CaptJim Posted October 13, 2023 Share Posted October 13, 2023 (edited) Hello everyone, Despite playing with guitars since age 17 and now at age 65 all I could achieve to bring myself to be an Intermediate level noise maker in my home and at RV camping trips. Once in a blue moon I jam with a friend. Last time it happened was 3 yrs ago. I am lonely guy and my band is called iPad with Free Guitar Backing Tracks. Since age 17 I always played Fender Telecaster a Fender Jazz Bass and few acoustic brands like Martin and Taylor. Finally 3 days ago while I was killing time at my local Guitar Center I noticed a 60s Bourbon Burst Epiphone LP Standard. It looked good enough to me and I said "what the heck, let me try". So I came home with my first LP and also first electric guitar with humbuckers. Once I plugged it in my Laney Cub 12 R I really liked the tones coming out of this guitar. My wife asked me why I got this guitar while I have my beloved Tele at home? Women huh? Anyways when I told her it was not that expensive because this was kind of a Chinese made copy of a very famous brand name manufacturer...(that's the description she can relate without me going to technical on her) Poor woman immediately said "Oh hon, I know you... You'll eventually regret for not getting the USA made real one"" (her words not mine) I told her $650+tax vs $3000+tax... and she said "well you have the GC card and if it is 48 months with no interest that means only $67/month. Plus if you put that $700 as down for the real one then you can bring the monthly payment down to a measly $52/month. Go get it hon".... Now; I am not disagreeing with her completely but in my case a $3000 guitar seems too excessive for me, even if the payments were $10 a month. But also I am struggling with curiosity of how it will feel in my hands to hold and play a Gibson... Is it really superior to my Epi and will it make me go "wow the difference is night and day" or will it only be used to make my son-in-law jealous because he was only permitted by our daughter to buy a used LP Studio... Huh, poor guy! Then I read a lot of posts on forums and watched a lot of youtube videos with so many people saying very negative things about QC issues with recent models of Gibson LP Standard. That worried me. I don't want to invest $3000 and stuck with a problematic product after 45 day return policy limit goes away. I don't know what is the truth level of those posts and videos I read and watched but most people were Gibson LP owners and were complaining without bashing the brand. They were all saying they loved the old era Gibson LPs and Custom shop ones but I am not going to spend $7000 unless the guitar comes with Dave Gilmour's brain and the arms of Slash! A $7000 guitar to me sounds like buying a Bugatti Veyron for commuting to work... So now the dilemma is, should I go for it or not! My Tele is 12 or 13 yrs old. I have no idea what's the reliability of the Epiphone LP Standard and what to expect from it. Feels and sounds good after 3 days but will it be ok after 3 months or years? Also will be holding a Gibson Standard in my hands feel different and play (sound) any better then this Epi? Tomorrow (Friday 10/13/2023) I'll go to Guitar Center and mingle with one to check it out but I am still on the fence since I am not experienced with Les Pauls or humbuckers I have no idea what I will get above and beyond my current Epi LP other than wood quality and Gibson logo on the headstock? Any ideas? What would you do if you were in my shoes? Edited October 13, 2023 by CaptJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 Hello CaptJim... Well you raise many good and well talked about questions... But first I have to say your wife sounds awesome.. Straight to the point 🙂 Anyway... Gibson vs Epiphone LPs.. Man that is a long running debate. There is no denying that Epiphone have upped their game over the last few years or so. You really can get some nice ones at a great price. HOWEVER, it still wont be a GIbson. A lot of that I think is due to the pickups. I think you will find a Gibson has a wider ranging sound than most Epiphones. But also yes the woods Gibson use are better quality if you like. And the nitro finish on Gibsons also make them feel different. The thing with Gibsons is that every one is just every so slightly different. So definitely play as many as you can get your hands on. One will just click with you. Also, maybe you dont have to get a Standard? Their Studio and Tribute ranges are somewhat cheaper and all of them are made in the same place by the same people. Same electronics (but obviously pickups vary between models). They just dont have quite as much bling as the standards if you like. The Classic is also a but cheaper but great guitars. So yeah, have a go of all those different models. The tributes are also really nice guitars if you dont care about binding and or a really shiny finish. Well I hope that helps a bit and good luck with your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 14, 2023 Author Share Posted October 14, 2023 Hi Rabs... My wife agrees with you regarding she's being awesome! 