tell me about edwards guitars.

[man-in-moon]

i know they are made by ESP. I remember they used to be talked about a lot but i have not heard much about them lately. I am looking for a good les paul type guitar. I have looked at the prs se single cuts as well as a few others. But they just do not have the les paul vibe to them. The edwards seem nice for the money. I just wish i could run across one used.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

my understanding is that they're made by ESP for domestic distribution only (ie japan) and that they have a great rep from what i've read; i've not yet had the opportunity to play one...
i often go to this link and dream:
http://www.espguitars.co.jp/edwards/index.html

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I've played a few, really great guitar for the cash, no doubt!

I'd for sure own one...

 

[Fikealox]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I owned an Edwards strat. I wasn't blown away by it, but that was really down to my not doing my homework and not realising it didn't come with big frets like ESPs. The construction quality seemed pretty high - especially for the price.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Edwards LP if I could find one. I'd probably even buy one in preference to many Gibsons, to be honest. There never seem to be many Edwards LPs on sale, though. Your best bet is probably to look on Ishibashi or Yahoo Japan. I think the Bareknuckle forum has an Edwards LP for sale, but it was probably in the UK, so shipping/exchange rates might be prohibitive.

I know that Edwards exports now, because of this, but I doubt they export to the US.

 

[sosomething]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

Really nice guitars. Look just like Gibsons. Sound a lot like them. Don't quite feel like them, though. It's hard to figure out why, since all the specs are pretty much the same.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

13 pages with almost 800 posts all about Edwards guitars. More than you could ever ask for by people who own them. Enjoy.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=219660

 

[kherman]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

Really nice guitars. Look just like Gibsons. Sound a lot like them. Don't quite feel like them, though. It's hard to figure out why, since all the specs are pretty much the same.

Inch vs Metric. :lmao:

Honestly it probably does have a little bit of an effect on the feel.
Many of us feel the neck falls in between a 59 and 60 profile.
But, definitely leans towards the 59 side. IMHO.

Carved top tends to have a deeper bowl than current Gibby LPs.

Depending on model:
LP92 series are all poly finish.
LP98 are a thin poly with lacquer top coat.
LP130 are lacquer.

Hardware and pickups are good quality.

Electronics are very neatly done.
and decent.
But, some people swap them out for higher grade components.
Like sprague caps, braided wiring, CTS pots, switchcraft jacks and switches.


They are made for the Japan market for ESP.
Still in debate on actual origin.
Some say all MIJ.
Some say all MIC.
Some say MIC but assembled in Japan.
In the end it doesn't matter.
Because they are really well built instruments.

Most people buy from Ebay or one of the Japan music stores that sell internationally.
I went through Ishibashi.

Others to also check out.
Tokai, Burny, Orville, Epiphone Japan, Bacchus, Greco.

My:
Diodati 59Q, Edwards Sykes LPC, Diodati 58, Fernandes Ravelle Deluxe.

 

[sosomething]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

Inch vs Metric. :lmao:

Honestly it probably does have a little bit of an effect on the feel.
Many of us feel the neck falls in between a 59 and 60 profile.
But, definitely leans towards the 59 side. IMHO.

Carved top tends to have a deeper bowl than current Gibby LPs.

Depending on model:
LP92 series are all poly finish.
LP98 are a thin poly with lacquer top coat.
LP130 are lacquer.

Hardware and pickups are good quality.

Electronics are very neatly done.
and decent.
But, some people swap them out for higher grade components.
Like sprague caps, braided wiring, CTS pots, switchcraft jacks and switches.


They are made for the Japan market for ESP.
Still in debate on actual origin.
Some say all MIJ.
Some say all MIC.
Some say MIC but assembled in Japan.
In the end it doesn't matter.
Because they are really well built instruments.

Most people buy from Ebay or one of the Japan music stores that sell internationally.
I went through Ishibashi.

There could be some truth to the standard vs. metric thing. I never thought of that.

