Which Epiphone Les Paul and Gibson Les Paul have necks like a Fender player plus stratocaster?

[Muse50]

Hi all

I'm thinking of buying an Epiphone Les Paul or a Gibson Les Paul.  I'm not sure on either an Epiphone or Gibson as I want to see what the different prices are and what Both play like.  I'd prefer a Gibson as I know the quality will be better and it will have a darker warmer sound I'm thinking but depends on prices.  I'll see.  Any suggestions or opinions are welcome.  I'm wanting an Epiphone Les Paul or a Gibson Les Paul to play led zeppelin stuff and hard rock on.

I currently have a Fender player plus tele and strat.  The necks on these fenders are great.  So easy and comfortable to play.  So one thing which I'm really looking at in buying an Epiphone Les Paul or Gibson Les Paul is getting one with a neck just like the fender player plus C necks on the Fender player plus strats and teles or as close to same neck as possible.

So can anyone tell me what model Epiphone Les Paul or Gibson Les Paul has a neck as similar to the fender player plus strat neck?

Also I have had mixed opinions on the slim tapered necks on the epiphones and Gibson's.  Are these necks as bad as people say?  I will pop down to the local shop and play a few epiphones and Gibson's which is the best way to see what model has the best neck that suits me and what model I prefer in sound, colour, pick ups ect and most of all the prices and differences between the Epiphone Les Paul and Gibson Les Paul.  But to start, if people could give me some suggestions on what they think which Epiphone Les Paul or Gibson Les Paul has a neck just like a  fender player plus strat and what models are worth looking at?

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dub-T-123]

In 1952 Les Paul’s team of engineers tried to craft an instrument capable of playing Zepplin and hard rock. That is when they came up with the legendary slim taper neck, which was based on the Fender Pro Player series. 

Sadly, the necks are bad. Jimmy Page had to have the neck shaved on his ‘59 in order to play Zepplin and hard rock. Ultimately he just used a Telecaster with a Pro Player neck

[Rabs]

5 minutes ago, Dub-T-123 said:

In 1952 Les Paul’s team of engineers tried to craft an instrument capable of playing Zepplin and hard rock. That is when they came up with the legendary slim taper neck, which was based on the Fender Pro Player series. 

Sadly, the necks are bad. Jimmy Page had to have the neck shaved on his ‘59 in order to play Zepplin and hard rock. Ultimately he just used a Telecaster with a Pro Player neck

Yes..  But surely only in the studio... Live, he used LPs (mostly)....

[Dub-T-123]

He did like to play authentic during his iconic live performances 

[Muse50]

Thanks for that.  I didn't know that.  So the tapered neck is as bad as they say then.  But Gibson must have improved it did they?  I see they day the Epiphone 59 Les Paul standard has a C neck.  The other Epiphone Les Paul standard I was looking at was the slash 59 model.  Slash had a customised C neck put on his Gibson's.  They advertise the slash Epiphone 59 Les Paul standard has having his customised C neck on it.  So do you know what the customised slash C neck is like?  As I said the best thing to do as you always do before deciding on what guitar to buy is to go to the local shop and play them and see what neck and model you like.  That's what I'll do as I always do.  Like I just played the Fender player plus telecaster last week.  The player plus series is like an improved player series MIM Fenders.  The neck on the player plus series is simply awesome.  Its an improved Fender C neck.  It has rounded edges and this simple modification makes it great to play.

 

That's really interesting that Jimmy page had to do that to the neck.

[Dub-T-123]

Yes the tapered neck is very bad and Gibson really can’t do anything about it until the patent expires on the Pro Player neck.
 

Slash likes bad necks so he had Gibson custom fit bad necks on his guitars. The Slash necks are some of the worst of all. 
 

I recommend a Fender Pro Player with humbuckers for Zepplin and hard rock. Those necks are awesome 😎 

[Rabs]

Ok this is getting silly now...   The slim taper Gibson neck is the only one I like..   The others are fat 50s necks (sometimes called baseball bat necks) and then you get some 50s necks that are not so fat...  

