Opinions on Epiphone

[posternutbag]

I decided to go with a Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute with humbuckers. I know the original Specials had P-90s, but the sound I want is a humbucker tone. Plus, I love the stripped down look.

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Unloved - not in my book, nor anyone else who's heard/played my SG Faded bass:



- or the Faded LP '60s Tribute P-90/goldtop that I use for straight R&R and surf (been playing since surf's heyday in 1962, and I've yet to find a better surf guitar - fatter than any Fender, a match for the best original Mosrites, and tough bananas if anyone doesn't like the under-the-bed '56 LP looks ):

My impression was that to a vocal faction lower-end faded series Gibsons looked "cheap" and "diluted the brand." My Faded Series Les Paul looks very "rat rod" with it's no binding, thin flat-black finish -- so who knows, retrospectively it may now have more cool look. Love that P90 LP! And that bass asks me to channel Jack Bruce (to be clear: channel Bruce badly, but still).

The thread's OP has decided to go with humbuckers, and that's their choice and journey. I think they're seeking variety from their Fenders. But for me (and I suspect you) there's something that just connects with those fat 1950 decade generation single coils: P90s, Tele bridge pickups, Dynasonics.

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by posternutbag

I decided to go with a Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute with humbuckers. I know the original Specials had P-90s, but the sound I want is a humbucker tone. Plus, I love the stripped down look.

Let us know when you get it what you think. Nice to see the new Gibson management still serving the under $1K market. They do have the same model in dual P90 form I see, but as I said elsewhere: your choice, your journey, and it's not like I don't play humbuckers at times too. What color/finish did you decide on?

Now, to exercise my solemn forum responsibility to immediately restart your GAS: though I have not played one, for slide you could even dip down all the way into the Epi line for one of their $150 LP specials with P90s.* Bolt on neck, and low end parts sure -- but to keep in another, dedicated open tuning, heavier gauge strings for slide. Who cares about the fretwork or even the best neck angle, it's for slide. "Less than the cost of a stomp box," says the tempting little voice....

*I don't know if the P90 pickups on the $150 Epi are the same set as I love on my Epi 339.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

...My Faded Series Les Paul looks very "rat rod" with it's no binding, thin flat-black finish -- so who knows, retrospectively it may now have more cool look. Love that P-90 LP! And that bass asks me to channel Jack Bruce (to be clear: channel Bruce badly, but still)...

...But for me (and I suspect you) there's something that just connects with those fat 1950 decade generation single coils: P90s, Tele bridge pickups, Dynasonics.

FYI you're actually on the cutting edge with your LP - in case you haven't noticed most of the major makers have been going to flat/satin finishes for some of their low-end models. As far as my own goldtop is concerned, there was a small window where they were produced with a PRS-style revealed "binding" around the top edge which, in conjunction with the satin finish, made it look like some original '55-56 LP's that saw heavy use in smoke-filled bars: nice touch - it's fooled more than a few people - and the only real giveaway is the lack of neck binding (which only one person - an experienced studio player who's been on the road with a R&R Hall of Fame act - has noticed)...

Shame Gibson chose to go with the current SG Bass styling rather than the original EB-0/EB-3 - I've been in love with them ever since I saw the Zombies using one at a Murray the K show in 1964, and I missed an opportunity to pick up a really sweet '66 - exceptionally lightweight, excellent condition, and tone for days - for $265 in the mid-70's (not to worry - scored a near-mint '67 Epiphone Rivoli "Chas Chandler" for $150 at Manny's a few weeks later, flipped it for $1200 in the early-90's). Don't know how many short-scale basses you've played, but IME most of the people who complain about poor tone don't have them set up correctly: simply put, they're not slap-&-pop funk machines with skull-splintering treble (I've yet to understand the reason for a tweeter in a bass amp ) - and were never intended to be. Forget the ultra-light roundwounds - with a circa-1965 setup of heavy-gauge strings (I'm using LaBella 49-109 flats) and low action there's almost nothing that this little plank can't do: my Pedulla's become a case queen (BTW that one's set up with the LaBella "James Jamerson" 52-110 set) and I rarely use my Ibanez 5-string since there's enough natural low end that I don't need the low-B string 95% of the time. Better watch your input gain, though: these babies put out a lot of signal (the old blue-check B-15 was one of the very few amps that could handle their full output) and they were notorious for blowing speakers in their day - not really a problem for a modern amp with separate preamp/master controls, but I'd only go through the low-gain input of an old-school rig...