😉 If I were 30 yrs old, I would get a really good quality Gibson and keep it for 10-20 even 30 years possibly. But at age 65 with arthritis and carpal tunnel issues I may have only couple of years left where my fingers would still be able to do things my brain orders them to do. That's why I am staying back even though a $3000 Gibson is very easily within financial reach with US$50/month payment... Today I tried 2 of the 60s Gibson Standards but I didn't like those two. Even two GC employees agreed my Epi LP felt and sound better when they tried my guitar and those "real" Gibson LPs ☺️ I agree about Gibson LP Standards having tonally better pickups possibly but, I can get those same pickups for $300 and have the same tonal range on my Epi LP too right? But so far what my Epi sounds like is extremely satisfying to me. Still, if I come across a Gibson LP Std. that will make me go "wow", I may get my card out of my wallet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted October 14, 2023 Share Posted October 14, 2023 The new Epiphone Limited Edition LP Standard 59 reissue has all of the Gibson electronics, it's $1000. That's a very nice guitar for the money. Comes with a hardshell case also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 14, 2023 Author Share Posted October 14, 2023 2 hours ago, Ceptorman said: The new Epiphone Limited Edition LP Standard 59 reissue has all of the Gibson electronics, it's $1000. That's a very nice guitar for the money. Comes with a hardshell case also. Wow, wasn't aware of that model. I may take a look at that Thanks. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 (edited) 16 hours ago, CaptJim said: Hi Rabs... My wife agrees with you regarding she's being awesome! 😉 If I were 30 yrs old, I would get a really good quality Gibson and keep it for 10-20 even 30 years possibly. But at age 65 with arthritis and carpal tunnel issues I may have only couple of years left where my fingers would still be able to do things my brain orders them to do. That's why I am staying back even though a $3000 Gibson is very easily within financial reach with US$50/month payment... Today I tried 2 of the 60s Gibson Standards but I didn't like those two. Even two GC employees agreed my Epi LP felt and sound better when they tried my guitar and those "real" Gibson LPs ☺️ I agree about Gibson LP Standards having tonally better pickups possibly but, I can get those same pickups for $300 and have the same tonal range on my Epi LP too right? But so far what my Epi sounds like is extremely satisfying to me. Still, if I come across a Gibson LP Std. that will make me go "wow", I may get my card out of my wallet! Yes I think thats a great attitude.. If you love your Epi, then great, a good guitar is a good guitar no matter what it says on the headstock. But do keep an open mind and just try the odd Gibson here and there.. As I said its one thing I do know about Gibsons as I have seen it on here over and over through the years. No matter if you have been a Fender or what ever player all your life. When you find that right Gibson "The One" you will know it instantly and there is nothing else quite like it when that happens (kinda like finding the right woman 🙂 ). If you do find one we want pictures 👍 Edited October 15, 2023 by Rabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Well said Rabs. We want pics no matter what you chose 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted October 15, 2023 Share Posted October 15, 2023 Rabs is on point as usual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 15, 2023 Author Share Posted October 15, 2023 (edited) Not an exemplary sample of photography but at least it'll give you guys an idea. Edited October 15, 2023 by CaptJim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 (edited) On 10/14/2023 at 7:07 PM, Rabs said: Yes I think thats a great attitude.. If you love your Epi, then great, a good guitar is a good guitar no matter what it says on the headstock. But do keep an open mind and just try the odd Gibson here and there.. As I said its one thing I do know about Gibsons as I have seen it on here over and over through the years. No matter if you have been a Fender or what ever player all your life. When you find that right Gibson "The One" you will know it instantly and there is nothing else quite like it when that happens (kinda like finding the right woman 🙂 ). If you do find one we want pictures 👍 Hi Rabs, I agree with what you said regarding finding a great Gibson LP Std. But so far every single one of them I tried ( in 3 different GC stores ) disappointed me. When my Epi cost $650 out the door and a Gibson LP Std costing US$3240.00 I expect it to be at least 5 times better. Joking aside, seriously at least I expected a "wow that's a night and day difference" kind of experience once I felt and hold and play and hear... So far the difference I noticed is so minuscule that does not even justify twice the price of my Epi... Still if Epi vs Gibson was $650 vs $1500, I'd say WTH and buy one... But paying $2550 more than what I paid for my Epi LP, for a difference I can't even notice is somewhat silly IMHO. Basically at that point I am going to be paying only for the bragging rights of owning a guitar that says GIBSON on the headstock instead of Epiphone! Also, as I mentioned before when I tried the $3000 LPs at GC even employees said, dang your Epi sounds better. Yesterday I took it to GC for a setup . Tech took the guitar and measured up everything and he asked me "why I brought it up" because he found intonation was perfect. frets were perfect, electronics were perfect, pickup heights were ideal and nothing needed other than a tiny bit lowering the action. They normally charge $90 for a setup they said but when I asked how much I owed them, they told me "nothing" because he didn't need to do anything other than few minutes to check everything and verify they were all perfect. He said, this kind of perfect Epiphone setup doesn't happen all the time. So enjoy your luck and your guitar. Now, returning this kind of a good guitar and getting myself a questionable $3000 guitar is really unnecessary IMHO. Especially when I have no idea what am I looking for or what to expect from a "really nice" Gibson vs a "meh" Gibson... If I had a trustworthy Gibson expert friend with me then it would be a different story possibly! But again, I am not a pro performing on a stage or in a group or a recording studio musician. I only play at home and at RV camping. My only audience is my wife and our 2 little maltipoos. So at this point what I have seems enough to me. I still would like to see a Epiphone 59 reissue or Limited Edition that comes with the hard case. But that's it! I'll update you guys! Thanks for all the responses and advice! Edited October 16, 2023 by CaptJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 Congrats on the Epiphone, glad it's treating you well. Your wife sounds like a wonderful lady, and I'll bet she wouldn't mind if you kept the Epiphone and got a Gibson also. Just keep looking and one will jump out and be the one. You can always sell the Epiphone and get most of your money back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 It sounds like you're happy with the Epiphone. Maybe look at a Gibson ES-335? That would be different enough from what you have now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) 19 hours ago, SteveFord said: It sounds like you're happy with the Epiphone. Maybe look at a Gibson ES-335? That would be different enough from what you have now. Unfortunately, 335 is not my style... I mean it is a very nice guitar, but as soon as I see that guitar I feel like I have to be playing in a jazz band for some reason... I know, I know... There are a lot of rock stars use that model too. But, to me that how it feels and because of that I was never attracted to that style of guitars, no matter what brand they may be! Edited October 18, 2023 by CaptJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) 9 minutes ago, CaptJim said: Unfortunately, 335 is not my style... I mean it is a very nice guitar, but as soon as I see that guitar I feel like I have to be playing in a jazz band for some reason... I know, I know... There are a lot of rock stars use that model too. But, to me it feels like that and because of that I was never attracted to that style of guitars, no matter what brand they may be! No no.. You want a 336 😄 I have two of them.. They are a small body 335 shape (just a bit bigger than a LP) but unlike a 335 (made from laminates) its made from a solid back which is then chambered out to make it hollow. So its really is literally like a cross between a LP and a 335. And they are beautiful even if I do say so myself. And more expensive as they are custom shop Edited October 18, 2023 by Rabs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Rabs said: No no.. You want a 336 😄 I have two of them.. They are a small body 335 shape (just a bit bigger than a LP) but unlike a 335 (made from laminates) its made from a solid back which is then chambered out to make it hollow. So its really is literally like a cross between a LP and a 335. And they are beautiful even if I do say so myself. And more expensive as they are custom shop You have TWO??? 