Shame in a EPI les paul???

Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Man I love my Epi Custom!!! The finish looks incredible and the neck feels awesome. This guitar makes me want to throw my Ibanez in the trashcan, it's just so much better in every aspect.
I played it unplugged in the shop and it sounded very good, didn't sound great plugged in but after I put in some Duncans this guitar kills!
I A/B'ed it with a Gibson Studio and it's basicly just as good (The Gibson does feel a little more solid)

The frets needed some work done though and I had to change out all the pots because they were noisy right out of the shop (it was already 2 years old though)
Also the gold hardware starts to fade now.

I don't think an Epi is just as good as a Gibson, the problem with having an Epi is that I still want the real deal some day. But untill then, I'm really happy with this guitar.

Epi.jpg
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

bryvincent said:
aren't EC-400ats and EC-1000 LTDs? the epiphone of ESPs?
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technically I guess you could say that because they are Korean made, the ESP Eclipse II, american model costs around $1,500 and it runs circles around Gibsons, the EC-1000 is $699 and runs circles around Gibsons, perfect fretwork, fancy appointments, comes with duncans, sperzels, tonepros bridge, etc. So there really is no comparison to an epiphone, it's aimed more squarely at gibson. The neck is far more comfortable too. They are pretty light also for a maple top, mahogany body guitar, and has a tummy cut.
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Xeromus said:
technically I guess you could say that because they are Korean made, the ESP Eclipse II, american model costs around $1,500 and it runs circles around Gibsons, the EC-1000 is $699 and runs circles around Gibsons, perfect fretwork, fancy appointments, comes with duncans, sperzels, tonepros bridge, etc. So there really is no comparison to an epiphone, it's aimed more squarely at gibson. The neck is far more comfortable too. They are pretty light also for a maple top, mahogany body guitar, and has a tummy cut.
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:laugh2: :smack: :laugh2:
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Xeromus said:
technically I guess you could say that because they are Korean made, the ESP Eclipse II, american model costs around $1,500 and it runs circles around Gibsons, the EC-1000 is $699 and runs circles around Gibsons, perfect fretwork, fancy appointments, comes with duncans, sperzels, tonepros bridge, etc. So there really is no comparison to an epiphone, it's aimed more squarely at gibson. The neck is far more comfortable too. They are pretty light also for a maple top, mahogany body guitar, and has a tummy cut.
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They are also quite a bit thinner than a real LP, which will make it sound "not quite there". Are they better guitars than Gibsons? Perhaps, but they are not going to sound just like a LP. :burnout:

My choice would be a used USA Hamer. Good prices, great craftsmanship, and a bit more traditional sounding than the alternatives.

I own both a Gibby LP and a Hamer Studio FM, and while they don't sound the same, the Hamer covers the same ground as the LP.

BTW, I don't have a huge ego, I got my Gibby used for under a grand. :burnout:
 
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Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Benjy_26 said:
They are also quite a bit thinner than a real LP, which will make it sound "not quite there". Are they better guitars than Gibsons? Perhaps, but they are not going to sound just like a LP. :burnout:
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precisely

I had a 1991 Gibson Les Paul this past year that I got rid of after getting the ESP. I don't like having a lot of guitars, especially being a college student, I start to feel guilty or something. The ESP sounded, and felt better both neckwise and the body. I ended up using the ESP more than the Les Paul and one thing led to another. This is where Gibson snobs turn away in shock and dismay. Oh, and I couldn't stand those 30 cent plastic tuners anymore either.

So, getting back to the thread, I think Epiphones can be good guitars if you find the right one. All of the epiphone LP's I've played were total crap but I've played explorers that felt nice. I think there are better options out there.
 
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Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Xeromus said:
I take it you've never played one then?
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of course i played one but they're not my cup of tea. i was looking for the LP sound and the only guitar that sounds like a LP are the real deal.so i got one.i'm not saying that the others are bad, thay just sound different.tone is a personal thing, one guitar is appealing to others some not. you like the ESP LTD EC series fine, but saying thay run circles on gibsons based on only one or couple of gibsons you played is unfair. maybe you got a bad gibson or the ESP is more suited to the music you play or how you play or the tone you want.but don't diss gibsons i know they're overpriced but they're still the best at least for me.and also thin frets are not crappy its just a matter of preference.some like really large frets (SRV,etc.) some also like thin frets(joe satriani, EVH etc.) also and want to feel the fingerboard.
anyway, epiphones are great guitars.i own a LP custom flametop and it sounded good after a pickup change.
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

