Gibson Les Paul vs Epiphone Les Paul

[T Bone]

Thank you as well. I fully understand the position of a family man, and needing to watch the funds. Total respect on that (and the American badged auto!). And now what we're talking about is value, a very valid discussion. The Epiphones (as well as some other guitars imported into the US) are very good values. As a rule, their Gibson counterparts tend to be a better instrument, though perhaps not in every single case. But for value, the Epiphone provides a good bang for the buck (if resale is factored in, whether the prospect of selling is realistic or not, the Gibson will generally pull way ahead again).

 

And for those reading, I should point out, I do buy foreign made products as well. Including lots of items from China. And I did recently buy a Korean made guitar (the Eastwood Airline Map guitar, while a Canadian company, they have them made in Korea, and frankly the quality is quite a bit higher than I'd really expected- the coolness factor was what sold me to buy untouched, and it was money well spent, though I got a very good deal for a new example with case.

[FennRx]

if you can't tell the difference between an Epi and a Gibson, buy the Epi. Same goes with Gibson USA vs Historic Les Pauls.

[Big_Guitarra]

This is my concern as someone in the hunt for a good electric right now. I hope to God that there is a "technical" and "quality" difference between the two. Because if not, people that buy US are getting ripped off.

 

I want to buy an American guitar, because I'm an American. However, when I look at the car industry, it kind of irks me. I think the labor unions made it so employees got more than they really deserved, and the customer pays for it in the end. And possibly the company themselves. Is this happening in the guitar industry? I don't know. If there are quantifiable things like better hardware, and fit and finish, attention to detail, etc, than I see no problem with the Americans asking more for their guitars. If they really are better, than they should be more expensive. But if it's the case that they're the same crap but we just cost more as people in the US, I don't like that at all. It seems like that is not the case, considering what you guys are saying. And that is comforting. And that may just force me to wait a little longer and buy a real one.

 

What about used though? Should we use the same theory? Have the US made ones always been better?

I doubt the union folks making $20 - $30 an hour put a dent into the corp coffers compared to the millions in bonuses and perks the execs filter out of the company. also, IMHO, most union folks want a long career and take pride in their work. The execs work for 2 - 4 years typically then go on to the next place and filter out tens of millions and so on and so on.

[BillyGibson]

Thank you as well. I fully understand the position of a family man, and needing to watch the funds. Total respect on that (and the American badged auto!). And now what we're talking about is value, a very valid discussion. The Epiphones (as well as some other guitars imported into the US) are very good values. As a rule, their Gibson counterparts tend to be a better instrument, though perhaps not in every single case. But for value, the Epiphone provides a good bang for the buck (if resale is factored in, whether the prospect of selling is realistic or not, the Gibson will generally pull way ahead again).

 

Having owned: Epi's, Gibsons, and Fenders; they are all different in sound. The only Epi I own now is a Casino. I traded an Epi GT and Fender Tele for my Gibson Std. Trad Plus LP and haven't looked back. The 57 humbuckers are incredible. If you like a single coil sound, go with Fender. All are good in their own respect. Resale doesn't matter, none of them are collectible. They all depreciate. You get more out of the Gibson when you sell, because you paid more for it. i.e., pay $1,900 for a std. trad (on sale) sell it for $1,700 two years later. Pay $500 for an Epi, sell it for $300 two years later. In each case you took a $200 hit. That's only $100 per year to "rent" the guitar. On a % basis, you took a bigger hit on the Epi 40% depreciation vs. 10% on the Gibson. That where holding their value comes in. Of course, if you didn't get the Gibson on sale, then you take a bigger hit.

 

I'm putting entirely too much thought into this.

[cubbiesinger]

Big Guitarra, I agree with you that the big whigs need a check up from the neck up. I shouldn't have made it seem it all lies in the Unions. I simplified my post too much without taking the time to fully explain. But that is also a problem with ANY American Corporations.

 

The plain truth is the average person gets the shaft and many companies feed off of that. Whether it be the management or the labor. Fair prices are not what is going on. It's a "get as much as you can" attituded and I don't really like it. I don't think it's the case with every company, but most. BUT, it is a whole lot better than the alternative of communism or something. I'm just grumbling.

 

 

I think you have some good points Billy Gibson.

[Big_Guitarra]

Thanks cubbiesinger. And you're right. There are a few bad apples in all walks of life.

 

TBone, I agree, politics shouldn't be part of the forum. We're giving our two cents on which guitar we all think Konov should buy.

 

BillyGibson, I think that is one of the best angles for Konov to include in his decision making in this thread.

