Steven Lister Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 No vote -- a poll cannot answer either the "better" or the "choice" question. You would need too many qualifiers to strip away all of the pre-existing bias and subjectivity like: assume that street value of both are equal and will remain so forever -- to prevent responses based on profiteering. assume they are both your favorite style/color and are 100% identical assume that.... etc., etc. Further no sane musician would vote for any "equal" that could not be played beforehand. Finally, someone asked about an Elitist LP -- and yes sir, they are fine and the one I own -- I own it b/c it's the best LP I've ever touched/played and that includes old and new Gibbys. Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 My vote was just on the color...I like the darker Epiphone a little more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted December 12, 2008 Author Share Posted December 12, 2008 My vote was just on the color...I like the darker Epiphone a little more. sigh..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Ron, you could of just said would you take 2200$ or 700$? Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 sigh..... LOL...don't tell me you didn't see that one coming Ron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 I didn't vote, but i'd take the Epi, because I already have a Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 To answer the question I would pick the Gibson for all the obvious reasons. Now, I don't think it was the original posters intention to actually compare the two but, if so, it wouldn't be a fair comparsion. In that case, it would be more realistic to compare a Gibson Les Paul Studio to a Epi Elitist L.P. , in which case, I would pick the Elitist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 That's a bit like asking, if given the choice between the Lexus and the Camry with the same body style, which one would you choose? I'd choose the Lexus and the Gibson because for free, they exhibit more value for the price, and would get me a better price if I decided to sell or trade them in. If they both cost exactly as much, I'd still choose the Lexus and the Gibson. If you asked me which one I'd buy, I'd say neither. I'm not really an LP fan, but if I was an LP fan, it would depend on how much money I had to spend on the guitar. I'd probably buy the Camry, because I don't place that much importance on the car, and I feel the extra dollars for the Lexus is a waste of money (it's way past the point of diminishing returns). At this point in time, I'd really like an SG, but I'd rather have a Gibson for the main reason that they have binding on the neck. Sometimes I play in dark places. Last night they turned the stage lights off and the room lights were dimmed to a minimum so the people could be romantic. If it wasn't for the white binding on the neck of my Casino, I couldn't have seen the fret dots. Secondary reasons of course are better switch, pots, pups and wood. But until the economy recovers, I don't think I'll be buying another Gibson -- if I buy another guitar, it will be a cheap one. Unfortunately, I think a lot of Epiphone users suffer from an inferiority complex. Especially the ones who play an identical Gibson model (LP, SG, V, etc.). Guitar brands were less of an issue in the 60s and 70s as famous players played Dan-os, Ekos, and a number of other guitars that are considered "off brands" today. And remember, it's about what you play -- but not what name is on the headstock, but what you play with your hands and what comes out of the speakers. Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 I think if you looked at it as - If you had to pay nothing for your choice, you could never sell it, but only choose based on what you know or perceive to be the better guitar, the results would be no different. If you had both in front of you and you could play and inspect both- again the results would most likely be the same. I think Ron made a good point with the post. We may argue about better and best, but the bottom line is Gibson would win out at a much higher percentage. Where we get into a disagreement more often than not, is that there is the extra $$$ paid for the name on the headstock that is over and above the cost of the better materials and workmanship - that is a feature that Gibson takes advantage of, just as Lexus does the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin134 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 if I could afford one I would get a Gibson, since I can't I have a couple Epi's... I didn't vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Hmm, maybe Nelson figured out a way to vote 25 times. We could ask for a recount. Or if there are any Illinois members, maybe they sold their vote to the highest bidder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin134 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 didn't sell mine... Just figure why bother since the result seems kinda obvious. If money was no object of course a Gibson.. we don't sell our votes in Illinois, just vacant seats in the senate..lol.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alanhindle Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 The problem with a Gibson Les Paul Standard is that, compared to some of the other Gibson solid bodies, is that there is an even greater price differential over what I would consider to be a reasonable amount to pay for a good quality electric guitar. I bought a Gibson SG faded because, since my teens, I've always wanted a Gibson SG and this one (at £425 new) fell within my 'reasonable price' range. It is clearly higher spec than my Epis, the neck is nicer to play, the woods, components and pickups are superior and there is an overall feel of high quality and craftsmanship. It was a cracking deal for me to get a Gibson for not much more of an outlay than my two Epis subsequently cost me. From the US prices quoted above there appears to be an import cost difference too. You guys can get a Gibby LP std for $2,200 whereas it would cost me the equivalent of $2,800-$3,000. If you're saying the Epi is about $600, that is about what we'd pay in the UK but we both have to import those. The only Gibbys I'd consider adding to my current arsenal would a LP studio, costing me around £700-£800 ($1400-$1600) or an SG standard at £800 ($1600). Yeh, I'd love a Gibby LP standard or a Gibby Firebird V but at the best part of the equivalent of 3 grand US$ there really is no way I could justify spending this amount, especially when there is a risk of getting a duffer because of the apparently poorer QA standards compared to the days of old. