Plain or Plus top?

FootFace · 05-22-2008, 04:21 PM

Okay, Im sorta new to LPs in general, and I want to know the difference between a Plain and a Plus top. I know what a quilt top is but i'm having problems with the other two.

And also, which do you prefer, Plain, or Plus?

Thank you for all help

timgman · 05-22-2008, 04:23 PM

somewhere I hears that the plus tops use alder / or mahogany and the plaintops use mahogany (bot use maple tops but the plus has a veneer over prob 1/4 inch of maple...)
timg
my plus-top plays and sounds nice...

noisemaker · 05-22-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timgman

somewhere I hears that the plus tops use alder / or mahogany and the plaintops use mahogany (bot use maple tops but the plus has a veneer over prob 1/4 inch of maple...)
timg
my plus-top plays and sounds nice...

thats not much of a difference... its mostly look
plus = got kind of lines in the wood (cant remember what its called right now)
plain = the name explains it self

McVeyMac · 05-22-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noisemaker

thats not much of a difference... its mostly look
plus = got kind of lines in the wood (cant remember what its called right now)
plain = the name explains it self

It is my understanding that they refer to the lines in a plus top as flamed. There is even a grading system as to how well the two sides of the flames line up. On Epis this is a maple veneer. Plain is just that, a plain maple wood grain, no lines.

needlespauls · 05-22-2008, 05:47 PM

Plus top is a flame maple veneer. Plain top has a regular maple grain veneer. Used to be that at some point the updated Standard Plus top specs were a mahogany body and alder/maple or alder top. Before people knew that the Plain top Standard actually had a veneer top, it was assumed that they had a mahogany body and an actual plain maple top. Not true on the plain top. It is now advertised as solid mahogany body on both guitars. Which means there is no alder or maple cap to speak of. Both have veneers.

noisemaker · 05-22-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McVeyMac

It is my understanding that they refer to the lines in a plus top as flamed. There is even a grading system as to how well the two sides of the flames line up. On Epis this is a maple veneer. Plain is just that, a plain maple wood grain, no lines.

just what I said.. but i forgot that it was called "flamed"
why not "boiled" hehe thats nice...

Bucknasty · 05-22-2008, 11:33 PM

Plain top all the way!!!

McVeyMac · 05-23-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noisemaker

just what I said.. but i forgot that it was called "flamed"
why not "boiled" hehe thats nice...

Char Brioled?

grozza · 05-23-2008, 01:44 AM

plain tops

timgman · 05-23-2008, 07:50 AM

Epiphone Musical Instruments
the maple top they're r efering to is a 2 or so mm thick veneer?
aka" There is no "top"?

Termanator7 · 05-23-2008, 09:59 AM

Well it depends on what you like. I personally think the Plus Tops looks much better than the plain tops but thats just my opinion.

Bowhunterwt · 05-23-2008, 10:05 AM

What about baked LOL

needlespauls · 05-23-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timgman

Epiphone Musical Instruments
the maple top they're r efering to is a 2 or so mm thick veneer?
aka" There is no "top"?

Correct sir. It seems that only certain special edition Custom's have an alder top.

Slash · 05-23-2008, 02:21 PM

Hey dude, this is Slash talking

You should go for the plus top....but only if you pick the vintage sunburst...otherwise you should go for the plain...they are the same...only the look is diffrent...but you have to pay a bit more for the plus, but it's awesome!!!

i have a epiphone les paul standard plus top vintage sunburst and it's a beuty

SlashB · 05-23-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Termanator7

Well it depends on what you like. I personally think the Plus Tops looks much better than the plain tops but thats just my opinion.