 

Keep on playin' B)

 

And Konov, let us all know which giutar to decided to get. A few pics if you can too

[jacknikkels]

Hey,

 

In close future I'd like to buy myself a les paul. But whilst looking throughout all the options I noticed something, overall, the Epi Les Pauls are rated higher than the gibson ones, I am looking at the 800$ to 1199 dollar zone. The 665 les paul standard and the 832 les paul studio seem to be higher rated than 1199 (with discount) Les Paul Studio Faded, I have a question why, and I'd really appreciate if you recommended the best les paul in that price range in your opinion.

 

Thank you very much

Konov

Asking a forum to recommend the purchase of a guitar will get you all kinds of opinions but will not give you the experience of handling a guitar. I recommend going to a guitar shop and actually handling a few different models. I think the folks over the Studio 50s Tribute thread would seriously recommend looking at that model, though they are currently rare birds to find and buy. But this would be a great value if you liked what you experienced playing it. I'd be careful buying a lower priced Les Paul from an auction site. I've seen a few Specials sell for under $800 but they all had suffered broken headstocks (repaired, but still, a suspect situation). Get out there and play some and don't buy until you just can't leave the store without the perfect fit. Any doubts, leave it at the store.

[Big_Guitarra]

Asking a forum to recommend the purchase of a guitar will get you all kinds of opinions but will not give you the experience of handling a guitar. I recommend going to a guitar shop and actually handling a few different models. I think the folks over the Studio 50s Tribute thread would seriously recommend looking at that model, though they are currently rare birds to find and buy. But this would be a great value if you liked what you experienced playing it. I'd be careful buying a lower priced Les Paul from an auction site. I've seen a few Specials sell for under $800 but they all had suffered broken headstocks (repaired, but still, a suspect situation). Get out there and play some and don't buy until you just can't leave the store without the perfect fit. Any doubts, leave it at the store.

 

Well said. Pick up few epiphones and few a gibsons. Play them. You'll know which one is for you. Every guitar is different, even two physically identical Gibson Les Paul Standards may sound slightly different or feel slightly different. One may be more comfortable to you and the other to someone else. Good luck:)!

[Wild_Rose]

I played last night an Epi LP Standard and compared to my Gibson LP Studio, the Epi seriously lacks tone... also, what kind of neck profile does the Epi standard have? Felt kinda weird!

[animalfarm]

[FennRx]

if you cannot taste the difference between $1.99 ground chuck and $24.99 Filet Mignon, then the Filet will certainly seem like a waste of money. But if you cover both with enough steak sauce, they won't taste that different.

[animalfarm]

[Big_Guitarra]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwskSl8pyp0&feature=related

 

Found this - sounds pretty nice to me.

[dcooper830]

I love both Gibsons and Epiphones. I have several of each and they all kick ***!

 

 

[DOGGONE]

Hey, dcooper, great playing.

I guess your demo says it all.. the tone is in the fingers, not to mention the great amps you're using.

[zochar]

I think this guy pretty much sums it up nicely.

 

[sparky scott 29]

I've said that right along, if you have the money and that is not a problem, Gibson all the way.

But with that said, I have an Epi. I love it, sounds and plays well.

Is there really that big of a difference? Well, you try it and tell me.

Gibson ARE better, but the price...

[BigKahune]

Man this thread has legs. Last time I weighed in was back in July. Geez.

 

Throw out opinions from "only" owners - only Epi or only Gibson - and see what owners of both Epi and Gibson guitars have to say on the subject. . . I have owned several guitars from both Epi and Gibson, both electric and acoustic. Currently I've got a Epi LP Ultra II and a Gibby LP GOTM. Both are very nice guitars. As most anyone that has owned both will say, while mid to upper level Epiphones are nice, Gibson guitars are of higher quality.

 

 

Bluntly - In it's day, Epiphone was a great company and the source of plenty of competition for Gibson. But in 1957 the Gibson parent company bought Epiphone and eventually turned it into the Gibson "B" line - as in value based - as in less expensive - less expensive materials and labor.

[DrGolf]

I have a 2003 American Les Paul Standard in Trans Amber and a 2013 Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top Pro. The first cost me £1300 and the second cost me £569.

 

There are obvious differences. The tuners are Gibson Deluxe on one and Grovers on the other. They both stay in tune and they were both set up by Techs before I bought them. The fret end on the Gibson are covered by the binding and the Epis are not. The bridges are different although the intonation is great on both.

