Epi LP - Gibson LP Quality

[NeoConMan]

On the Elitist....

I agree in principle, in reality the resale value will likely not be much better than the garden variety Epiphone.

Too small of a market.

 

I could be wrong, but I've lost my *** on too many perfectly good guitars and given away every import I ever owned.

Including 3 Epiphones.

 

One was a highly modified Korina V '58 reissue with Gibson/Duncan pickups, pots and switch. Real kick-*** guitar!

Sold for squat after 3 months of trying.

[FennRx]

last i looked, which has been a bit i admit, elitists went for about $800 on ebay.

 

Gibsons dont hold their value well unless they a) are old or are limited editions, Braz boards, etc.

 

a new R9 goes for around $4800-5000 after haggling. they can bought used for $3200-3400. R8s are around $3200 new (maybe a bit less) and can be had for $1800. thats not very good. how often do you see a used American Strat for under $800? not too often. at least i dont.

[max2343]

See Neoconman, there-ya go. Just what I've been saying.

 

You said it. " A Real Kick-*** Guitar" Your old Modified Epipy Explorer.

 

You should of just Hung on to it. Fu%k What the Market will bring.

 

The Market (as far as imports) Do not indicate sound and Playability.

 

I have many Imports that Many Snoobs at first look down at

 

with their 2 or 3 Thousand Dollar Axes Standing next to me

 

But when they Hear what they sound like, Right up against what

 

they got. Man I'll tell-ya.

[NeoConMan]

You should of just Hung on to it.

Yeah' date=' I know....

 

[b']1.[/b] I never played it.

2. I was out of room in the old house.

3. It was never gonna appreciate in value or be worth more than the parts in it.

4. I figured somebody would love it more than I did.

5. With the factory V hardcase and all the mods, I figured I might make a few bucks on it.

 

After it wouldn't sell for months, I finally got pissed and lowered the price until it hurt.

[max2343]

You said It was a Real Kick *** Guitar, but you never Played it?

[NeoConMan]

Pickups were too hot.

Duncan JB in the bridge.

 

Great if I was playing Scorpions all the time - but I don't.

 

Also, I had plenty of other guitars I enjoyed more.

Something had to go, and it was worth less to me than any of the others.

[max2343]

Too Bad. Your a Better Man Than I.

 

I can't get rid of any.

 

By the way you think a JB is too Hot, Really

 

What do you consider a good all around Pickup

 

that's not Hot?

[rockstar232007]

I really don't think Epiphone/Gibson would be printing lies on their spec sheet.

I didn't say that ALL Epi LPs had Alder/Maple tops, I said "everyone that I've seen", that's why I also said the best way to be sure, is to check inside the p/up cavity. And as far as printing lies on spec sheets? maybe not, but I have seen a few that had mistakes on them. Just look at the specs for the Epi LP Standard Plus-Top (which is what I have)http://epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=45&CollectionID=6 , it says that it has a "Flamed Maple" top, but doesn't state whether or not, it's a veneer (which it is). So you can't always go by what a spec sheet says.

[max2343]

Ya Think the Korina are Real Korina?

 

I think not

[NeoConMan]

By the way you think a JB is too Hot' date=' Really

 

What do you consider a good all around Pickup that's not Hot? [/quote']

57 Classic, 490, P-90.

I prefer lower output, gives a lot more versatility.

If it needs a little boost, crank the amp or put a pedal in front of it.

 

I find I can get everything I need plugged straight into my Fender or Marshall - no pedals.

 

 

 

 

Ya Think the Korina are Real Korina?

 

I think not

On the Epi V?

HELL no!

 

It was some sort of chalky Balsa wood looking sh!t inside the control and pickup cavity.

Flaked off like styrofoam.

Gibson told me it was likely Alder - yeah right....

I've worked with plenty of Strat bodies made of Alder - this wasn't Alder.

 

Had a Korina-looking veneer glued to it with joints that were obvious as hell.

Step back a few feet - it looked cool as hell.

Like I said' date=' it played great and sounded badass but it was still a cheap-*** guitar.

 

[img']http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2481644477_fdea9c4d29.jpg?v=0[/img]

[Witmer]

 

I have to agree w/this up until the last point. I would recommend an Epiphone LP under two conditions:

 

1) You are buying a first guitar for your son/daughter and don't want to make an extravagant investment in a new hobby you're not sure they will keep up' date=' yet you still want to get them a decent guitar to get started with. There is nothing at all wrong w/spending the first 6-12 months playing through an Epiphone LP to see if it clicks and they stick w/the guitar. As far as a "starter" guitar is concerned, I think you'd be hard pressed to find something better in that price range.

