Epiphone LP or Gibson LP?

[MediaTechGuy]

Thanks Tim! You have given a great deal of useful information....things I had never considered before. You should be writing an online advice column.

[Charvelguy]

Gibson pleks some of their top end models, I believe some of the LP line is now being plek'd at the factory. I've also ran across dead spots from a number of manufacturers, usually from 10th on up, 15th-17th seems to be a problematic region.

Personally, if I were to consider a EPI LP, I'd have to go with an Ultra, Ultra2 or Elite.
It's a matter of personal taste though, and whether new or used, you sometimes have to play or go through a number of them in person to find one that really fits what you want.

[Wedgebill]

Excellent Timbo, you finally sussed out how to talk complete bollocks


Now where's Mickey ??????

[Wedgebill]

Never more so mate, glad you're back around here more often, I hope all your medical stuff is going good

[hellnback]

I'm sure this is way late and all but Tradition makes a Les Paul that is just f'n awesome. Great electronics superb feel and phenominal tuning retention. I've got a 20th anniversary LP and I play the Tradition LP more times than not. Plus when I put it in the case and take it out weeks later I can rely on it being in tune ,not so with my gibby. The weight is almost dead on as well neck is slicker than goose s**t on a hardwood floor and I can go from E to C without losing any playability or tonation

[lostylost]

Don't know where you are or if they have made it over there, but there's a U Beaut Aussie company called Maton that makes some really affordable (and playable) electrics.

Maton Mastersound

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Maton/Mastersound/10/1

All the stuff I have posted is done on it ... though I'm a novice recorder and just plug in my POD and play using presets so probably not good examples.

This much I can say, pretty much everyone who plays it falls in love. I had a buddy who owns an epiphone les paul and he prefers my Maton... said my guitar was cheaper... I paid 900AUD for it back in the day.

I lent it to one other friend and he almost destroyed it.... another story... *mutters under his breath...*

[lostylost]

Askimet keeps saying I'm talking bollix but you should check out `Maton Mastersound`

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Maton/Mastersound/10/1

[Rotund]

is: DO consider to replace the tuners. That will set you back maybe 150 $, but in the end you'll get a great guitar!

Interesting about the tuners. I know nothing about this but have seen some posts about it. I agree the EP tuners are not very good as they feel "loose" and not accurate. What do you suggest and is this do it yourself project or do I have to go elsewhere to have it done. I usually do my own setups but do not attempt repair. suggestions or referral to a thread please.

[MediaTechGuy]

Well Tim, knowing that I will never be as good a guitarist as some of the players here and therefore could never justify owning a half-dozen or more guitars, I chose just to buy one that will cover a lot of bases. I bought a Variax 600. I really like the maple neck/fretboard and the guitar modelling features. Everytime I go into the music store though I see one of those EPI or Hagstrom LPs and I want to use the credit card. But I must restrain myself since I just bought a lot of new gear/software. Thanks to everyone here though that gave their valuable input to my quest.

[kwjolin]

I bought an Epiphone SG G400 a year ago for $400 new. I love it! As much as I would love to own a Gibson I just can't imagine spending the extra $$$ when I'm so happy with Epiphone. I had my friends $2500 Gibson Les Paul for a few days, one sweet ass guitar but for $2100 more I really couldn't tell a whole lot of difference.
One thing with my Epi, my switch went 2 days after I brought it home, got a new one put in and it's seems to be going on me again. I guess that's the electronics issue people are talking about.
I've been reading about the Variax lately, sounds pretty cool. I like to try one out!

[flexkill]

I dont know if this thread is stil relevant or not, but I will throw this out there anyway.

I live in Nashville and the Gibson plant is right down the road from me. My buddy who's name I won't say....has been The quality control dude over there for over ten years. He has to travel to Korea twice a year to inspect their work over there as well.

He has told me more than once....that the Epiphone guitars are better than the Gibson branded models as far as build go's but the electronics and PU's are garbage. He thinks that anyone whoo pays more than 500 dollars for any Gibson guitar is crazy.

Now that being said....im one of those crazy people who have paid more than 2000 dollars on Gibson LP's before.... and i loved them all.

I have owned a few Epi LP's and SG's since meeting my buddy 8 or 9 years ago...and you know what....I think he knows what he's talking about! He hooked me up with Gibson electronics and PU's for these guitars....and they where freaking awesome!!!!!

[MediaTechGuy]

How does your buddy feel about the Robot Gibsons Flexkill?

[flexkill]

well i never really talked with him about it....but... I have played one...and as far as im concerned....it just a gimmick to get people to over pay for a guitar. Pointless if you ask me.

You have to ask yourself ...how much are those auto tuning machine heads going to cost when the servos die? I bet it aint cheap!

[Wizzelteats]

Listen to anything I've posted... All on a Epi Les Paul.. * I appreciate the try one before you buy it guys... But as I live in the Caribbean I was SOL... I bought it on a whim.. ( I've always been a fender guy) and the few *real 'pauls I've played I never liked... but straight out of the box I loved this guitar.... set-up was a snap... new strings (d'addario 10's) and intonation about a half hour... sweet.... did I mention she's a Standard Plain top Honey burst? Sexy as hell and not as flashy as some and I like that...... She does happen to be a 2nd... the only problem that I can find is that the neck binding doesnt quite meet with the nut right.... but 250 for a set neck epi? In the Caribbean? Come on!

[Charvelguy]

Well, I am taking the plunge on a 57 Goldtop VOS for 1650. A friend of mine needs surgery and is out of work at the moment. I've always wanted a goldtop LP so here's the window as I throw the $$$ out.