Les Paul? Really?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bigbubba
  • Start date Start date
bigbubba said:
mx_mx -
pohaku[/B] - You're not dissing the PRS, are you? kidding. I like the SG because of the neck feel. Funny how people are different. I'm not a huge fella either. :)
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Actually, the PRS is my (current) regular guitar, but evey now and then I really want that Gibson LP sound and the PRS just doesn't quite do it. Actually, it doesn't do strats or tels perfectly either, which only means that I need those a couple of those too :D
 
bigbubba said:
mx_mx -
pohaku[/B] - You're not dissing the PRS, are you? kidding. I like the SG because of the neck feel. Funny how people are different. I'm not a huge fella either. :)
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Actually, the PRS is my (current) regular guitar, but evey now and then I really want that Gibson LP sound and the PRS just doesn't quite do it. Actually, it doesn't do strats or tels perfectly either, which only means that I need a couple of those too :D
 
If you have to ask about a REAL Les paul guitar you haven't actually played a REAL one.
 
There you go

Editor said:
For what its worth; never judge a book by its name brand. I've come across a couple of guitars that play themselves. Those were the ones that I wish I had now but they weren't 'cool' enough. Sometimes they were famous names, sometimes not.
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That's some great advice right there and I agree 100%.

Forget about the sticker on the headstock and just start playing anything in your price range.
 
bigbubba said:
punkin, thanks for your advice. I tried to PM you but your box is full. Oh well, I'll say thanks here. :)
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:o

I just noticed that myself.


Good luck with your shopping adventure!
 
ibanezrocks said:
I consider the Epi Les Paul to be fakes, they're alright if you really can't afford anything better, but more Les Paul like tones can be had from similarly priced guitars of better quality that don't even look like a Les Paul.
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Aren't most of them made out of cheaper woods than the "real" deal?
 
My experience is that an Epiphone Guitar is alright for gigging and as a spare on the road. Most of the live sound can be masked by amps and fx.

For recording, there's nothing better than a "real" gibson LP. I have an Ibanez guitar that I think cuts it live but, when I record in a friend's studio, I always use his fabulous Gibson LP Gold Top w/ PRS pups and a coil tap in the volume knob. It's heaven.

I want to get a Gibson LP Special. They're like $750 and only difference is the top isn't arched and may not be maple either but, I prefer Mahogany anyway.

And I just have to say that if $200-$250 was your budget, this thread was a waste of time because no guitar in that price range will be making golden tracks in studio. Live, fine but, not in studio. Buy a Dean Evo and spend the other hundred-fifty on locking tuners and plenty of strings. You can never have too many sets of strings.
 
rayc said:
If you have to ask about a REAL Les paul guitar you haven't actually played a REAL one.
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Well, I haven't played it where I could really hear the tones and sound of it. Just played it at the guitar center along with man others playing stuff out loud. So I like the look and feel. And I was wanting to know the sound and if it does make a difference. And now I want to find out the real LP sound and value. So I'll be finding a practice room at the guitar center with some LP and go hear it. :) But you're right. I haven't really "played" it, yet.


gvarko - Thanks. :)

therage! - Thanks for posting. :)

chris-from-ky - Well my budget may have been a certain range to begin with. But that's why I asked. To see what others say from experience and what other people would rather buy. And I've decided to not just spend 200-250 on a guitar for the name or whatever. I'll be playing different guitars and I might go as higher in price. I'll find a guitar that plays well that I can keep for a while and might spend more. :) Thanks for posting. :)
 
Please

therage! said:
Aren't most of them made out of cheaper woods than the "real" deal?
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Mahogany is Mahogany no matter how you slice it. The major difference is the electronics, pots, pups etc. Swap that out in an Epi and you have yourself a Gibson IMO.

Play whatever you like, I am digging my Epi G400 at the moment. I sold many Gibson's along the way, including a 61 SG re-issue. The sound and looks were phenominal, the neck I could not adjust to. My G400 has a neck like butter!! It's all about personal opinion and nothing else.
 