I think also one big thing to remember is that Fender tend to use a 9.5" radius on the fretboard where as Gibson use a 12" radius (flatter than the 9").. This is also a significant factor on the feel of the neck which is one reason I dont like Fenders very much..

Slash likes the fat 50s necks which is the only reason I dont have one of his models or I would get one in a heartbeat. 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Rabs

[Muse50]

Rabs I agree.  It comes down to so many things when we like a neck or don't like it.  Even  the your hand size and shape is a bigger factor.  You also a make good point about the different neck radius size between the fender and Les Paul.  Then do you play a lot of lead guitar or rythm guitar.  Obviously it's easier to play chords on a Fender than a Les Paul.  I get asked a lot which guitar is best for a beginner.  I always answer by saying play the different types of guitars and see which one you like.  But generally a fender is easier to learn on as the neck is thinner and it's easier for small hands to play bar chords ect.  But the only way is to try a guitar before you buy.  But I just thought I'd ask on here just to see the different opinions and as I said I heard the Gibson/epiphone tapered neck was terrible yet Rabs you like it.  

 

I just really like the sound of a Les Paul when playing hard rock like zeppelin ect.  I find even with humbuckers in my strat, the strat still has a brighter tone than a Les Paul I find.  That's why I'd like an Epiphone Les Paul.  I love the strats playability and the neck and the teles playability and neck.  Playing blues, Hendrix, U2 ect, I ust find also the strat is a more versatile guitar and suited to that sound.  The tele is great for playing the rolling stones and blues.  But for good heavy rock like zeppelin, ACDC ect, you can't beat the sound of a Les Paul or an SG.

 

Even using good effects pedals, you still can't beat a Les Paul with those twin humbuckers.

 

Now I just remembered I played a an Epiphone slash Les Paul.  It's the cheap one that comes with the snake pit practice amp and things.  It's sold together as a beginners kit.  One of my mates kids had one .  Now the neck on that I found quite ok.  Is that similar to an Epiphone 59 Les Paul standard neck or the slash 59 Epiphone Les Paul standard neck?

 

[Rabs]

Well I play a bit of both..  Not that my lead is any good but I dont think thats an issue with my guitars....   All of these have slim taper necks (and one has an asymmetrical slim neck)

 

Guitars in general just need to be tried first as you said..  With Gibsons the neck tenon joint is hand done still. Which means each one is slightly different and the same with neck profiles.. Hand finished so each is sort of unique and within a certain ball park as it were.

Then you also have P90s..  A  lot of people either havent tried them or dont like them. BUT a lot of people also love them..  Maybe you should try something like this

 

Nothing about any of this is good/bad, right or wrong.. Just all personal preference..  What ever it is that inspires you to play is good, end of story  🙂 

[Muse50]

I totally agree.  With guitars, that old saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure" is so true.  Looking at your collection you  obviously like your Gibson/,Epiphones.  But like you I like to play a bit of both.  

Have you played that cheaper slash Epiphone Les Paul that is sold with the snake pit small practice amp for beginners?  As I said I've played that and found the neck quite ok.  I just looked on the internet at the specs for that guitar and it says C neck with same radius size as the 59 standard and slash 59 standard.  Tell me if you have played that guitar so I get an idea of the neck size.

You aso make another good point about the joint being hand done so you are absolutely correct in saying each guitar will be individual even though it's the same type and model of guitar.  I forgot about that in epiphones and Gibson's.

 

A tele with twin humbuckers would sound good but still not the same as as a Les Paul.  I'm actually going to get another tele and put in a neck humbucker to get the same sound as Keith Richards and just leave it in open G tuning to play the stones on.

 

 

[Rabs]

I have only played a few Epis.. They are fine guitars for what they cost and you can find some which for what ever reason feel as good as any other guitars that cost way way more...

Yes its the pre 59s that are the really fat necks..  The 59 is what most would call medium... Honestly, if you like slimmer necks you should really try one of the 60s slim tapered necks. Theres nothing wrong with them at all. Its the pre 59s, the baseball bat ones that people complain about..  But then again there are some people where the fatter the neck the better...