 

I bought the Epi because I was annoyed at the number of fake guitars coming on the market and wanted to prove that a licensed product with a warranty which I can take back to the shop if anything goes wrong is a better deal than the cheap copies that are, frankly fraudulent. I did not buy it because I wanted a Gibson and couldn't afford one. There is already a Gibson in my collection. Many of the buyers of fakes have to change pick ups, have necks repaired and on and on until the cost must be the same as the Epi. My friends and I have played both guitars together and we can't tell the difference in the tone. The Gibson neck is slightly slimmer than the Epi but the Epi has a nice chunky feel. The finish is Vintage Burst and looks beautiful.

 

If you like the look of an Epiphone and you can't afford a Gibson I highly recommend buying the cheaper version. I'm not a great guitarist but I play my Epi more than my other guitars Strat Plus, Telecaster Deluxe, Ibanez Artist. There is a lot of misguided information posted on these forums by people who can't have tried both types. Epiphones might not have been so good in the past but try a Plus Top Pro with split coils. You will love it!

 

Dr Golf

[EpiNova95]

I've owned a few great Epiphones and have a very high opinion of the brand. For any situation I'll ever be in, the tone and feel of a good Epi would be more than adequate.

 

However, in terms of the overall experience of actually playing the guitar, my Gibsons have that extra feel, sound, and resonance that make it a true, quality musical instrument.

I still use an Epi bass and acoustic, but my main thing is electric guitar and I agree with the majority of posts here for Gibson. But that can be a slippery slope because there's always the newest Custom Shop reissues, aftermarket parts, etc. Personally I buy Gibsons because I don't feel the need to modify anything on them.

[NHTom]

I think the biggest thing to consider is how do Epi's play compared to similarly priced guitars?

 

I've never played an Epi, but here is my thought on it.

 

If I were in the market for a $400 brand new guitar, my biggest concern would never be "How does it compare to a $1500 guitar?", more importantly "How does it compare to the other $400 guitars?".

 

I've been told by many who own them that they are a very good value in their price range...........to me that's what really matters.

 

I know my Studio and Special are not as nice as a $5000 custom shop model.....and I don't care......lol. I picked what I like and enjoy within my budget.....for me that was in the $800 +/- range so I went with a used studio and a used special.

 

NHTom

[Zeppeholic]

Just save up until you can get a real Gibson Les Paul. Yes it may take a little while longer but it's really worth it.

 

I wouldn't waste my time on a Epiphone Les Paul, I'd save up and get the real thing, better feel of accomplishment.

But that's just me, and I was like you, but I saved up for another year and it was definitely worth it

[Eracer_Team]

A Ghost Topic from 2010

the Gibson vs Epiphone fight will continue till Gibson stops making Epiphone Les Paul's which will never happen.. too much money for them.

 

in the mean time ,the Gibson vs Epiphone fight continues..

 

 

how many more posts will be a quality comparison between some player with an Epiphone and will post here that his Gibson doesn't sound as good..

Think we get a couple of those a month.

 

 

[Drog]

This is always a very hot debate. It has become a little muddy, when you compare say a Gibson melody maker or LPJ against say a Epiphone Lp Plus top. Now they become very equal, IMO. The Chinese Epiphones have come a long way, are much more consistent. I think its more about finding an instrument that plays well for YOU, in the budget that suits YOU. Decide if you need better woods, parts and nitro finish, if that makes a difference to you. Then make your choice. Find what works in your needs and budget.

 

I have played/ own some fantastic playing Gibson guitars, but...I have also played some real duds. Conversely, I have played some Epiphones that surprised me with how good they were. The moral here...try many, to find the one!

 

Clear as mud. :unsure:

[JAddison]

For me, no contest. Gibson all the way.

 

The Epi would feel such a compromise, every session would start with a negative feeling. On the other hand, the Gibson would inspire me to pick it up and play.

 

Only my opinion.

 

Unfortunately I have to agree with this.

I bought a 2007 Slash limited edition epi.

It's a very good guitar. Lovely neck, solid body and it has a longer sustain than any of my Gibsons. It had a big fat typical Les Paul sound but..

It lacks;

1. a kind of depth. Very hard to explain this.

2. an expression when you dig in. I guess what I am trying to say here is it is less dynamic than my Gibby's.

 

By the way I had the wiring changed with 500k CTS pots and a switchcraft pup toggle switch fitted too.

 

When I start playing my Gibsons, I cant put them down. I don't get that with any other guitar.

 

The best budget Gibby I have bought is my 2007 Chambered BFG. Man what an expressive guitar. Ok it doesnt have the 'Les Paul' sound. More of a hollow body sound, but when you dig in this thing responds wonderfully. I would say 4 x more than a guitar with all the laquer bells and whistles.

 

I am interested to know how a Solid body LP with no finish what so ever sounds like. I would buy one if Gibby made one.