Owners reviews of "Lucille" please.

[Bender 4 Life]

In about 3 weeks i'm buying yet another guitar, after much research and a lot of concideration i'm seriously concidering a "Lucille" because Chi-Town Blues is my really favorite tone (after 33+ years of playing).

Any reviews and/or info from present, or past owners of this "Holy Grail" will be greatly appreciated.

My only REAL qusetion is whether the "Varitone" switch is as effective as its played up to be???

Of course i'll give one or more Lucy's a good workout at my favorite axe shop before I buy, but i'd like some feedback before then.

Thanks in advance...........Blue Leroy.

[JefferySmith]

I was thinking Lucille myself, but I'm afraid that the beefy neck may not be to my liking. I'm not going forward with that idea without actually playing one first.

[Bender 4 Life]

I play so many different neck shapes, that except for a SLIGHT dislike for "super thin" necks, it really doesn't matter that much. Actually, a '59 LP neck is about my speed, I like 'em a lil thick and chunky.

[charlie brown]

Hi "Bender," I have a Gibson "Lucille" that I absolutely love..."Beefy neck," and all.

It's really not that bad, and one can easily become comfortable with it. I owned a

regular ES-355, years ago...and loved it, as well. "Lucille" has the added avantage

(IMHO) of being much less prone to fedback, because of the lack of "f" holes. Beyond

that, and the beefier neck profile, it's a 355. Tone? MAN! It's all you could ask for,

in a Thin-line archtop...again, IMHO. Other's may differ, but with the Veritone, it's

really quite versatile! The Vari-tone, does cut fullness, as you dial it back...so the

tone can get pretty "Thin" at times. That can be a real plus, in some situations...

when you want a bit of "bite" instead of velvet smooth. You may need to boost

the amp volume, a bit, to compensate though. (Volume pedal or clean boost, anyone?)

But, if you're playing at a good volume, to begin with...you should be fine. As with

most Humbucker guitars, a great tube amp, is the best! Bypass the Veritone, and you

have your basic 335/355 sound. And, it's a Great Looking guitar, as well. Not light,

like a Casino, but with a good strap, quite comfortable. The Ebony fingerboard is

a delight...once it's broken in. By that, I mean I've always felt they were a bit on the

hard/dry side, when new...but after awhile, with some decent amount of playing, they

become quite fast. A bit of fingerboard condtioner, or sparing use (1 time a year) lemon

oil, will help speed up that process. But, as an owner, I can't recommend it, any higher!

It's a wonderful guitar! I'm sure the Epi version is quite nice, as well. I have played them

on several visits to the various guitar shops, that carried them. Very nice! So, either way,

I think you'd really enjoy "Lucille!"

 

CB

[midiman56]

Hey there. future Lucille-owner!

 

I've had my Epiphone Lucille for a few weeks now, so I guess I could give you an impression or two. I'd been playing solid-body guitars all my life until I finally picked up a Gretsch 5120. When I set out to investigate other semi-hollw body guitars, Lucille found her way into my life. This guitar is as smooth as silk! She has great action (perfect set-up by the boys at the Las Vegas Sam Ash store ... thanks!), and tone for days. She's a bit heavier then you might expect, but the balance is so good on her that you never seem to notice. I use a slightly wider stap with her so no "shoulder groove" at all.

 

As for the Veritone, I must admit that I stay in position one or two 90 percent of the time. As CB said above, the tone really thins out once you get above those two positions, but that aside, the range of sounds this box can produce are stunning.

 

Finally, the looks ... pure sophistication! The shiny black, the lack of F Holes, that great pickguard ... this is one hollow-body that you'll be able to play and not feel the urge to put on a cowboy hat and a plad shirt. Happy hunting and keep us posted on your progress! All the best!

 

MIDI

 

By the way, if you haven't already seen it, here's a YouTube video of Phillipe Grancher playing the Epi ... enjoy!

 

[lostindesert]

Howdy Bender,

 

Love my Lucille, i agree with most of Charlie Brown's comments.

I like the ''beefy'' neck and the Vari-Tone control (correct spelling) can give you ''Fender'' like tones.

The fingerboard is rosewood and not ebony and plays like a dream.

Even the stock pickups sound very decent and are well balanced with each other, the bridge PU has a

slightly higher output then the neck PU.

I also like the backplate so you can clean and solder things easier then on a axe with f-holes.

