Epiphone LP Tribute Plus VS Epiphone LP Joe Bonamassa

[Mel Epiphone]

Hi lads,

 

I'm on the market of a Les Paul, I've always been more of a Fender and Gretsch guy, but hey, I need to have a Les Paul on my weapon arsenal ! I don't want to spend 2 grands on a Gibson Les Paul, so I've been searching for alternatives. Played a couples Gibson LP Studios but I wasn't impressed, they sound good, but they don't sound like a Les Paul. probably because of the chambered body, I tried one with p-90's, Sounded good but I already have my epiphone JL casino with Gibson p-90's.. So, it comes down to these 2 models, LP Tribute Plus or LP Joe Bonamassa, because they come with stock Gibson pickups and they seem to be top notch.

 

The LP Tribute plus is prettier and has the parallel switch, but the LP Joe B. has burstbuckers, that I like 'em a little better over the 57 classics.

I can't try the Joe Bonamassa LP, I have to order it.

 

So please advise, which one you think will sound more like a Gibson LP standard, which one is better built ? electronic and hardware, (i dont care abt neck profile)

Has anyone tried or owned both so I can have a comparison opinion? I heard great stuff about both models..

 

Thanks in advance.

[capmaster]

Hello Mel, and welcome here.

 

As I posted several times in the past, last time yesterday I think, my Epiphone Les Paul Tribute Plus with '57/'57 Plus comes closest to the sound of my Gibson Les Paul Standard 2012 with Burstbucker Pros when comparing the series settings they both have in common. The slightly softer tonewoods of the Epiphone seem to have less midrange bite, thus shifting the '57 tone towards that of Burstbuckers. Moreover, the Epi sounds more compressed and less dynamically than the Gibson for that reason.

 

The series/parallel options work nicely and I wouldn't want to miss them.

 

Hope this helps.

[LPS1976]

they both will sound great comparable to Gibsons. the Tribute will have a Switchcraft toggle vs. the standard Epi one on the JB (unless you come across a Gold Top). it all comes down to which pickups you prefer. I know you said you don't care about the neck profile but these two models are night and day with the Tribute having the skinny '60's neck and the JB has a baseball bat. both are great guitars. good luck picking!

[Mel Epiphone]

Hi, Thanks for your replies, helpful stuff.

 

Like I said, I´ve heard lots of good reviews from both guitars, but never from anyone who had A-B tested them.

 

I think i´ll go with the tribute plus, maybe the parallel switch is indeed useful and the sound could come closer to the Gibson LP standard.

 

If anyone here has any other opinion.. I would like to read it before I go and get my Tribute plus.

 

Freedom !!

[jbailes]

well, I own both, and would not part with either of them. Both are excellent guitars. The cream of epiphone's crop, along with the slash models. While the specs are nearly identical, there are 2 glaring differences: pickups and neck shape. Of course the 1960 tribute has a very comfortable 60s shape neck, And the JB has more of a D-shaped 50s neck. Notice ably bigger, but not overwhelmingly so. Although you can certainly notice the difference in neck shape, it's easy to adapt to either. It just depends on all the fretboard aerobics you want to do on the neck. You already noted that you prefer burstbuckers, the JB has the 2&3 set in there. Not quite as warm as the 57s, but great blues/rock or classic rock pickups. You can't really go wrong with either.