😱 Ok, I'll gladly accept one of them as my next Christmas gift from you and since I am not so greedy I'll let you choose which one of the two you'll send in my way! 😆 Edited October 18, 2023 by CaptJim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) 19 minutes ago, CaptJim said: You have TWO??? 😱 Ok, I'll gladly accept one of them as my next Christmas gift from you and since I am not so greedy I'll let you choose which one of the two you'll send in my way! 😆 It happened by accident ... These only came out in something like 2008.. I tried my first one in about 2010 and from the first strum I knew if I could ever afford one I would get one.. And I got the humbucker one I think only in 2020.. It was the last one in the country at that time and I didnt know if Gibson were ever going to make any more ever again so I bought it (after a small inheritance or I would never have been able to).. A few months later the P90 one came up and I love P90s, its also a Made 2 Measure guitar which means it was made to order and it was £400 cheaper than the humbucker one I just bought.. So I thought even if I just have it for a while and sell it on, I just had too.. So thus ended up with two.. And I love them both. They are as far as I am concerned, the perfect guitar. Oddly a short while after that again a Pelham Blue custom made 336 came up at a good price.. But I just had to draw the line at two even though it was stunning and even more rare than my P90 one. 😄 They were both second hand by the way.. Even I am not that mad... I really never thought id own one, let alone two. I was in genuine shock both times ... Edited October 18, 2023 by Rabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 Beautiful guitar Rabs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 1 minute ago, Ceptorman said: Beautiful guitars Rabs. Fixed that for you 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 If you like the Les Paul body style, I'd go with one of these: Although they are kind of heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 (edited) 18 hours ago, CaptJim said: Unfortunately, 335 is not my style... I mean it is a very nice guitar, but as soon as I see that guitar I feel like I have to be playing in a jazz band for some reason... I know, I know... There are a lot of rock stars use that model too. But, to me that how it feels and because of that I was never attracted to that style of guitars, no matter what brand they may be! 335's are probably the best guitar Gibson never came up with. I would take the BB King I had over any electric I ever owned. Now I just play guitars that are hollow with one big hole on the top. Edited October 19, 2023 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptJim Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 (edited) On 10/18/2023 at 11:08 AM, Rabs said: It happened by accident ... These only came out in something like 2008.. I tried my first one in about 2010 and from the first strum I knew if I could ever afford one I would get one.. And I got the humbucker one I think only in 2020.. It was the last one in the country at that time and I didnt know if Gibson were ever going to make any more ever again so I bought it (after a small inheritance or I would never have been able to).. A few months later the P90 one came up and I love P90s, its also a Made 2 Measure guitar which means it was made to order and it was £400 cheaper than the humbucker one I just bought.. So I thought even if I just have it for a while and sell it on, I just had too.. So thus ended up with two.. And I love them both. They are as far as I am concerned, the perfect guitar. Oddly a short while after that again a Pelham Blue custom made 336 came up at a good price.. But I just had to draw the line at two even though it was stunning and even more rare than my P90 one. 😄 They were both second hand by the way.. Even I am not that mad... I really never thought id own one, let alone two. I was in genuine shock both times ... Ohhh suuuure! I bet it was an accident! What happened? Money floated out of your pocket in to the direction of the seller and he yelled "SOLD!" and so you've had to go home with them? Let me try to tell the same "accidental" purchase story to my wife and let me see if it works on this side of the pond too??? Kidding aside, the bottom picture is a gorgeous one! Now please give me your address and tell me when you're not home and where do you keep the spare key for the house? Seriously though ; Enjoy those beatuies! Edited October 20, 2023 by CaptJim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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