I've owned a few Edwards guitars. I had a nice shredder V (Alexi Laiho model?) and one of the "Lacquer Taste" LP Customs. My V came from Ebay and the LP was ordered through Ishibashi like yours. Both were super nice. Impeccable fit and finish.

I've never heard anyone claim that they were made in China. IIRC both of mine had "Made In Japan" clearly stamped on the backs of their headstocks. The quality of their craftsmanship certainly seemed in-line with other Japanese guitars that I have owned.

I've since sold or traded all of them.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

Here was mine (sold it)

 

[BloodRose]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I had an Edwards Sykes and LOVED it! Had to sell it, but would Love to get another. Very well made.

To me, the difference between that and my Gibson were: The Edwards had slightly bigger frets. ( I liked) and the Edwards felt more "glossy" and less raw. My gibsons have all had some dips and waves in the wood along the neck and with the nitro finish, they feel more like crafted wood. Where as the Edwards was straight and perfect and glossy painted that had more of a manufactured feel. Played and sounded just as good.

 

[pinto79]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I'm tempted by a Vintage White LP Custom. They seem like awesome guitars, and a less expensive way to get the Les Paul vibe.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I'm tempted by a Vintage White LP Custom. They seem like awesome guitars, and a less expensive way to get the Les Paul vibe.

That's the whole attraction of Edwards right there. Gets you a decent guitar in the Gibson ballpark without the price. Having owned numerous of both, I'm not in the delusional camp who try to claim Edwards are just as good, because they're not (fit & finish aside). But they are however great alternatives for the money.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

You know I've heard that more than once, every time it was by a Gibson fan so I was wondering what exactly wasn't there. I know they use poly instead of nitro and have the metric system (but then again so do we along with the rest of Europe) but AFAICT that's pretty much all the differences.

What still isn't there that keeps them from getting "all the way" instead of a "ballpark"?

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

Dunno really, they feel and sound different. The feel is more noticeable. Sound wise, the Edwards (with the same pups) was a little brighter and just didn't sound quite as good, 2D vs 3D if you will. But the difference in feel was what I noticed the most. Would metric vs. standard be enough? How about more hand finishing vs. machine? I couldn't tell you. All I know is I'm a fan of both, own plenty of both, and that's my perception on them.

Someone who's not used to playing Gibsons may never notice, good for them they just saved a bunch of cash. But having a lot of Gibsons it was more apparent to me.

If you can afford both, get the Gibson. If you're looking for a great alternative that's close and won't break the bank, the Edwards is the way to go, especially if you're not already bonded with the way Gibsons feel and will be indifferent anyway.

 

[Texas Swamp]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I originally thought about getting one before picking up an Orville (Japanese Gibson). Needless to say, if I hadn't gotten the Orville, I probably would have ended up getting the Edwards.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

I think the Gibsons feel alittle more raw. The nitro finish and mine have had some waves on the fretboard. This gives me the vibe that it it was carved on a workbench as opposed to created on an assembly line. Really more mental than anything.

 

[uOpt]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

Note that these things are woodworked, glued and painted in China. Japan does the final assembly and QA. There's a big thread about it at MLP.

Great guitars no doubt. MIJ, no.

 

[sady7239]

Re: tell me about edwards guitars.

There is a tiny bit of difference in the neck of an Edwards and a Gibson.
Not much at all, but if you play the Edwards and then immediately pick
up a Gibson with supposedly the same specs, you'll feel a little difference.
Not necessarily bad, just different. If you don't do an A,B comparsion you probably won't notice it.
BTW, I have Adam's via trade and I'm loving it. I put a Seth Lover in the neck and an Antiquity in the bridge for the vintage PAF sound, and it sounds great. the Edwards is very resonant, you can really tell a difference playing it unplugged vs. the Gibson. It appears to be a little thicker, may be the maple top is thicker. My Gibson ( a studio ) is now for sale, but I'm going to buy another Gibson ( Traditional ) with the proceeds.

If you can find an Edwards, I think you'll like it.