I have to agree completely with this statement! I'd choose plus top over plain top anyday

Bucknasty · 05-23-2008, 11:34 PM

wow I'm surprised that this thread did go off the walls. Normally people go nuts over this subject. Same goes for pick guard or no pick guard. btw pick guard on all the way!!! lol

diceman · 05-23-2008, 11:41 PM

Ooooh, I like the plain tops. I don't like pickguards.

lp_junkie · 05-24-2008, 12:40 AM

I am looking at the plain top in solid black to replace a 77 Standard that I got rid of several years ago, I like super flamey sunbursts but need a plain old black LP for my next project guitar.

And no pickguard for me, but I keep them in case I want to sell it later on.
Epis sound great with new pickups and CTS pots, NOS caps (bumblee bee type) with heavier 16 gauge american wiring and switchcraft jack and toggle switch. Then it is pretty much the same electronically as the Gibsons.

wantsa58 · 05-24-2008, 01:38 AM

my flame top is a thin layer that is glued on top of another wood... Alder perhaps.

i have actually grown to prefer plain tops now.

X3 on ditching the pick guard. Epi should really leave it up to the buyer to install it because sometimes those holes bother me... not much though.

Fuelish · 05-24-2008, 09:56 AM

MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm MMmmmmmm mmmmmmm - still love your plaintop, there, dice

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

Ooooh, I like the plain tops. I don't like pickguards.

diceman · 05-24-2008, 11:09 AM

Thanks buddy!

Thickfreakness · 05-24-2008, 11:38 AM

I prefer plus, but my budget prefers plain.

MikeJSchmidt · 05-25-2008, 04:37 PM

I'd like to find a old plain top (3 piece would be cool) and no pick guard for me.

Mike

goldencd · 05-25-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

Ooooh, I like the plain tops. I don't like pickguards.

While I on the other hand, love the PLUS

... and don't like pickguards.

Thickfreakness · 05-25-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldencd

While I on the other hand, love the PLUS

... and don't like pickguards.

Is it just me or doesn't the headstock look quite right?

diceman · 05-25-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thickfreakness

Is it just me or doesn't the headstock look quite right?

Both Golden's guitar and my guitar are Epiphone Elitists. They're Japanese made and sport some goodies such as long neck tenons, ABR bridges, bone nuts, abalone inlays, USA electronics, etc. Golden's Elitist is just beautiful, huh? I like both plus and plain tops a lot - but nothing tops a plain top in tobacco in my book!

These are the headstocks on mine:

05-22-2008, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
FootFace Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Plain or Plus top? Okay, Im sorta new to LPs in general, and I want to know the difference between a Plain and a Plus top. I know what a quilt top is but i'm having problems with the other two. And also, which do you prefer, Plain, or Plus? Thank you for all help

05-22-2008, 04:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
timgman Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 193 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? somewhere I hears that the plus tops use alder / or mahogany and the plaintops use mahogany (bot use maple tops but the plus has a veneer over prob 1/4 inch of maple...) timg my plus-top plays and sounds nice...

05-22-2008, 05:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
needlespauls V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston area Posts: 1,496 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Plain or Plus top? Plus top is a flame maple veneer. Plain top has a regular maple grain veneer. Used to be that at some point the updated Standard Plus top specs were a mahogany body and alder/maple or alder top. Before people knew that the Plain top Standard actually had a veneer top, it was assumed that they had a mahogany body and an actual plain maple top. Not true on the plain top. It is now advertised as solid mahogany body on both guitars. Which means there is no alder or maple cap to speak of. Both have veneers. __________________ needlespauls-"King of awful MLP usernames." http://Myspace.com/ElPrivates

05-22-2008, 11:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bucknasty Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charleston, SC. Posts: 132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? Plain top all the way!!!

05-23-2008, 01:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
grozza Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 105 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? plain tops __________________ Guitars Squier Stratocaster ESP LTD V-350 Ibanez RG7321 ESP LTD MH-400 Ibanez RGT220A Prestige Epiphone Les Paul Midnight Custom Epiphone Les Paul Standard Honeyburst Amps Peavey 6505 Head Peavey 4X12 Cab Line6 Spider 112 Yamaha Budokan

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05-23-2008, 07:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
timgman Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 193 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? Epiphone Musical Instruments the maple top they're r efering to is a 2 or so mm thick veneer? aka" There is no "top"?

