guitar_randy Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I own a couple Gibson Les Pauls and I don't own an Epi Les Paul but I was just wondering if Epiphone Les Pauls have the bodies weight relieved like Gibsons or if they are solid wood or what the deal is in that regards with them? I always hear so much debate and discussions about Gibsons and the weight relieved vs non weight relieved but never came across any discussions regarding the Epiphone brand Les Pausl and if they are weight relieved or not and if so if they use same methods as Gibson. Anyone know at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve112 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I own a couple Gibson Les Pauls and I don't own an Epi Les Paul but I was just wondering if Epiphone Les Pauls have the bodies weight relieved like Gibsons or if they are solid wood or what the deal is in that regards with them? I always hear so much debate and discussions about Gibsons and the weight relieved vs non weight relieved but never came across any discussions regarding the Epiphone brand Les Pausl and if they are weight relieved or not and if so if they use same methods as Gibson. Anyone know at all? This is a good question, guitar-randy. I've often thought about this as well. Weight is a significant issue for me. I've not seen or heard any info on weight relief in solid-body Epiphones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Epiphone Les Paul's are not weight relieved. The wood used isn't mahogany and seems lighter than most real mahogany so the Epi's don't need weight relief. That said, an Epi Les Paul still won't be a lightweight guitar - probably equivalent to some weight relieved Gibson Les Paul's. If you want lightweight why not consider a (chambered) hollowbody ES style Les Paul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natty Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Epiphone Les Paul's are not weight relieved. The wood used isn't mahogany and seems lighter than most real mahogany so the Epi's don't need weight relief. That said, an Epi Les Paul still won't be a lightweight guitar - probably equivalent to some weight relieved Gibson Les Paul's. If you want lightweight why not consider a (chambered) hollowbody ES style Les Paul? Epiphone quote all the Les Paul range as having Mahogany bodies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar_randy Posted June 16, 2015 Author Share Posted June 16, 2015 Epiphone Les Paul's are not weight relieved. The wood used isn't mahogany and seems lighter than most real mahogany so the Epi's don't need weight relief. That said, an Epi Les Paul still won't be a lightweight guitar - probably equivalent to some weight relieved Gibson Les Paul's. If you want lightweight why not consider a (chambered) hollowbody ES style Les Paul? Not looking for one,just curious about that aspect of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 The Epiphone Florentine is just such a ES style LP. I tried one of these at Andertons when I bought my ES-339 this year. Had the ES-339 disapointed me I would have brought the Florentine home. It was sweet. The only weight is from the center block on which the pups are mounted. http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Les-Paul/Ltd-Ed-Les-Paul-Standard-Florentine-PRO.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parabar Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Epiphone Les Paul Ultras are weight-relieved. Heavily chambered, in fact ---- like so: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Epiphone quote all the Les Paul range as having Mahogany bodies? What they quote and what's real are two different things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenan Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 What they quote and what's real are two different things. What makes you think it's not mahogany? Because the guitars feel lighter then they should? Would be interested to hear your opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campbell Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 What makes you think it's not mahogany? Because the guitars feel lighter then they should? Would be interested to hear your opinion. Epiphone generally uses a wood called Lauan (Philippine mahogany, meranti, red meranti, white meranti) . Lauan is widely sold around the world as "Philippine mahogany", including its use for plywood face veneers. It is one of the world's most popular timbers. Still, better than plywood I'd say! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 Epiphone generally uses a wood called Lauan (Philippine mahogany, meranti, red meranti, white meranti) . Lauan is widely sold around the world as "Philippine mahogany", including its use for plywood face veneers. It is one of the world's most popular timbers. Still, better than plywood I'd say! :) Ive just checked another forum (2011) that says pretty much the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve112 Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Epiphone Les Paul Ultras are weight-relieved. Heavily chambered, in fact ---- like so: Interesting, good pic of the chambered Paul body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Wow, that is chambered! Is lay money my son's 94 MIK isn't weight relieved. If it is, they must have filled the chambers with lead shot. It comes in over 9 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 What makes you think it's not mahogany? Because the guitars feel lighter then they should? Would be interested to hear your opinion. Answer as per Campbell's post. This doesn't mean that Epiphone's are "no good" or anything like that. I've got a couple of Epiphone's and they are great guitars. However, the wood is certainly not proper mahogany. Even Gibson no longer uses the best mahogany which is widely regarded as Honduras mahogany. I am not sure when Gibson stopped using it but it has been some years. Whether Honduras is still used for the very high end Collectors Choice or Reissue models I don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campbell Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 With regards to weight relief guitars. I was watching a few videos on Billy Gibbons gear. He has a few guitars are not only chambered bodies, but chambered necks and headstocks. Also note: heavy gauge strings for Billy are "8's" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6DrxfrbbF8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumont Boy Posted June 22, 2021 Share Posted June 22, 2021 (edited) Some of the newer Epiphone Les Paul models are chambered like the Muse and Modern. There are others. Edited June 22, 2021 by Dumont Boy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I would never buy a weight relieved or chambered guitar. My epi les paul custom is perfect as is at 9+ pounds. My 1997 paul was heavier though at 12 pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Oops I meant to say 1977 les paul custom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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