Should I get an Epiphone Les Paul?

**CanyonCarver** · 11-17-2003, 06:28 AM

I tried one at the store on friday. Is played easily nd sounded pretty dawn HUGE through the new Line 6 Flextone III amp I plugged into.

I don't know if I need a guitar that bad, but it's $450 and I haven't treaded myself to new gear in over two years now...

Does anyone own one here? HELP?

ericgtr · 11-17-2003, 06:44 AM

Speaking for myself I can say that if it feels right then it may be a good choice. I don't even know the model of the guitar I just bought [img]images/smilies/dunno.gif[/img] I just started grabbing them off the wall and playing on them until I found one that felt good in that price range.

**CanyonCarver** · 11-17-2003, 07:02 AM

The one thing that bothers me a bit with this LEs Paul is the painted neck.
The Wolfgang with its natural maple never sticks to the hand, while the painted and polished back of the LP seems to make the skin of my hand drag a bit.

Tone-wise I like the LP though...

**Mondy** · 11-17-2003, 09:15 AM

I dunno about the guitar CC. I can just reiterate what ericgtr said :

If it feels good, and you like it, and you have the $, then BUY IT !!!

That's what I did, and it seems as though ericgtr did. Go in there, and try all the guitars that you like within your price range. Heck, even try some guitars out that you don't like. [img]images/smilies/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Then, if you find one that you do like, then bring it home with you.

That's how I got my Wolfgang. I'd heard bad things about them, everyone saying that the Music Man's were better. Well, there were no Music Man's in the shop, but I don't think I'd have been able to afford one at that time anyway.

I tried Ibanez's, Fenders, Wolfgangs, AXIS', and a few other guitars as well. I didn't know what guitar I would come back with, but in the end, it was Wolfie.

I don't know another way to buy a guitar. I did the same with the Ibanez that I got. That was a little different though, I went into an all Ibanez shop and played them all until I found one that I liked. I got lucky that day, because I have never found another one that I like as much since.

The only chance that I have taken is with my Kramer 1984 reissue. I ordered it from Musicyo.com then got it striped up. Then I realised that it was pretty messed up, so after 2 visits to the guitar shop. it finally plays alright. However, I was after the look with this guitar more than anything. I landed on my feet (eventually) though, because it also plays well (now) and sounds pretty good (depending on what mood I am in).

Have I actually helped ? Or have I talked bollocks ???

Answers on a postcard....

[img]images/smilies/icon_doh.gif[/img]

**CanyonCarver** · 11-17-2003, 09:22 AM

Thanks, guys.

I'm still waiting to hear from someone who may own one, so I can hear what they have to say about the model.

wahwah · 11-17-2003, 12:22 PM

...No!...ok I'll elaborate. I had a 'nice' Epi Les Paul Custom. It was black and had gold parts and looked awesome. It didn't sound so good so I stuck a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck in it. Then it sounded good. However, this was my first 'Paul' since I had a proper 1972 Gold Top which was awesome. I also had a 1958 re-issue which was about $2500 but it had to go! All I can say is...IT'S A COPY! No matter what you think, it'll always be a copy and not as good as the real thing. The neck was a bastard on my Epi...put it in a warm room from a cold room and the tuning went to shit. The gold hardware started to come off...I sold it as I was never using it and with doing the Eddie thing, a LP was no good to me either. I would say go with an original 'something'...I always agree that what feels good IS good and, I have a $75 Squier that supports that idea. However, the Epi's aint cheap! Hope this helps.

Stiglar · 11-17-2003, 02:52 PM

My first real guitar was a eipiphone les paul , was a real nice cover and i'd be lying if i said i didn't think it was a good guitar. i played the absolute shit out of it for years and it served me well and you can get a good sound out of it with a good amp or line 6 like you have .

i bought mine second hand for about 600 australian . the only things that started to go wrong with it later were that the volume knobs kept falling off ! which really frustrated me ! but i think that was my fault when i spent so amny hours trying to learn cathedral lol

i didn't really have problems with the neck or paint or anything like that . overall i was pretty impressed with this guitar . even though they are copies i've seen some really good guitars made by epiphone

mab8485 · 11-18-2003, 01:55 AM

I used to have a epi sg custom with gold hardware. It was a fairly nice guitar, but dont expect that gold hardware to last lol. It tarnishes really easy after about 6 months. I cant really remember if it sounded good cos i was playing through a practise amp and my ears werent very developed at the time.

**CanyonCarver** · 11-18-2003, 05:17 AM

Thanks! These are very interesting comments.

El_jalepeno · 11-18-2003, 05:47 AM

I have an Epi LP standard. All stock. I have had it for around 4 or 5 years now, gigged with it, and recorded with it. No matter what MY opinion is, buy what you like. Small stuff like volume pots and tarnished gold are going to happen to other brands as well. You deal with it or swap the parts out.

Here's a recording I recently did using my Epi LP standard. [img]images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif[/img]

http://www.vhfans.com/boards/showfla.../o/all/fpart/1

**CanyonCarver** · 11-19-2003, 10:46 AM

Helpful advice, pepper boy!

Great tone, and great playing, as always!

11-21-2003, 04:26 AM

I would go to http://www.rondomusic.com and pick up an Agile 2500 or better yet an Agile 2800. These blow away Epi Les Pauls. You're getting much closer to real Les Paul specs with those. Solid mahogany bodies with solid carved maple caps. I've heard nothing but good things about these for about half the price of an Epi Les Paul.

-Jay

El_jalepeno · 11-21-2003, 05:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
TopJimmy5150 said:
I would go to http://www.rondomusic.com and pick up an Agile 2500 or better yet an Agile 2800. These blow away Epi Les Pauls. You're getting much closer to real Les Paul specs with those. Solid mahogany bodies with solid carved maple caps. I've heard nothing but good things about these for about half the price of an Epi Les Paul.

-Jay

[/ QUOTE ]
What do you mean "much closer to real Les Paul specs"? The Epis are mahogany with real maple carved tops as well, plus you would have much better resale value than the Agile. You can get a refurb from Musicians friend for about $100 more than an Agile.