Got Another Question: Gibson Les Paul Special "Faded" v. Epiphone Les Paul Standard

[shotgunshooter3]

Alright guys I was all set to go put a Gibson Les Paul Special "Faded" model on layaway for $480 at Guitar Center, but when I walked in I eyed what turned out to be a particularly nice Epiphone Ebony Les Paul Standard for $350. It would need to be restrung but that would not be a big deal.

 

I was all set to get the Gibson but now I'm tempted to give the Epiphone a whirl and save a bill or two. I'm still leaning towards the Gibson but I would like to see what you guys would suggest.

 

Thank you!

[rockstar232007]

Personally? I would go for the Epi Standard, just because I'm not a big fan of LPs with, flat-tops.

[loneguitar]

The Gibson with out question, the Epi may look nice, but the resale value will diminish quickly. where as the Gibson will hold and in most cases increase in value.

This is a fact period.

The Gibson will blow away the Epi every time, I don't care what mods you do to an Epi, it's still the economy class

[BigKahune]

The Gibson with out question' date=' the Epi may look nice, but the resale value will diminish quickly. where as the Gibson will hold and in most cases increase in value. This is a fact period. The Gibson will blow away the Epi every time, I don't care what mods you do to an Epi, it's still the economy class[/quote']

 

Yes, Epi is Gibson's "B" line, but Epi guitars are still well made instruments. The recent Gibson price cuts have had a corresponding effect on the value of 'common' Gibson instruments (excepting classics like a 58 or 59, etc).

 

I gotta say, $480 makes a pretty price tag. I would rather have the carved top, and in this price range, resale value is not an issue.

 

Not sure what your price range is, but give ebay a try. As I mentioned earlier, the prices on used Gibsons have come down some. You might find a good deal in your range.

[bobv]

It's actually a close call. At that price range, there are a lot of compromises in the Gibson and you lose features like a carved top or a bound neck. Maybe it should come down to which guitar feels and sounds and looks better in your hands. The Epi is a great value and they're very nicely made, but you need to understand that under that black paint you'd find veneers and fiberboard and laminated woods, and the electronics will have cheap wires and the hardware will be less expensive overseas stuff, and the finish is a thick polyester that's nice and shiny but doesn't have the mojo of a Gibson. As long as you understand the differences, you should not be embarrassed by the choice either way. Best of luck.

[tom brown]

shot if you notice at most guitar shops there are a ton of used epi and there is a reason for it.

 

what i believe is people figure they can save a few dollars and its the same guitar, but its not...

 

SG' S are on sale now i think 699, and the les paul vm's are no longer made so you maybe can get a good deal on one..

 

to me its the tone, play a les paul or sg, they play the epi and notice the tone difference...but if you have a doubt wait, cause when you bring back the epi to trade, like most do you lose 300 anyway so why not spend the extra two and get the gibson?

[Xinnix]

The Gibson with out question' date=' the Epi may look nice, but the resale value will diminish quickly. where as the Gibson will hold and in most cases increase in value.

This is a fact period.

The Gibson will blow away the Epi every time, I don't care what mods you do to an Epi, it's still the economy class[/quote']

 

 

I agree. Most Gibson's will hold their value, and increase if its a guitar that people want.

But only spending 350.00 on a guitar isn't a great investment anyways.

So, if it sounds good and that's what you have to spend, I'm sure you got your money's worth.

 

For me, I learned a long time ago that if you spend the cash for a high quality instrument.

It will not only make you a better player, but you can always get what you had in it. I had a LP 1960 Classic that

I loved until I played this Faded model. I was able to sell my Classic for what I had in it and then get this guitar.

So, It was like a trade. And now that they are discontinued its even better!

[dmeds]

It comes down to tone; try them both. As was mentioned, $350 is not much of an investment. Besides what would one expect to recoup from it down the road? I have both, an Epi Custom Plus and 2 Gibson LP's. As far as the comment made about fiberboard being used, I can't say I agree. I've had my Epi apart for mods and found no such thing. That may because of it being a custom; not sure why. As I stated before, a modded Epi can come to about 90% of a Gibson LP tone at a fraction of the cost. It's no Gibby, but is a LP that is a great value for the price. Who says you won't own both sometime later? Whatever you decide, years down the road that guitar may be something special that started you on your long journey.

[pohatu771]

I thought I replied to this once before, but apparently I didn't.

 

If you're buying one of two used guitars, the value has already decreased, and probably won't decrease any more. As new Epiphone prices go up, the cost of a used Epiphone will also go up... if anything, this guitar will be worth more if you sell it a year from now, assuming you don't do any damage to it.

 

They are, of course, two entirely different guitars. The Les Paul Special Faded is based on the classic Les Paul Special - slab body with P-90s. Calling the slab body a "cost cutting" measure, as someone did, is just wrong... the Les Paul Special has always been a slab body. The Epiphone Les Paul Standard is based on the Gibson Les Paul Standard - mahogany/maple with humbuckers. The quality of the wood will be slightly different than a Gibson's - Phillipine mahogany rather than Honduras, and a "light" wood - often alder - cap. If it's an ebony finish, that's all the wood there is. If it were a transparent finish, it would also have a maple veneer over the top.

 

It comes down to which sound you prefer, really, and if you need to save some money. If I were in this situation, I'd buy the Gibson, most likely. I'm not a huge fan of the Les Paul Standard - Gibson or Epiphone - but I'm quite fond of P-90s.

 

My Spirit, which is half-way to being converted to a Les Paul Special, will probably push my Casino out of its "favourite guitar" slot.

[crossroadsnyc]

If your number one priority is to save money, as you suggested, then I'd absolutely go with the Gibson. Really, the difference in price is nearly a wash, and you've already said you're leaning toward the Gibson anyway (which is a nicer guitar). I think that if you buy the Epiphone you will have buyers remorse ... and all over a few lousy dollars in the grand scheme.

 

Go w/the Gibson.

[Big Bill]

I had a 2004 Epi Les Paul Standard and I loved it! It had an ebony finish and it screamed in comparison to my Strat. I liked this guitar so much that it finally broke me down to by the Gibson Les Paul Traditional. The Epi had a lot of great qualities for a $400 guitar.

[shotgunshooter3]

Thanks for all the input guys. The Gibson PL Special is sitting in the backroom with my name on it right now... Now to just get it out of layaway and rescue it from that Guitar Center!