 

2) In the event that you simply can not swing the cost of a Gibson. Not everyone is on the same financial footing, and if the cost of a Gibson is prohibitive (which for some it just simply is), there is nothing wrong in my opinion with playing an Epiphone as an alternative. Frankly, I'd prefer seeing someone on an Epiphone rather than a fake Chinese "Gibson" copy.

 

Having said that, I'd go with the Gibson if you can swing it.

 

[/quote']

 

 

These are good points, and I'll add a third. At my advice, the son of a friend of mine bought this epi les paul studio: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar-Factory-B-Stock?sku=518351

 

And you know, sometimes you just get really, really lucky with an Epi. Yes, my Gibson Studio Plus feels much nicer, and sounds a bit nicer. But it's been many times that I've stopped, and walked into the next room to shake my head at the absolutely gorgeous tone the kid is getting out of that thing. I s'pose you can tell me my ears suck...and maybe you'd be right. But at the very least, +1 to your condition 1.

[pippy]

On topic first : The Gibson is almost always going to be a better instrument. PLEASE forget aesthetics. The quality is not comparable. My advice, FWIW, is to buy a s/h Gibson. Any one. Studios are, for what you get, inexpensive. Classics are similar to the Standard and usually a lot cheaper.

 

If you buy an Epi you'll always wish you had saved a bit longer and bought a Gibson.

 

Going off the original topic slightly but relevant to the following point;

 

Ya Think the Korina are Real Korina?

 

I think not

 

Never mind about Epi's; Even Gibson's own first re-issue of the Explorer in 1976 was a quality-wood-shortage victim.

 

The whole run was meant to be made with Korina as per the 1958 instruments. Due to the stringency of the QC checks only 38 guitars were in korina, the remainder being mahogany. Some of the mahogany wasn't good enough either and these instruments were finished solid black.

[pohatu771]

If you buy an Epi you'll always wish you had saved a bit longer and bought a Gibson.

 

I have to disagree about that... I bought my Casino (used' date=' I'll add) and have never regretted it.

 

You could say that it's because at the time I bought it, there was no Gibson equivalent, but even now when they're producing the ES-330 again, I still don't regret it.

 

I wish I had the ES-330, but not [i']instead[/i] of the Casino.

 

I haven't had a chance to play any of the Elite/Elitist or Japanese-market (with Gibson headstock and nitro) Epiphones, or Orvilles, but I've heard good things. A used Orville Les Paul Standard will cost about the same as a new Epiphone Les Paul Custom.

 

If resale value is important to you (it's not really to me), a used Epiphone won't depreciate any more than it already has. As the new prices rise, the used price will, too.

 

Personally, I'm not a huge Les Paul fan - Epiphone or Gibson - but from what I've played, I do prefer the Gibsons, right down to the Studio Faded.

[BigKahune]

...I bought my Casino (used' date=' I'll add) and have never regretted it. ...[/quote']

 

I took a look at your Casino. Very nice. I had one for a few years and then sold it. Kinda wish I still had it.

[pohatu771]

 

 

I took a look at your Casino. Very nice. I had one for a few years and then sold it. Kinda wish I still had it.

I should really take a better photo of it... that's the "living room floor" the day I bought it.

 

Still looks the same, but I have a better camera now.

[pippy]

I have to disagree about that... I bought my Casino (used' date=' I'll add) and have never regretted it.[/quote']

 

I don't doubt you for a minute; they are very fine instruments.

 

I was specifically talking about Epi LP's V's Gibson LP's. That's what the thread is asking about.

 

As you yourself state;

 

Personally' date=' I'm not a huge Les Paul fan - Epiphone or Gibson - but from what I've played, I do prefer the Gibsons, right down to the Studio Faded.[/quote']

 

Sorry for any confusion.

[Oringo]

A good guitar shop is really what it's about...

 

A few years back, I went shopping for a beginner solid body for my son. I was thinking of an Epi SG, LP or a Squier Strat, thinking the price is unbeatable, and as he gets better, I'll upgrade the pickups and hardware. I live right near my town's "guitar street," where you can find about 30 shops with everything from cheap Asian imports to perfect vintage Les Pauls, and we just sat down and started playing everything we could. After a few tries of few dozen "name brand" cheapies, we walked out with a LAG (a French high-end brand that has their entry level guitars made in small runs in China). For the same price, the sound, wood, workmanship and playability just blew away the Chinese/Korean made Epis and Squiers.

 

A couple of months ago, the son of some good friends wanted to start the bass, so I went with the parents to "guitar st." looking for a short scale Epi EB. After playing a half dozen short scale basses, it was painfully obvious that the Epi was the worst sounding of the lot, though it was the cheapest. My friends were happy to put a couple hundred more into a bass for their son, so they walked out with a fantastic MIJ Greco/Zemaitis Lp style bass.

