enough to take out on the occasional gigs I get with my cover band. I think the Gibsons are priced just too much..... I also own three American Fenders and I feel they were a much better value then USA Gibsons are.

Just wondering, cause IM considering buying a EPi Les Paul.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

I've had a late 90's Epi LP Standard and a G400, both had alder bodies with maple necks. Back then, they didn't even try to hide it. Now, if you walk into a store, grab an Epi LP Std off the rack and it'll still have a maple neck, but the body will have some awesome looking striped mahogany veneer on top of a multipiece (4, 5, 6) body of mystery wood.
They sound good, but keep in mind, they're not the true Les Paul woods, so they can't ever sound truly the same as the Gibson one unless you luck out and find one with the right woods or buy a Japanese one.

Now the Japanese ones, those are legit. I had an early 90's Epi LP Custom from Japan with the Gibson headstock. It had a long tennon, real mahogany and maple and sounded killer (and weighed 11 lbs to).

I don't think this can be emphasized enough. You have to look at the sides, not the top and back.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Just how bad do Epiphone Les pauls suck?

But the bottom line is that you still get a LOT of guitar for the money with an Epi if you choose the right one and can make the necessary mods.

Over the years, I've stumbled across a few used Epi LP's in the $250 range, flame-maple Stds, and put in SD's or DiMarzio's. Total cost was about 1/10th of a Gibson LP. Yeah, I know, I'm cheap. But you can't get a better-sounding guitar for anywhere near the money.

On the subject, some dealers are selling NEW Epi SG Stds for a little over $200. Mahogany body & neck, Grovers, and decent hardware. Pop in a set of SD's & you're in business.

Are these great times we're living in or what?