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Guitar Beginner Here - Some Q's about the beautiful Les Paul.

Soundwave

By Soundwave
in Gibson USA

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Soundwave

Soundwave

Posted
Posted

Hey everyone,

 

I'm new here, as you can tell.

 

I'm a beginner guitar player, I've been playing for about half a year now and I really love it. So far I can only really play a few easy songs, which are still pretty sketchy, but that's beside the point.

 

So far I've been learning and playing on this cheap "Aria" brand Strat copy, and I have to admit I'm really annoyed by this guitar. It falls out of tune very quickly, it has a loud hum, and I even think the neck is a little warped out of shape. I borrowed it from my friend at first, but then decided to buy it off of him a few months back because at the time I couldn't afford anything brand new from a dealer. At that point I was between jobs, but that has since changed and I have the option to buy my own guitar in a few weeks.

 

Since I was a child I've been in love with the Les Paul and the artists that are generally associated with that particular style of guitar, and I know that you need to love the instrument you play if you want to really succeed at it. Like I said, I'm only just learning and I have very little knowledge about what to look for in a guitar (hardware specs).

 

My price range is $250-$500 at the moment; at this stage of learning I'm not willing to pay any more than that for a guitar. I went on musician'sfriend.com and found some guitars that are within my budget, and I would really just like some advice, tips, warnings, or any feedback you would like to give.

 

Personally speaking, would you recommend a low-end Epiphone LP as a beginner guitar, or do you have any other suggestions? I'm not expecting Gibson quality, of course, but Epiphone being a division of Gibson, I expect much better than the piece of junk I have right now. =D>

 

What I've found on MF are:

 

Epiphone Les Paul 100 - Not a fan of the non-traditional LP fret board, but you get what you pay for I guess.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-LP100-Electric-Guitar?sku=518661

 

Epiphone Les Paul Standard

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Standard-Plain-Top?sku=517413

 

Epiphone Les Paul Studio

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Studio-Electric-Guitar?sku=518351

 

Thanks!

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FennRx

FennRx

Posted
Posted

lots of dissenting opinions out there. and here is one from a grumpy old man of 27: dont buy the epi. save your cash and buy the gibson. buy it used, buy it new. buy a Standard, buy a Studio. no matter what, buy the gibson. people are always saying how great the epis are for the money and even how they rival gibsons.

 

bullspit.

 

in my 13 + years of playing, i have never played an epi that was worth the crappy wood it was made out of (Elitist excluded, never seen one in real life). if you cant tell the difference, then buy the epi. but for my snobby self, i went with the gibson and never looked back. i still have that 1995 Studio too....

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hbpatter83

hbpatter83

Posted
Posted

That vintange mahogany LP is a great idea and would be a perfect first good guitar. I am one who believes there's nothing wrong with an epi if that is the only thing in your budget. But at just a hundred or two more you can have this vintage mahogany... not bad! I know a professional musician that used an epi LP in the beginning and middle of his career and did very well with it. He now uses Gibson's. It probably takes a while to make good money in that buisness!

 

HP

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Thundergod

Thundergod

Posted
Posted
It's a little more' date=' but I'd buy this instead. LP Vintage Mahogany.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Vintage-Mahogany-Electric-Guitar-102771409-i1169816.gc

Regular price is $900 (I believe); so, it's on for a pretty good deal right now.[/quote']

 

 

 

I was going to say the same: vintage mahogany... maybe you can get one used for 500 on ebay... just make sure it is not a fake (if they make fake epis I think it is safe to think they will make fake VMs) you can post some pics or a link to the auction here and we can help you with that.

 

Oh, and welcome to the forum BTW.

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Silverbursted

Silverbursted

Posted
Posted

Hey Soundwave, welcome to the wonderful world of guitars. I am in agreement with bypassing the Epi, and I'll tell you why. Epi's may look like a Gibson, but they are not!!! Not even close. The idea of a beginner guitar is a farse, the guitar or the manufacturer don't care how long you have been playing or how good you are. If you go with an Epi or a Squire or whatever else Guitar Center is pushing as a "Beginner Guitar", you will be right back here in less than a year looking for a better guitar, only difference is you will have a P.O.S. guitar that you don't want to play and can't sell. Save a little longer, and get the Gibson, you won't regret it. Consider finding a nice used Studio or Classic if the VM doesn't float your boat, but don't go with the El Cheepo, you will regret. OK thats my 2 cents worth.

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Murph

Murph

Posted
Posted

I'm going to agree with Gibson guys.

 

See, the extra money stays there. It's like a Harley. The difference in price remains with the resale, so it doesn't cost any more. Furthermore they will only drop to a certain price, then they will stay there until they start going back up.

 

Best of luck.

 

Murph.

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ChanMan

ChanMan

Posted
Posted

If it was your first guitar, I'd say go with the Epi. That way if you end up giving it up, your loss will be minimal.

 

However (comma- pause for effect...)

 

 

It isn't, and you need to trade up. Look at it this way... if you get the Epi, eventually you're gonna want to have a Gibson anyway. If you buy the Gibson now, you'll actually save money. Plus, from a skills building perspective, I believe the Gibson VM (or this beautiful guitar) would be a wiser purchase decision.

 

Either way... go play a BUNCH of guitars and just see which one floats your boat! Mostly, though, enjoy the hunt!