In the end talking on forums like this can help but really you need to try them all and find out for yourself. Theres just no substitute for that.

Also theres an Epiphone section on the forum.. Maybe go and ask those guys.

[Muse50]

Yes everyone says the epiphones are good.  It's just like the Fender player series MIM strats and teles.  They are just as good in my opinion as an American made Fender model and half the price.  But yes only way to see if you like a guitar is to play it before you buy.  But now you have told me the slim tapered necks are good so I'll try one out.  And also the 60s Les Paul standards now.  Before you told me I wouldn't have tried out the 60s models or the slim tapered necks.  So forums are still good to get input on and find out things you don't know.  So thanks for your input and info.  I appreciate it.  I also love the colours of the Les pauls.  They are the best looking electric guitars 

[rct]

Necks are scale lengths and radius.

Fender is long scale length, Gibson is short.  It can make a noticeable difference if you use one more than the other, and you switch guitars between sets.

Gibson is 12" radius, the average garden variety Fender neck is 9.5 or 7.25 if it is "vintage" spec'd.  There are 12" Fenders, I have one, and it is bound, but it is not at all like a Les Paul neck.  But the reverse is the problem, Gibson doesn't put 9.5s or 7.25s o their guitars.

The short answer is NONE.  

rct

[Muse50]

Yes you ate right.  I just wanted an idea and just opinions from anyone  on the different necks and the differences and similarities if any between Fender and Gibson/Epiphone C necks.  As I have always heard people saying the slim tapered necks were terrible and obviously that's not correct as Rabs states he likes them.  But as we all know, the only way to see if you like a particular model of guitar is simply play it.  But as I said, now because of what's been said,  I'll try some other Epiphone Les pauls out now as well which I wasn't considering before.

[kidblast]

I like the Gibson 59s and I like Gibson Slim Taper.  It's what I'm used to.

That said, I'm not a fan of 7.* necks though so if Gibson DID make em, I'd steer clear.

[Rabs]

14 minutes ago, Muse50 said:

Yes you ate right.  I just wanted an idea and just opinions from anyone  on the different necks and the differences and similarities if any between Fender and Gibson/Epiphone C necks.  As I have always heard people saying the slim tapered necks were terrible and obviously that's not correct as Rabs states he likes them.  But as we all know, the only way to see if you like a particular model of guitar is simply play it.  But as I said, now because of what's been said,  I'll try some other Epiphone Les pauls out now as well which I wasn't considering before.

Yup.. For me the difference was night and day.  I have told this story before but my first ever Gibson was a 92/93 LP Studio. For me at the time I just wanted a Gibson. There was no internet to get the information. I just assumed at the time that the more expensive the guitar, the better it would feel to play and had no idea of the diffrent neck sizes. The Studios of that time had quite chunky 50s necks and while I loved having a Gibson I always felt it was a bit clunky to play..  Forward on to 2002 when I got my first Standard level LP..  I went to the shop and asked for a Standard as thats what I thought I wanted and when I played it to my surprise it felt even more clunky than the Studio. So I told the guy in the shop and he brought out a LP Classic that from my inexperienced eyes looked exactly like the Standard (same colour as well) and my goodness, from the first strum I knew it was the one... Made so much difference to me. 

I will admit that sometimes I also just rule some thicker necks out without trying them because of that experience. But on the other hand I am more than happy with my collection so its not like I feel like I am missing out or anything.

[Muse50]

That's a really good story to tell beginners or anyone that see a cheap Fender or Gibson on the internet for sale.  As we all know generally the big internet shops sell Fenders and Gibson's up to 150 euros cheaper than you can get it a your local music shop.  They think great!!!!  And go ahead and order it and then realise when it arrives on their doorstep they don't like it or it doesn't play that well.  Then they have to go through all the hassle of sending it back and it some cases paying for the return postage.  

