Epiphone

resurrected · 03-08-2008, 07:08 AM

Any one ever play a Les Paul classic or standard by Epi? I don't know if I want to buy a Gibson due to the price, but I really don't know about the korean made epi's. I Could always install the burstbucker pro pick ups on them, but then this could raise the price of the epi. I would like some honest feed back from those who played one and/or owns one. How is the action? How does it sound through a Marshall stack?

shaihulud · 03-08-2008, 10:23 AM

You know, I always thought that expensive guitars were overrated; too expensive and the differences between them and cheaper guitars were marginal. BUT, I recorded my first CD with the studio's Les Paul - can't remember the exact model - and it played great and sounded even better. I should note that the Les Paul I used was a top end product and WAY out of my price range. I've only played an Epiphone a few times and I didn't really like it. I think the Epi I played was a lower-middle priced model.

What kind of music are you playing? Like, relative to price/play, I really like ESP/LTD guitars - they have great kinda sound, great action, and nice cleans and most of them are pretty fairly priced.

deadprague · 03-08-2008, 10:29 AM

This is my personal experience with a lower end Epiphone Les Paul. It was my first guitar, looked great but was pretty heavy. The Neck was pretty thick and a little harder to get around when just starting, I don't think it would be as much of a problem now, but at the time it was something to think about.

The problem with that Les Paul is that the frets wore down within 2 weeks, the strings made very deep grooves in the frets. The grooves were so deep it made the guitar unplayable, so I had to return it. I bought an Ibanez GAX instead and love it, plays very well, nice thin neck - easy to play on.

I still have nothing against Gibson or Epiphone, I love the look and sound of their guitars, so maybe one day I'll buy another.

resurrected · 03-08-2008, 11:15 AM

I play mostly 60-70's rock.
Now the worn frets, was that with an epi or a gibson?
I was looking at paying at least 800 for an epi. I was thinking either the Black beauty or the standard custom.

BlackRadio · 03-08-2008, 11:27 AM

They can be good, just make sure the play it before you buy it.

deadprague · 03-08-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resurrected

I play mostly 60-70's rock.
Now the worn frets, was that with an epi or a gibson?
I was looking at paying at least 800 for an epi. I was thinking either the Black beauty or the standard custom.

It was an Epiphone and I paid around 250-300$. It was just a lower end model and maybe I got unlucky and got some lemon model. If you're spending 800$ you should be fine.

J Rock · 03-08-2008, 11:56 AM

Epi is a decent brand for the beginner / intermedite player. It will however leave something to be desired after a little while. I have owned them, and sold them. Look into ESP or IBANEZ for a better guitar at the same price.

14ETex · 03-09-2008, 07:42 AM

I have a Epiphone G-400 Deluxe (SG Copy), It's nice, the humbuckers are slightly lacking but it still sounds great and never loses tuning... (Has grover tuners)

BlackRadio · 03-09-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Rock

Epi is a decent brand for the beginner / intermedite player. It will however leave something to be desired after a little while. I have owned them, and sold them. Look into ESP or IBANEZ for a better guitar at the same price.

You're not getting an ESP for that price, unless you find a good deal used.

resurrected · 03-09-2008, 09:59 AM

I was looing at a ESP but have never really played through EMG active pickups. It sounds nice though, I am sure they will give more bite for leads. I was also thinking maybe a PRS model? I don't have many options for trying them out, very few music stores around. I guess i need to drive about 65 miles to get to one. Oh well....

johnny813 · 03-09-2008, 04:05 PM

epips are good guitars I played a les paul special 2 for years the frets wore down quick an you had to turn the vol to 8/9 and only then was the hums not to bright not a bad guitar to learn on an get to the next level.But ill tell you this ive had a 1976 gibson lp deluxe,1981 standard gold top,and a 1998 studio ebony lp.And i never got that sound that i was looking for until i playd a paul reed smith (prs) yeah there big money but you get what you pay for. No les paul out there sounds as good as a prs 10top that i have !!! get the epip to learn on,an save up to get a prs se model ther about $100 more than the epip.play on one and you will understand why gibsons an epips suck! next to a prs .

johnny

M12 · 03-09-2008, 04:28 PM

I have an Epiphone Les Paul custom.. although its muchs like the Black Beauty without the extra 3rd pick up.

Epiphones are great guitars... I used to have a cheap squire fender strat and my current Les Paul is amazing.

Im guessing a well priced Gibson is better but Epiphones are still amazing guitars.

overbulkedguy · 03-10-2008, 01:14 AM

Most of the more higher priced epi's are better then the lower priced gibbsons. I like epiphone personally. I have a low low end sg copy from them and that thing is still trucking after the abuse I have given it.

ehlpitel · 03-10-2008, 01:47 AM

Own an epi sg knockoff.

One of the biggest pieces of **** ever.

The electronics are so ****ty.

mr_traps · 03-10-2008, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14ETex

I have a Epiphone G-400 Deluxe (SG Copy), It's nice, the humbuckers are slightly lacking but it still sounds great and never loses tuning... (Has grover tuners)

x2....

but replaced with an ibanez RG

mr_traps · 03-10-2008, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resurrected

I Could always install the burstbucker pro pick ups on them, but then this could raise the price of the epi.

thats actually not a bad idea... my friend did it about a year ago, sounds nearly as good as the real thing...