At least try one out.

 

Peter

[JefferySmith]

Howdy Bender' date='

 

Love my Lucille, i agree with most of Charlie Brown's comments.

I like the ''beefy'' neck and the Vari-Tone control (correct spelling) can give you ''Fender'' like tones.

The fingerboard is rosewood and not ebony and plays like a dream.

Even the stock pickups sound very decent and are well balanced with each other, the bridge PU has a

slightly higher output then the neck PU.

I also like the backplate so you can clean and solder things easier then on a axe with f-holes.

At least try one out.

 

Peter[/quote']

 

I think CB failed to mention that his ebony fingerboard is on a Gibby, not an Epi.

[Bender 4 Life]

Wow y'all, I really REALLY appreciate the info........

Charlie B., I already have a bottle of lemon oil here, still plenty in it because" a little dab'll do ya" (lol)

As for the tone thinning out, thats exactly what i'm looking for, some of my tunes I like my LP ('58 RI Gibbie)

some my V (also a Gib) my G400 Custom Flametop, and when I go REALLY thin, I even use a HotRod Tele(gasp!)

So hopefully "lucille" can cover ALL my likings, going through my Valvetronix Vox (set to model a Fender Twin Reverb).

Again, many thanks for the info...............anybody else out there wanna add something????????

[lostindesert]

 

I think CB failed to mention that his ebony fingerboard is on a Gibby' date=' not an Epi.[/quote']

 

No, my fault he started his post mentioning his Gibson Lucille

 

Peter

[charlie brown]

 

I think CB failed to mention that his ebony fingerboard is on a Gibby' date=' not an Epi.[/quote']

 

Well, I mentioned mine was a Gibson, at the beginning of my post. But...to be honest,

I'd forgotten (or didn't really notice?) the Epi fingerboard was Rosewood! So, the breakin period

will probably be easier(?), or take less time, than with the Ebony. Anyway...they're both

good/great! Enjoy....

 

CB

[bluesmen]

Hi from Argentina, I've bought my brand new Epi Lucille, last week in Sam Ash Miami, I have a question, the guitar its really made in korea? The sticker told it, and the serial number told me that was made in June 2009, and the factory number is 21 (match with Unsung factory Korea), I love the guitar,she sound great, different that my 2000 year epi 335 DOT, but the question is still round my mind, its Korean or ists fake made in china, please help me, thanks a lot.

From far away, best regards to the epi owners.

Here, Epi 335 on sale, Les Paul Std, both Korean, PR5 (china) and the new Lucille.

Bye

[midiman56]

Bluesmen ... congratulations on your new guitar! I think you are safe ...

 

For one thing, you purchased your Lucille from Sam Ash ... a highly reputable music store chain and authorized Epiphone dealer. Incidently, my Lucille came from a Sam Ash store here in Las Vegas.

 

For another, every Epiphone Lucille I've ever seen came from Korea. Apparently Epiphone has not moved all of their production to China. I'm pretty positive that yours is the genuine article!

 

Welcome to the forum and anjoy your great new guitar!

 

Jim

[bluesmen]

Hi Jim, thanks for the info, Yes I agree that the store guarantee the product quality, but here in Argentina, may I find a Chinese Lucille, I'll go to the stores to find it out, only to detect the differences, and then upload here. I enjoying the Lucille, tell me something, do you, or someone else, knows the tech explanation for the vari Tone switch, I detect the changes in sounds, but how that its works. Ok gentelmens, thanks for all, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, best regards.

Adrian Bluesmen

[HarpBoy]

Hi from Argentina' date=' I've bought my brand new Epi Lucille, last week in Sam Ash Miami, I have a question, the guitar its really made in korea? The sticker told it, and the serial number told me that was made in June 2009, and the factory number is 21 (match with Unsung factory Korea), I love the guitar,she sound great, different that my 2000 year epi 335 DOT, but the question is still round my mind, its Korean or ists fake made in china, please help me, thanks a lot.

From far away, best regards to the epi owners.

Here, Epi 335 on sale, Les Paul Std, both Korean, PR5 (china) and the new Lucille.

Bye[/quote']

 

Congratulations on a great guitar, bluesman. The Lucille is a beauty! Regarding country of origin, it appears that at least some of Epiphones are still being made in Korea as there were two '09 Riviera's on Sweetwater last week with country code 21 and my '08 is also Korean (22).