hey nightburst, just wondering what type of duncans you have in your epi custom? Those kind of look like emg's...... is it form the custom shop?
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

strat_master said:
hey nightburst, just wondering what type of duncans you have in your epi custom? Those kind of look like emg's...... is it form the custom shop?
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Those are Duncans with black plastic covers. I love the looks, but I took them off because I couldn't get the pickups close enough to the strings. I have developed a taste for zebra's now :)
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

bryvincent said:
of course i played one but they're not my cup of tea. i was looking for the LP sound and the only guitar that sounds like a LP are the real deal.so i got one.i'm not saying that the others are bad, thay just sound different.tone is a personal thing, one guitar is appealing to others some not. you like the ESP LTD EC series fine, but saying thay run circles on gibsons based on only one or couple of gibsons you played is unfair. maybe you got a bad gibson or the ESP is more suited to the music you play or how you play or the tone you want.but don't diss gibsons i know they're overpriced but they're still the best at least for me.and also thin frets are not crappy its just a matter of preference.some like really large frets (SRV,etc.) some also like thin frets(joe satriani, EVH etc.) also and want to feel the fingerboard.
anyway, epiphones are great guitars.i own a LP custom flametop and it sounded good after a pickup change.
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yeah that's fair. If you can find a good guitar cheaper, I'm all for it. Maybe the gibson I had was just bad, It really rubbed me the wrong way. Even the truss rod "ran out of adjustment", my tech couldn't do anything with it, the neck was concave no matter what I did with it. I'm going to give Gibson another shot at some point though, my friend has a wonderfully made SG that restored some faith for me.
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Hey guys ive been checking around for orvilles and spotted only one beauty on ebay, anyone know where i can find other ones and around the price? thatd be great thanks!
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

My Brother has an Epi, he dropped in an AP2 and a '59 in the neck and that is a killer guitar, I have a $149 set neck Jay Turser, dropped in a JB and a '59, swapped out the switch and pots, and it is a damn fine guitar, although the PUP's and electronics are worth more that the guitar!!!
A buddy of ours has a 94 or 95 LP, and it is a very nice guitar, but it doesn't sound any better than the Epi, and not $1500 better than the JT!!!
It's like riding a bike...if you want the "Look Cool Factor" you ride a Harley, but a Yamaha works just as good!!! :13:
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

Don't buy one over the internet - make sure you play it and like it - some are built very well and others are lacking - someone above mentioned the fret work and I too have seen that on some epi's
I will say however that the Epi Elitist series is outstanding - they run closer to $1000, still about 1/2 of what a decent gibson costs. The elitist series was reviewed by one publication (complaints about reviews not withstanding :)) but the comment that was made was not to be surprised if this guitar makes your Gibson Les Paul your second favorite guitar - pretty high marks I'd say. I have played several Epi Elitist Les Pauls and I concur - very nice guitars, very nice feel and playability. But again if your looking in that 400-500 range for a standard Epi - No Shame - just make sure you play it and like the one you are getting.
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

hey thanks again guys. Now its just time to decide. I love how my SG sounds, but i just can't stand its playability. Its pretty bad, and even though the tone is good and it is a gibson with great build quality I was thinking a top of the line epiphone with good pups might be a better choice, and advice/comments would be great!
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

RhoadsDude1022 said:
ya i was also considering trying an import hamer they sure look nice!
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Meh why did you have to remind me!!! I'm in pain, only 2 weeks till I have my Hamer Standard Import. Epi's are pretty nice you just have to find a good one alot of them are crappy and some of them are really nice! If you want the LP try and check out a dillion they are pretty nice. I have tried 3 or 4 and all of them were nice feeling to me and contained some pretty nice tone. Oh and someone mentioned Jay Turser. I tried one of those and man for 200 bucks the one I tried sure was a beauty that thing could rip!
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

I bought an epi lp custom plus (flame).

Put in a JB/59.
Frets filled down and crowned.
New tuners.
New Bridge.
New Pots.
New straplocks.
New Nut.

At the end, the amount I paid, I could have gotten a good used Gibson lp classic
 
Re: Shame in a EPI les paul???

There was a time when Epis did have a stigma. They have improved QC a bunch and lately Ive compared some Epi LPs to Gibsons and visually and sonically, I cant justify the price diff. I have an Epi Ace Frehley (black one) that seems to dominate my playing time. Id love to buy an LP Custom and will get an EPi. Bang for the buck..
Yeah, the Agiles are great too, but the shape is alittle off, and Ive watched the price of those climb steadily..
If it feels good and sounds good, ignore the name..
 
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