Need help on Les Paul models and specs.

[japkid]

Hello Everyone,

I hope you can help. I am looking for any great sites or a master of knowing all about models of Les Pauls or other Epiphones that are made in Japan or America. What the difference is between Japan built and American built. Little clues just by looking at the guitar and telling what it is. Example if there is a pick guard or not(maybe the person just toook it off) does that change the model. On some heads it says Gibson and some Les Paul Standard(base of the head on the little plate)Difference between Japans OPen book head and american made ones. Any kind of info. I want to study it all to become a master of knowledge. Even the insides, like plastic coated wires or cloth covered ones if there is such a thing, where I would find the stamps inside saying what model and if there is any. Anything please. I really appreciate reading all of this that I have typed and even more grateful if someone can lead me in the right direction.

Thank you sooooooo much,

Ken

[android13]

Alright, hello there.

 

First, I would like to say that your username is… rather ethnically derogatory. It's just that I'm from Japan, and I don't like it when people use Jap.

 

 

But alright.

Let me see.

 

A great site for guitars in general would be http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ .

It's a shopping site, but you can also get a lot of different info about guitars, and reviews.

It also lists some specs of a guitar.

 

They have an article on buying an SG: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=102172 , which describes the differences between each type (comparisons, history, etc).

They have a similar article for Les Pauls, too: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/lespaulguide .

 

You could always also check out the Gibson website, either the US version: http://www2.gibson.com/Gibson.aspx or Japan version: http://www.gibson.com/jp-jp/home/ . Of course, the prices will be unbelievably high and some info will be biased, but hey, it's like that for any manufacturer.

 

A GREAT forum (other than this, of course!) that I use for LP's in general is http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/ .

btw, can you speak/type Japanese?

[japkid]

Hello,

Thank you for your info. I am Japanese. Yes I am rather good in writting and speaking Japanese and a number of other languages as well. I will look and study all the material that you have given me to view. I look forward in all that could offer advice or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Ken

[android13]

Alright, that's good.

But keep in mind that most people here know much, much more than me too.

[lucylacetop]

First' date=' I would like to say that your username is… rather ethnically derogatory. It's just that I'm from Japan, and I don't like it when people use Jap.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Certainly no one here wants to offend anyone at all and certainly not in a ethnically derogatory way..but if Japkid is from Japan he gets to decide. Funny how people see things different, i'm British and the term "Brit" is accepted and part of our culture, regional areas have nicknames.."Brummies, scousers, mancs, geordies, mackems,cockneys,Scots are from Scotland, Australians regularly call 'emselves Ozzies, New Zealanders "Kiwi's"...certainly not a rant just an observation...

 

OK, anyway point i was getting to was out of all of those sites listed you cant beat the massive wealth of knowledge on this forum and forums like MyLesPaul etc, just read a lot and ask as many questions as you want to.

 

Personally whilst i love looking around here learning n watching i enjoy playing much much more. IMHO 5 mins of watching someone great playing and being amazed is more impressive than listing facts n figues.

LOL plus i'd get to learn about how good lots of other guitars are and how nicer they look than mine and i'd start to GAS for more, so i'll stick to what i need to know.

 

PS guys, i have always wanted to go to Japan and tour, thought about learning Japanese a little but if Japkid is from Japan and states he/she is "rather good" at speaking, what chance has a non native got...(no offence meant either...)

[matiac]

Welcome aboard 'Kid. What do you want to know? Les Pauls were built from 1952 to 1960, were dis-continued for 7 years being replaced by the SG (Solid Guitar) which Les Paul didn't want to be associated with, so they started making them again in 1968. The Gibson company during that time has switched ownership...3 times? Someone chime in if I'm wrong. Eventually Gibson aquired Epiphone, started making Les Paul/SG/335/Explorer/Flying V/ etc., in Korea for the American market, Japan for the Japanese/Asian (I suppose, although they CAN be had in the States), all kinds of brand names for the Japanese market (Greco, Orville, etc., etc.,). Nowadays, Epiphones are mostly being made in China, with some outsourcing in Indonesia. And the amazing thing is everything I've just related to you was learned right here at that Prince of forums...Epiphone. And the Gibson forums too, but I hang out way more here.