 

Enjoy!

[charlie brown]

Here you go: http://www.blueshawk.info/varitone.htm

 

It's on a Gibson "Blueshawk," for this illustration, but it tells you how it works.

 

Hope that helps?

 

CB

[bluesmen]

Ok friends, thank you the link was very helpful, to understood the use of the vari tone, I think that I'll explore different SW positions to obtain differents sounds, by moment I use the postion 1 or 2, with the mic sel in the middle pos, its sound great and similar to BB sound. Thanks a lot. Bye.

Adrian

[bluesmen]

Hi guys, how are you today, I hope fine, I have a new question about my lucille, do you know the use of the little black knobs in the bridge, I discover that they are for tune the string, but what the difference to tune only with the headstock tuners? I use a 12 year old analogic Ibanez tuner, and I've no sense differences to finish the tunning with the head or bridge devices. The E string (6) sounds not good, then I adjust the little knob and re tune and now sounds OK, my guitar came without owner manual may be this explanation will be there. Sorry my ignorance, Its my fisrt guitar with this bridge. Ok that's all folks, big hug, best regards, from the wild south, land of Tango, Thanks.

Bluesmen

[charlie brown]

Hi guys' date=' how are you today, I hope fine, I have a new question about my lucille, do you know the use of the little black knobs in the bridge, I discover that they are for tune the string, but what the difference to tune only with the headstock tuners? I use a 12 year old analogic Ibanez tuner, and I've no sense differences to finish the tunning with the head or bridge devices. The E string (6) sounds not good, then I adjust the little knob and re tune and now sounds OK, my guitar came without owner manual may be this explanation will be there. Sorry my ignorance, Its my fisrt guitar with this bridge. Ok that's all folks, big hug, best regards, from the wild south, land of Tango, Thanks.

Bluesmen

[/quote']

 

That TP-6 Tailpiece, with "micro" tuners, is for fine tuning, beyond what the gear ratio of the

regular headstock turners will allow. It's also for fine tuning, and tweaking, in between songs,

if needed. A bit more discrete, that way. Try to keep the "little black screws/knobs" at about

1/2 way down...so as not to loose them, and also to have enough leeway, as needed,

when tuning.

 

Cheers,

CB

[bluesmen]

Thanks Charly, I'll try your method. Bye

Bluesmen

[bluesmen]

Hi, guys, someone could tell me what can I do with the 2nd ouput in my Lucille (the stereo one), I not idea how to connect it into an amplifier to get stereo sound. I'll need a special cable, to plug in, Can I get stereo sound pluggin in to my M audio fast track (external soundcard with a stereo/nono position), Ok thats all for now, as ever, thanks a lot in advance.

Adrian Bluesmen

[charlie brown]

A correction: A standard split "Y" cable, or a double "Y" cable that goes into the guitar on one end,

and splits again into each amp...or different channels, of the same amp...depending on what you're

actual requirement/goal is. The single Y cable, into the guitar, and the single end, into the amp,

when you don't want to use 2 amps. Then, if using 2 amps, simply set each amp to the tone you

want, and play.

 

Some folks set each amp at a different tone configuration, to the other...so, that they have a

bit different sound, coming from each amp. Some do that same thing, with the same amp, in

different channels. Then again, some just set each amp the same, and use them that way.

Best to experiment, to find out what you prefer, or even what interesting combinations, you can

come up with. My electric 12-string Rickenbacker has that same capability, of going stereo. But,

to be honest, I've never really used it, like that. It's "Stereo" jack, though...requires a single

"Stereo" plug/chord, then spilts to two mono plugs/chords. (That's where the confusion (for me)

came, in my original posting...Sorry!) Hope that helps, and isn't too confusing?

 

CB

[charlie brown]

I stand corrected ...thanks, Peter...(and I've corrected my post)....I was thinking of my

Rickenbacker 12-string. Been a long time...years, since I even messed with the "stereo" on

"Lucille"...Obviously. Sorry, for the mis-information. CRS, I guess?! ;>b

 

CB

[bluesmen]

Uhhhh mens, thanks a lot about the info, is not really clear to me but helps (sometimes Im not understand the post very well due translate problems), I not have 2 good amps, but I'll try to connect to both channels into my Fender DSP65, using 2 std guitar cables, and try, Ok gentelmen, thanks lot, and see U soon.

Bluesmen