FWIW I'm a relatively late convert to P-90's - my first was a Peerless-built Carlo Robelli ES-5 knockoff that I bought at a Sam Ash coupon sale in the early-2K's, scored the LP in 2011 and a Godin CW II in 2012 - but as a lifelong Gretsch guy I've found them to be the ideal pickup when I want to get a little mean and nasty, but still retain the chime and clarity with which I'm familiar. Been holding out for a Dynasonic-equipped Gretsch Electromatic - for me it would be more a niche instrument so I'm not inclined to sink $3K into a 6120-55 - but with the 5600-Series semis having moved to Chinese production in 2019 and the Korean hollowbody 5400's possibly following suit sometime soon, I don't see that happening; had a built-to-order big-body (17" - 18") carved archtop on my radar for years and I'm not getting any younger, so a Dyno-equipped guitar is a low priority - then again, if I can unload a couple of low-use acoustics the Guild Starfire II ST is an approachable option:





https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ic-royal-brown

[Dru Edwards]

I have the same LP '60s Tribute P-90/goldtop as Steve has. Both guitars are 2011 IIRC (mine is). It's fantastic. Gibson Tributes are worth a look.

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Unloved - not in my book, nor anyone else who's heard/played my SG Faded bass:

<<snippet pic>>

- or the Faded LP '60s Tribute P-90/goldtop that I use for straight R&R and surf (been playing since surf's heyday in 1962, and I've yet to find a better surf guitar - fatter than any Fender, a match for the best original Mosrites, and tough bananas if anyone doesn't like the under-the-bed '56 LP looks ):

[Texsunburst59]

Ok PNB, I now understand.

The new inspired by Gibson Epiphone guitars are supposed to be really good quality that sound and play great.

If I was going to get an Epiphone to set up for slide, it would be either of these.

$399 for this Epiphone LP Special:



or this Epiphone LP Jr. for $379

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

FYI you're actually on the cutting edge with your LP - in case you haven't noticed most of the major makers have been going to flat/satin finishes for some of their low-end models. As far as my own goldtop is concerned, there was a small window where they were produced with a PRS-style revealed "binding" around the top edge which, in conjunction with the satin finish, made it look like some original '55-56 LP's that saw heavy use in smoke-filled bars: nice touch - it's fooled more than a few people - and the only real giveaway is the lack of neck binding (which only one person - an experienced studio player who's been on the road with a R&R Hall of Fame act - has noticed)...

Shame Gibson chose to go with the current SG Bass styling rather than the original EB-0/EB-3 - I've been in love with them ever since I saw the Zombies using one at a Murray the K show in 1964, and I missed an opportunity to pick up a really sweet '66 - exceptionally lightweight, excellent condition, and tone for days - for $265 in the mid-70's (not to worry - scored a near-mint '67 Epiphone Rivoli "Chas Chandler" for $150 at Manny's a few weeks later, flipped it for $1200 in the early-90's). Don't know how many short-scale basses you've played, but IME most of the people who complain about poor tone don't have them set up correctly: simply put, they're not slap-&-pop funk machines with skull-splintering treble (I've yet to understand the reason for a tweeter in a bass amp ) - and were never intended to be. Forget the ultra-light roundwounds - with a circa-1965 setup of heavy-gauge strings (I'm using LaBella 49-109 flats) and low action there's almost nothing that this little plank can't do: my Pedulla's become a case queen (BTW that one's set up with the LaBella "James Jamerson" 52-110 set) and I rarely use my Ibanez 5-string since there's enough natural low end that I don't need the low-B string 95% of the time. Better watch your input gain, though: these babies put out a lot of signal (the old blue-check B-15 was one of the very few amps that could handle their full output) and they were notorious for blowing speakers in their day - not really a problem for a modern amp with separate preamp/master controls, but I'd only go through the low-gain input of an old-school rig...