 

I've bought a half dozen guitars and basses for myself off Ebay sight unseen, including the 2 'birds in my avatar, but I know what I'm looking for and can do all my own repairs and set-up, so I'm not taking any crazy risks. When it comes to picking a guitar to play on, especially if it's going to be your only guitar, there's no other option but to define your budget, then go out and play on as many guitars as you can in your price range. Get a friend or your teacher to help you if you don't trust your own playing or judgement. If an Epi fits your needs, go for it. I've got an Orville by Gibson (MIJ predecessor to the Epi Elitist line) that I think is great, but if I had to sell all my guitars but one, I don't think it would be my "keeper."

[tulsaslim]

I can understand why people buy Epis and modify them. I'd do the same thing if I was still playing in bar bands. I have no desire to watch my Gibsons die a slow death in those dirty bars. Besides, a modified Epi (Gibson pickups) will be indistinguishable soundwise from a Gibson played through the typical P.A. system used by bar bands.

[tulsaslim]

That's a fact' date=' that cannot be denied, every Epi I don't care what model is still loaded with cheap Jap parts and although she may look pretty, you still have to upgrade all to get it right[/quote']

 

You have either just awakened from a Rip Van Winkle-type sleep or you don't know what you're talking about. Have you looked at Japanese guitars since the '80s? If so, kindly point out one that has 'cheap Jap parts'.

 

For that matter, show me a 'cheap Jap guitar'.

 

They might have 'cheap Korean or Chinese parts' but you're not gonna find any cheap 'Jap' parts anywhere anymore.

 

You're welcome.

[Witmer]

 

For that matter' date=' show me a 'cheap Jap guitar'.

 

[/quote']

 

 

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gretsch-Guitars-G61221962-Chet-Atkins-Country-Gentleman-Electric-Guitar?sku=513137

 

 

 

 

 

(sarcasm... I agree with you...)

[Bram]

I really don't understand why you would modify an Epi, unless you really love it to death. Save money for the real deal when your ears are ready to hear the tonal differences between guitars (and between two Epi's of the same type).

 

A good Gibson will destroy a good Epi.

 

Different pickups, pots, caps, bridges, tailpieces, tuners, etc. never guarantee a better tone. You can't turn the Epi in a

tone monster if it ain't there naturally.

[max2343]

Not so. Once your main Ingredient is met.

 

Like a good Soild Mayhogany Body/Maple cap/Set neck/Long Tenon.

 

If your talking Paul's

 

Perferably in a 24 3/4 or 25" Scale

 

It's off to the Races with the right Hardware and Electronics.

 

Gibson or not.

[tulsaslim]

I really don't understand why you would modify an Epi' date=' unless you really love it to death. Save money for the real deal when your ears are ready to hear the tonal differences between guitars (and between two Epi's of the same type).

 

A good Gibson will destroy a good Epi.

 

Different pickups, pots, caps, bridges, tailpieces, tuners, etc. never guarantee a better tone. You can't turn the Epi in a

tone monster if it ain't there naturally.

 

[/quote']

 

I'll grant you that 45 years of standing in front of amps set on 10 may have had some effect on my hearing.

 

I will also say that I've known many 'tone chasers' in my life but hardly any 'tone catchers'. (I guess it's 'the thrill of the chase').

 

Epi LP= $500. Gibson pickups, parts, etc.= $250.

Modified Epi= $750.

Gibson LP Standard= $2500

 

I'm no math wizard but last I heard $750<$2500.

 

Did I help you understand why someone would modify an Epi?

 

BTW, judging by your avatar I've been playing guitar about twice as long as you've been alive. When will my 'ears be ready' to hear this tone you're talking about?

[max2343]

Good one Dude.

 

It's that simple

[Archpop]

Folks say that an Epi LP cannot hold a match to a Gibson/ NOT TRUE!!!!

If you have the funds, sure get the Gibson. But the quality of Production grade instruments from both Gibson and Fender are NOT what they once were. If you take an Epi LP and dress the frets, take your time and search Ebay or any other such site and find good pick-ups from an older Gibson or Custom wound Fralins etc, you can make that Epi a Guitar that will stand up to any Gibson LP made today. There is a Book that is a step by step how to for guys that are just beginning and want to upgrade the Epi. I own Many a High End Guitar and I would never rule out an Epi as a starting point. We all remember when we started and motivation was high and finances low. This is a good way to put that energy into an instrument that will stand up. :- Sometimes it's also a good experience for younger players to learn the workings of an axe from ground up and this is a good way to do that also.

You would be Amazed what $300 worth of scavengered parts, a jewelers file, a $200 used Epi LP can turn out to be if you work at it.