ChrisF Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I am openning this thread in both sections since I'd like to get opinions from both sides. The thing is, I've got an Epiphone Lee Malia in mint condition which I really like, and was bought about 2 months ago. I've been offered by my cousin a Gibson Les Paul Studio for it, it's the 2016 model and I know it's in good state, just some scratches and blemishes, but nothing important. It also brings a case (a gibson one), while my epiphone doesn't have one. I've played them both side by side and still can't decide, I've really gotten used to the Lee Malia. The gib sounds better in some areas, and while theres not a major difference, it has a better overall sound. The Gibson is definetely crunchier, but I think the Epi doesn't get as muddy as the Gib does at certain points. I like them both and can't decide. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Well the Epiphone is a limited edition, and Gibson LP Studio's are plentiful. Maybe wait, and get a Gibson Studio, at a later date, so you can have both? But, it's really up to You! If the Gibson does what you like, a LOT better, then go for that. But, if they're really close, I'd wait. But, that's just Me. On the other hand, if your cousin really LOVES the Epi, and you're just OK with it, maybe make the trade, for HIM? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I'd take the Gibson. They also hold their value much better. It's actually pretty ridiculous how much they hold their value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I'd take the Gibson. They also hold their value much better. It's actually pretty ridiculous how much they hold their value. Hmm, maybe not in this case... As far as I remember off hand it has Gibson pickups in it... And as its a limited edition its worth more than an Epi Standard say... Also that guitar seemed to be modelled on the Les Paul Artisan which a lot of people really like the look of... Id say just go with the one that plays best and sounds best to you.... Don't worry about the name on the headstock both are good guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I didn't know the Lee Malia so googled it. Beautiful instrument. As Rabs said earlier it has Gibson p'ups and is very heavily modelled after the Gibson Artisan which has a small but dedicated bunch of admirers. The usual advice is to choose the one which YOU feel plays and sounds the best and the same probably holds true here BUT as CB states the Studio is a model which can be found anywhere at any time whereas the Lee Malia is likely to be one of those 'I used to have one of those and I wish I'd never sold it' guitars. If you are not 100% sure you would be happier with the Gibson then IMO you should keep the Epi. Pip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Ask yourself this. If it wasn't my cousin, offering me the trade, would I be as/more likely to think about trading it, already, after such a short time? That might give you an idea, as to how you really feel, about your Epi? Just a thought. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 for those that don't know what it looks like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I think the question is more which guitar is more "you" and how close you are to your cousin. As a man who loves his cousins (and have given guitars to), I would not be so much concerned with perceived value as I would who would be happier with what guitar. However, of it's about which is better and who gets the better deal, then one of you has to loose and it's not wise because whoever losses out, is still part of the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 for those that don't know what it looks like Yeah, it's a really NICE guitar. A bit "too" ornate (especially, the headstock), for my tastes, but that's just Me. Other's, I'm sure, Love it!! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Yeah, it's a really NICE guitar. A bit "too" ornate (especially, the headstock), for my tastes, but that's just Me. Other's, I'm sure, Love it!! CB Same here... I like the brown colour.... That with normal inlays and chrome hardware would be perfect for me....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Same here... I like the brown colour.... That with normal inlays and chrome hardware would be perfect for me....... Yeah, I could even handle the "snowflake" fingerboard inlays, if the heastock was more the traditional "Custom" split diamond, or the "flower pot/urn" inlay, like on the Byrdland. Heck, even the "snowflake" inlay by itself, and centered a bit more, without all the "squiggles," would be fine. But, again, that's just Me. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 for those that don't know what it looks like I would hit that. I might swap the pups out for regular sweet sounding humbuckers. It THAT sounded great and I played it often, I might route the center for a real P90. And maybe if there was space, squish a Fender pup in there too. You can do this stuff to an Epi, you know. Heck, maybe even see if I could hollow it out, make it light. Maybe even a new flamed top. Or quilt. Or whatever. Or maybe it would be easier to just give it to one of my cousins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I still want an Epi Lee Malia... no contest, I'd never get a LP studio if I had that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 I still want an Epi Lee Malia... no contest, I'd never get a LP studio if I had that. http://www.andertons.co.uk/solid-body-electric-guitars/pid34632/cid671/epiphone-lee-malia-signature-les-paul-custom-artisan.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 While we are at it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 One mass-produced top-level Epiphone Les Paul here, and five high-level Gibson Les Paul guitars, two of common models, one rather special signature guitar including unique tonal options, and two quite rare & limited ones providing sonic qualities that probably can't be found anywhere else. Having said that, I think I'd stay with the Epiphone Custom Lee Malia. To be honest, I can't imagine any contemporary mass-produced guitar I would prefer over this very special limited Epiphone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Yeah, it really is a nice, and great sounding guitar! "Too Ornate." or not. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted May 21, 2016 Author Share Posted May 21, 2016 Do you think the epi will hold its value in the future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted May 21, 2016 Share Posted May 21, 2016 Do you think the epi will hold its value in the future? Possibly, but this is always hard to predict, either time-wise and value-wise. When about me and my guitars, it's all about the value they have to me as players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Do you think the epi will hold its value in the future? Well, that depends. It may (or, may not) keep up, that way, with inflation?? But, "collector" value, will be limited, if any. Too many made, even as a "limited edition." Even recent and current Gibson's won't really have any "collector" value, like the '50's and 60's models, unless they're extremely limited edition CS models, or "one of kind" types, or (possibly) previously "Celebrity" owned. ??? I wouldn't count on it, though. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 As most here know I'm much more of a regular-look guy in terms of LPs (think absolutely bone-stock Standard) but with the Lee Malia (and, by extension, the Artisan) I very much respect the nod to the earlier instruments which carried these same inlays which, I believe, were first used on the Gibson Granada(?) banjo line in the early 1930's and they were carried over to the Earl Scruggs models slightly later on. "Ostentatious but Tasteful" were how they were described by the author Ian C. Bishop in his piece about the L.P. 'Artisan'. I really like the Epi very much though for 'tonal' purposes I'd probably put in a set of '57s (keeping the originals of course) and might even put on a non-screw-head ABR-1 purely for aesthetic reasons. But it's still a great-looking guitar as is! Pip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted May 22, 2016 Share Posted May 22, 2016 Keep the custom Lee Malia guitar, that's my advice. Too much compromising (at this point in history) to trade it for a Studio. I'm not normally a huge fan of Epiphone Les Pauls, though I am a big fan of their Casinos, Dot, etc. (And I still own the first guitar I bought with my paycheck from Hardee's back in the mid-1970's, an Epiphone acoustic.) There are just too many unique and brilliant features to that Lee Malia guitar to ever let such an instrument go. Just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 That Epi custom is one of most beautiful LPs Ive ever seen, especially the wood colour & grain. Epis can be special. That one certainly seems so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 That Epi custom is one of most beautiful LPs Ive ever seen, especially the wood colour & grain. Epis can be special. That one certainly seems so. Have you ever seen one of the Gibson Artisan LPs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Have you ever seen one of the Gibson Artisan LPs? No. It looks the same (except for 3rd pickup). The Epi is obviously based on this. Unless of course the Artisan has a precedent too. Even the fret & headstock inlays look much the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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