FWIW I'm a relatively late convert to P-90's - my first was a Peerless-built Carlo Robelli ES-5 knockoff that I bought at a Sam Ash coupon sale in the early-2K's, scored the LP in 2011 and a Godin CW II in 2012 - but as a lifelong Gretsch guy I've found them to be the ideal pickup when I want to get a little mean and nasty, but still retain the chime and clarity with which I'm familiar. Been holding out for a Dynasonic-equipped Gretsch Electromatic - for me it would be more a niche instrument so I'm not inclined to sink $3K into a 6120-55 - but with the 5600-Series semis having moved to Chinese production in 2019 and the Korean hollowbody 5400's possibly following suit sometime soon, I don't see that happening; had a built-to-order big-body (17" - 18") carved archtop on my radar for years and I'm not getting any younger, so a Dyno-equipped guitar is a low priority - then again, if I can unload a couple of low-use acoustics the Guild Starfire II ST is an approachable option:





https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ic-royal-brown

The line was a famous market failure,* but if you see one of the turn of the century Made in Korea Guild/Fender-era DeArmond single coil models around used they're worth considering too. I can't seem to recall the model designation of the blue single cut I own with Dynasonic type single coils and Bigbsy, but it has a great sound and neck. And my S73-12 string with the same pickups meets my "I love the Byrds LPs" electric 12-string needs.

*I think the line failed because they imitated the Guild and to some degree Gretsch features and looks to a market that was still fixated on the most successful Gibson and Fender designs. If someone picked up my single cut and thought, "Gee I wonder if this will sound like a typical Les Paul" (as played and recorded as they might expect in 2000) they would immediately think the whole line was a mistake.

[BoneDigger]

Originally Posted by Texsunburst59

Ok PNB, I now understand.

The new inspired by Gibson Epiphone guitars are supposed to be really good quality that sound and play great.

If I was going to get an Epiphone to set up for slide, it would be either of these.

$399 for this Epiphone LP Special:



or this Epiphone LP Jr. for $379

I think the Epi Special is probably the best bang for the buck of them all. I own one and it is spectacular!

[Don W]

I have an Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino reissue. The elitist series was tremendous. Fabulous workmanship made in Japan with Gibson hardware and P90 pickups. A great guitar. About twice the money as a regular Epiphone but still half as expensive as a Gibson with the same quality. I don't know if they make them anymore...if you find a used one grab it.

[Texsunburst59]

Originally Posted by Don W

I have an Epiphone Elitist 1965 Casino reissue. The elitist series was tremendous. Fabulous workmanship made in Japan with Gibson hardware and P90 pickups. A great guitar. About twice the money as a regular Epiphone but still half as expensive as a Gibson with the same quality. I don't know if they make them anymore...if you find a used one grab it.

Elite and Elitist series Epiphone's are AMAZING instruments, but are VERY expensive on the used market compared to the new Epiphone offerings.

I was lucky enough to score an '03 Epiphone Black "Elite" LP Custom a few years ago in a pawnshop for $277.

It's so good that the Elite is still in my collection, while I've sold off A LOT of USA made Gibson and Fender guitars.

My '03 Epi "Elite" LP Custom:

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Texsunburst59

...It's so good that the Elite is still in my collection, while I've sold off A LOT of USA made Gibson and Fender guitars...

Precisely the reason Gibson/Epiphone discontinued them: why pay $8-10K for a Byrdland when you can have the Elite version for under $2K, and made to a comparable (and in some respects higher) standard - and the '39 Emperor acoustic archtop (TMK only 38 were made) was proof positive that an 18" carved jazzbox doesn't require a second mortgage to afford...

[lowrider]

What about the new IBG es335 and 339, has anyone tried them?

I went around looking but there were non to be found around me.

[Ds114]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

I think the Epi Special is probably the best bang for the buck of them all. I own one and it is spectacular!

I have the special and upgraded the pups with Wolfetone mean/meaner P90s and (probably unnecessarily) gutted the electronics. I thought about swapping the tuners but they are much more stable than they look.

Great guitar all in for $600ish. And perfectly playable in stock $399 form

[BoneDigger]

Originally Posted by Ds114

I have the special and upgraded the pups with Wolfetone mean/meaner P90s and (probably unnecessarily) gutted the electronics. I thought about swapping the tuners but they are much more stable than they look.

Great guitar all in for $600ish. And perfectly playable in stock $399 form

I put Duncan Antiquities P90s in mine, but honest the stock ones are not bad at all. Never had any electronics issues with mine. It already has CTS pots.

[Ds114]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

I put Duncan Antiquities P90s in mine, but honest the stock ones are not bad at all. Never had any electronics issues with mine. It already has CTS pots.

When you said, "It already has CTS pots." you made me look again. As it turns out I did not swap the electronics in this one because it has CTS pots. But when I swapped the pickups, I did move the caps from the first to 2nd lug, going from "modern wiring" to "50s wiring".

But I am not losing it.. I bought an Epi worn SG around the same time as the LP special and did gut that one.