Pulled the trigger... New guitar incoming!

[Rex_Rocker]

I'll post some pics when it's here... but for now, I scored a good deal on what I'm going to refer as "an Epiphone killer", LOL.

It's an LTD EC-401VF. It's kinda old (it's from 2007, based on the serial), but it looks like it's in great shape. Come stock with a JB/'59 set which I know I like, but I'll probably swap out at some point just because. I'm excited to give the JB a try again, though, since it's been a while since I've had one on my guitars. Will probably keep the non-locking Grover tuners in there, and I have a spare Gotoh bridge and tailpiece that I can drop in there too.

I've been wanting a Gibson Les Paul Classic for some time, as you know, but due to some expenses, I haven't been able to pull the trigger. This will satisfy that GAS for the time being, though. It's not the same, but I feel like it's certainly better that what's on the lower end of the Gibson/Epiphone realm. I want a thinner neck than what my LP Tribute has, and this will certainly get me that. It comes with better pickups that what most Epiphones do, and most importantly, I feel like it's likely to be higher quality too. LTD's in general have been super consistent in my experience, while Epiphones are super hit or miss. In my case, more miss than hit.

So yeah... I'll be posting some pics when it's here on Friday. But for now, it's going to look like this!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Looks incredible. Congratulations!

 

[Securb]

I freaking love it.

 

[Aceman]

Some of those things are Gibson killers.

If I were not a Gibson fanboy, and a Cadillac man, I'd be rocking an EC-1000 all day every day. Best Les Paul out there IMO...

I will also say, having played a bunch of all levels of these - 256, 401's, 1000's etc...

I have never paltered one where the JB/59 set in it wasn't a keeper. Will also say I played an ESP and an LTD back to back last year. I'd have bought the LTD in a heartbeat.

Much win!

 

[voggin]

I love the quality of LTDs, but sometimes I find them a little too blingy. Yours is great without the excess mother of pearl. That is one quality guitar. Other than preferences (if you love nitro or whatever) I don't think there is any sort of compromise between the LTD and a Les Paul, especially with the Duncan pickups, which are easily the equivalent of what you'd get from a stock Gibson (and like Ace, I'm a fanboy). And the older I get, the biggest difference between a keeper and a guitar I'm going to move on is the neck. If you like the neck of this, then my advice is to keep it and do whatever you have to do pickup or otherwise to get it to your liking.

Awesome score

 

[Mincer]

You know, I have to start looking at the LTD and ESP LP-shaped guitars. I am not entirely happy with Gibson's current offerings.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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I used to have an EC-401 (not VF) which was easily one of the best-sounding guitars I've owned. That guitar was abnormally light and resonated like crazy. Every pickup sounded FAT and powerful in it. I hope this new one is like that as well.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Some of those things are Gibson killers.

We'll see how this one compares to my actual Gibson! I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, but at the same time, I love love love love my Gibson.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Also used to have an EC-1000 which was good too, but I just never bonded with as much as with the 401. I hope this new 401VF is like my old 401. Just like voggin , I've never really liked the LTD's with abalone. I always preferred the 400 series because of that, and now, I'm excited about the full-thickness body!

 

[donaldr]

I have an LTD Strat copy and an LTD Surveyor 5 bass, both are top notch and my goto instruments. I swapped hardware and electronics in the Strat but everything on the Surveyor bass was killer out of the box.
Eyeing an ESP Eclipse to replace my entry-level Gibson LP.

 

[donaldr]

This LTD with black hardware is gorgeous (just missing clear gloss IMHO), you will never find this on a Gibson.

 

[donaldr]

I wish LTD offers more models with that headstock:

 

[donaldr]

I seriously thinking of selling my Les Paul (LPJ), my Peavey Vandanberg, and two 4-string basses to get this one:

 

[Rex_Rocker]

This LTD with black hardware is gorgeous (just missing clear gloss IMHO), you will never find this on a Gibson.

I used to have black hardware on my Gibson, and it kinda looked like that!

View attachment 350850917...fna&gid=Aj8aAVjtH-0NYGmMna5J6-_&oh=00_AYClQoD_S3LWDj4ffggIOp1xowGyYiNduxH_w_elWHDSag&amp

Not the same, but similar vibe. Mine even had those very same Fishman Classics with the black nickel poles!

 

[Artie]

Beautiful. (As are all the guitars in this thread.)

 

[donaldr]

You got me on that one!!! :doh:

 

[donaldr]

I used to have black hardware on my Gibson, and it kinda looked like that!



Not the same, but similar vibe. Mine even had those very same Fishman Classics with the black nickel poles!

Was the black hardware directly from Gibson production model?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Was the black hardware directly from Gibson production model?

Oh, no. I swapped it in myself.

 

[Mincer]

The black hardware is something Gibson should consider.

I do like the LTDs above- at least the 22 fret ones.