Shopping my first LP-advice needed please.

[Durango Kid]

I recently aquired a Epi Dot and have decided that I really like 24 3/4 scale guitars.

 

I have been playing strats and teles mostly for the last 10 years or so but now I'm looking to add a nice LP to the mix as a primary solid body HB guitart. Here are my thoughts and I'm hoping someone can chime in with some useful advice.

 

I like the way my Dot hangs on me in that it brings the neck up nicely. I'm looking for similar fit.

 

I want the weight to be reasonable. I don't want a 10 pound guitar.

 

I want quality hardware that I won't have to replace and hopefully a set of pups that will keep me content for awhile.

 

The LP Ultra/Ultra II interest me because they have a satin finish neck ( I like that a lot..) and less weight overall. Seems this creates a bit of a balance issue though. Does this really cause the neck to hang low?

 

The Ultra II seems to have some nice sonic options with that other nano pup but I'm not how useful it is. What do you think of that?

 

The LP standard plus seems like a decent guitar also but I'm concerned about the weight. How much does yours weigh?

 

 

Any help is appreciated..

[geetar playr]

My Epi LP Custom weighs a lot. Just an FYI. But the hardware is great; tuners are pretty good. I think it needs the switch replaced. I did replace the pups, though.

[antwhi2001]

Like you I was mostly a Fender player but liked Gibson sound and scale.

 

The answer is the Gibson LP doublecut, look for a faded, wait for a secondhand one if cost is an issue.

You get perfect balance, slim 60s neck, thin body, great upper fret access, but a very solid all-mahogany guitar with a set neck. It's P90 rather than humbucker, but you'd be surprised how fat they can sound (think early Santana, Jethro Tull etc).

 

I haven't played the EPi version but it looks good; the set neck 57RI edition. They're harder to find here in the UK, if I'd found one of those before I found the Gibson I'd have bought the Epi. My 2004 Gibson cost me $820.

[Gordy01]

I just recently picked up a Les Paul Ultra 2.

I have been playing a Strat also for many years. I like the Ultra 2 for a few reasons.

I always found the top volume knob and switch in the way on the Strat. (I moved the top volume knob out of the way for that reason.)

The Ultra 2 weighs about 6.5 pounds. They advertise 5.5 - 7 pounds.

The Nanomag pickup gives the guitar another dimension entirely. I really like the sound of that.

You will have to strap one on; don't sit and play, to check balance.

 

So many choices. :-)

[Canine]

I usually play Les Pauls, have owned many and still own a few, and they are usually quite heavy. The Gibson model feels a little heavier than the Epi version, but they're both on the heavy side.

 

If you're buying a Les Paul then weight will be part of the deal, that's what a LP is and is supposed to be.

 

I remember when the Nighthawk came out, Gibson made such a great deal of how light it was, the thing here is that there's different models with different qualities and maybe you wanna check them all out before writing that check. Les Pauls are unique in sound, but they all have their pros and cons.

[tulsaslim]

Whereas the LP is considered heavy compared to most other guitars, if you're playing a good quality strat, you won't be put off much by the LP weight. I, too, have both strats & LPs and I have noticed that good strats are by no means 'light'.

 

I think you'll be pretty satisfied with any Epi LP starting with the Studio. (I don't consider the bolt-on LP100s to be 'real' LPs). I have 2 Epi LP Studios, 2 Epi LP Standards, and 1 Epi LP Custom & consider them all to be very good guitars. I have, however, upgraded the pickups in all of them.

 

There's nothing 'wrong' with the stock pickups, per se. I just think you can improve on them.

[generation zero]

The gibsons are all weight relieved now, so if weight is a serious concern, try a new gibby. Alternatively, there is a vast range of weight difference in the epis from one to the next, so if you're close to a store with a decent stock, go try out a dozen or so, there's bound to be a light one in the bunch. My epi custom in the natural finish that I got from MF couldn't have weighed more than eight pounds, if that. I like 'em heavy though, so that was the main reason I let myself sell it. With a Gibson, you'll be fine with the existing hardware and pickups, where you'll eventually want to upgrade your epi. You can get a nice Gibson studio for about what you'll end up spending in the long run on an epi standard plus top or custom after upgrading hardware, electronics, and adding a hard case. You can get into the epi cheaper at first though, and upgrade piece by piece over time. I would suggest trying as many different models of LP you can get your hands on, including epis, gibbys, and any decent copies you find as well. Agile makes a decent LP copy, as does (or at least did) Samick. Ibanez and ESP also make a few models that are similar to a Les Paul, and the schecter Tempest custom is a lighter weight LP alternative as well, if slightly less exact of a design copy... I would call them "inspired by" a Les Paul.

[Durango Kid]

Thanks for all replies fellas. Seems there is a lot of variation within the genre so I'll either just have to chance it or wait till I can try them hands on. One bad thing about living in a small town is that I'm pretty much a slave to mail order..

[Durango Kid]

Oh, and I also like the DC idea antwhi2001. Think I'll be looking into these a little closer..

[BlueLesPaul2006]

I really like the Blue Les Paul Standard. But I do like the Ultra II

[Bender 4 Life]

I'm definitely going to check out the "Ultra II" because the only LP i've ever really played much

is my old Gibson.....(African mahogany and ebony fretboard) that weighs in at 14.1 lbs. w/o the strap.

the neck actually points UP if the strap is too thin.

It has wrecked my upper back, and is the devil its self to try to play sitting.

The entire time, its sliding off my leg.

 

As far as Strats, I've got a "VG" on my wishlist for '09. I've played one for about 2 hours,

it's a truly amazing guitar.

[Dave]

My Natural ash strat and my LPs are all in a similar weight range...Heavy. A good leather strap 3" or 4" wide will distribute the weight and also provide some friction on the shoulder to prevent neck drop.

 

I am also a long time strat player who gravitated to the Les Paul. Although I take the Strat out to play ocassionally, I always go back to the Les Paul. It just feels right now that I've gotten used to it. There's something about the the Les Paul that just fits and feels right.