You SHOULD ALWAYS go and play a guitar and see how it sounds and check out its quality, and most of of all it's playability BEFORE buying any guitar!!!!  Golden rule in buying any guitars.  I would never buy a guitar new or used on the internet unless I could play it first.  Even if ive played the exact same model and make of guitar before. I always want to play the specific  one I buy before hand as every guitar no matter if it's factory made or hand made, as each guitar is individual.  A good point that Rabs made was the Gibson Les pauls neck tennon joints are still hand made and that there immediately makes each specific guitar slightly different from each other even though they are all the same make and model.  I'm happy to pay the retail price and get my guitars locally so I can see it, hear it and play it before I buy it and I can buy the one I've played.  I can also play all of them in the shop and play all the different models of the guitar and any similar to it to see which one I like.  

Thats why I think forums are great when talking about different guitars.  It doesn't matter how good you are or how long you have been playing for, on forums everyone can get information from each other and you will always learn something you didn't know.  Like now I've discovered that the tapered slim necks are good and 50s LPs have chunky necks as do the slash LPs.  So now I'll go and play a 60s model Epiphone LP and try a studio and any other LPs just to see which one I like.  Previous to asking on the forum, I thought the 59 Epiphone LP and the slash Epiphone LP were the best ones.  What a disaster if I'd have just not asked anyone and bought the 59 Epiphone LP or slash epiphone LP directly of the internet.

The guy who works in the music shop is also not the best person to ask about which guitar he thinks is better as generally they will just try sell you the most expensive one they have.  A forum allows you to get unbiased honest opinions from fellow guitarists so you can make up your own mind.

As I always say, never be scared to ask a question because you think it's a dumb question and you will look stupid. Always ASK!!!  Especially if you are about to fork out 750 to a 1000 euros.  And never take the wife or girlfriend or ask their advice as they will just say "Buy that one, it's a really nice colour"

So thanks for sharing that story about buying  your first Gibson.   A good lesson learned and it's a perfect reason to ask questions on forums as it allows you to learn from other peoples mistakes and as I said get as much honest information from other players as you can so you can make good informed decisions when looking at buying a guitar you are not so familiar with and that are not so cheap.

 

[SteveFord]

I have no idea about the specific guitars you're talking about but if you have Boston Strangler hands (like mine) 50s necks are fine, 60s are a little too puny and right in the middle is best.

If you have long arms (like mine) most Gibsons are too short and stubby so that's why they invented the Firebird.

It's all a matter of what fits you.

[mihcmac]

Hm maybe a Long Scale Gibson

There have been several 25.5" Long Scale Gibsons produced over there years, including LP's SG's Firebirds etc, not to forget the Night Hawk or Blues Hawk including the current Nancy Wilson Fanatic. The longer length does seem to effect the tone making them a bit throatier, specially the bass strings.

Edited October 14, 2022 by mihcmac

[sparquelito]

I must confess a few things. 

* I have owned, played, gigged, and sold off at least a hundred guitars in my lifetime. 
I own a solid, stable, even dozen guitars at this point in my life. 

* I never once cared one iota about neck shape, scale length, fretboard radius, or tenon length. 
Don't know, don't care. 

A guitar either feels good, plays nicely, and stays in tune, 
or it doesn't.  And I can happily adapt to anything. 

Hand one, any one, to me mid-gig, and I'll play the heck out of it. 
😘

[mihcmac]

The Fender scale current Nancy Wilson Fanatic with 25.5" Rounded C neck.

Or the Nancy Wilson Night Hawk.

Edited October 15, 2022 by mihcmac

[ParaboLAteralus]

Try the Epiphone '61 Les Paul SG. It has a SlimTaper C that reminds me of the Player Plus Strat a lot (the Player Plus has a 12" Modern C). I love my Fenders, but the 60s SlimTaper D is my favorite profile available, and Fender has nothing close except on the Ultra series. Different strokes for different folks. haha Some people hate the SlimTaper D.

[Notes_Norton]

I'm not a big fan of Fender necks because on most models, the radius is too short. I like a 12" radius. I bend strings a lot.

But that's me, and the shape of my hands.

I do like the longer scale Fender necks.

My Parker has the best of both. -- For me -- YMMV