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greatwhitenorth

greatwhitenorth

Posted
Posted

Hi Soundwave,

If I had it to do all over again I'd scrape together enough to get the Gibson. I've spent the same amount on inexpensive guitars that it cost me to buy my new 07 Standard, and let me tell you this guitar blows them all out of the water. I have only been playing for 5 years, and it seems like my playing has improved a ton in the last few weeks since I picked up my Gibby. I don't know what the used market is like in your neck of the woods, but maybe it could be an option. My advice would be to take someone who knows guitars with you no matter what you decide to buy, and have them play anything that you're interested in. I found it was easier to be objective about how the guitar sounds when someone else played it after I did (which was not very well for the first year or so). I also love playing guitar, and I think it's easier to learn if you have a decent axe.

 

I hope you find what you're looking for,

 

GWN

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myspace.com/jessenoah

myspace.com/jessenoah

Posted
Posted

if you need a guitar right now for 500 bucks, go for the guitar thats a real gibson, that will hold some resale value, and isnt made with plywood and booger electrical wire

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/EXCELLENT-GIBSON-LES-PAUL-SPECIAL-SL-R-H-USA-GUITAR-23_W0QQitemZ260304894044QQihZ016QQcategoryZ33040QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

 

 

otherwise save up for what you REALLY WANT

dont go for a studio, dont go for a epi, save for what you want and you wont regret it

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zachd33

zachd33

Posted
Posted
It's a little more' date=' but I'd buy this instead. LP Vintage Mahogany.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Les-Paul-Vintage-Mahogany-Electric-Guitar-102771409-i1169816.gc

Regular price is $900 (I believe); so, it's on for a pretty good deal right now.[/quote']

 

good call. That is just what I did. I actually found one for 630$, but it was cause my friend got me his discount at the guitar shop he works at. I don't really like the feel of epiphones, so if you cant go that high I would reckomend looking into PRS singlecuts. I played a few and they sound really good. No Les Paul of course, but I thought it felt better than the epi.

 

Welcome to the forum!! Good luck on a new guitar, should make your playing sound alot better.

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pippy

pippy

Posted
Posted

Hi and welcome.

 

I'd say that, as you've already been playing a while (even a short while), you look like your going to stay the course and the Gibson, rather than the Epi, route will reward you far more than you can guess at this stage.

 

All the above reasons and just knowing you have a real Gibson will give you a lot of encouragement to improve.

 

Good luck!

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Les Paul Fanatic

Les Paul Fanatic

Posted
Posted
Hey guys... did you notice how epis have increased in price? Some of them are now more expensive than the Vintage Mahogany.

 

No **** Thunder, man I was lookin at that and it's kinda ridiculous and kinda good at the same time, at least that way if I decide to sale one of my Epi's I'll get a decent chunk out of it. However Epi's started going up back in like late September so yeah. Now as for Soundwave, honestly save up and get a Vintage Mahogany so that way you'll get an excellent guitar at a reasonable price. You will not regret it. However this is your decision and I wish you the best no matter what you get. Good luck and hey welcome to the family my friend.

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Warren Brown

Warren Brown

Posted
Posted

Newby here, but I'll add my 2 cents. I went to GC to buy an Epi. They had several models in different finishes, etc. Boy they were beauties! Played around with several then tried a PRS Singlecut. Liked it too so I was going to have to decide which one to get. Then I saw the Gibson Les Paul Vintage Mahogany for $900 and, though it was more than I had planned to spend, tried it anyway. As soon as I plucked the strings, I could "feel it". Go play one and you'll know what I'm talkin about. It's the one that came home with me! A week later GC ran an ad offering the VM for $800 so I tested their price guarantee and sure enough, they gave me a hundred bucks back so I ended up getting it for $800! That's just my opinion.

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Homz

Homz

Posted
Posted

On a $500 budget:

Perhaps a used Gibson Studio or (dare I say) Used Gibson SG

If you want new; I wouldn't go Epi, I have looked into the Shecters and I like em, The guys at Guitar Center will sell you a new one for $500. Most of em list at GC for $600 to $700

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Stefptycia

Stefptycia

Posted
Posted

For what its worth I'll also put my two penneth in. As a young teenager in 1974 I was influenced by the then leading stars and dare say Marc Bolan with his trusty gold top. I could picture myself playing Ride a White Swan and the girls swooning eusa_drool.gif . I basically saved like mad and bought a new CSB Deluxe and still have it and I have never looked back. If you already have a guitar then keep it until you can afford to change it.

 

I know we are all not as fortunate as others but please don't opt for second best - you really do get what you pay for - and look at it as an investment also for the future.

 

Regards

 

Stef

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SRV-Zeppelin

SRV-Zeppelin

Posted
Posted

Welcome to the forum! Always nice to see a fellow Canadian here. As Flight pointed out, Epis are great guitars. Since you've only been playing about 6 months I would strongly recommend the Epi LP standard plus top... there's no point in buying a $2K guitar until you know you're going to use it regularly and love it. (Not that I'm saying you might quit guitar; but in comparison it's like buying a grand piano for someone who just started taking lessons.) The advantage to playing Epi first is that you'll appreciate the Gibson much more once you finally get it. However, if you plan on eventually getting a Gibson Les Paul, I would recommend getting the Epi in a different finish than your "dream finish." So if HCS is your favourite, get the Epi in Tobacco burst or something that you like. That way your Gibson (if you get it) will be that much more special.

 

Good luck and enjoy the guitar.

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