05-23-2008, 09:59 AM	#11 (permalink)
Termanator7 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sacramento, Ohio Posts: 946 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? Well it depends on what you like. I personally think the Plus Tops looks much better than the plain tops but thats just my opinion. __________________ ^^My #1 Guitar Influence, The Amazing Randy Rhoads.

05-23-2008, 10:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bowhunterwt V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bowling Green, Ky Posts: 363 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? What about baked LOL __________________ And the Meek Shall Inherit the Earth Rush 2112 http://www.myspace.com/blackdungeoninc 2007 Gibson Les Paul Classic Zebrawood 2007 Brian May Red Special Epiphone Ultra Les Paul Highly mod with EMG's & Tone Pro Dean Accoustic Fender P-bass 60th Anniversary Model Raven RG100 Amp Bugera 333XL 212 Tube Amp Modified Hartke 2x10 with Legend Speakers Fender Bassman 250 head with 4x10 Cab

05-23-2008, 02:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
Slash Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? Hey dude, this is Slash talking You should go for the plus top....but only if you pick the vintage sunburst...otherwise you should go for the plain...they are the same...only the look is diffrent...but you have to pay a bit more for the plus, but it's awesome!!! i have a epiphone les paul standard plus top vintage sunburst and it's a beuty

05-23-2008, 11:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bucknasty Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Charleston, SC. Posts: 132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? wow I'm surprised that this thread did go off the walls. Normally people go nuts over this subject. Same goes for pick guard or no pick guard. btw pick guard on all the way!!! lol

05-23-2008, 11:41 PM	#17 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,454 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? Ooooh, I like the plain tops. I don't like pickguards. __________________ 1969 Gibson Deluxe / 08 Gibson R8 / Epi Elitists: Standard & Custom / Epi Custom & Studio Goth - '65 Fender Jaguar My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

05-24-2008, 12:40 AM	#18 (permalink)
lp_junkie Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,129 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? I am looking at the plain top in solid black to replace a 77 Standard that I got rid of several years ago, I like super flamey sunbursts but need a plain old black LP for my next project guitar. And no pickguard for me, but I keep them in case I want to sell it later on. Epis sound great with new pickups and CTS pots, NOS caps (bumblee bee type) with heavier 16 gauge american wiring and switchcraft jack and toggle switch. Then it is pretty much the same electronically as the Gibsons.

05-24-2008, 01:38 AM	#19 (permalink)
wantsa58 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 500 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? my flame top is a thin layer that is glued on top of another wood... Alder perhaps. i have actually grown to prefer plain tops now. X3 on ditching the pick guard. Epi should really leave it up to the buyer to install it because sometimes those holes bother me... not much though. __________________ Heritage Cherry Sunburst Epi Les Paul Standard Vintage Dimarzio Super Distortion pups 50's style wiring harness from Jonesy "MLP's Official Thread Pirate Plunderer" MLP Thread Pirates

05-24-2008, 11:09 AM	#21 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 6,454 Thanks: 16 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? Thanks buddy! __________________ 1969 Gibson Deluxe / 08 Gibson R8 / Epi Elitists: Standard & Custom / Epi Custom & Studio Goth - '65 Fender Jaguar My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

05-24-2008, 11:38 AM	#22 (permalink)
Thickfreakness Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Haugesund, Norway Posts: 117 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? I prefer plus, but my budget prefers plain. __________________ Why can’t a heterosexual guy tell a heterosexual guy that he thinks his booty is fly? Epiphone Les Paul Standard - Honeyburst Fender Champion 600

05-25-2008, 04:37 PM	#23 (permalink)
MikeJSchmidt Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Shakopee, MN Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Plain or Plus top? I'd like to find a old plain top (3 piece would be cool) and no pick guard for me. Mike