Les Paul... Gibson or Epi?

[hguy4x]

actually it depends. Due to Gibson's quality control (or lack thereof) I've played some epi's that sounded better than gibbies. I personally wouldn't buy a les paul. For the same amount of money I'd probably go another route (used Anderson, Hamer, etc).

[LOTF]

I can understand you not wanting to pay the big bucks for a Gibson LP. But it's also true that the Epi clones are definitely inferior instruments. For only a few more bucks than you'd pay for an Epi LP, you could get a Gibson faded SG Special. You'd be getting Gibson 490s for pups and you'd still be able to afford a halfway decent amp, etc. And you wouldn't be taking near the risk to develop bursitis in your shoulder over the coming years due to the excessive LP weight. If sustain is an important issue for you, just make an MXR Dyna Comp one of the effects you buy with the money you'll save.

Both your wallet and your shoulder will thank you.

[SoundSeat]

Originally Posted by Doc

Big difference. The Epi is not really a les Paul.

Doc

Oh boy, thanks, now I know!

[martinedwards]

or you could try a Agile LP.

Those boys over at rondomusic have produced a range of LP copies which are stunning. The Jam session forum is awash with stories about how excellent these instruments are. For Epi money you get a REALLY good guitar.

OK, it doesn't say Gibson on the head but it's for home use right?

[whamonkey]

Gibson.....

It's a no-brainer.

My 2 Fenders are imports...the Geddy is a Japanese Jazz( Very nice build...I'm impressed) but the Strat is a Mexi and it doesn't compare to the USA models. (I got it from a close buddy=good deal)

[wthurman]

I had an Epi LPS (double cutaway) that was fabulous (older model) with none of the above mentioned structural/tuning problems - mainly it didn't have a carved top.

And if you can find an old New York Epi from the late 50's, they're great, although the pickups are probably corroded by this time.

[wthurman]

Originally Posted by Doc

HIGA,

After you do all that, and then swap the tuners, bridge, and stop bar for good stuff, I admit, you're approaching the real thing...

Now what about the wood, the finish, and, yes!, the logo on the headstock?

Peace, just jousting with you guys.

My point is, don't let anyone talk you into believing the Epi can be made to rival, in performance and value, the Gibson. Smart money stays with the latter. Like it or not, us players have made and kept it that way.

Doc

ZZZzzzz......

Performance, yes, and value - in terms of bang for the buck, absolutely, but you have to be careful - not all Epis are created equal (and neither are all Gibsons).

I like Les Pauls, but could not care less about the logo on the headstock - in fact, I'd much prefer a late 1970's Ibanez Lawsuit Les Paul (the ones with the set neck) to a Gibson, but that's another story.

[wthurman]

Originally Posted by Doc

Wow!

I'm still waiting for the Clone Heads to get all disgruntled!

Doc

I don't know why anyone would get disgruntled, Doc, unless someone was trying to create that, which wouldn't be nice, of course. Having a different opinion isn't about being disgruntled - it's about having a different opinion.

[RickC]

I bought my son an Epi LP on ebay for Christmas dirt cheap, OK so I play it quite often also. I really like the feel and it sounded pretty decent going through my effects and Mesa Boogie amp. I decided to change out the Bridge pickup so I installed a Gibson Burstbucker and holy crap! that thing screams now. I admit I'm no expert and really haven't had much experience with the Gibson Les Pauls but for about 1/10 the cost I think we'll stick with the Epi. and by the way, I'm not disgruntled

[whamonkey]

This is an interesting thread but lets for a moment say that the money is not the issue. Which guitar would you rather own, the Gibby or the Epi? I am of the oh so humble opinion that the wood, fretwork, pickups and top are far superior on the Gibson. I owned an Epiphone Les Paul and it was an "ok" player but side to side with the real deal was just not even close. I sold it to a gent who owned 4 Epi Les Pauls already, and he said the one I sold him was the best playing Epi he ever played. Hmmph......I still say buy the most guitar you can afford, go for the authentic Les Paul. I'd rather play an awesome guitar through a decent amp than vice versa.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Bern

Les Paul... Gibson or Epi?
Epi Les Paul = VW with Mercedes emblem, no matter how much you improve things.
However, if your happy with a EPI, that's all that counts.
Gibson is the best thing. Not all of them, though. Overall, I have agree with Doc.

Doc, would you know if a Gibson neck fits an EPI LP body ?

Bern,

No, I don't. I've never reset an Epi neck.

Doc

[franchelB]

If you want a "Les Paul", get a Gibson!
Not that there's anything wrong with an Epiphone, Agile, or any "lawsuit" copies of the Les Paul...it's really NOT the guitar, but the guitar player that plays well. The Gibson Les Paul is the "real deal".

"D.T.",
I don't mean to single you out. I'm just wondering why some people don't mind spending their money on a certain Taylor/Martin or other high-end acoustic guitars, yet they question the thought of buying something as nice when they ask about electric guitars...

[~j~]

Originally Posted by hguy4x

actually it depends. Due to Gibson's quality control (or lack thereof) I've played some epi's that sounded better than gibbies. I personally wouldn't buy a les paul. For the same amount of money I'd probably go another route (used Anderson, Hamer, etc).

I can understand this coming up every once in a while, but your experiences with a few gibsons can't indicate the overall state of their quality control.

A few things to consider:

* You're spreading some [information] about gibson probably based on that you can't afford one, a lot of people can't and that sucks.. I'd like to have a whole bunch but I can't afford it. That doesn't make me go out and trash-talk them.

* You're repeating what other people have said to try to make a point but you haven't provided any details, scientific or otherwise.

* Between even just TWO guitars, the feel of the neck, the action, and sound of the pickups can vary greatly. This is even more true of Gibson because they are HANDMADE. Not only that, but depending on where you play them they could well have been exremely abused. I've played custom shop les pauls in guitar center that were total crap.

* You think epiphones don't suffer from the same quality control issues?

[RickC]

Orville? is that you?

[astrummer]

Or you could buy a Heritage which could in some ways be considered more Gibson than Gibson.......

http://www.heritageguitar.com/company/about_us.htm
http://www.heritageguitar.com/products/