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Hey Ron, If this is some kind of raffle then I'd really like to win the Gibson please....then I could trade it towards a guitar I really want! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Would you rather have this bird for 1299$ Slightly used or any Elitist model? Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted December 13, 2008 Author Share Posted December 13, 2008 Ron' date=' you could of just said would you take 2200$ or 700$? Stan.[/quote']You don't get it do you, Stan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 I do have 4 Gibsons so i guess i kind of get it, but if you would compare a faded Gibby SG against an Epi + LP, it would tell us more about what people think about the two brands. And yes i'd take the Gibby LP over the Epi LP. But would i take the faded over the Epi, I don't know. Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted December 13, 2008 Author Share Posted December 13, 2008 Norton: Since you so eloquently brought up all the minutiae that I was hoping to avoid, I'll ask you one question, for which I ask you to give a simple, straight one-word answer: Which of your two is a better guitar, the Casino or the ES-330? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted December 13, 2008 Author Share Posted December 13, 2008 I want to thank all of my friends here for their input (yes, I know there's more to come). Maybe (BIG maybe) this will help avoid, or at least re-focus the "which is better" discussion. I applaud the intelligent and critical thinking that goes into determining what has best value for you. The myriad personal reasons for choosing a guitar are very personal and subjective, and I respect that. I ask that each of you try to understand that your reasons are not universal - they are your reasons, and may not be shared by others. I'm not suggesting that personal opinions shouldn't be shared. I am suggesting the avoidance of dogma. Although I realize that IMHO and YMMV are implicit in a forum like this, I'd like to see more responses where they are explicit, e.g. "it's been my experience that ..........." vs "you should .....". I don't want to lecture, ramble or bore. I just want to see some more open-mindedness and self-awareness. Your input is welcome; your ego is not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Would you rather have this bird for 1299$ Slightly used or any Elitist model? Thank you for the kind offer Stan, but I am not (financially) in a position to take you up on it at present. I can't believe you want to part with it! Thanks though, Leicester35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan 58 Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Hey it's the holiday season!! Stan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Norton: Since you so eloquently brought up all the minutiae that I was hoping to avoid' date=' I'll ask you one question, for which I ask you to give a simple, straight one-word answer: Which of your two is a better guitar, the Casino or the ES-330? [/quote'] Sorry about bringing up what you hoped to avoid. I can't give you a straight one-word answer (again, sorry). If both guitars were stock, I could give you a one-word answer, and I'd have to say Gibson. Why? Real MOP, better body wood, higher fret access, better acoustic sound, higher resale/trade-in value. But my Casino has been modded with Grover tuners, US pots and switch, and Duncan pickups. This complicates the issue because it actually sounds better plugged in than the Gibson does, thanks to the Duncans. What would be best would be the Gibson with the Duncan pups put into it. But that would ruin the collector's value of the instrument (strange world, isn't it? where an improvement would lower the value of a musical instrument). BTW, I voted Gibson in the poll. Also the Gibson vs. Epi debate will never end as long as the inferiority complex of owning an Epi persists. I suppose those Squier players must have the same issues. It's not about the guitar, it's about the music. Jimmy Page can get more music out of a Danelectro than I can out of the finest guitar in the world. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Strum Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 It's not about the guitar' date=' it's about the music... Notes[/quote'] And having fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted December 13, 2008 Author Share Posted December 13, 2008 "Sorry about bringing up what you hoped to avoid" Nothing to be sorry about. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Also the Gibson vs. Epi debate will never end as long as the inferiority complex of owning an Epi persists. I suppose those Squier players must have the same issues." Unfortunately, I'm afraid you're right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L1Picker Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 I ask that each of you try to understand that your reasons are not universal - they are your reasons' date=' and may not be shared by others. I'm not suggesting that personal opinions shouldn't be shared. I am suggesting the avoidance of dogma. Although I realize that IMHO and YMMV are implicit in a forum like this, I'd like to see more responses where they are explicit, e.g. "it's been my experience that ..........." vs "you should .....". I don't want to lecture, ramble or bore. I just want to see some more open-mindedness and self-awareness. Your input is welcome; your ego is not.[/quote'] I'm afraid Ron, that before you go any further, I'm going to have to ask to see your badge...or at least a sash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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