NEW Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard Outfit

[Dauminator]

I'll never be able to afford a true Les Paul, and this is about as close as I'll ever get. I've heard rumors that it will be a special run but I've never pre-ordered a guitar before, let alone a "budget" brand like epiphone. Trogly is showing some QC issues, and I have never played burstbuckers before. But that Aged Dark Burst is calling my name! Can anyone talk me out of it? https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ged-dark-burst

 

[Artie]

Looks sweet. I love Epiphones. Let us know when you get it.

 

[Lewguitar]

I'll bet it'll be sweet! I've played some really nice newer Epis.

"Crystal clear" is how they describe the pickups. Interesting how tastes change. 20 or 30 years ago they'd be describing those same pickups in terms of heat and sustain.

They also note in the description that 1959 was the year Gibson really perfected Seth Lover's humbucker design. Wonder of the pickups use Alnico 4?

And if the pickups are an import version of the Burstbucker or made in the USA? Does say "Straight out of the Gibson Custom Shop".

 

[ErikH]

That does look nice. Specs say Gibson Burstbucker so those will be Made in USA. The newer Epiphones are really nice. I wouldn't consider them a budget brand by any means, though they have lower priced guitars as well, just like other brands (Ibanez is a perfect example). Everybody's "budget" is different. That is a nice price for one of those. The new head stock looks great.

 

[nexion218]

Let us know when you get it.

Nice one Artie. Should I ever need someone to talk me out of buying something, you won't be on my list of "guys to ask".

 

[Lewguitar]

That does look nice. Specs say Gibson Burstbucker so those will be Made in USA. The newer Epiphones are really nice. I wouldn't consider them a budget brand by any means, though they have lower priced guitars as well, just like other brands (Ibanez is a perfect example). Everybody's "budget" is different. That is a nice price for one of those. The new head stock looks great.

So regular Burstbuckers are Alnico 2, right? And Burstbucker Pros are Alnico 5.

Wonder if Gibson is using roughcast magnets like they did in the 50's.

Doesn't look like Gibson is using Alnico 4 in Burstbuckers, even though they used it a lot, especially in '59.

 

[beaubrummels]

Looks like a fine guitar. Everyone complains Gibson doesn't make a quality guitar that's in a reasonable price range, but certain Studios and Epis fill that void. This looks like one of them.

 

[beaubrummels]

So regular Burstbuckers are Alnico 2, right? And Burstbucker Pros are Alnico 5.

Wonder if Gibson is using roughcast magnets like they did in the 50's.

Doesn't look like Gibson is using Alnico 4 in Burstbuckers, even though they used it a lot, especially in '59.

Don't know why they've avoided the A4. But they do put A3 in the Memphis semi-hollows (including Les Pauls) and the "CustomBucker" is A3.

 

[ErikH]

So regular Burstbuckers are Alnico 2, right? And Burstbucker Pros are Alnico 5.

Wonder if Gibson is using roughcast magnets like they did in the 50's.

Doesn't look like Gibson is using Alnico 4 in Burstbuckers, even though they used it a lot, especially in '59.

I believe that is correct about the Burstbuckers. Could be a 2/3 combo. That'll depend on their DC readings but it's very common in the Gibson LP Traditional Pro models.

 

[Spirit of 76]

Dauminator, don't worry about it being an Epiphone. I have a really nice Ibanez as well as an Epiphone Les Paul Classic.

The Ibanez was WAY more expensive but I really prefer the Epiphone; it plays better, sounds better, it's easier to work on, etc. Now I did upgrade the pickups to a nice set of Seymour Duncan WLHs, but I left everything else stock, and I couldn't be happier.

Besides, a lot of people prefer to buy the cheaper Les Paul and just upgrade the heck out of it anyway. It's a really great looking guitar, get it and make it your own

 

[jeremy]

love the dark burst finish! dooo eeet!

 

[Dauminator]

So much for talking me out of it, I just pre-ordered it from sweetwater! :fest7: I really hope this guitar is everything it's hyped up to be. Honestly one of the selling points for me was the hardshell case. Buying budget guitars can be cool but they almost never come with a case. Also technically I do have a USA Gibson Les Paul, but it's the DC special with p90s, about as far from a traditional LP as you can get, and I picked it up for $599 new. Kinda crazy how this Epi is more expensive than the Gibson. I just hope it's money well spent!

 

[Artie]

Nice one Artie. Should I ever need someone to talk me out of buying something, you won't be on my list of "guys to ask".

I'm taking that as a compliment.

 

[ErikH]

Again, this is not a budget, as in cheap, guitar. It’s $800. Seriously? I remember when USA Strats and LP Studios were that new. Inflation, ya know.

 

[cliffenstein]

So much for talking me out of it, I just pre-ordered it from sweetwater! :fest7: I really hope this guitar is everything it's hyped up to be. Honestly one of the selling points for me was the hardshell case. Buying budget guitars can be cool but they almost never come with a case. Also technically I do have a USA Gibson Les Paul, but it's the DC special with p90s, about as far from a traditional LP as you can get, and I picked it up for $599 new. Kinda crazy how this Epi is more expensive than the Gibson. I just hope it's money well spent!

This Epi is way more guitar than your Double Cut budget Gibson. You'll be a happy camper when it arrives.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Its a $300 guitar, save your money & get what you really want.

 

[ItsaBass]

Probably a darned nice guitar for the money, after a new nut and a fret dressing. And it includes a hardshell case.

If you pay Sweetwater to round the fret ends, and have them slot the nut for two string sizes up from the one you use, you'll probably be a happy camper with it right out of the box.

 

[The Dali]

Its a $300 guitar, save your money & get what you really want.

Dude, give it a rest.


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[ErikH]

Probably a darned nice guitar for the money, after a new nut and a fret dressing. And it includes a hardshell case.

If you pay Sweetwater to round the fret ends, and have them slot the nut for two string sizes up from the one you use, you'll probably be a happy camper with it right out of the box.

A fret dressing, sure, but the nut could remain as it is. It's a Graph Tech NuBone. Might need slight slot adjustments if anything.

Spec-wise, this is probably one of the better looking models with the new headstock and specs.

 

[Lewguitar]

A fret dressing, sure, but the nut could remain as it is. It's a Graph Tech NuBone. Might need slight slot adjustments if anything.

Spec-wise, this is probably one of the better looking models with the new headstock and specs.

I rarely replace the nut on a new guitar but I almost always get out a set of nut files and tweak the slots. Maybe angle them back so the string doesn't buzz in the slot. Or file them a tiny bit deeper to make fretting the strings easier.

I usually have to do a little fretwork too. Maybe round some sharp fret ends a little bit.

I've had to locate a high fret on a new or almost new guitar and do a mini-fret level, crown and polish more than once.

New guitars have to settle in and also acclimate to their new home.