Just to add sommething, if you get an epi, you WILL have to change the electronics. Like the pickup selector etc (see above post), cos they WILL crap themselves not long after you buy it. The pickups probably won't, but the selector switch will. Happened with every epi I've come across
 
Good advice

mx_mx said:
Just to add sommething, if you get an epi, you WILL have to change the electronics. Like the pickup selector etc (see above post), cos they WILL crap themselves not long after you buy it. The pickups probably won't, but the selector switch will. Happened with every epi I've come across
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My G400 had the switch issue right out of the box. Once I upgraded the pups and all electronics it's a true beast..

http://www.woodguarden.com/images/Picture_001.jpg
 
gvarko said:
Mahogany is Mahogany no matter how you slice it. The major difference is the electronics, pots, pups etc. Swap that out in an Epi and you have yourself a Gibson IMO.
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Ok, so the dimensions of the maple top and mahogany body are identical?
I have seen that some Epi’s (cheaper ones?) use an Alder body.

So If I buy an Epi Les Paul Standard and swap out the electronics and pickup’s I have a guitar that will sound identical to a Gibson, correct?
 
Depneds on teh electronics you pick and think about this... by the time you buy an Epi LP and upgrade it, you could have bought a real LP and saved yourself the trouble. Like I said, Gibson is making good guitars well below a grand these days. Do the math before you make up your mind.
 
Math

chris-from-ky said:
Depneds on teh electronics you pick and think about this... by the time you buy an Epi LP and upgrade it, you could have bought a real LP and saved yourself the trouble. Like I said, Gibson is making good guitars well below a grand these days. Do the math before you make up your mind.
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Here is your math lesson, buy this guitar

http://www.music123.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Standard-Plus-Top-Electric-Guitar-i28366.music

Add these PUP's

http://www.music123.com/Gibson-Burstbucker--1Alnico-2-Humbucker-Nickel-Cover-i231264.music

Plus another $40 or so for quality pots, caps and wires.

Total = $769

I doubt you could get a Gibson LP worth owning for that price.
 
True

therage! said:
Ok, so the dimensions of the maple top and mahogany body are identical?
I have seen that some Epi’s (cheaper ones?) use an Alder body.

So If I buy an Epi Les Paul Standard and swap out the electronics and pickup’s I have a guitar that will sound identical to a Gibson, correct?
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You definetly don't want the $99 special. Get a decent Epi LP Custom or Standard, throw in some burstbucker pro's. IMO - Every bit the Gibson...
 
therage! said:
So If I buy an Epi Les Paul Standard and swap out the electronics and pickup’s I have a guitar that will sound identical to a Gibson, correct?
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NOOO! First of all Mahogany isnt always just Mahogany, this is a bunch of BS. Sure a pickup swap will get you closer but just play them each unplugged and see how different they sound, if you can't tell the difference then your blessed with the gift of never having to spend money on your gear because everything sounds the same to you. If you can tell the difference then just play EVERYTHING in your pricerange regardless of brand and buy the one you like the best.
 
So

ibanezrocks said:
NOOO! First of all Mahogany isnt always just Mahogany, this is a bunch of BS.
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You think they take the "good" Mahogany and give it to Gibson and the less than perfect Mahogany and give that to Epiphone?

Can you tell me what the difference in the Mahogany would be? Wood grain, density, moisture content??

It's myths like this that keep Gibson in business...
 
gvarko said:
You think they take the "good" Mahogany and give it to Gibson and the less than perfect Mahogany and give that to Epiphone?

Can you tell me what the difference in the Mahogany would be? Wood grain, density, moisture content??

It's myths like this that keep Gibson in business...
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Yes.

The weight for one. That is directly connected to the sustain. Many Epi guitars won't weigh anywhere near what the Gibson counter part weighs.
 
ibanezrocks said:
NOOO! First of all Mahogany isnt always just Mahogany, this is a bunch of BS. Sure a pickup swap will get you closer but just play them each unplugged and see how different they sound, if you can't tell the difference then your blessed with the gift of never having to spend money on your gear because everything sounds the same to you. If you can tell the difference then just play EVERYTHING in your pricerange regardless of brand and buy the one you like the best.
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Perfectly said!
 
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